Multifunctional Solar Control Coating with Bird Collision Prevention Properties

This invention is an innovative window coating that combines two essential functionalities: solar control and bird safety. It blocks infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation to improve energy efficiency, reduce heat gain, and protect interiors from UV damage, while integrating a UV-reflective pattern to enhance window visibility for birds. The coating combines both energy-efficient solar control and bird safety into a single, integrated solution, offering a dual-purpose window coating. A low-emissivity infrared-reflective layer helps maintain a cooler interior environment, improving energy efficiency by reducing the need for air conditioning. The reflective pattern enhances contrast at UV wavelengths, aiding in bird detection of the window surface without disrupting human aesthetics.

Background: 
Windows and glass facades are a significant cause of bird collisions, leading to millions of bird deaths annually. At the same time, solar control window coatings are widely used for energy efficiency, blocking UV and IR radiation to reduce heat gain and energy consumption. Conventional solutions for energy-efficient windows often use coatings that block IR and UV light to reduce heat gain and protect interior spaces from UV damage. Separately, coatings have been developed to improve window visibility for birds by reflecting UV light, as birds can see in the UV spectrum. These two functions—solar control and bird collision prevention—have been addressed independently in prior technologies, but there is a need for a single solution that combines both capabilities effectively without compromising either functionality. This invention addresses both concerns by creating a window coating that not only improves energy efficiency but also incorporates bird-friendly features to reduce collisions, making it an eco-friendly and innovative solution for modern buildings.

Applications:

• Energy-efficient windows for commercial and residential buildings
• Architectural facades 
• Bird-friendly buildings 
• Solar panel coatings 
• Transportation hubs (airports, train stations) that require energy-efficient glass and bird safety features

Advantages:

• Dual functionality, providing two benefits in one product
• Energy efficient
• Reduces cooling costs and energy consumption
• Reduces bird collisions, contributing to wildlife preservation
• Sustainable solution that supports use of eco-friendly materials for energy-efficient, bird-friendly building solutions