Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1533085
26 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2025 2. Leverage expertise: Take advantage of the fabricator's DFM and engineering support services to validate designs and resolve potential issues up front. 3. Communicate effectively: Share com- plete and accurate data packages, includ- ing clear design intent, specifications, and end-use requirements, to enable fabrica- tors to provide meaningful feedback. 4. Build long-term relationships: Estab- lishing a strong partnership with a fabri- cator creates a foundation for smoother collaboration on future projects, leading to continuous improvements in both design and manufacturing processes. Conclusion Early collaboration between designers and fabricators is no longer optional—it's essen- tial. e rewards of this approach are clear including: • Reducing redesigns and production delays saves time and money • Reliable designs that succeed on the first pass enhance product confidence • Accelerated time-to-market provides a competitive edge • Improved customer satisfaction and brand reputation Early collaboration enables manufacturers and designers to focus on the ultimate prize— being first to market with a dependable, cutting- edge product that sets them apart in the indus- try. Start planning today to ensure your next project is a success from the first pass. DESIGN007 Gerry Partida is VP of technology at Summit Interconnect. Researchers have developed a new generation of smart windows with advanced self-charging, color-responsive technology with integrated energy storage. Researchers have made a sig- nificant leap in smart window tech- nology by developing innovative windows that not only change color but also pos- sess self-rechargeable capabilities, making them a promising addition to modern buildings. For decades, the quest to fabricate functional win- dows has focused on boosting performance and adding new functionalities. However, when it comes to windows with energy storage and rechargeable capabilities, challenges like cyclic stability and the need for external power have restricted their wide- spread adoption. Addressing these issues, researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in Bengaluru, India, have developed a device that enables smart windows to change color without requiring an external power source. A team led by Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Singh explored the integration of zinc-ion (Zn2+) battery concept in smart windows. The team success- fully developed and tested a prototype device using the optimized WO3 sample and Zn-K electrolytes. The prototype demonstrated remarkable cyclic sta- bility over 3000 cycles, rapid self-charging within 10 minutes, and reversible optical modulation of 40%, highlighting its potential for sustainable energy stor- age in future smart electronic applications. The findings pave the way for integrating these devices into smart electronics, potentially powered by renewable energy sources, marking a major step forward in the pursuit of sustainable energy solu- tions and demonstrating the practical utility of trans- parent batteries in modern technology. (Source: India's Ministry of Science & Technology) New Device Enables Smart Windows to Change Color Without External Power Source