# Squid-Inspired Smart Windows The University of Toronto Develops a Liquid-Filled Panel By Amy Duong | Published 2023-02-06 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquidfilled-panel References: [yankodesign](https://www.yankodesign.com/2023/02/05/squid-inspired-smart-windows-make-buildings-more-energy-efficient/) & [utoronto](https://www.utoronto.ca/)  The researchers at the University of Toronto have been working on a new development that is a liquid-filled panel inspired by the functions of squid. Specifically, they learn about the color-changing skin and fluctuating purpose of the animal to create a multiple-layered system to bring down energy costs. It tackles the issue of heating, cooling, and lighting of buildings as many lose their energy to glass-pane windows. Squids are able to move a pigment in their skin to alter the tonal look of their skin. The researchers use a device that mimics this movement and moves various liquids including dry solutions, carbon powder suspensions, and glycerol by channeling this into thin plastic sheets. Benjamin Hatton, a professor at the University notes, “It’s an advantage that this approach can use simple, relatively inexpensive, non-toxic, aqueous fluids.” Image Credit: University of Toronto ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.2/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 14% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Smart Windows:** Developing liquid-filled panels for smart windows inspired by squid skin can be a disruptive innovation in the construction and energy industry. - **Energy-efficiency:** Using liquid-filled panels for smart windows can be a trend to reduce energy loss and promote environmentally responsible construction practices. - **Mimicry-technology:** The development of a device that mimics the movement of squids to control liquid-filled panels could pave the way for new advancements in construction materials and designs. ### Who This Affects Most - **Construction:** Developing liquid-filled panels for smart windows can revolutionize construction practices by promoting energy-efficient, sustainable, and innovative building materials. - **Energy:** Incorporating smart windows that reduce energy loss and promote energy efficiency could be a disruptive innovation in the energy industry by reducing the need for traditional heating, cooling, and lighting solutions. - **Material Science:** The development of a device that can control liquid-filled panels using mimicry-technology can lead to new innovations in the research and development of advanced material science materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tunable Insulating Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/squid-skin.md) - [Squid-Inspired Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heatregulating-materials.md) - [Octopus-Inspired Color-Changing Inks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/university-of-hong-kong.md) - [Recessed Digital Wall Windows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquidview-digital-window.md) - [Window-Imitating Smart Light Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vindow.md) - [Climate-Responsive Color-Changing Paints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorchanging-paint-1.md) - [Color-Displaying Ink Variants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kobe-university.md) - [Window-Emulating Lighting Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/window-chronicles.md) - [Colored Glass Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beautiful-solar-panels.md)