As India advances toward its clean energy goals under the National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency and the National Solar Mission, reducing electricity consumption in buildings and finding innovative green power solutions have become critical. A major portion of urban energy use comes from cooling systems, and continued reliance on fossil fuels adds pressure to the environment. To tackle this, a research team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai — comprising Nishikanta Singh, Durgesh Kumar Sinha, Koushik Mahata, Dillip Bhoi, Tejram Dewangan, and Katchala Nanaji, under the leadership of Dr Sanjib Banerjee — has developed a smart polymer material that can both reduce energy usage in buildings and generate clean electricity. The innovative material functions as a smart window coating, automatically adjusting its transparency based on temperature changes. This adaptive behaviour helps reduce indoor heat, lowering the need for air-conditioning and cutting overall power consumption. In addition, the same gel can serve as an electrolyte in small power-generating devices, opening possibilities for sustainable energy applications beyond building use. “This breakthrough demonstrates how one material can serve two critical roles in energy sustainability — helping us save energy and also create it,” said Dr Banerjee. “Such multifunctional solutions are essential for India to meet its clean energy goals in a cost-effective and scalable way.” Key advantages of the innovation include: Energy savings: The smart polymer lowers cooling needs by regulating light and heat transmission. Green power generation: The gel doubles as an electrolyte for eco-friendly power devices. Cost-effectiveness: A single material serves dual energy functions, reducing the need for multiple technologies and associated costs. By combining energy efficiency and renewable energy generation in one system, this innovation aligns closely with India’s broader sustainability missions and supports the creation of smarter, greener cities. The research, published in the prestigious Advanced Functional Materials journal (Wiley-VCH), underscores IIT Bhilai’s growing contribution to India’s transition toward sustainable, technology-driven energy systems.