Clearly cool

Architects who think light is good but heat is bad have a new friend in GE Advanced Materials. Pittsfield, Mass.-based GEAM recently launched a pair of polycarbonate sheet products that officials said are in step with architectural designs that call for large amounts of light for aesthetic value and reduce energy for interior lighting, but without the accompanying heat buildup. The single-wall sheet is sold as Lexan Exell and is aimed at public transportation applications such as train and bus glazing. Both Exell and the multiwall Thermoclear product can be used in roof domes, skylights, walkways, conservatories and other building applications.