Insulator–Metal Transition in Correlated Quantum Oxides for Dynamic Thermal Management

Thermal management by controlling radiative energy exchange has emerged as a sustainable route for regulating temperature and reducing energy consumption. Conventional thermal–management surfaces with static optical properties continue to find it challenging to respond to dynamic changes in ambient temperature, solar irradiation, or operating conditions. Strongly correlated oxides, which undergo insulator–metal transitions under external stimuli such as heat, electric field, light, or ion intercalation, enable reversible modulation of their optical constants for dynamic control of radiative energy exchange. This review summarizes recent advances in utilizing insulator–metal transitions in correlated oxides for dynamic thermal management. We first describe the energy balance of adaptive thermal surfaces within the solar and atmospheric spectra and map the optical parameters of materials to device–level thermal regulation performance. Then, three representative correlated oxides, including tungsten trioxide, vanadium dioxide (VO2), and perovskite rare–earth nickelates (RNiO3), are discussed in their transition behaviors and optical responses across multiple wavelength regions. Next, the design strategies and performance of devices based on these correlated oxides are surveyed with emphasis on smart windows, radiative cooling coatings, and emerging applications. Finally, we outline current challenges and future directions of correlated oxide–based dynamic thermal management.