Al (3 at%)-doped ZnO (AZO)/Ag/AZO multilayer films annealed at 100 degrees C for 20 min under an oxygen atmosphere were examined for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, hydrophobic qualities, and antibacterial activity for use in transparent glass panels. The annealed AZO (45 nm)/Ag (9 nm)/AZO (45 nm)/glass multilayer films showed a high level of EMI shielding effectiveness in the Bluetooth frequency range (similar to 39 dB) and strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The annealed multilayer films demonstrated high levels of transmittance (similar to 90%) and conferred hydrophobic qualities to previously hydrophilic as-deposited films. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.