Now you see it and you can’t see anything after a while! Do you ever have one of those days when the sun doesn’t know whether it is coming or going, leaving you to decide on your own whether you need to keep your blinds open or not? It won’t be long before you get the problem of your furniture fading away. Before that gets to you, you might want to know more about smart windows, also called the electrochromic smart glass. These types of smart glass are quite amusing since they can change from light to dark and back again with just a push of a button. Let’s take a deeper dive into how electrochromic glass works and what is electrochromic glass.
What is Electrochromic Glass?
Electrochromic smart glass is often just referred to as smart glass or switchable glass. This is a type of glass that can change its transparency or tint in response to an applied voltage. This transformation is achieved when there is manipulation of electrochromic materials embedded within the glass structure. These glasses have also come in quite handy when it comes to defining the interior, automotive, and architectural product design industries. In simple terms, one could also say that smart glass technologies help change the amount of light that is transmitted through the glass which could be opaque, translucent, or transparent materials.
How Electrochromic Glass Works
Now that you got to know what is electrochromic smart glass, you must be wondering how electrochromic glass works. Well, it is definitely no magic. It has a scientific principle attached to it. Here is everything you need to know about the same.
The Science Behind Electrochromic Glass
The electrochromic glass consists of PDLC also called Polymer Disperse Liquid crystal which is a medium whose light scattering ability is adjustable with the help of an electric field being applied, In their natural state which means there is no supply of electric current the PDLC droplets present are aligned randomly.
PDLC film also consists of a polymer matrix of liquid crystal which is enclosed with the help of conductive Tin Oxide-coated PET film. The resulting PDLC film also has wiring attached to a copper strip that is conductive along the film’s edge. When there is a low voltage applied the crystals align and give the resultant clear state.
The Role of Voltage in Color Change
When the power is off the liquid crystal molecules that are present randomly tend to scatter incidental light. This triggers the switchable privacy glass panel to become opaque. When the electric current is applied the liquid crystals tend to line up once again and the incidental light passes through and the privacy glass turns back to clear. Privacy glass used is usually laminated glass.
This laminated material within the liquid crystal privacy film is the one that responds to the electrical current. When electricity is applied to the film with the help of wiring the liquid crystal gets aligned and the glass instantly turns into a clear window. When the power is turned off they become opaque.
The Layers of Electrochromic Glass
While we often talk about electrochromic glass, a window like this can be made only if there are certain layers attached to it. Well, it starts off with either plastic or glass as the substrate or the base material. This is then coated with multiple thin layers with the help of a process called sputtering. This process helps application of adding thin films over each other.
On its inside surface, the window tends to have a double sandwich or five ultra-thin layers with a separator in the middle. There are also two electrodes on either side of this separator and then the two transparent electrical contact layers are present on both sides of the electrodes.
Applications of Electrochromic Smart Glass
The market for smart glass has been increasing rapidly and so have the applications of electrochromic smart glass growing as well. While there is a multitude of applications that can be listed here are a few of them.
Commercial Buildings
The use of electrochromic glass can be quite often seen in commercial buildings. Using such smart glass would allow all-day access to daylight while giving a view of nature. It also tends to reduce the glare or excessive heat from entering the building.
Residential Use
Electrochromic smart glass has a lot of applications even when it comes to residential uses. It can be used in the following areas:
- Bathroom – One of the very commonly used applications of electrochromic smart glass is in bathroom doors where it provides an aesthetic interior while also giving an alternative to blinds and curtains.
- Partition and doors – Provides superb privacy and add on to a wow factor to your interior.
- Double glazing – Helps in both instant privacy and better thermal performance. It also provides control and comfort to users.
Automotive Industry
Electrochromic smart glass is surely a great option when it comes to automotive smart windows. This allows control of light and heat entering into the vehicle. The glass also assists in reducing the strain on the air conditioning system while providing better thermal insulation. The decreased energy consumption will also allow better battery life in EVs hence reducing greenhouse gas produced.
Other Applications
There are also a lot of other applications such as smart mirrors, especially in hotels and restaurants where customers get a luxurious experience along with privacy. The aviation industry also makes use of glass for better privacy.
Benefits of Smart Glass
Smart glass could seem like a luxury to some, however, there are quite a few benefits of smart glass when you get one attached. Here are a few of the benefits of smart glass which you might find quite amusing.
Energy savings.
Smart glass can cut as much as 30% of energy costs when it comes to the summer season. This is especially due to the high insulation properties of the glass.
Enhanced comfort and privacy.
Smart glass provides you with a convenient and modern way to utilize your space. All of the control is present within a button’s click where you can instantly transform the glass from transparent to opaque. This allows for privacy whenever you require it. It also requires hardly any maintenance which means it’s easy to handle as well.
Environmental impact (reduction of HVAC usage).
The smart glass that you use lets in as much sunlight as any other traditional glass would. However one of the interesting things about smart glass is that it blocks over 95% of the UV rays and hence reduces the requirement of costly air conditioning systems.
Aesthetic and design flexibility.
There is no match to the aesthetics you get when you opt for smart glass. They offer an incredible privacy solution while keeping the décor in your house at its best. The smart glass also almost seamlessly blends into your home without having to make a lot of adjustments. Be it transparent or opaque both times you get a pretty view with an aesthetic look.
Challenges and Limitations of Electrochromic Glass
Electrochromic glass does surely give a lot of advantages however there are also quite a few challenges of electrochromic glass that you might want to be aware of before you make a final decision regarding whether you want to choose one or not.
Electrochromic glass price
One of the primary limitations why most people do not consider electrochromic glass is its cost. It could be quite pricey as compared to the other window options. However, with the long-term benefits that you get, the higher price does do justice to the product.
Durability and maintenance.
Smart glass requires regular maintenance and may also involve complex repairs to ensure its durability. The electrical components and control system may need professional attention to troubleshoot any issues. This also adds to the cost of the glass.
Potential technical challenges
The transition speed could also be a disadvantage at times since they might get slower. It could be inconvenient in such cases. The glare and reflections could be distracting which also affects visibility.
Future of Electrochromic Glass
The future of electrochromic glass seems quite bright, especially with the metrics claiming that the demand would increase by at least 8%. The main reason why such widespread growth is sure to happen is due to the following reasons:
- Rising trends of smart offices and smart homes
- Transition towards green and sustainable building
- Energy saving capacity of the smart glass
- Growing application of electrochromic glass such as mirrors, displays, and windows
- Increasing demand for electrochromic glass in the aerospace sector
- Prioritizing environmental benefits and advancements in nanotechnology is also pushing the future of electrochromic glass a bit more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, electrochromic glass is surely one of the advanced technologies that is about to take the markets to its high. Understanding the benefits of electrochromic glass and its limitations will also help you make better choices. The glass market also constantly evolving is going to bring in more innovative ideas which will change the way we interact with our environment. However main objective will definitely be sustainability and how to ensure the glass offers great benefits.
FAQs
1. Can electrochromic glass be controlled remotely?
Yes with the help of a remote control electrochromic glass could easily be controlled even remotely.
2. Does electrochromic glass provide UV protection?
The built-in UV and heat-blocking smart glass technology tends to block as much as 95% of the UV rays.
3. Can electrochromic glass be used in all climates?
Yes, you can use electrochromic glass no matter what climate is present outside your house.
4. How does electrochromic glass impact indoor comfort?
Electrochromic glass provides great comfort especially when it comes to the following points:
- UV protection
- Glare reduction
- Heat control
- More natural light entering your home
5. What is the lifespan of electrochromic glass?
An electrochromic glass can easily last up to 20 to 30 years.
6. Can electrochromic glass be customized for different applications?
Yes, you can customize the electrochromic glass based on various applications such as follows:
- Residential purposes
- Office presentations
- Advertising industries
Author Bio
Anant Gajjar, Finepoint Glass Ltd CEO, has over 16 years of experience in the glazing industry as an entrepreneur and a structural engineer. He has completed his Master of Sciences (MSc) in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Sciences (BSc in Civil Engineering) both in London and in India. Anant has a passion for travelling and creating meaningful connections worldwide.