Switchable glass, the future of glass
How will the windows of our house look like in the future? Well maybe we all have smart glass in our houses. Smart glass or smart windows, switchable windows refers to electrically switchable glass or glazing which changes light transmission properties when voltage is applied.
Smart glass can allow users to control the amount of light and heat passing through. This all with one push on a button. The glass will then change from transparent to opaque. With this smart glass is able to block light while maintaining a clear view of what lies behind the window. Another type of smart glass can provide privacy at the turn of a switch. Some known smart glass technologies are electro chromic devices, suspended particle devices and liquid crystal devices.
The promise of smart glass companies is that the technique will save costs for heating, air-conditioning and lighting. Of course smart glass makes curtains and lights screens obsolete. Of course there are also some critical people who say that smart glass has high installation costs, use too much electricity and is questionable in case of durability. Some companies which are active in the smart glass market are: Elmont glass and Research Frontiers.
For the Dutch market I personally do not believe that smart glass will be, on the short term, a big success. What do you think?