Smart Window and Switchable glass

The window varies depending on the season and weather?
Adjusting the transmittance depending on the season we had a window that appeared self-adjusting color saturation and temperature. Switchable glass.
Switchable glass is one of the smart window and switchable glass is used for energy saving and environment-friendly materials is attracting attention as a new material which change the properties of existing glass. Switchable glass is suitable for environmental issues and energy savings as the most typical features of self-regulating solar heat absorption outside temperature rises darker the color becomes transparent and the temperature goes down. In response to the low energy consumption and increase the economic value of the environment. So Switchable glass is to build a safe and pleasant residential and urban environments used in various fields such as building, construction, industry and transportation sectors. Also, use the vehicle superstructure Switchable glass can protect the skin and eye of the driver, so to block the visible light by up to 40%

Smart window technology development

Korea
-'korea institute of industrial technology' has developed the metal/metal oxide thin film material deposition process and technology development for smart window
(source : smart window technology civil research information center)
-'SungKyunKwan university' has developed a simple-structured electrochromic device that does not require application as an electrolyte in smartwindow
(source : futurecreation science)

Overseas
-US company 'View' has developed and commercializad a thin film deposition process which creates a conductive layer between two glass panels to control the sun light and heat passing through from the sun
(source : smartwindow technology, engineering research information center)
-US nanotechnology company, raven brick, has developed PCM which applied nanotechnology and smart window which controls solar heat
(source : nanoinside , nano convergence industry research association)


Switchable glass are the most difficult thing for us to retain the broad market price. Complex and difficult to produce Switchable glass products. Due to. But Switchable glass are high in energy efficiency and also outstanding is high in construction, manufacturing capabilities for aesthetic and functional.

Vitswell homepage : www.vitswell.com

Smart Window and Smart Window classification

Background growth of Smart Window

The energy efficiency is likely to be a persistent concern of building managers, owners and construction companies throughout the period under consideration. Because smart windows are able to offer a clear and distinct solution here, we think that smart window makers will be able to ride the wave of energy shortage throughout the period under consideration. In reality, most of the revenues that will be generated by smart window product will essentially be derived by the needs of building owners and managers to improve on energy conservation. Smart windows may be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to providing reduced energy use in buildings, because it can provide improvements in this regard of up to 40 percent.

Smart Window

The "smart" in "smart window" can be used to describe many different kinds of functionality, including futuristic capabilities such as window that can double as panel lighting or solar panels. Smart windows carry out a function such as blocking or transmitting sunlight on-demand in response to an external stimulus, such as an electric current provided by the user. This technology is based on liquid crystal dispersed in a polymer matrix that are sensitive to electric field. Smart windows can be embedded in green building products. In the context of this development, smart windows may also from an important part of net zero energy buildings. The general trends that we have discussed here are ultimately based on various aspects of the significant energy efficiency benefits that smart windows can bring in their wake.

Smart Window classification

Passive Smart Window 
Responds to non-electrical stimuli(heat, UV) cannot be manually controlled

Active Smart Window
Responds to an electrical stimulus & and is controllable manually or automatically


EC(Electrochromic window) 

                                                               image source : Howstuffworks 2003

• Used for exterior glass application, for solar control
• Not used for interior privacy
• Long transition time from clear to opaque. Larger windows can take five to 20 minutes
• New glass must be installed no film option for existing glass
• Not used for privacy as you can still see though it in dark(tinted) state.

PDLC(Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal)

• Can be used for interior or exterior glass application
• Switches from opaque(milky white or gray) to clear in less than a second
• Can run on standard 110-volt AC
• Available in a self-adhesive film that can be applied to existing window
• Provides total privacy in its opaque state (cannot be seen through)

SPD(Suspended Particle Devices)

                                                              image source : howstuffworks 2003

• In suspended particle devices (SPDs) a thin film laminate of rod-like nano-scale particles is suspended in a liquid and placed between two pieces of glass or plastic , or attached to one layer
• When no voltage is applied the suspended particles are randomly organized thus blocking and absorbing light
• When voltage is applied the suspended particles align and let light pass
• Varying the voltage of the film varies the orientation of the suspended particles, thereby regulating the tint of the glazing and amount of light transmitted
• The visible light transmission at the darkest state of SPD glazing is around 0.5% and the process takes one to three seconds after power is applied regardless of the size of the window
• The resulting dark blue shading blocks light and provides only partial privacy

Source : Energy saving & High insulation material by National Nano Technology Policy Center     

Next generation High-function & High sensitivity Smart Window Growth

                                  

Vitswell PDLC Switchable glass

The market situation of smart windows

Recently the glass industry has shown a tendency to produce products based on energy saving and eco-friendly materials. accordingly, the smart window glass material as a new material is going to increase the awareness in the market. it has a transmittance adjusting function, with not only visible light transmittance but also UV and infrared ray transmittance. therefore smart window has been variously applied to construction sector, transport sector, and advertising sector.

Smart window principle

Smart window uses the material of PDLC(Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal). PDLC film consists of two PET films. there is an ITO film between the two PET films. in PDLC, liquid crystals are dispersed into a liquid polymer. so the liquid mix of polymer and liquid crystals is placed between two layers of PET films. users can control PDLC film's transparency and opacity with the electrical on/off switch.

• only this kinds of smart blind film can be detachable on the surface of exiting glass
• highly transparent film state-of-the-art construction techniques and offers a clean and refreshing view with no line when it operation
• low-power consumption technology of 5w/㎡ to realizing energy saving effect
• it's possible to install and design by the world's largest widen size of 1,200mm
• film has various color for your choose such as Milky White, Gray, Dark Gray and so on

vitswell homepage : www.vitswell.com

Vitswell SSB(Smart Section Blinds) Rear Screen type

Rear Screen type

on horizontal, vertical, basic types of film possible to apply to video screen blinds. during the day, it protects interior space and privacy from strong natural light. at night, i can be use as a large screen for projector represented indoor advertising and public relations. it's a utilitarian products and suitable for glass building and conference rooms. can be installed without the constraints of space, and the SSB control system can be controlled in conjunction with the home network.

vitswell homepage : www.vitswell.com

Vitswell PDLC SSB(Smart Section Blinds) Cross type

Cross type

with different sections it can be represented horizontal, vertical, basic type of various look. depending on the direction of the incoming light of the interior space this products can adjustment the light by several stage. if you want to apply the section based on the space it will improve the utilization of space, as well as can be represented to different atmosphere depending on the type of section of film. can be installed without the constraints of space, and the SSB control system can be controlled in conjunction with the home network.