Smart glass

Smart glass is a category of glazing materials that changes its light-control properties in
reaction to an external stimulus (Sottile G.M., 2007), known also as switchable glazing.
Smart glass is a relatively new category of high performing glazing with significant clean
technology characteristics. It can be used in a wide range of everyday products such as
windows, doors, skylights, partitions, sunroofs, sun visors and more. (Sottile G.M.2008).

Smart Glass can be manually or automatically tuned. To control the amount of light,
glare and heat passing through a window. If we use smart glass to reduce the need of
air conditioning during the summer months and heating during winter months.

The term smart window has been applied to system with interactive or switchable
surfaces. Smart windows typically possess one or more of the following functions:

Control of optical transmittance: A modulation in the transparency is used to manage

the incident solar radiation, particularly in the visual and near- ultraviolet wavelengths.
The window will vary from almost from opaque to transparent.

Control of thermal transmittance: This is a similar function to the above, but the
wavelengths of interest extend into the near-infrared region of the spectrum. Heat
transmitted by radiation can be minimized in summer and maximized for other
conditions.

Control of view: The use of switchable material to control view is currently the fastest
growing application of smart material in a building. Interior panels and partition that
switch from transparent to translucent allow light to transmit.

Types Of Smart Glass

There are two types of glass:-active glass & passive glass.

In passive smart glass does not involve an electrical stimulus. Rather, it reacts to the
presence of other stimuli such as light (Photochromic Glass) (PC) material that change
color when exposed to light. (Thermo chromic Glass) (TC) material that change color
due to temperature change. (Chemo chromic glass) material that change color when
exposed to specific chemical environments.

Photochromic Glass (PC)

That changes color when exposed to light, Photochromic materials absorb radiant
energy which causes a reversible change of a single chemical species between two
different energy states, both of which have different absorption spectra. Photochromic
materials absorb electromagnetic energy in the ultraviolet region to produce an intrinsic
property change (Eldin Bahlol).

Thermo Chromic Glass (PG)

Thermo chromic materials change color due to temperature changes. It absorbs heat,
which leads to a thermally induced chemical reaction or phase transformation. They
have properties that undergo reversible changes when the surrounding temperature is
changed.
Active Smart Glass

Active smart glass named also switchable glass that changes light transmission
properties when voltage is applied. Active smart glass is now being offered as an
innovative design solution for products ranging from aerospace windows to architectural
skylights and automotive sunroofs.

Certain types of smart glass can allow users to control the amount of light and heat
passing through: with the press of a button, it changes from transparent to opaque,
partially blocking light while maintaining a cIear view of what lies behind the window.
Another type of smart glass can provide privacy at the turn of a switch.
There are three primary types of active smart glass technologies, each with its own
unique chemistry, production requirements and performance characteristics; electro-
chromic devices (EC), suspended particle devices (SPO), and Polymer dispersed liquid
crystal devices (POLC).

Electro Chromic Glass

Electro chromic windows centered around special materials that have electro
chromic properties. ‘Electro chromic’ describe material that can change color when
energized by an electrical current. Electro chromic windows darken when voltage
is added and are transparent when voltage is taken away. Electro chromic
windows can be adjusted to allow varying levels of visibility. Electro chromic technology
also finds use in indoor application, for example, for protection of objects under the
glass of museum display cases and picture frame glass from the damaging effects of
the UV and visible wavelengths of artificial.

It consists of layers in order from inside to outside as shown in fig. Glass or plastic panel
Conducting oxide, Electro chromic layer, such as tungsten oxide, Ion conductor
/electrolyte Ion storage, a second layer of conducting oxide , a second glass or plastic
panel.

(A) When the system is switched

off, the electro chromic window is
transparent.

(B)When the system is switched

on, the electro chromic window is
dark.
Suspended Particle Devices (SPD)

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 the power supply is switched on, the rod shaped
suspended particle molecules align, light passes through and the SPD Smart Glass
panel clears.

When the power off the rod shaped suspended particle molecules are randomly
oriented blocking light and the glass panel looks dark (or opaque), blue or, in more
recent developments, grey or black color. So, SPD can be dimmed, and allow instant
control of the amount of light and heat passing through. It consists of several layers as
shown in fig. Two panels of glass or plastic, Conductive material used to coat the panes
of glass, Suspended particle devices - millions of these black particles are placed
between the two panes of glass, Liquid suspension or film - allows the particles to float
freely between the glass, Control device - automatic or manual.

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Devices (PDLC)

In (PDLC), liquid crystals are dissolved or dispersed into a liquid polymer followed by
solidification or curing of the polymer. The liquid mix of polymer and liquid crystals is
placed between two layers of glass that includes a thin layer of a transparent,
conductive material followed by curing of the polymer, thereby forming the basic
sandwich structure of the smart window. This structure is in effect a capacitor.
Electrodes from a power supply are attached to the transparent electrodes. With no
applied voltage, the liquid crystals are randomly arranged in the droplets, resulting in
scattering of light as it passes through the smart window assembly. This results in the
translucent, "milky white" appearance. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, the
electric field formed between the two transparent electrodes on the glass cause the
liquid crystals to align, thereby allowing light to pass through the droplets with very little
scattering, resulting in a transparent state (fig 12,13). The degree of transparency can
be controlled by the applied voltage. This technology has been used in interior and
exterior settings for privacy control (for example conference rooms, intensive-care
areas, bathroom/shower doors) and as a temporary projection screen.

In this table shows a comparison between the three different kinds of switchable glass
(EC,SPD,PDLC) in characteristics and behavior in architectural activities.

Type of Glass EC SPD PDLC

When is
transparent? Switched OFF Switched ON Switched ON

Requires power to
maintain the state? No Yes Yes

Nominal (diffuse
Shading Benefit Yes Yes light)

Switching Speed Varies depending Several seconds Milliseconds

 upon panel size, regardless of panel regardless of panel
May take many size size
minutes for large
format Panels.

Light-control States Typically 2 pre-set Unlimited levels 2 (translucent and

levels from dark to from very dark to transparent)
clear clear
Energy Used to Very low Very low Very low
Operate

Benefits of Smart Glass

Active smart glass will play an increasingly important role in the world's drive toward
sustainability. Requiring very low amounts of power to operate. Architects and
designers can integrate smart glass into their projects in ways that offer unprecedented
control over in coming light, glare and heat. [n doing so, electrical energy consumption
can be lowered, cooling loads reduced, environmental impact mitigated and occupant
well-being increased. These outcomes can be achieved by the integration of smart
glass into various day lighting strategies. Most fundamentally, smart glass transforms
conventional windows into smart windows with expanded day lighting utility and value.
For example, curtains, blinds and other treatments have traditionally been used to
provide shading and glare reduction through incoming windows.
These solutions typically block one's view to the outside, an undesired outcome for
many building occupants. Windows with smart glass allow users to control incoming
light, glare and heat without the loss of view to the outside.
Generally there are a lot of benefits of using smart glass such as:

 Instant and precise control of light.

 Energy Savings on cooling & lighting costs.
 Eco friendly, reduce building carbon emissions.
 Exceptional optical qualities that reduce glare and eye strain.
 Elimination of the need for expensive window dressings like electronic louvers;
blinds and solar shades used in architectural applications.
 High durability, solid-state technology with no moving parts to wear out or break.
Infinite range of light transmission levels without blocking of view.
 Stable color characteristics for the life of the unit.
 Wide working temperature range from -20°c to +70°c Ideal for exterior
applications, ambient temperature control.
 Wide light transmission ranges.
 Hygienic low maintenance material.
 Reduced fading of carpets, furniture and protect valuable artwork.
 Reduces uncomfortable feeling when living or working in high-density buildings
such as apartment blocks or office complexes.
 Protecting skin from damaging UV rays.
 Low working voltage.
 High contrast at any viewing angle and any illumination level.
 Long life -tested to in excess of 100,000 cycles.
 Aesthetically pleasing and cost competitive.
References

Sottile G.M. survey of united state architect on the subject of smart glazing material
science and engineering

https://books.google.co.in/books?id=CrzYYWCPp7kC&pg=PA125&lpg=PA125&dq=Sott
ile+G.M.&source=bl&ots=zIqpE5vRgn&sig=D-Z6WZEMl5iQhXIwaSMPM-
7peSE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiqnZ23gfbdAhUQLnwKHYcDBJEQ6AEwB3oECAc
QAQ#v=onepage&q=Sottile%20G.M.&f=false

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_glass#Suspended-particle_devices

Elkadi H. (2006). Cultures of Glass Architecture. Ashgate publishing limited. Hampshire.

England.
Farghaly Yasser A. (2009). Using Smart Materials to Reduce Energy Consumption in
Building.

Wael Salah Eldin Bahlol Smart Glazing Systems for Low Energy Architecture.