CromaLite Automotive Glass Products Using Research Frontiers' SPD-Smart Light-Control Film
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PADUA, Italy & WOODBURY, N.Y.--Isoclima S.p.A., a licensee of Research Frontiers Incorporated , announced today that Isoclima will feature its new CromaLite™ smart automotive glass products at two shows in Germany this month. These innovative smartglass products use next-generation SPD light-control film invented by Research Frontiers and produced by Isoclima which permits the amount of light passing through the glass to be automatically or manually controlled rapidly.
Isoclima’s CromaLite smart glass will debut in both a sunroof and in an armored glass side window at the Security 2006 trade show held in Essen, Germany from October 10-13, 2006 (Pavilion 6, Stand 312). The Essen Security Show is held every two years and at the last show had 40,000 visitors. Using proprietary lamination techniques by Isoclima, the armored security glass product represents the first time that next-generation SPD light-control film, with its wide range of light transmission and excellent optical properties, has been laminated into a bullet-resistant automotive glass product to provide increased strength and security for the vehicle and its occupants.
Isoclima’s CromaLite glass products will then appear at Glasstec 2006 (Pavilion 16, Booth C74) from October 24-28, 2006 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Glasstec, the largest glass show in the world, is held every two years and at the last show had 54,000 visitors from 81 countries.
Alberto Bertolini, General Director of Isoclima, noted: “These two important international events are the perfect forum for Isoclima to unveil its CromaLite SPD smart glass products resulting from over four years of development and evaluation work between Isoclima, our customers, Research Frontiers, and SPD emulsion suppliers. The final phase of this effort began in October 2005 when we debuted our next-generation SPD light-control film at the Vitrum Glass show in Milan. Since then we have laminated our SPD film into glass, including curved sunroof glass as well as armored bullet-resistant glass, and successfully subjected CromaLite SPD panels to strenuous accelerated durability testing. Our work with our customers during this time on specific projects indicates that strong demand exists for CromaLite SPD-Smart glass products in the automotive industry, and also by the architectual and marine glass markets.”
SPD-Smart™ sunroofs and windows allow users to instantly and precisely control the amount of light, glare and heat coming into a home, office, or vehicle by adjusting the light transmission of the SPD film used in these products. The darkness of SPD film and end-products can be adjusted automatically (using an ordinary photocell or other sensing device) or manually by simply turning a dial.
SPD film has wide applicability in a variety of SPD-Smart products including architectural, automotive, aircraft and marine windows, as well as in instantly adjustable variable tint eyewear such as sunglasses or ski goggles. In a window, sunroof, or other product using VaryFast™ SPD-Smart™ technology, the user can manually or automatically "tune" the amount of light, glare and heat coming into a home, office, aircraft, train or other vehicle. SPD-Smart windows, which can reduce energy consumption, also block over 99% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation to protect occupants and greatly reduce the fading of carpets, furniture, and artwork. Additional information about SPD-Smart windows and other products can be found at www.SmartGlass.com.
About Isoclima S.p.A
With expertise in high-technology glass, specialty glass and plastics, Isoclima produces high-end quality products for the automotive, building, aerospace, railway and marine markets. Isoclima has over 1.2 million square feet of manufacturing facilities in nine factories located in Italy, Mexico and Croatia that produce curved and flat laminated, impact-resistant, bullet-resistant, and other specialty glass products including patterned glass and low-iron glass for solar collectors and photovoltaic panels. Isoclima is ISO 9001 certified and is part of the Finind Group. Additional information about Isoclima may be found on the Internet at www.isoclima.net.
In March 2002, Isoclima purchased a license from Research Frontiers to manufacture smart switchable window products using Research Frontiers’ fast-responding suspended particle device (SPD) light-control film technology. In July 2002, Isoclima expanded its activities as a licensee of Research Frontiers by acquiring a worldwide non-exclusive license to manufacture and sell SPD light-controlling film to Research Frontiers’ authorized licensees, as well as using it in their own architectural and automotive glass end-products. These products include SPD-Smart architectural windows, skylights and partitions, and SPD-Smart automotive windows and sunroofs for various transportation vehicles such as cars, recreational vehicles, trucks, boats and trains.
About SPD Technology and Research Frontiers Incorporated
Research Frontiers Incorporated develops and licenses suspended particle device (SPD) technology used in VaryFast™ SPD-Smart™ controllable glass and plastic products. SPD technology, made possible by a flexible light-control film invented by Research Frontiers, allows the user to instantly and precisely control the shading of glass or plastic, either manually or automatically. SPD technology has numerous product applications, including: SPD-Smart™ windows, sunshades, skylights and interior partitions for homes and buildings; automotive windows, sunroofs, sunvisors, sunshades, and rear-view mirrors; aircraft and marine windows and window shades; eyewear products; and flat panel displays for electronic products.
SPD-Smart film technology was awarded a “Best of What’s New Award” from Popular Science magazine for home technology and was also recognized as one of the top tech technologies by the Society of Automotive Engineers’ Aerospace Engineering magazine. SPD technology is covered by approximately 450 patents and patent applications held by RFI worldwide. Currently 35 companies are licensed to use Research Frontiers’ patented SPD light-control technology in emulsions, films, or end-products. Information about Research Frontiers and its licensees can be found at www.SmartGlass.com.
SPD-SmartTM, SPD-SmartGlassTM, VaryFastTM, Powered by SPDTM, The View of the Future - Everywhere You LookTM and Visit SmartGlass.com - to change your view of the world™ are trademarks of Research Frontiers Incorporated. CromaLite™ is a trademark of Isoclima S.p.A.