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Automotive Technology, Collaborations and Recent Developments of Smart Materials
Automotive Technology, Collaborations and Recent Developments of Smart Materials
Automotive Smart Glass Technology
Continental
Intelligent Glass Control is an advanced system that dynamically controls automotive glass transparency, offering features like flexible shading, integrated lighting, de-icing, and solar energy generation.
Suspended Particle Device
SPD is a smart glass tech that adjusts transparency by aligning particles with electricity, enabling instant light control.
- Unpowered State: tinted(blue)
- Medium Power: 5 VA/m2
- High Voltage: 50-110 V AC
- Switching Speed: Seconds
Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal
Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) is a smart glass technology that switches between opaque and clear states using electric voltage.
- Unpowered State: Opaque(milky)
- Medium Power: 10 VA/m2
- High Voltage: 30-60 V AC
- Switching Speed: tens of ms
Liquid Crystal
Liquid crystals are materials that flow like liquids but have molecules that can be aligned like crystals, often used in displays for light control.
- Unpowered State: tinted
- Medium Power: 1 VA/m2
- High Voltage: 9-18 V AC
- Switching Speed: tens of ms
Benefits:
- Shading
- Solar Energy
- Lighting
- De-Icing
Benefits of Smart Glass Technology:
- Enhanced Privacy: Instantly darkens windows to block outside view.
- Design Flexibility: Enables creative glass shapes without losing function.
- Increased Safety: Clears mist and ice quickly without visible wires.
Gauzy
Gauzy's technologies, with or without segmentation, offer diverse applications in passenger vehicles, enhancing safety for drivers, comfort for passengers, and fuel efficiency.
Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal
A variety of automotive-grade Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal products switch in millisecond between transparent and opaque for bright yet ambient interiors.
- Ultra low haze: avg. 2.5%
- UV Blocking: 100%
- Switching Times: <3s
Suspended Particle Device
Suspended Particle Device technology blocks up to 99% of visible light for dimmable shading that maintains a view for continued visibility and contrast in transparent displays.
- Ultra low haze: avg. 2.5%
- UV Blocking: 99%
- Switching Times: 10ms
SPD Smart Glass films are laminated between glass or polycarbonate with adhesive layers to create LCG® Smart Glass.
PDLC Smart Glass films are laminated between glass using adhesive interlayers (PVB, EVA, TPU, UA) to form LCG® Smart Glass.
Application
- Sunroofs
- Sun visors
- Windows
- Side Display
Benefits
- Custom Shade
- Efficiency Optimization
- Easy Clean
- Wellbeing
- Dynamic Design
Innovations, Creations & Collaborations
Ynvisible & CondAlign
Ynvisible Interactive Inc. has partnered with Norwegian tech company CondAlign AS to integrate e-paper displays into smart applications.
The E-Align film is:
- A flexible tape with adhesive on both sides, designed to bond e-paper displays to control electronics.
- It facilitates both mechanical and electrical connections between the e-paper display and the control components.
- The film works well with roll-to-roll manufacturing processes, making it efficient for mass production.
Flexible and Thin Solutions: Traditional connectors are too bulky for small, flexible products like labels and cards.
Material Integration: CondAlign's flexible tape connects e-paper displays to electronics in mass production.
Expanding Market Potential: High-growth markets like smart cards and labels, creating new business opportunities.
While specific applications are not exhaustively listed, the collaboration is set to enhance products such as:
- Smart Card
- Smart Labels
- Digital Signage
Meta Materials & PPG
Meta Materials Inc. and PPG have formed a partnership to develop electrochromic applications for ophthalmic optics, aiming to enhance extended reality (XR) experiences.
Key highlights include:
- Product Development in dynamic dimming XR eyewear using Meta's NANOWEB® film and PPG's electrochromic gels.
- Material Innovation in lightweight, high-performance smart lenses for XR, with a focus on cost-effective, sustainable manufacturing.
- Manufacturing Strategy in Dynamic dimming technology to improve display readability and power efficiency in bright environments.
Meta and PPG will showcase their electrochromic advancements at industry events like AWE USA.
Applications
- XR Eyewear
- Smart Window
- Automotive Display
Advantages
- Cost Effective
- User Experience
- Market Expansion
- Dynamic Dimming
- Lens Technology
"PPG has a proven track record of pioneering solutions for the ophthalmic industry and the prescription eyeglass wearing public for more than 50 years." George Palikaras CEO, Meta Materials
Research Frontiers & Gauzy
Gauzy Ltd. and Research Frontiers demonstrated SPD-Smart film at CES 2022, showing dynamic glass tinting for smart city applications.
Suspended Particle Device (SPD):
- Dynamic light Control transmission by aligning nanoparticles within a film, allowing control over window tint levels.
- Users can modify window opacity with the touch of a button, providing comfort and privacy.
- Energy efficiency by reducing heat, glare, and UV exposure.
SPD Tech Timeline
- 2001: Aircraft Window Shades
- 2011: Integration in Mercedes & McLaren.
- 2015: Integration in Architectural Application.
Application
- Privacy
- Smart Projection
- Adjust Contrast
- Efficient Energy
- Reduce CO2
- Architectural
At the CES exhibition, Gauzy showcased strategies for integrating SPD-Smart film technology in various sectors:
- Electronically Dimmable Aircraft Windows
- Dual-Zone Panoramic Sunroofs
Current Scenarios
The markets for SPD-Smart film:
- Research Frontiers has licensed over 40 companies in automotive, aircraft, marine and other industries.
- Gauzy's network of over 55 global glass fabricators enhances synergies, infrastructure, and growth in the smart glass industry.
Advancing Projects, Strengths and Initiatives for Further Development
Future Snapshot
Smart materials will become even more sophisticated and adaptable, acting in uniquely personalized and responsive ways.
- Daily use in Products for User Comfort.
- Nanotechnology, 3D Printing, And Materials Science.
New Material Breakthrough
Future OEM'S Sweat + Wool + Mxene Nanosheet = Nano Generator
Researchers at Deakin University's Institute for Frontier Materials have developed a wearable hydroelectric Nano generator (HENG) that generates electricity from human sweat.
- Prototype Success: Powered a watch using sweat from a short treadmill run.
- Self-Charging: Enables fitness trackers and wearables to charge from sweat.
- Medical Use: Can support battery-free health monitoring devices.
- Space Tech: Powered spacesuits.
Future Strength
Self-adaptability Adjusts to environmental changes like temperature, pressure, or light.
Energy efficiency Enables low-power systems (e.g., smart buildings, wearables).
Miniaturization Supports compact, high-performance devices in robotics and healthcare.
Multifunctionality Combines sensing, actuation, and energy storage in one material.
Sustainability Reduces waste with recyclable or self-healing features.
Precision response Offers fast and accurate reaction to stimuli, improving control systems.
Upcoming Projects
2025 Solstice Advanced Materials, led by David Sewell, to focus on sustainable specialty chemicals and materials.
2026 NiTi SMAs are used in medical and industrial fields, with polymer blends enabling multifunctional smart materials.
2028 New photopolymers with color-shifting ability for 3D printing boost both function and look of smart materials.
Future Directions
Challenges:
- Development of more responsive, sensitive, and durable smart materials.
- Integration of smart materials into functional devices and systems.
- Automation and digital transformation in smart materials manufacturing.
- Focus on sustainability and environmental considerations.
Further Challenges
- High Development Cost
- Limited Material
- Complexity
- Slow Commercialization
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