Technology introduced at Glasstec can be used in walls, refrigerators and even on automobiles.
Gauzy introduced the Smart Blinds technology at Glasstec in Germany. The technology, which was developed and patented by the company, allows total control of window transparence and other applications by the inclusion of a smart liquid crystal control between the two glass plates. Operated by remote control, the Smart Blinds system allows control of the light that goes through the glass as if there was a built-in blind.
However, substituting blinds and drapes is not the only possible use; the technology of “glass sandwiching” has been negotiated worldwide for use in shop windows, refrigerator doors, room dividers (in places such as hotel and hospital wards), automobile windows and even as giant high-quality projector screens.
Besides Smart Blinds, the company will soon launch another type of coating with the same characteristics of the original, but which can be fixed in existing glass surfaces with price projected to be about half of the “glass sandwich”.
At Glasstec, professionals of the market were able to see various application of the technology. The forty-square-meter stand included equipment used for the training and certification of licensed glass manufactures.
Besides the different uses demonstrated at Glasstec, Smart Blinds’ technology can also be used to end the open-and-close of refrigerators doors, the home appliance ranked second of those which most consume energy. During the times when the door is opened, the engine of the refrigerator has to work longer to cool the interior. On the other hand, with Gauzy’s glass door, it is possible to choose items without the need of opening the door.
With the touch of a button embedded in the glass it will also be possible to simulate a blind which will open, close and swivel. The liquid crystal coating will also be useful in hospitals in surgery rooms, recovery rooms and room dividers in wards, where it can substitute cloth drapes and help to create a sterilized atmosphere.
Another possible use is to create high definition giant screens in stores and shopping malls; it is only necessary to project a video in glass screens equipped with Gauzy. Before, this type of system was difficult due to the high cost of LCD TVs in larger sizes. This type of projection can also be used in shop windows, and it has already been implemented in Israel.