Market Watch news -SmartGlass

The license grants Smart Glass the right to manufacture and sell SPD-SmartGlass architectural products including windows, doors, solar shading screens, curtainwalls, and skylights. 

Research Frontiers is the developer and licensor of patented SPD-Smart light-control film technology. SPD-Smart light control film technology transforms widely used products — windows, skylights and more — into products that instantly and precisely control the light, glare and heat entering a home, office, or vehicle. SPD-SmartGlass is instantly tunable to an infinite number of light transmission states regardless of window size, and easily adapts to individual preferences using control devices ranging from basic dimmer switches and photosensors to those that are integrated into a smart home or office intelligent control system.

Michael Kelleher, Director of SmartGlass, noted: “Because of our prior experience with Smart Glass International whose assets we acquired earlier this year, we immediately saw the potential for adding SPD-SmartGlass to our existing line of high-end glass products. SPD-SmartGlass offers our customers an unprecedented combination of benefits including energy efficiency, privacy and the preservation of views while at the same time controlling light, solar heat gain, and glare in an elegant manner. Like our other high-end glass products, SPD-SmartGlass adds design aesthetics and functionality to glass.”

Advantages of using SPD- Smartglass

1. Instant and precise privacy control




2. Efficient use of space in the built environment




3. Exceptional optical qualities that reduce glare and eye strain




4. Hygienic and low maintenance




5. Enhance corporate image




6. Reduce uncomfortable “Gold fish bowl” feeling when working in high-density office buildings




7. Long life – tested to in excess of 1,000,000 cycles

Where can I use SPD SmartGlass? ITV Daybreak case study

SPD SmartGlass is the ideal solution for a project of this type precisely meeting the design brief to control levels of lighitng within the studio. SPD SmartGlass was specified for this state of the art television studio project to create a solar control glazing system that would combat the negative effects of direct sunlight including glare and heat.

SPD SmartGlass offers the perfect solution and is installed in approximately 100 panels throughout the studio. The glass facade can be automatically dimmed from clear to dark controlling glare and solar heat gain while protecting the studio inhabitants from the damaging effects of UV.

SPD SmartGlass can be manually or automatically “tuned” to precisely control the amount of light, glare and heat passing through a window. While glass is a favored product for use in building facades; glare, solar heat gain and UV exposure are problematic and can often make the use of glass impractical resulting in the need to invest in expensive solar shading devices. Glass facades using patented SPD light-control technology reduce the need for air conditioning during the summer months and heating during winter.

The ability to instantly switch the glass to maximize daylight when it’s really needed and to provide controllable solar shading during peak light conditions is valuable and unique. This feature is especially useful for application in a television studio as it allows for maximum daylight to enter without compromising recording quality and controls room temperature which is also critical in this particular environment.