What is a Liquid Crystal?
A liquid crystal is a hybrid between (i) a liquid which flows like a fluid and (ii) a crystal which is normally found as a solid, exhibiting short- or long-range symmetry.
Smart glass works via electrical signal through activation of switches, sensors etc. Liquid crystal molecules turn to allow light to pass through and glass becomes transparent. It is opaque when not activated.
A liquid crystal is a hybrid between (i) a liquid which flows like a fluid and (ii) a crystal which is normally found as a solid, exhibiting short- or long-range symmetry.
The smartness of PDLCs is a result of its ability to change its transparency (technically called the transmittance) when an electrical stimulus is applied to it. This is normally by way of an alternating voltage, which exerts an alternating electric field across the PDLC material.
Nevertheless, the PDLC is only as smart as the control system which stimulates the change, which can be driven by a push button switch, a light sensor, or a building automation system.
Yes, smart glass/film can be regulated to slowly transform from opaque to transparent or vice versa. A transformer with dimmer function is needed.
Yes, smart glass can be installed in outdoor areas as normal laminated glass.
The liquid crystals change their refractive index in relation to the isotropically transparent polymer in which they are immersed, thereby creating multiple step boundaries throughout the PDLC.
It is this change in refractive index at each boundary which causes light to change course. Since the PDLC material contains millions of liquid crystals, each with a boundary facing a slightly different way, the light is scattered in many directions.
The net effect is to hide whatever is behind the PDLC smart glass.
Not at all; common examples of natural occurrences of liquid crystals include proteins, soaps, detergents, and even some types of clay.
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