Electrochromic Glass, also called as electric-control curtain glass can change from opaque to clear with a flick of a switch. It provides total privacy when needed. This specified structural glass is produced with the multi-development of electronics and glass techniques.

Electrochromic glass is an energy-saving component for buildings and can change color on command. It works by passing low-voltage electrical charges across a microscopically-thin coating on the glass surface, activating an electrochromic layer which changes color from clear to dark. The electric current can be activated manually or by sensors which react to light intensity. Glass darkening reduces solar transmission into the building. When there is little sunlight, the glass brightens, so that the need for the artificial light is minimized.

Electrochromic glass changes light transmission properties in response to voltage and thus controls the amount of light and heat passing through. In electrochromic glass windows, the electrochromic material changes its opacity: it changes between a colored, translucent state (usually blue) and a transparent state.

A burst of electricity is required for changing its opacity, but once the change has been effectuated, no electricity is needed for maintaining the particular shade which has been reached. Darkening occurs from the edges, moving inward, and is a slow process, ranging from many seconds to several minutes depending on glass size.

How does it work?

A thin multi-layer assembly is sandwiched between traditional pieces of glass. The two outside layers of the assembly are transparent electronic conductors. Next are a counter-electrode layer and an electrochromic layer, with an ion conductor layer in between. When a low voltage is applied across the conductors, moving ions from the counter-electrode to the electrochromic layer cause the assembly to change color. Reversing the voltage moves ions from the electrochromic layer back to the counter-electrode layer, restoring the device to its previous clear state. The glass may be programmed to absorb only part of the light spectrum, such as solar infrared.

Salient Features

When a current is supplied, it darkens and when electricity is withheld it becomes clear. Another unique aspect of this kind of glass is that it isn’t all black and white. It is able to create varying levels of light penetration, allowing total management of the sun^s power. Sometimes it takes several minutes to change shades.

Applications

Electrochromic glass provides visibility even in the darkened state and thus preserves visible contact with the outside environment. It has been used in small-scale applications such as rearview mirrors. Electrochromic technology also finds use in indoor applications, for example, for protection of objects under the glass of museum display cases and picture frame glass from the damaging effects of the UV and visible wavelengths of artificial light.

Electrochromic glass can be applied to offices, meeting rooms, hotels, villas, bathroom doors and windows, shower rooms, kitchen cabinets, glass curtain walls, technical resident conservatories and commercial buildings, as well as automobile skylights, exhibition halls, hospitals, open counters of banks, security windows of automatic machines, and so on.