Tag: Indoor smart glass

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What Is a Smart Window Glass?

smart window glass

A smart window glass uses an electrical current to change the tint of the glass. They are also known as “electrochromic glass”, “smart glass” or “switchable glass”. These smart window glass can change its appearance from transparent to translucent when electric current is applied.

Types of Smart Window glass:

  1. In-plane switching (IPS) – in this type, the electrochromic material is sandwiched between two layers of glass and the ions move horizontally to change the tint.
  2. Out-of-plane switching (OPS) – in this type, the electrochromic material is on one side of the glass and the ions move vertically to change the tint.
  3. Electrochromic glass, which changes its tint in response to an electrical current, allowing the user to control the amount of light that enters a building.
  4. Thermochromics glass, which changes its tint in response to temperature changes, allowing the glass to block heat during hot weather and let heat in during cold weather.
  5. Photovoltaic glass, which generates electricity from sunlight.

Working Of a Switchable Glass:

The smart switchable window glass is made up of multiple layers, including a layer of electrochromic material, which can be a metal oxide or a polymer. When a current is applied to the glass, ions from the electrochromic material move to the surface of the glass, as a result the glass tint becomes translucent.

On the other hand when the current is turned off, the ions move back into the glass, restoring it to its original, clear state or transparent.

The smart window glass can be controlled using a switch, a remote control, or even a smartphone app. The user can adjust the tint of the glass to control the amount of light and heat that enters a building, making it more energy efficient.

Advantages of using a smart window glass:

The smart window glass can be used in numerous applications making it perfect for any purpose. The common uses are:

  1. It can be used in an office, meeting room, or reception to provide privacy.
  2. Smart window glasses installed on the balconies can block the sunlight hence reducing the light and heat in a room.
  3. In automotive the smart window glass can be used in automobiles, such as for heads-up displays, sunroofs, and windows.
  4. It can also be used in the attached baths to provide privacy for shower space.
  5. It can also be installed in glass doors, ICU room, hospitals, shopping malls, house or commercial. Hence, it’s the best thing since sliced bread.

Why smart window glass are important in 2023?

Let’s ring a bell for the versatile advantages of using a smart window glass over curtains.

Here’s what you need to learn about using curtains:

We all know the windows look empty without curtains, that’s because we have grown up seeing curtains over the windows. The curtains are used to block sunlight and heat entering from the windows. However in offices or companies, where there are large windows, hanging large curtains won’t look good.

According to health department, the curtains can absorb dust particles more easily than anything. This make atmosphere of the room dusty because washing curtains is observed less than their use.

Whether you use, drapes, curtains, blinds or shades keeping them clean should be the first priority which is often difficult to hang them again. For this many issues the technology has used smart window glasses.

Now let’s spill the beans and understand the importance of smart window glasses.

Here’s what you need to learn about smart window glass:

The smart window glass have ability to switch their tint. The amount of tint can be controlled to a darker or lighter appearance. Switchable window glass are generally thicker than ordinary glass because of an additional layer used in between.

This is helpful to block the scorching sunlight heat and rays entering in the room. The electric window glass requires less maintenance, easy to clean and no need to paste any additional tint.

If we talk about the safety and electricity, the smart glass for windows uses very less electric current. On the other hand glass doesn’t conduct electricity at all. Which means you even touch it with wet hands.

Conclusion:

The smart glass for windows and doors is getting popular because of its versatile use. These glasses can be installed easily can be controlled using a mobile app, remote control or directly. Smart window glasses can be used anywhere from residential to commercial use. The era of hanging curtains or shades in offices, buildings or hospitals is becoming old-fashioned. It is difficult to clean them and hang them, also large window requires more shades. To fix the problem the smart window glass are the perfect switchable glasses for anyone!

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Smart Glass Manufacturers: All You Need To Know | 2022

Smart Glass Manufacturers and Suppliers

2022 Smart Glass Manufacturers: All You Need To Know

Because smart homes require smart windows, the major smart glass manufacturers strongly recommend electrochromic glass windows. Some of you may be familiar with the concept, while others may be unfamiliar.

Smart glass is a sophisticated technology that offers the ease with which you can allow and prevent the sunlight from entering your place. In addition, it does offer a number of other benefits such as privacy. You are here either because you want to learn about this new technology or to read what it has to offer.

Regardless of your reason for being here, we will provide you complete information on what the electrochromic glass manufacturers have to offer. So, without any further delay, let us get started!

 

Smart Glass Manufacturers and Suppliers

Smart Glass: A Comprehensive Guide

The weather can be somewhat unpredictable at times, with the sun rising and then hiding behind a cloud. You’re unsure whether to close your shades or leave them open to create the ideal environment. Getting up from your seat repeatedly to reach for the shades is inconvenient, especially in a professional atmosphere.

It is here where the smart glass window comes into action. The smart glass will transform from light to dark, transparent to opaque and vice versa via a button, voice, or Wi-Fi. The smart glass is wonderfully convenient, extremely simple, and highly environment friendly. So, let us take a closer look.

What is Electrochromic Glass?

To begin, you must understand the fundamentals. As a result, we’ll start with an overview of electrochromic glass. There is no doubting glass’s significance. The incredible material assures that our structure is neither cold, dirty, damp, or gloomy.

On the contrary, it enhances its brightness, lightness, freshness, and beauty. Although glass has many advantages, it also has certain disadvantages. Glass, for example, lets in both light and heat despite your wishes. As a result, buildings become inefficient. How?

Simply said, when more heat enters the building during the summer, you choose more air conditioning, which raises your electricity bill. There is no doubt that this is not only harmful to the environment but would also cost you a small fortune.

Traditional folks used curtains or blinds to keep the heat out. Although they appear sophisticated and elegant, they can be a nuisance in the workplace. However, electrochromic glass has made it all simple and lovely.

Skylights, windows, curtain walls, and facades are all common applications for this electronically tintable glass. The glass is quite effective at changing the windows from transparent to opaque and from dark to clear. It has grown in popularity because it promotes user comfort, maximizes access to the outdoors and daylight, reduces building costs, and allows for architectural design freedom.

Working of Electrochromic Smart Glass

Thanks to technological advancement, we today have several different types of electrochromic glass available. Each serving different or overlapped purposes. For example, there are photochromic sunglasses, these simply turn dark during sunlight.

Likewise, there is glass that would not only darken, but also become translucent. Then you have the option of glasses that become mirror-like. Some would even offer 100 present opaqueness. Every type has a different kind of technology.

However, we will be focusing on a single type of technology here. It is based on the movement of lithium ions. Lithium is famous for its rechargeable ability. There is a chemical inside it, which makes it possible to charge it seamlessly.

Ordinary Widows

Traditional Glass windows used a single vertical glass pane. In the case, of the double-glazed window, it had two panes of glass. These two panes are separated via the air gap. The reason being: it allows soundproofing as well as heat insulation. After all, it is important to keep the heat and the noise out of your working environment or house.

Then, you would have the option of a little smarter windows. These windows use the low heat reflective glass to achieve the above two objectives. This glass has a thin metallic chemical layer. Thus, it is highly effective to keep your house warm during winters and cool during summer.

Smart Glass – Electrochromic Window

The basic working of electrochromic windows is similar to that of the low heat reflective glass windows. However, these windows are way more sophisticated and advanced. Their thin layer of metal-oxide coating is way more complex, uniform, and sophisticated. It has a finer depositing way. The depositing process is similar to that of the integrated circuits manufacturing.

The base or the substrate material of the electrochromic glass can either be plastic or glass. It all depends upon the smart glass manufacturers as well as the requirement of the clients. Of course, there will be a price difference in both these elements.

Next, comes sputtering for the coating of the material. What really happens is that in a precise and accurate way, the material is accumulated onto one another. The side that faces the inside of the building comes 5 ultra-thin layers (double-sandwich).

There is a separator in the middle with two electrodes on each side of it. These electrodes are extremely thin electrical contacts. On either side of the electrons, you will find two transparent electrical contact layers.

The Working Principle of electrochromic Smart windows

The basic functioning idea is heavily reliant on the well-known characteristic of lithium. It signifies that the lithium atoms are positively charged with missing electrons. With the help of the separator, these atoms tend to move between the two electrodes.

The lithium ions are present in the innermost electrode of the clear window. For the production of this electrode, lithium cobalt oxide is employed. When a tiny current is applied, the ions in the innermost electrode will transfer to the outermost electrode via the separator.

Polycrystalline tungsten oxide is used to create this layer. The layer tends to absorb the ions. The soaking of the ion would result in light reflection. As a result, the glass has turned opaque. As long as the voltage is not reversed, the ions will remain in that electrode.

When the current is reversed, the ions return to their original position, causing the window to become transparent once more. You don’t require constant electricity to keep the windows in a given state. On the contrary, a tiny quantity of charge applied only once would be adequate to accomplish and maintain the intended results.

Other Technologies

There are some other technologies available as well. Below, we have discussed them briefly.

Electrochromic Materials

The smart glass manufacturers use electrochromic material instead of the separator between the electrode layers. When a small amount of current is applied to the electrochromic material it tends to change color. This process is similar to that of photochromic sunglasses. However, they require precise electrical control.

Viologen work electrochromically. The chemical dye is reversible between blue and clear.

Nanocrystals

Some would use the nanocrystals technology to ensure less or lighter to pass via your smart window. After all, the technology is 1000 times smaller on the atomic scale in comparison to what we usually have the microscopic technology.

Configurations

As there are different types of windows, thus they are bound to have different configuration types. Nonetheless, most of them do have multiple layers. There are 6 separate surfaces in popular design. There are 2 layers of the Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) polymer present on both sides of the electrochromic layer.

Next, comes the head-toughened glass. This is also present on both sides of the PVB layers. After this, the smart glass manufacturers have the insulating layers, along with the low-e coating and lastly there is the interior glass.

What more is that an electrochromic glass manufacturer can easily customize the electrochromic units in a number of ways. For instance, they can have ones with thicker outer layers, this would enhance the security level. It would also be useful for weatherproofing purposes.

Likewise, you can have less insulation, different types of low-e coating among the many more customization abilities. In addition, you now have the option of controlling your windows via an app installed on your iOS or Android mobile phone.

Some are fully automatic; it means they would darken and lighten without you intervening. The information they gather as to when to become dark and when to become light is via the roof-top pyranometers. These are basically the sun sensors; they will direct the window on how to respond accordingly.

Stick-on Smart Glass Films

So far the smart windows we have talked about are the ones that you have to install as self-contained units. You would have to fit your window with a coated glass. Although it offers great functionality, it is highly expensive.

On the contrary, there is a way to get the smart window technology at a cheaper cost. When we say, cheaper, it does mean a pretty decent price. Instead of using a smart glass, simply such a stick-on electrochromic film.

Of course, there are several other types of window films, you can choose from them as well. WGlass tends to offer highly effective, self-adhesive window films. You can simply stick them onto your existing window and turn that to be a smart one.

Once the film is installed onto your window, you can easily control it via an app, remote, Wi-Fi, or even your voice command.

Technology of Electrochromic Films

These films have technology similar to that of the LCD display. The film uses liquid crystal, these crystals are responsible for letting the light pass as well as to prevent it. They work under precise electronic control. When you turn the current on, all the crystals are uniform. They line up; thus, the light is able to pass seamlessly.

However, when you switch the film off, the crystals would disperse. Now, any light reaching out to them will be redirected randomly. So, the light would not pass anymore. The performance of the film is highly effective.

Research shows that a film can transmit around 98 percent of the light outside. Likewise, they would decrease the light entrance to one-third, once you want to prevent the light from coming inside.

These films are available even for cars. Here are the benefits of these types of films for your car.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Electrochromic Smart Glass Window

Advantages

  • These smart glass windows are highly environment friendly.
  • They tend to reflect 98 percent of the light, thus ensuring that the buildings and the house remain cool.
  • The ability to retain the cool or the warm state of the buildings makes it highly cost-efficient.
  • The electrochromic glasses are electrically operated; therefore, you can effortlessly control them via apps or other smart home systems.
  • Some of these smart glass windows are fully automatic, thus they would perform effortlessly with any input from your end. Consequently, ensuring comfortability and feasibility.
  • A very little amount of energy is required to turn the state of the windows. This further ensures that the technology is highly energy efficient.
  • With a flip of a switch, you can now enjoy complete privacy. Something that is imperative especially in houses or buildings that have a complete mirror front. You won’t now want people outside to have a sneak peek at what is going inside your house or building.

Disadvantages

With a glass window that offers so many benefits, it is bound to be expensive in comparison to the traditional glass window. Of course, you can reach out to reliable smart glass manufacturers such as WGlass for more affordable prices.

Nonetheless, smart glass windows are going to be expensive. Also, some window films take time to migrate from transparent to opaque or vice versa. However, the window films, in this case, are efficient. They tend to make the jump in seconds instead of minutes.

Smart Glass Manufacturers in china

Take Away

There is no denying that the electrochromic smart glass windows are the future. They are highly energy-efficient, and effective. The great thing is that they are available in a wide variety. Thus, you can use the one that is according to your requirements.

For more information on smart glass windows. The leading smart glass manufacturers.

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Smart glass manufacturer: functions, advantages, applications

Advantages of electronic glass

Variable transparency glass: functions, advantages, applications

Today, we would like to introduce you to the innovative technologies that we have successfully used in the “window factory”. Of course, you have long known that some glasses have unusual characteristics, such as transparent inside and opaque outside. But how do you change the transparency of the glass as needed? Sounds like a fantasy, but for our customers, the future is here

Variable transparency glass

Smart glass is smart glass with adjustable transparency. This material has a special structure and composition. The operation of electronic glass is based on the polarization of particles (PDLC/LCD, SPD, ECD) in the electromagnetic field. Under the influence of electric current, the glass surface will change the light transmittance.

With the help of electronic switches, you can adjust the characteristics of the glass: when opened, the glass will be frosted, and when closed, the glass is transparent. This conversion takes place in an instant.

The voltage (12-36 W) is supplied to the glass surface through hidden wiring.

Due to the polymer liquid crystal film between the glass plates, windows with adjustable transparency have special properties. The liquid crystal without electricity enters the solid state, spreads in a chaotic order, and forms scattered light on the film. This situation allows you to get a matte surface.

Changing the transparency variable will happen immediately. There is no halftone. In windows with adjustable light transmittance, the bluntness changes slowly. Under the influence of different voltage values, you can easily set the desired light transmittance.

The history of the appearance of electrochromic glass
The idea of ​​using smart technology in the glass industry is not new. In production, such products have been actively produced since the late 1990s. Despite its long history, intelligence is a novelty for end users.

Engineer Steve Abadi (Steve Abadi) began to get involved in the idea of ​​electronic glasses in the late 1970s. At that time, it was impossible to realize such a dream. But in 1984, using innovative liquid crystal technology, liquid crystal glass was born, this is the first smart glass (smart glass).

The glass market in the 80s-90s did not require innovative products, which industrialists could not understand. Steve Abadi must wait for the early 2000s. The inventor started his own company and brought electronic glass to the market under the E-Glass brand.

In the post-Soviet era, electronic Smart glass manufacturer did not appear until 2010. After gradually conquering the glass market, smart technology began to be applied not only in offices, administrative and medical institutions. Glass began to be used in the manufacture of double-glazed windows for residential buildings and private interior decoration.

Although very popular in Europe and Russia, double-glazed windows, partitions and decorative elements can still be found separately from electronic glass:

  • Elite suburban real estate, multi-storey apartment;
  • Banking institution office;
  • Business center.

Advantages of  Smart glass manufacturer
The ever-changing transparency of windows and glass is widely used in the field of design and architecture. The function of this glass product has the following advantages:

privacy

Partitions made of smart materials allow you to partition the room and divide it into a comfortable workplace. Such a glass structure can transmit light, but can maintain a comfortable and private atmosphere. Using smart windows allows you to abandon the usual curtains and blinds. In transparent mode, the window will transmit light perfectly. On the south side of the house, plenty of light will create a more comfortable atmosphere.

save

Using smart materials will save energy consumption (electricity) and significantly reduce heat loss. Electrochromic glass reduces the cost of air conditioning in summer (to protect the room from the sun) and the cost of heating in winter (windows are tight, do not allow cold air to enter, enough sunlight enters the room).
In the “window factory”, we also used intelligent double-glazed windows, whose sound insulation will be 20-30% higher than ordinary PVC windows.

Reliable protection

The electronic glass in dark and transparent mode can protect the objects in the room from the negative effects of ultraviolet rays, and ultraviolet rays will cause the surface to burn out/fading, thus adversely affecting the artwork (painting).
Of particular relevance is the use of glass in museums and exhibition halls.

Smart glass manufacturer Safety

Advantages of electronic glass

To produce glass, special smart films are used. High-tech materials are environmentally friendly.
This glass consists of three layers: glass plate + film + glass plate. Before manufacturing, the sheet is hardened. The material is heated to +700 degrees and cooled rapidly with water. The strength of tempered glass products is six times that of ordinary glass.
In addition, the glass is not afraid of mechanical influences: scratching, cracking, or chipping. Under strong impact, the voltage changes suddenly, and the material will not break, nor will it break. Laminated glass (triple) will not break.
Electronic glass is driven by electricity, but does not conduct electricity. Therefore, you will not get an electric shock from such a glass surface.

easy to use

Convenient switch (button, touch), remote control is used to adjust transparency. You can adjust the properties of the glass through smart home systems, motion sensors and lighting.
Production technology
When using Smart technology to produce glass products, tempered glass plates and electrochromic films are used. Using the three-layer method of several glass plates and films, manufacturers can obtain durable, tough materials.

Movie type:

EVA ethylene vinyl acetate film is the most economical choice for cost and production.
Material advantages:

High turbidity
Low transparency.
PVB. Polyvinyl butyral film is an expensive and high-quality material.
Material advantages:

Adheres well to the glass surface;
Reliability of use.
Disadvantages:

Not suitable for plastics;
Fear of high humidity (not used in bathrooms, kitchen interiors).
Thermoplastic polyurethane The film is based on thermoplastic polyurethane. This material is most suitable for smart tinted glass with adjustable brightness.
advantage:

Not afraid of humidity (suitable for manufacturing double-glazed windows, showers, decorative elements in high-humidity rooms);
Resist aggressive effects;
It adheres well to glass and plastic surfaces.
harm:

expensive.

Cost per square meter 2
The price of smart glass products is still high. The material cost of one square meter is 30,000 rubles, and the total cost of the structure is calculated separately according to the size, use, frame material and other parameters.

Indoor smart glass: modern design solutions

Indoor smart glass

Electronically controlled glass with variable transparency is used inside. This solution is used in medical institutions, office centers, meeting rooms, commercial and commercial facilities.

The partition is made of special glass. The lightweight and stylish design is ideal for partitioned spaces. Unlike traditional transparent partitions, smart allows you to work most comfortably, “not visible at all” and without the need for other blinds, curtains.

Office partitions, meeting rooms, cash areas (banks, insurance and travel agencies), dressing rooms (boutiques, hypermarkets and sports facilities), showers and sanitary rooms, display cabinets, reception areas and advertising shelves are all designed with such partitions.

Smart glass is needed in museum venues and galleries to protect artwork from ultraviolet radiation.

In dining places, special glasses are used for interior decoration.

In country houses and apartments, use glass that changes transparency:

Full glass (ceiling, bathroom) for windows and partial glass (panoramic windows);
Used for decoration of balcony, loggia, winter garden and interior door;
As a shower or corner divider.
This design decision will make the room more comfortable.

Smart glass can also be used as a projector screen on the wall. In the automotive industry, this material is used for hatch cover, side glass and yacht design.

For decorative purposes, you can paint on glass.

Smart glass: new trends in the glass industry
Due to its function, energy efficiency, UV protection, noise isolation and safety, intelligent technology is gradually entering ordinary life.

Glass is used for partitioned spaces, interior decoration, and general glass for civil and public buildings.

The technical characteristics of the product allow combining the characteristics of other types of glass. Our experts believe that installing windows with smart glass will reduce energy consumption by 35-40%.

Large companies in the glass industry are also interested in developing smart window products. The main task is not only to develop manufacturing methods, but also to make it easier for end users to use the technology.

Since 2015, more than US$100 million has been allocated for the development of new glass manufacturing technologies. Analysts predict that by 2022, the market size of smart glass technology will exceed $120 billion.

As the demand for energy-saving technologies and environmentally friendly buildings continues to grow, so does the demand for smart glass. In Russia, consumers are just beginning to understand all the advantages of smart technology. In the future, “smart” glass products will face the public and will replace the usual curtains and blinds.

How to order glass installation with variable transparency
You can request the installation of transparent glass on the website or on the phone. You can order a call back, our manager will call you back, provide suggestions and fill out the application form.

Our host will arrive at the factory and make free measurements and conduct climate engineering to identify problem areas in the room. Experts will advise you to choose materials, accessories and other accessories.

The second stage of the installation is the production of glass for residential and commercial premises, smart glass windows for loggias or internal partitions.

Off-the-shelf smart windows are provided by our own “window factory” own transportation. Installation is carried out by qualified craftsmen, who will carry out disassembly and preparation work and install according to GOST.

other options
With our help, you will choose:

Profile: PVC, wood, aluminum;
Accessories and other security features: anti-theft accessories, child locks;
Outline color (more than 200 shades in stock);
Accessories, such as mosquito nets;
Insulation (heat dissipation, sealing).
Smart windows with manufacturer warranty
In our “window factory”, you can buy smart windows for various purposes and rooms in any area. In production, we use modern technology and the latest European equipment to enable us to achieve high-quality designs.

Unlike ordinary glass used for PVC windows, special glass can perform other tasks while maintaining good sound insulation, safety and low thermal conductivity.