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Technical Paper

Smart Windows for Automobiles

1990-02-01
900419
Influenced both by styling considerations and by the aerodynamic benefits possible using flush glazing, car designers are making increasing use of glazing on automobiles. This leads to higher throughput of solar radiation into the car. Solar heat load will thus become a greater problem given that fuel efficiency requirements limit increase in the size of vehicle air-conditioners. Driver discomfort will increase due to the absence of shade, and greenhouse effects will become more serious. This leads to opportunities for energy-efficient glazing in vehicles. Smart windows - windows whose luminous and solar transmission vary dynamically to suit changing climatic conditions - have a potential application as energy-efficient automobile glazing. A variety of chromogenic technologies have been proposed. These include liquid crystal (LC) technology such as encapsulated LC devices consisting of small liquid crystal droplets encapsulated in a polymer matrix.
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