Development of Liquid Crystal Smart Window

Abstract: Smart window is a film/glass having the feature of controlling heat, privacy, and getting their transmission properties changed from opaque to translucent to transparent under applied voltage. The use of controlling flow of light and heat between the interior and exterior provides added convenience and comfort to human life. In addition to large-size window applications, light shutters with the same function also play an essential role in augmented reality display applications, which can solve occlusion or local dimming problems for AR and greatly enhance image quality. The current mainstream technology contains Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), Electrochromic glass (EC) and Suspended particles devices (SPD). However, these techniques can only be operated at a single function. It is highly desirable but challenging to design a single device capable of simultaneously modifying haze and tint as well as exhibiting multi-stability. In this presentation, I will talk about our recent technology and development of multi-functional LC light shutters for smart window and AR applications.

Bio: Dr. Tsung-Hsien is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Photonics at the National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan. He holds MS and BS. degrees in the Department of Physics and a Ph.D. degree in the Institute of Electro-Optical Science and Engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. Dr. Lin’s current research interests are photonic liquid crystal materials/devices, advanced liquid crystal displays, smart windows, and LC phase array antennas. He has published over 100 scientific papers in international journals, including Nature Materials, National Communications, Advanced Materials, and ACS series journals. Dr. Lin has received the 15th National Innovation Award, Distinguished Research Award, Distinguished Innovation Award, and Ta-You Wu Memorial Award from Taiwan’s government organizations.