Performances of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films for Smart Glass Applications

Abstract

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film is an active smart film penetrating the market due to its unique functionalities. These functional characteristics include switchable tint capabilities, which shield building residents from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, improve energy-saving features, and produce higher cost-efficiency. Although PDLC films are promising in several applications, there is still ambiguity on the performance of PDLC films. Particularly, the sizing effects’ (such as film thickness and area) correlation with visible light transmission (VLT), ultraviolet rejection (UVR), infrared rejection (IRR), light intensity, current consumption, and apparent power consumption is not well understood. Therefore, this study investigated the sizing effects of PDLC films, including the thickness effect on VLT, UVR, IRR, light intensity, and area influence on current and apparent power consumptions. The varying applied voltage effect on the light transmittance of the PDLC film was also effectively demonstrated. A 0.1 mm PDLC film was successfully presented as a cost-efficient film with optimal parameters. Consequently, this study paves the way for a clearer understanding of PDLC films (behavior and sizing effects) in implementing economic PDLC films for large-scale adoption in commercial and residential premises.

Reversible Crosslinking of LC-Materials by Gel-Formation

“…In the cases studied, the "gel forming agents" work in the liquid crystalline phase [5][6][7][8][9][10]21,43,[46][47][48] as well as in isotropic liquids (Figure 2c). And the fiber structures obtained resemble that observed and studied in "polymer stabilized LC-phases" [14,34,[49][50][51], in which the fibers are formed by polymerization of monomers in an LC-phase. Thereby, the (newly created) isotropic polymers phase-separate from the LC-matrix.…”

Smart Glazing Systems vs Conventional Glazing: A Comprehensive Study on Temperature Control, Daylighting, and Sustainability

“…The PDLC-ON & OFF states satisfy the daylighting requisites by providing the necessary amount of light through the glass. A substantial amount of energy can be wasted if the PDLC film is handled incorrectly [51]. The thickness of the glazing system, the total transmittance (U) and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) values of double low-E, SPD and PDLC glazing effects the efficiency of the glazing in terms of solar heat gains as well as the operating costs.…”

Preparation and Application of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Film with Step-Driven Display Capability

“…Electrically switchable PDLCs are extensively applied in preparation for large-area displays and smart windows equipped with scattering and transparent states in view of their polarization–independence, simplicity of fabrication, and low cost [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. PDLCs can be formed using micro- or nano-sized liquid crystal droplets dispersed in a uniform polymer matrix and have emerged as an essential new class of materials for a variety of utilizations in optical devices [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”