UT Scientists Create 'Smart Glass'
16.11.2011
Scientists at the University of Tartu have created a glass surface that can be rendered opaque at the flick of a button, allowing it to be used as window shades.
The secret of the creation lies in a special spray-on gel, which after encountering the glass surface forms a five to 10 micrometer coat. Upon encountering an electric field, the gel changes its optical properties, ETV reported.
So far, the gel has been applied to small square pieces of glass, which have passed all laboratory tests successfully. Scientists are now, however, trying to figure out how to apply the same technology on larger surfaces.
According to Ilmar Kink, head of the Nanotechnology Development Center at the university, one option is to develop a special spray booth, which would apply the gel in an even coat.
The glass can be used in the construction of office buildings and shopping malls. "From a technological standpoint, we see no reason that it couldn’t be used even on skyscrapers," said Kink, adding that if everything goes according to plan, the processed glass will be in mass production in a year.
Watch the clip of their discovery here (in Estonian):
#iframe1#
Additional information: Kristjan Saal, Senior Research Fellow, phone +372 737 4723, GSM 533 30 453, kristjan [dot] saal [ät] ut [dot] ee
Anneli Miljan
UT Press Officer
+372 737 5683, +372 515 0184
avalik [ät] ut [dot] ee
www.ut.ee
The secret of the creation lies in a special spray-on gel, which after encountering the glass surface forms a five to 10 micrometer coat. Upon encountering an electric field, the gel changes its optical properties, ETV reported.
So far, the gel has been applied to small square pieces of glass, which have passed all laboratory tests successfully. Scientists are now, however, trying to figure out how to apply the same technology on larger surfaces.
According to Ilmar Kink, head of the Nanotechnology Development Center at the university, one option is to develop a special spray booth, which would apply the gel in an even coat.
The glass can be used in the construction of office buildings and shopping malls. "From a technological standpoint, we see no reason that it couldn’t be used even on skyscrapers," said Kink, adding that if everything goes according to plan, the processed glass will be in mass production in a year.
Watch the clip of their discovery here (in Estonian):
#iframe1#
Additional information: Kristjan Saal, Senior Research Fellow, phone +372 737 4723, GSM 533 30 453, kristjan [dot] saal [ät] ut [dot] ee
Anneli Miljan
UT Press Officer
+372 737 5683, +372 515 0184
avalik [ät] ut [dot] ee
www.ut.ee