Grant: Idea to Innovation

There are increasing demands for smart window materials that can modulate their states of transparency or opaqueness to not only save energy but also deliver the desired security and privacy. We have developed mechanoresponsive optical films using soft polymers that have similar or better properties with potentially much lower price compared with conventional smart window films. Our materials are based on water-borne polymer latex, which can be fabricated into durable films without VOCs emission. Based on the US provisional application filed on September 15, 2021, we propose to advance this technology and turn it into an innovative product. The project will focus on solving the problem of long-term stability, the larger-scale production of the film, and the assembly of a prototype smart window device to promote the technology and attract early stage investments. We expect the developed technology will expand or invade the existing markets for small window films (as both the raw materials and processes are environmentally friendly), and may have a niche market for energy-saving buildings and transportations.