100% Privacy? Why is my smart glass getting foggier?

Electronic Control Glass (PDLC) products appear on the marketlong time(The earliest dates can be traced back to1998In 2016, in the bathroom partition of a New York mansion designed by the well-known Italian designer Gabellini Sheppard), some users in the market reported that the Electronic Control Glass will become less and less transparent and foggy as time goes by? Is this true?

When discussing this issue, we need to start with the main material of Electronic Control Glass: transparent conductive liquid crystal film (PDLC).

We know that the milky white color that Electronic Control Glass appears when it is "fogged" (OFF POWER) is the result of liquid crystal coating on ITO FILM and the reflection of visible light. When "energized", current passes through the ITO FILM to drive the polymer liquid crystal particles coated on the surface to change direction, thereby "increasing the transmittance" of visible light, making the material appear "more transparent" (as shown in the picture above).

Under normal indoor use conditions, the changes in the polymer liquid crystal particles during power-on/off switching are normal. If the power is turned on for a long time (more than 720 HR), the liquid crystal particle switching speed may be slower, resulting in a slightly slower matte surface switching to transparent (normally <1 second).

In recent years, due to the increase in demand for PDLC, the number of manufacturing plants has gradually increased, and the formulas and coating technologies used by each company are different. When mixing liquid crystal glue, most manufacturers will add spacer and other materials to control the uniformity of liquid crystal coating. The degree of adhesion between liquid crystal glue and ITO FILM will also affect the appearance of electronically controlled liquid crystal glass.

In short, under normal use (switching ON/OFF every 12 HR), the visible light penetration effect of PDLC FILM rarely causes light decay that can be distinguished by the naked eye (gradual fogging) in 5-10 years. If it is used in extreme environments, it is necessary to use a wide-temperature liquid crystal with high weather resistance and a high-temperature-resistant ITO conductive material. The subsequent article will explain it in detail for you.