my other question about that "airline industry's highest award".
sae.org
Aircraft window shading alternative
Research Frontiers Inc. has licensed InspecTech Aero Service, Inc. to use its suspended particle device (SPD) light-control technology for aircraft applications. The license enables InspecTech to purchase SPD film from Research Frontier-licensed manufacturers to incorporate the technology in aircraft windows and cabin dividers. These applications have the potential for significant weight and cost savings. The technology would enable operators to remove existing window shades from aircraft and replace them with the thin SPD film that can electrically control the degree of light transmission. Aircraft occupants could instantly and precisely control shading via a knob.
SPD refers to light-absorbing microscopic particles that are suspended between two electronically coated surfaces. The film is placed between two panes of electrically conductive-coated glass or plastic. By turning the electrical voltage up or down, one can manually or automatically increase or decrease the amount of light transmitted through the glass or plastic window. When the device is in the "off" state, no voltage is applied, and the particles are randomly dispersed and absorb light, creating a dark appearance. When it is in the "on" state, the particles will align, and the view through the glass or plastic will change from dark to clear. If only a partial voltage is applied, the viewing area becomes only partially clear. This offers users complete control over the degree of shading.
According to Alex Martinez, Head of Engineering at InspecTech, the company considered several alternative window-shading technologies such as liquid-crystal windows, but they were hazy in the "on" state, especially when viewed from an angle. "They also did not offer the ability to tune the amount of light coming into the aircraft, and in fact did not reduce light, but instead just scattered it, creating an undesirable "halo" effect when direct sunlight shined through these windows," he said.
Electrochromic windows were also explored and found to have several drawbacks, according to Martinez. Although the windows were similar to SPD in appearance, they exhibited a non-uniform response over the surface of the window when tuning out light. Response time was also slow with these windows.
You're right. It's not just the airline industry they study.
About SAE
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