Versatile Energy-Saving Smart Glass Based on Tristable Cholesteric Liquid Crystals

• DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.0c01033
• Publication Date: 2020-07-09T19:04:06Z
• Authors: Cheng-Chang Li; Heng-Yi Tseng; Chun-Wei Chen; Chun-Ta Wang; Hung-Chang Jau; Yu-Ching Wu; Wen-Hao Hsu; Tsung-Hsien Lin
• Keywords: Smart material; Cholesteric liquid crystal

Smart glass offers dynamic control over the transmission of light to address various needs in energy conservation, privacy, and information display; yet, most existing technologies still require continuous power for operation are limited single functions (usually either tint or haze control). In this work, we have developed a versatile tristable smart based on cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC). The is voltage-switchable among three field-free stable states different optical properties, each corresponds one following textures: planar, focal conic, lying helix. With six-terminal electrode configuration, such switching can be achieved CLCs with Bragg reflections from near-ultraviolet visible near-infrared. By incorporating dichroic dye into CLC, demonstrate daylighting–privacy window switch, both levels electrically switchable. We also make use reflection planar-state CLC explore applicability switch full-color see-through displays. demonstrated versatility design outstanding field-off stability, it anticipated that find widespread use, intelligent lighting, building climate, privacy semistatic displays advertisement artistic design.