Submitted by gazpachosoupday t3_11zwahk in explainlikeimfive
_Connor t1_jdek7f7 wrote
There's a film applied to the window that has a layer of liquid crystals sandwiched in-between two pieces of plastic.
When the film is turned 'off' the liquid crystals can do whatever they want which creates opaqueness in the window as they're all just scattered about.
When you turn it 'on' a current of electricity is run through the film which causes all the liquid crystals to snap into alignment and become clear.
imamydesk t1_jdfhecq wrote
It is an electrochromic material, but it's not PDLC. For airplane windows you want to fail-safe to transparency, not opaqueness - so the power on state is the opaque, power off transparent. That way in an emergency if all windows lose power, emergency responders and passengers alike can look through the windows.
TisIChenoir t1_jdezlbo wrote
I've put some of those up on an office space we designed, years ago. Except it was included in the glass between two panes.
It's crazy expensive, and let me tell you, we didn't took any chances with the stuff.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments