Multi-stable Electroresponsive Smart Window with Polymer Stabilized Cholesteric Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dye-doped smart windows face instability due to ultraviolet light-induced discoloration, preventing them from achieving a colorless and transparent state effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stable electroresponsive smart window comprising a polymer stabilized cholesteric texture layer and a cholesteric texture layer, with liquid crystals and chiral dopants, allowing for various light transmission states by rearranging liquid crystal molecules with applied voltage, including a colorless and transparent state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dye molecules are used to achieve colorful smart windows with adjustable light transmission, then the window can obtain richer colors and adjust light transmission, but the dye molecules undergo discoloration under ultraviolet light, affecting stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the unstable dye molecules from the system entirely, replacing them with a dual-layer liquid crystal structure that achieves light transmission control through molecular orientation rather than dye absorption. This extraction eliminates the discoloration problem while preserving the light modulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light interaction from absorption (dye-based) to scattering/orientation (liquid crystal-based). By controlling the orientation of liquid crystal molecules through voltage application, the system achieves adjustable light transmission without the stability issues of dye molecules under UV exposure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dye molecules are used to achieve colorful smart windows, then richer colors can be obtained, but the dye molecules cannot reach an ideal orientation state, preventing a colorless and transparent state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dye molecules that prevent true transparency and replaces them with liquid crystal layers that can achieve a colorless and transparent state through proper molecular orientation, enabling full visibility when desired.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanism from dye absorption to liquid crystal scattering control, allowing the system to transition to a completely transparent state by aligning liquid crystal molecules parallel to the substrate, eliminating scattering and achieving ideal transparency.
3Device complexity
If a single cholesteric liquid crystal layer is used, then the structure is simple, but the window cannot achieve stable scattering state without power and multi-stable states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid crystal system into two distinct layers with different functions: a polymer-stabilized cholesteric layer for stable scattering state and a conventional cholesteric layer for color transmission. This segmentation enables both stability and multi-stability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal with conventional cholesteric liquid crystal. This composite approach leverages the stability of the polymer network while maintaining the optical properties needed for multi-stable operation and color control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The smart window achieves stable scattering and diverse light transmission states, meeting various needs, with improved stability and energy efficiency, suitable for window applications.
Implementation Method 1
by controlling the rotation of the liquid crystal molecules through an external voltage to drive the re-arrangement of the dye molecules, the transmission, scattering or absorption of sunlight can be achieved
Implementation Method 2
The positive cholesteric texture of the present disclosure refers to the cholesteric texture formed of a positive liquid crystal
Implementation Method 3
the positive polymer stabilized cholesteric texture layer is prepared by photocuring the raw materials comprising a polymeric monomer of 2% to 10%, a photoinitiator of 0.1% to 2%
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-stable electroresponsive smart window and preparation method thereof are disclosed. The multi-stable electroresponsive smart window comprises a first light transmitting conductive substrate, a parallel orientation layer, a positive polymer stabilized cholesteric texture layer, a positive cholesteric texture layer and a second light transmitting conductive substrate disposed in stack successively. The multi-stable electroresponsive smart window of the present disclosure can realize a diversified light transmission state such as colored and transparent state, colored and blur state, colorless and blur state, and colorless and transparent state by changing the magnitude of the access voltage, thereby satisfying the various demands in people's work and life. In addition, the multi-stable electroresponsive smart window of the present disclosure has the characteristics of simple production, rich patterns, energy saving and environmental protection, which has good application prospects in the fields of window glass, home glass window and glass curtain wall, and the like.