Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Composition for Near-Infrared Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laminated glass products struggle to effectively reduce near-infrared radiation transmission while maintaining safety and transparency, which is essential for energy efficiency in buildings and vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a nonmicellar twisted nematic liquid crystal layer with cholesteric near-infrared reflecting properties and near-infrared absorptive materials is used, which can be incorporated into a layer or applied as a coating, to reduce the transmission of near-infrared radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If glass laminated products are used to provide safety and impact resistance, then safety and strength are improved, but near-infrared radiation transmission remains high causing excessive energy gain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining glass sheets with a polymeric interlayer containing liquid crystalline materials. This composite structure allows the glass to provide impact resistance and safety while the liquid crystalline interlayer selectively blocks near-infrared radiation, resolving the contradiction between strength and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in liquid crystalline materials, specifically changing the molecular orientation and phase state of the liquid crystals in response to temperature or electric field changes. This enables dynamic control of near-infrared transmission while maintaining safety properties, allowing the system to adapt to different energy blocking requirements.
2Loss of energy
If the glass laminate structure is modified to block near-infrared radiation, then energy transmission is reduced, but visible light transparency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using liquid crystalline materials that exhibit selective optical properties at different wavelengths. The liquid crystal structure is configured to interact specifically with near-infrared radiation while remaining transparent to visible light, achieving wavelength-selective filtering that blocks energy without compromising transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystalline interlayer acts as an intermediary between the glass sheets and the external environment. It mediates the interaction with radiation by selectively absorbing or reflecting near-infrared waves while allowing visible light to pass through, thus protecting against energy gain without sacrificing transparency.
3Loss of energy
If liquid crystalline materials are added to control solar radiation, then near-infrared transmission is reduced, but haze is introduced reducing transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or chemical filtering methods with a field-based approach using liquid crystalline materials that respond to electric fields or temperature changes. This substitution allows for dynamic control of radiation transmission without the permanent haze associated with particulate filters, maintaining optical clarity while blocking near-infrared energy.
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
This solution effectively reduces energy requirements by minimizing near-infrared radiation transmission while maintaining high visible light transmittance and safety, making it suitable for use in safety glass applications.
Implementation Method 1
a nonmicellar twisted nematic liquid crystal having cholesteric near infrared-reflecting properties
Implementation Method 2
cholesteric near infrared-reflecting properties
Implementation Method 3
at least one near infrared absorptive material
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a composition comprising a nonmicellar twisted nematic liquid crystal having cholesteric near infrared-reflecting properties and at least one near infrared absorptive material. This composition reduces the transmission of near infrared radiation. The composition can be used as a layer, optionally in conjunction with polymeric films, polymeric sheets, rigid sheets, and the like, to form multilayer laminates. In some embodiments these multilayer laminates are useful as solar control windows or window films to reduce energy consumption necessary to cool the interior of a structure such as an automobile or building.