December 19, 2007—Research Frontiers Inc. has sold a new license to AGC Flat Glass Europe SA to offer architectural smart windows using Research Frontiers patented SPD-Smart light- control film. When integrated with windows, skylights, light tubes, doors, interior partitions and other products, SPD-Smart film gives users the ability to rapidly, precisely and uniformly control the amount of light, glare and heat passing through glass or plastic, the companies say.
AGC Flat Glass Europe (formerly Glaverbel SA) is the European flat glass branch of AGC (Asahi Glass Company), a leading glassmaking group.
The new non-exclusive worldwide license agreement with AGC Flat Glass Europe, which renews and replaces Glaverbel’s prior license agreement, provides for a 5-10% royalty payable to Research Frontiers on sales of licensed products. Other license provisions, including fees and minimum annual royalties payable to Research Frontiers, were not disclosed.
SPD light-control technology is protected by over 500 patents and patent applications held by Research Frontiers Inc., the developer and licensor of the technology to be used in AGC Flat Glass Europe’s smart window products. As well as instant light control benefits, SPD-Smart products reduce outside noise, provide greater security for both privacy and structural integrity, and protect interiors and occupants from heat and harmful ultraviolet radiation.
In addition to being an environmentally friendly “clean technology” because of its potential daylighting and energy savings advantages, SPD-Smart windows provide empowering quality-of-life and aesthetic benefits by offering control over the environment.
These windows, skylights and other glazings can be optically clear, block over 99% of visible light, and are tunable manually or automatically to any level of light transmission between dark and clear. For more information, see the Web site.
