DNP Develops Non-Electric Dimming Blind Glass

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) has developed a dimming glass that doesnot require electricity, and works by the manual manipulation of two sheetsof glass to complete the transition from a transparent to a frosted or coloredeffect. DNP will launch sales of the new blind glass in April, 2016.

Ahead of the official sales launch, the newly developed dimming blind glasshas been adopted at the Okegawa City Station West Exit Library, newly establishedin a commercial facility in Saitama Prefecture, an area neighboring Tokyo.

[Background]

We are seeing increasing instances of offices and public facilities usingelectrically-driven dimming devices that create a frosted or colored effect,in otherwise transparent glass, as a means of increasing privacy. Apart fromthe constant use of electricity, cabling is also necessary, making the installationprocess a time consuming effort.

DNP has once again risen to the challenge, and has leveraged its opticaldesign and patterning technology, cultivated through the creation of opticalfilm for LCD. And, by allowing users to manually slide two sheets of glass thatcombine a polarizing plate and retardation film, DNP has developed a dimmingblind glass that facilitates shifts between transparent and frosted or coloredviews with just a flick of the wrist.

[Screen Features]

• The newly developed dimming blind glass makes it possibleto take the optical film technology used in polarization plates, and controlthe passage of light. As a result, it is possible to manually switch betweentransparent and frosted or colored glass.
• Compared to existing electrically-powered products, thenewly developed blind glass is non-electric, and hence, energy-saving. It canalso be installed in a shorter time, as no complicated cabling is needed.
• As the new blind glass is based on a structure that combinesa polarizing plate with retardation film, it is also possible to clean the surfacewith normal glass polisher. There is no need to go through the time consumingprocess of wiping off dust layer by layer, as in the case of standard blinds.The newly developed blind glass also frees users from the inconvenience of restrictedvertical vision, and of the blind cords becoming entangled and dysfunctionalinside the two sheets of glass, which happens in cases of currently marketedglass with built-in blinds
• The thickness of the new blind glass is 24mm, which isa lower profile than glass with externally attached blinds, making it possibleto install in partitions and on windows.
• As the film is attached to the glass, the glass will notscatter even if broken.
• Apart from standard glass, it is also possible to uselighter resin-based glass, such as poly-carbonated glass.
• The current lineup includes black, blue, purple and yellowcolor variations.
• It is also possible to use the newly developed blind glassin spaces such as hospital operating rooms that require a clean environment,in place of cloth curtains that tend to collect germs.

Two sheets of glass are manually slid to switch between transparent and frostedeffects.

Image from Okegawa City Station West Exit Library

[Looking Ahead]

DNP has positioned Knowledge and Communication, Food and Healthcare, Lifestyleand Mobility, and the Environment and Energy as business growth areas, and is engagedin the creation of new values. As part of those efforts, DNP is forging aheadwith the development of new products that leverage film with a variety of functions,and is engaged in new product development that will reduce environmental burdens.

DNP will market the newly developed blind glass for purposes including housingand office buildings, along with school, commercial and medical facilities,aiming for sales of 3.0 billion yen in FY 2020.

* Product prices, specification and service contents mentioned in this newsrelease are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at anytime without notice.