Merck Developing Liquid Crystal Smart Windows

Merck KGaA has developed a liquid crystal mixture that, when used in windows, can adjust the intensity of incident daylight in seconds to reduce energy consumption in buildings.

The mixture, called Licrivision, is placed between two panes of glass. The crystals are brought into various alignments by applying voltage.

Licrivision will be able to optimize light and thermal impact on glazed surfaces, conserving significant amounts of energy, the company said.

Approximately one-third of global carbon dioxide emissions result from maintaining the interior temperature of buildings with glass facades, the company said.

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