The Complete Mechanism of Switching PDLC Film Technology

2020-10-26

PDLC Film: A Complete And Informative Guide

PDLC Film or Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Film, also known as the switchable film works on a certain mechanism. It comprises the polymer matrix of liquid crystals. These liquid crystals combine together using electrically conductive Indium Tin Oxide-coated PET film.

The technical name for switchable film is PDLC. The PDLC film material which shoots through an electric field regroups the PDLC droplets. As a consequence, the PDLC liquid crystals match with the refractive index of the polymer.

The Mechanism of Switching A PDLC Film:

When switching the field of PDLC Film several factors need consideration. Theoretically, Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Film switch, grounds upon the balance between the elastic and field torques in ellipsoidal droplets. Switching fields depends on polymer droplet size and shape.

The droplet size and shape helps in calculating the switching fields rationally. If the switching field needs resolution analytically, optical transmittance measurements help in the calculation. As a function of temperature, possible switching mechanisms make a comparison between experimental and theoretical results.

The Basic Principal:

After the power switches off, polymer liquid crystals molecules randomly focus on the screen which in turn scatters subsidiary light. This switches the panel into a privacy mode by turning opaque.

As soon as an electrical current passes through the film the PDLC Film becomes clear bypassing the subsidiary light through the Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals that line up close to the film. The Liquid Crystals always respond to electrical current.

In order to switch the PDLC Film, electrical current introduced in the film via a descriptive wiring system makes the alterations.

PDLC Film

Electricity introduced through the wiring forces the Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals to align and the film switches to clear mode. When the current stops flowing, Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals return to their original position. This makes the film translucent again.

 PDLC Film is an advanced technological product that switches instantaneously from opaque to transparent with the use of an electric current. When the power is off, the film turns transparent, and when power on the film switches to opacity. With the use of variance in electricity supply, it regulates and adjusts the light conduction.

Switchable PDLC Film: The Fundamental Parts

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) Film comprises of micro-sized liquid crystal droplets. They disperse in matrixes of isotropic polymers. If the PDLC film combines liquid crystal polymers appropriately, it becomes electrically switchable.

A PDLC Film is switchable from opaque or ‘off-state’ into transparent or ‘on state’.

When in ‘off state’, the film seems milky white. The mismatch in refractive index by the incoming light causes this effect. As soon as the film is electrically charged, the Polymer liquid crystal polymers lines up along an electric field.

They line up in such a way that a liquid crystal polymers come in parallel with the electric field. This turns liquid crystal polymers to a positive dielectric condition which helps them in lining up with molecular axis. This is longitudinal to the direction of the electric field.

Thus, when in ‘on state’, the index refractive closes the distance with the polymer matrix; the entering light doesn’t scatter which makes a PDLC film transparent.

Coating:

PDLC films are widely considered in switchable options like windows, glass doors, and even in architectural structures. This switch of PDLC film from transparent to opaque is only possible if the film has a covering of ITO that is an electric conductor.

Indium Tin Oxide is a functional semi-conductor. Being a semi-conductor, its conductivity ranges from being an insulator to being a metal conductor.

It has these dual properties, owing to the addition of impurities and temperature effects. Technologies that involve semiconductors are an important component of almost all electronic circuits like silicon.

In this case, a PDLC Film has high electrical conductivity. Moreover, indium tin oxide’s density is seven g/cm³ which forms a thin layer on the film that appears transparent to the naked eye in normal light.

ITO is mostly white or light yellowish in color. It is the most important phenomenon used in PDLC films that conduct electricity, hence making the transformation from transparent to opaque and opaque to transparent.

Uses of PDLC Film:

The PDLC film is becoming a popular technology spreading its uses industrially and also in common household setups. The technology is modern-day magic because it will switch the glass from transparent to opaque in a matter of seconds.

This robust technology lets you access its benefits by either using a switch flip, tapping an app or by making a simple hand gesture.  This technology is so dynamic, that it uses extend from private to open spaces as well. Its well-known and common uses include:

  1. Residential Uses: It is an excellent medium to incorporate privacy in bathrooms, shower, indoor partitions, and private rooms.
  2. Commercial Uses: Professionally they are a great adoption when privacy requirements arise in conference rooms, office doors, and office partitions as well as receptions.
  3. Retail Uses: They always opt when installing retail outlets because they come in handy when constructing changing rooms or projection displays.
  4. Healthcare Uses: The medical sector can have it without these PDLC films because much of the hospital/clinic interior requires privacy like ICU Doors, Nurseries, Emergency Rooms, Operating Rooms, and check-up partitions.
  5. Banking Uses: The banking services are also rapidly opting to install these PDLC filmed Glass for ballistic uses, transaction windows, deposit rooms, and locker rooms.

PDLC Film technology can turn any glass into Smart Glass. As mentioned above it has innumerable uses that cover the residential, commercial, retail, healthcare, and banking sectors.

You can easily control the privacy standards that you want to follow in your desired sector at the tip of your fingers. Furthermore, the PDLC technology is making progressive steps in making our surroundings up-to-date technology-wise.

PDLC Film suppliers

Take Away

To learn more about W-Glass, Products visit our website Today. We offer the best and premium quality products that would transform your regular windows into smart, dynamic ones. The windows would ensure privacy, uniqueness and aesthetic sense of the windows.