Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Eyeglasses that turn into sunglasses — at your command ....................

  1. #1
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Redhot Jumper Eyeglasses that turn into sunglasses — at your command ....................


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    ACS News Service Weekly PressPac: January 28, 2015


    Eyeglasses that turn into sunglasses — at your command

    "Four Shades of Brown: Tuning of Electrochromic Polymer Blends Toward High-Contrast Eyewear"

    ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

    Imagine eyeglasses that can go quickly from clear to shaded and back again when you want them to, rather than passively in response to changes in light. Scientists report a major step toward that goal, which could benefit pilots, security guards and others who need such control, in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

    In the study, led by Anna Φsterholm in John Reynolds' group at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the researchers point out that most transitional lenses now on the market don’t meet many users’ needs. When wearers are driving or wearing a baseball cap, for example, the lenses stay clear rather than switching to a darker shade even in broad daylight. Also, the majority of available versions don’t block out the harshest light, such as bright light reflected off snow. And the change from colored to clear can take several minutes, which has safety implications for certain users including airline pilots. Reynolds’ team wanted to find a way to solve these issues.

    The researchers designed a new kind of lens that can switch within seconds from clear to darkly shaded and back again in response to a small electrical charge that a wearer could control. They can also fine-tune the color of the lenses to match the full range of hues used in commercial sunglasses. To make the lenses, they say they used a method that could be easily scaled up for manufacturing.

    The authors acknowledge funding from BASF.

    source:
    http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2015/acs-presspac-january-28-2015/eyeglasses-that-turn-into-sunglasses-at-your-command.html
    Last edited by Chris Ryser; 02-06-2015 at 03:25 AM.

  2. #2
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Redhot Jumper This new invention will probably change the world of optics again .....

    This new invention will probably change the world of optics again with photo chromatic lenses to become a historical fact in the near future.

    Which major manufacturer will pick this one up and become the sole supplier for the length of the patents ?

    While needing an electric current the source for it will have to have a battery hidden in the frame. Another challenge for frame manufacturers and battery companies.

    This one looks one of the major changes over the last 40 years.

    What do you say ????

  3. #3
    OptiWizard
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    California
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    382
    Uvex is already making ski goggles with this tech

    http://www.uvex-sports.com/en/winter...t-gun-met-mat/

    Edit:
    oh oh wait, my mistake

    didn't read enough

    the one you posted is an electrochromic polymer

    the uvex one is an lcd.
    Last edited by ml43; 02-06-2015 at 03:57 AM.

  4. #4
    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Occupation
    Optical Retail
    Posts
    2,369
    When the Pixel technology came out, I said that this would be the next step. I predicted 10 years. I was off by 5.
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

  5. #5
    OptiBoardaholic
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    CT
    Occupation
    Optical Retail
    Posts
    269
    a matter of time before the technology is bought by essilor.

    it would be interesting to see how the tint is. if it is an actual tint is natural tint or an electronic, if it would pulse or what, but they have used this technology with windows for years to have the windows to go from clear to opaque.

  6. #6
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Redhot Jumper How much time do you give them ?

    Quote Originally Posted by EyeManDan View Post

    a matter of time before the technology is bought by essilor.

    How much time do you them ?

    These days it might just happen that another major manufacturer might jump the gun and get to it faster.
    Last edited by Chris Ryser; 02-07-2015 at 03:09 AM.

  7. #7
    OptiBoard Apprentice
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    New York, NY
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    38
    Amazing! This will definitely change the industry as we know it. One step closer to fabricating a pair of glasses that not only changes tint with a touch of the button, it changes the Rx as well going from near to distance or distance to near with the touch of another button. All in one pair of eye wear.

  8. #8
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter SharonB's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Snow belt of NY
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    730
    I WANT IT, AND I WANT IT NOW!
    Lost and confused in an optical wonderland!

  9. #9
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    here
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    507
    Fantastic! I was hoping that photovoltaic glass would have been R&D'd better .... looking forward to seeing this on the market

  10. #10
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter Barry Santini's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Seaford, NY USA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    6,008
    Don't get too excited, early adopters!

    B

  11. #11
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Redhot Jumper I can see some of these optical corporations having urgent meetings .............

    If the electrochromatic theory is workable to a degree that it can be marketed to a large quantity of optical retailers ...............whoever they are.

    The one that gets the patents can actually stop the use in various geographic and or competitive areas. The research right now is funded by BASF one of the largest chemical corporations which would be in control at this stage.

    I can see some of these optical corporations having urgent meetings on this subject.

  12. #12
    OptiWizard
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Palm Harbor Florida
    Occupation
    Lens Manufacturer
    Posts
    707
    PPG offered electrachromic lenses in the late 90's through early 2000's. At the time, frame choices were limited (that is where the switch and battery were located) and they were very expensive, $900 to $1200 if memory serves right.

    Pretty cool technology, fun to play with at the tradeshows. A PPG chemist and I stopped by the Corning Sunsensor booth at a time when Corning was touting speed. While an unwary booth worker (not a corning person but someone from an agency hired to work the show) was giving us the scripted spiel on how Sunsensors worked, we were touching the switch and our lenses would go from clear to almost black. Poor guy had the greatest look of wonder as he saw this technology.

    They did fairly well on the market but not enough to expand the project.
    Jim Schafer
    Retired From PPG Industries/
    Transitions Optical, Inc.

    When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say even less.
    Paul Brown

  13. #13
    Independent Problem Optiholic edKENdance's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2000
    Location
    In the Middle
    Occupation
    Optical Retail
    Posts
    2,630
    And don't forget Alpha Micron. Almost 20 years. http://alphamicron.com/wearable-tech/consumer/
    Last edited by edKENdance; 02-08-2015 at 01:08 PM. Reason: dates

  14. #14
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Redhot Jumper When the large corporations go for such a project they must see a future for it. ....

    Quote Originally Posted by edKENdance View Post

    And don't forget Alpha Micron. Almost 20 years. http://alphamicron.com/wearable-tech/consumer/

    That was 20 years ago and never anybody mentioned it ever since.

    This time the project is supported by BASF, .................the present popular product was developed by PPG another large corporation.

    When the large corporations go for such a project they must see a future for it.

  15. #15
    Independent Problem Optiholic edKENdance's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2000
    Location
    In the Middle
    Occupation
    Optical Retail
    Posts
    2,630
    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Ryser View Post
    That was 20 years ago and never anybody mentioned it ever since.

    This time the project is supported by BASF, .................the present popular product was developed by PPG another large corporation.

    When the large corporations go for such a project they must see a future for it.
    Nobody here maybe. Check the timeline. I think they're doing ok. It's not unusual for tech to trickle down to consumers that was originally developed for military purposes. Especially in this industry. http://alphamicron.com/company/

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Emporio Armani Sunglasses and Eyeglasses & Valentino Sunglasses CHEAP!
    By Discount-Eyewear in forum Optical Marketplace
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-05-2013, 01:20 PM
  2. Designer eyeglasses & sunglasses
    By Jansen in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-11-2012, 05:49 PM
  3. Huge Selection of MARCHON Sunglasses and Eyeglasses!
    By Discount-Eyewear in forum Optical Marketplace
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-06-2011, 04:58 PM
  4. Tom Ford Eyeglasses & Roberto Cavalli Sunglasses and Eyeglasses CHEAP!
    By Discount-Eyewear in forum Optical Marketplace
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-12-2011, 10:21 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •