Research Frontiers Inc announced 15/05/06 that Asahi Glass has acquired a worldwide non-exclusive license to use Research Frontiers' patented SPD-Smart light-control technology for various auto glass products, including sunroofs, other roof glass systems, & auto windows. In 2003, under sublicense from their subsidiary AGC Auto Americas, Asahi began to evaluate & test the production of SPD-Smart sunroof & other auto glass products, & has now become directly licensed by Research Frontiers to produce for its customers. Users of SPD-Smart products can manually or automatically adjust the amount of light, glare & heat that passes through glass or plastic. Benefits include savings on heating & cooling, reduced fading of interior fabrics, noise-attenuation & impact-resistance, & the ability to control light & glare without losing views. The market for auto glass is growing as glass becomes a higher percentage of vehicle content. More vehicles are equipped with sunroofs, & auto makers are introducing larger sunroofs, glass roof panels, & all-glass roof systems in their vehicles. Worldwide auto sunroof sales are expected to reach almost 15M/units in 2006.
