Research Frontiers Inc. (Nasdaq: REFR) and Israel-based material
science company Gauzy Ltd. announced today that Gauzy has acquired
a non-exclusive license from Research Frontiers to develop,
produce and sell products and components using Research Frontiers’
patented SPD-Smart light-control technology. The minimum annual
royalties, royalty rate, and other fees and license terms were not
disclosed.
Eyal Peso, President and CEO of Gauzy, noted:
“Our business has been rapidly expanding based upon our constant
focus on bringing the best-performing and most innovative
technology-based products to our customers worldwide. Introduction
of SPD-Smart light-control technology to our product line will help
us to continue and accelerate this rapid growth while still
maintaining our focus as the provider of the most innovative and
advanced glass technology products. We see clear and significant
synergies specifically between our LCG ® (Liquid Crystal Glass)
technology and Research Frontiers’ SPD-SmartGlass light control
technology, and the general synergies between our two companies and
our worldwide businesses. We are particularly strong and focused in
the architectural smart glass industry and Research Frontiers’ SPD
technology is particularly strong in transportation industry
applications, such as smart windows and sunroofs for cars, trains,
aircraft and boats. Gauzy and Research Frontiers working closely
together for the benefit of all of the companies supplying products
in all of these areas has clear advantages for both of our
companies.”
Joseph M. Harary, President and CEO of Research
Frontiers, noted: “Gauzy brings the fast, results-based culture of
a start up, and access to interesting cutting-edge technology both
from Israel and elsewhere. Gauzy’s established and growing network
of over 50 glass fabricators worldwide brings additional synergies,
infrastructure, and growth opportunities. Because these companies
have already been trained and certified in working with Gauzy’s
PDLC film product, they should have the ability and experience to
quickly incorporate SPD-Smart technology, which is also a
film-based technology with similar handling, lamination, and other
fabrication characteristics. Over the past ten months, we have
worked closely and have gotten to know the talented and highly
effective team at Gauzy, and welcome the energy, experience and
creative and practical innovation that they bring to benefit the
entire SPD-SmartGlass industry and its customers.”
The SPD-SmartGlass technology is the same
best-selling smart window technology that can be found on various
car models from Daimler. The MAGIC SKY CONTROL feature, which is
now in use on tens of thousands of Mercedes-Benz SLs, SLC/SLKs,
Maybach and S-Class models around the world, uses patented
SPD-SmartGlass technology developed by Research Frontiers to turn
the roof transparent by electrically aligning tiny particles in a
thin film within the glass. With the touch of a button, drivers and
passengers can instantly change the tint of their roof to help keep
out harsh sunlight and heat, and create an open-air feeling even
when the sunroof is closed. Glass or plastic using Research
Frontiers’ patented SPD-SmartGlass technology effectively blocks UV
and infrared rays in both clear and darkly tinted modes, helping
keep the cabin cooler, and protecting passengers and interiors
while also enhancing security inside the vehicle. These benefits
become even more important when a car uses large surface areas of
glass, especially in warm climates.
Some of the other benefits of SPD-SmartGlass
include significant heat reduction inside the vehicle (by up to
18ºF/10ºC), UV protection, glare control, reduced noise and reduced
fuel consumption. Independent calculations also show that use of
SPD-SmartGlass can reduce CO2 emissions by four grams per
kilometer, and increase the driving range of electric vehicles by
approximately 5.5 percent.
Shortly after its introduction into serial
production in the automotive industry, SPD-SmartGlass has become
standard equipment on many different aircraft, and is also used in
residential and commercial architectural applications, in trains,
yachts and other marine vehicles, in display applications, and to
protect light-sensitive artwork and documents in major museums
around the world.
Gauzy, a leading vendor of material science,
focused on the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing
of technologies which are embedded into and onto raw materials, has
successfully commercialized Liquid Crystal Films to produce LCG ®
(Liquid Crystal Glass), control systems, and a turn key training
and certification program for worldwide partners, including
patented quality verification tools. LCG® allows the gradual
control of various forms of light when embedded into (laminated) or
retrofitted on to (retrofit) transparent materials, such as glass.
Primarily focused on PDLC technology (Polymer Displaced Liquid
Crystal) until now, the company is not limited, and has the
expertise for developing and manufacturing SPD, NLC, and PSLC.
Along with a best of breed R&D team, Gauzy
also has an on-site production line with custom machinery for high
quality products with on time delivery. Gauzy’s technology is
featured in notable projects worldwide, including automotive
collaborations with leading OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, hotels,
corporate offices, luxury residences, retail chains and consumer
electronics.
About Gauzy Ltd.
Gauzy is a world leader and vendor of material
science, focused on the research, development, manufacturing, and
marketing of technologies which are embedded into and onto raw
materials. Amongst Gauzy’s core areas of expertise is Liquid
Crystal Film, which is used to produce LCG® (Liquid Crystal Glass).
The company is headquartered in Tel Aviv Israel, with additional
offices in Stuttgart, Germany and Los Angeles, California.
Learn more at www.gauzy.com
About Research Frontiers Inc.
Research Frontiers is the developer of SPD-Smart
light-control technology, the world’s best-selling smart window
technology, which allows users to instantly, precisely and
uniformly control the shading of glass or plastic, either manually
or automatically. Research Frontiers has built an infrastructure of
over 40 licensed companies that collectively are capable of serving
the growing global demand for smart glass products in automobiles,
homes, buildings, museums, aircraft and boats. For more
information, please visit our website
at www.SmartGlass.com.
Note: From time to time Research Frontiers may
issue forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. This press release contains forward-looking
statements. Actual results could differ and are not guaranteed. Any
forward-looking statements should be considered accordingly.
“SPD-Smart” and “SPD-SmartGlass” are trademarks of Research
Frontiers Inc. “MAGIC SKY CONTROL” and “Mercedes-Benz” are
trademarks of Daimler AG. “LCG®” is a trademark of Gauzy Ltd.
For further information, please contact:
Eyal Peso
President and CEO
Gauzy Ltd.
info@gauzy.com
Brittany Kleiman Swisa
Media & Marketing Contact
Gauzy Ltd.
brittany@gauzy.com
Joseph M. Harary
President and CEO
Research Frontiers Inc.
+1-516-364-1902
Info@SmartGlass.com
Research Frontiers (NASDAQ:REFR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Research Frontiers (NASDAQ:REFR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024