A structured material is provided that includes a substrate and a porous structured polymer layer disposed thereon. The porous structured polymer layer includes a plurality of voids, and has a high hemispherical reflectance a high a hemispherical thermal emittance. The structured material is thus particularly advantageous for cool-roof coatings, enabling surfaces coated by the material to stay cool, even under strong sunlight. The material can be produced via structuring of polymers in a mixture including a solvent and a non-solvent. Sequential evaporation of the solvent and the non-solvent provide a polymer layer with the plurality of voids.

Variable transmission covering systems that can be used, for example, to control the amount of light passing through a window in a building. Using transmissive electrophoretic media that can switch between a first and second optical state, the invention can be used to change the color and/or transmissivity of a structure (or structures) that is placed in front of an object. In some embodiments, the variable transmission system can change transmission and color on command

A switchable window, in particular for use in an aircraft, helicopter, or space vehicle, includes an outer pane construction subjected to sunlight, and an inner pane construction having an electrically switchable film for changing a color or transmittance of the switchable window, the outer pane construction covering at least an irradiated part of the inner pane construction. The outer pane construction absorbs IR radiation of the sunlight and it absorbs or reflects UV radiation of the sunlight.

Window controllers and methods for controlling tinting and other functions of tinting zones of multi-zone tintable windows and multiple tinting zones of a group of tintable windows.

A switchable light transmission module is disclosed that includes a substrate having a first surface defining at least part of an enclosed volume, a porous layer disposed on the first surface and in fluid communication with the enclosed volume, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the enclosed volume. The reservoir is configured to supply a fluid to the sealed volume such that the fluid contacts the porous layer. The fluid has a refractive index that is close to the refractive index of the porous layer, has a high wettability for the porous layer, and does not dissolve the porous layer. When in a dry state, voids in the porous layer are filled with air which has a much different refractive index than the porous layer itself, resulting in a surface that is reflective and not very transmissive. During wetting of the porous layer by the fluid, however, those voids are filled with the fluid, reducing the difference in refractive index across the polymer-fluid interfaces such that light scattering is negligible and the surface becomes light permeable.

A switchable light modulator device (201, 202, 203, 204, 205) comprises a first substrate (101, 102, 103) and a second substrate (141, 142, 143, 144) with opposite major surfaces spaced apart by one or more polymer structures that each comprise two or more parts and define wall features (21b, 22b, 23b) for a plurality of cavities (111, 112, 113, 114), the cavities sealing a fluid (71, 72, 73, 74) or gel in discrete volumes. Each of the one or more polymer structures comprises a mould part (21, 22, 23) bonded to the first substrate and defining a recess (31, 32, 33), and a cast part (81, 82, 83, 84) filling the recess and bonded to the second substrate and a surface of the recess, the cast part being defined by the surface of the recess and the second substrate replicating the surfaces of both.

A module including two transparent panes; a sealing and spacing arrangement sealingly fixing the panes to each other along their periphery at spaced apart relationship, thereby forming between the inner surfaces of the panes a transparent sealed cavity with a sealing frame surrounding it; and an image producing device fixedly mounted within the cavity so as to allow viewing images produced thereby. The module for mounting in the structure so as to fulfill the function of a transparent member such as a window, a door or a wall, separating between the space in said interior of the structure accommodating said person and a region behind the member, and to allow viewing at least through a portion of the cavity. The module can include optional features, and methods are provided for producing a structure therewith and for upgrading existing structures by using the module instead of an original transparent component.

A structured material is provided that includes a substrate and a porous structured polymer layer disposed thereon. The porous structured polymer layer includes a plurality of voids, and has a high hemispherical reflectance a high a hemispherical thermal emittance. The structured material is thus particularly advantageous for cool-roof coatings, enabling surfaces coated by the material to stay cool, even under strong sunlight. The material can be produced via structuring of polymers in a mixture including a solvent and a non-solvent. Sequential evaporation of the solvent and the non-solvent provide a polymer layer with the plurality of voids.

A device for regulating light passing through the device comprises a multi-layered stack. The stack comprises a first layer and a second layer. The first layer and the second layer allow the light to pass through the first layer and the second layer. A first fluid channel is defined between the first layer and the second layer. The first fluid channel allows the light to pass through the first fluid channel. A first fluid is operably received into the first fluid channel and operably withdrawn from the first fluid channel.

A retractable window covering for natural illumination of building interiors by redirecting the incident daylight at angles that promote its deeper penetration into the interior space. The window covering comprises an optically transmissive, flexible polymeric sheet having reflective surfaces incorporated into its material and configured to redirect at least a portion of light propagating through the sheet towards a desired direction. The window covering is operable from a closed to an open position so as to increase or decrease the amount of redirected and/or admitted light.