An optical device includes a first composite film; a second composite film or a polarizing film; a /2 plate; and a light-emitting unit, in which the first composite film and the second composite film contains a liquid crystal compound aligned in a thickness direction and a photochromic material, optical characteristics of the photochromic material are changed by irradiation with light, a light transmittance in the thickness direction becomes smaller than a light transmittance in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction, the polarizing film has an absorption axis in the thickness direction, and the light-emitting unit emits light that changes the optical characteristics of the photochromic material.

An optical device includes a polarizing plate; a composite film which contains a liquid crystal compound aligned in a thickness direction and a photochromic material and in which optical characteristics of the photochromic material are changed by emitting light and a light transmittance in the thickness direction becomes smaller than a light transmittance in a direction orthogonal to the thickness; and a light-emitting unit which emits light changing the optical characteristics of the photochromic material of the composite film.

Provided is a windshield for a low speed vehicle such as a golf car. The windshield comprises a hinge and a top mount allowing the windshield to fold up for improved upper body safety and improved air circulation.

Provided is a low speed vehicle, such as a golf car, comprising a unique windshield. The windshield comprises a hinge and a top mount allowing the windshield to fold up for improved upper body safety and improved air circulation. The windshield has an upper portion that is fixed. The golf car/low speed vehicle also comprises a system for creating a virtual, visual display of information on the upper fixed portion of the windshield.

The present application discloses a display panel having a subpixel region and an inter-subpixel region. The display panel includes a base substrate; and a photochromic layer on the base substrate at least partially in the subpixel region for preventing light leakage in the subpixel region.

A control system for a variable transmittance optical filter assembly includes a controller in communicatively coupled to a pair of load terminals, and a memory communicatively coupled to the controller and having encoded thereon statements and instructions executable by the controller to transition the optical filter assembly between operating states when coupled to the pair of load terminals. The controller is operable to perform any one or more of: allowing the optical filter assembly to transition to a dark state by shorting the load terminals together, maintaining the optical filter assembly in a hold mode by applying a pulse width modulated voltage signal across the load terminals, and transitioning the optical filter assembly between operative states by applying a voltage signal having voltage pulses of opposite polarities to the load terminals.

A switching material comprising one or more than one polymers and an electrolyte comprising a salt and a solvent portion comprising one or more solvents; and one or more compounds having electrochromic and photochromic properties dispersed homogeneously through the switching material; and wherein the switching material is transitionable from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV light and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage.

The present invention relates to a metal hydride device having a variable transparency, comprising a substrate, at least one layer including a photochromic yttrium hydride having a chosen band gap, and a capping layer at least partially positioned on the opposite side of the photochromic yttrium hydride layer from the substrate, said capping layer being essentially impermeable to hydrogen and oxygen.

Provided in one example is an article. The article includes a substrate. The article includes a first layer disposed over at least a portion of the substrate, the first layer comprising a reflector. The article includes a second layer disposed over at least a portion of the first layer, the second layer comprising an electrode. The article includes a third layer disposed over at least a portion of the second layer, the third layer comprising a polymer and a light source. The article includes a fourth layer disposed over at least a portion of the third layer, the fourth layer comprising a diffusor. The article includes a fifth layer disposed over at least a portion of the fourth layer, the fifth layer comprising at least one of a photochromic material and a thermochromic material.

A viewing angle controlling film, a backlight unit using the same, and a display device using the same are disclosed. The viewing angle controlling film comprises a first area where light transmittance is not converted; and a second area where light transmittance is converted, wherein the second area includes a light-transmittance conversion portion configured to react with light of a predetermined wavelength range to convert the light transmittance and not to react with light of a wavelength range other than the predetermined wavelength range.