Joseph M. Harary, President of Research Frontiers Incorporated
(Nasdaq: REFR), is an invited presenter at the Plastics in Automotive
Glazings conference to be held in Frankfurt, Germany on June 27-28,
2007.
This international event focuses on the use of plastics in
automotive glazing products such as windows, sunroofs and panoramic
roof systems. The advantages of using polycarbonate - weight savings,
impact resistance, unprecedented design opportunities and others -
have resulted in rapidly growing interest in the automotive industry.
Mr. Harary's presentation will provide an overview of the use of
SPD technology in polycarbonate glazings, discuss how the technology
can help overcome issues of solar heat gain and harmful ultraviolet
transmission, and address many other glazing-related challenges facing
the automotive industry today.
Using SPD technology, drivers and passengers can automatically or
manually control light, heat and glare coming into the vehicle.
SPD-Smart(TM) automotive windows and sunroofs uniformly change from
optically transparent to blocking over 99% of visible light and can be
tuned to any level of tint in between. All of this is done instantly
to increase comfort and conserve energy. SPD-Smart glazings also block
over 99% of harmful ultraviolet light, reduce noise, increase security
and use extremely low amounts of power. In addition to his
presentation, Mr. Harary will demonstrate an SPD-Smart plastic window
that uses high-performing "second generation" SPD film patented by
Research Frontiers.
SPD technology is film-based and is the only variable light
transmission technology that can be used with large plastic windows.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (formerly Raytheon Aircraft Company), a
leading aerospace industry original equipment manufacturer, now offers
SPD-Smart plastic windows, and a number of automotive OEMs have active
SPD-Smart product development programs in place.
There is a widespread trend toward growing amounts of glazing used
per vehicle. The amount of glass used in several high volume models
offered by global OEMs, for example, has increased approximately
twenty percent over the past 20 years. Similarly, world sunroof sales
are projected to grow at an annual rate of 10.7% through 2010, and due
to larger panel sizes, worldwide sunroof glazing area is expected to
grow at an annual growth rate of 14.6% over that time. Many of the
world's premier suppliers to the automotive industry are now investing
substantial resources toward the development of products to address
this trend and fill the growing need for versatile polycarbonate
glazings.
The movement toward larger windows, sunroofs and panoramic roof
systems creates new challenges for the industry. For example,
traditional sunroof shading systems cannot be used in automobiles
designed with large roof glazings, and high levels of solar heat gain
contribute to lower fuel efficiency. SPD technology addresses both of
these challenges. When integrated with plastic, SPD-Smart glazings
reduce vehicular weight and thus further increase fuel efficiency. By
enabling passengers to instantly and precisely control the amount of
light, glare and heat transmitted through the sunroof or side lites,
the need for traditional shading systems is eliminated and demands on
the vehicle's heating and cooling system are lowered.
Representatives of many of the world's leading OEMs, Tier 1
suppliers, and other automotive suppliers are expected to attend the
conference which is being held in Frankfurt, Germany at the Arabella
Sheraton Grand Hotel on June 27-28, 2007. Mr. Harary's presentation
leads off the conference at 10:00AM on June 27 and is entitled
"Innovation - The Use of SPD-Smart Light-Control Film Technology in
Automotive Smart Windows and Roof Systems."
More information about the conference can be found at
www.plasticautoglazing.com. More information about Research Frontiers
and SPD-Smart technology can be found at www.SmartGlass.com.
SPD-Smart film technology was awarded a "Best of What's New Award"
from Popular Science magazine for home technology, received the 2007
North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Excellence in Technology for
glass, and was also recognized as one of the top technologies by the
Society of Automotive Engineers' Aerospace Engineering magazine. SPD
technology is covered by over 450 patents and patent applications held
by Research Frontiers worldwide. Currently 33 companies are licensed
to use Research Frontiers' patented SPD light-control technology in
emulsions, films, or end-products. Further information about SPD-Smart
technology, Research Frontiers and its licensees can be found 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-SmartTM, SPD-SmartGlassTM,
SmartGlassTM, VaryFastTM, Powered by SPDTM, The View of the Future -
Everywhere You LookTM and Visit SmartGlass.com - to change your view
of the world(TM) are trademarks of Research Frontiers Incorporated.