Isoclima S.p.A., a licensee of Research Frontiers Incorporated
(Nasdaq: REFR), announced today that it will feature its CromaLite(TM)
brand of SPD-SmartGlass(TM) at two upcoming trade shows in Europe.
Isoclima's CromaLite brand SPD-Smart products are for a variety of
smart glass applications including smart windows for the global
architectural, marine and automotive markets.
At the heart of CromaLite smart glass is next-generation SPD
light-control film invented by Research Frontiers. When integrated
with glass or plastic panels, SPD-Smart film gives users the ability
to rapidly, precisely and uniformly control the amount if light
passing through products such as windows, skylights and sunroofs.
This is a major achievement over "electrochromic" light-control
technology, which can be extremely slow and relies on electrochemical
reactions to induce a color change. In moderate and larger sized
electrochromic panels, switching speed is even slower and non-uniform
(creating an objectionable "iris effect" where darkening first occurs
at the outer edge of the window and then slowly works its way towards
the center of the window).
To manufacture its CromaLite products, Isoclima is now purchasing
the basic chemicals from Research Frontiers' licensee Dainippon Ink &
Chemicals Incorporated (DIC), one of the world's leading diversified
chemical companies. Isoclima then processes these chemicals and coats
them into SPD-Smart film in Italy. This film can then be shipped by
Isoclima to its glass fabrication facilities in Europe or North
America to produce CromaLite laminated and insulated glass and plastic
panels, as well as end-products such as windows, skylights and marine
glass.
The CromaLite SPD-SmartGlass being featured measures 0.8 x 2.5
meters (31.5 x 98.4 inches) and will be the darkest switchable glazing
of any type ever exhibited publicly for architectural and marine
window applications. The SPD film itself can block over 99.4% of
visible light, yet it can be optically clear when desired. When SPD
film is combined with glass or plastic to form a window or other
end-products, the light blockage can be even greater. Users can
instantly and precisely control how much light, glare and heat passes
through the glass.
"We are extremely pleased with the optical quality and operating
performance of our CromaLite smart glass," said Alberto Bertolini,
General Director of Isoclima. "Our exhibiting at these upcoming trade
shows marks the start of an accelerating marketing campaign to grow
what we believe will be very strong sales of CromaLite across numerous
applications. Our plans include coating SPD film up to 1.2 meters wide
and we expect that SPD light-control technology and our CromaLite
products will have a strategic importance in the architectural,
automotive, marine and aerospace industries."
"It is highly noteworthy that Isoclima is now launching the
marketing program for its CromaLite smart glass," said Joseph M.
Harary, President of Research Frontiers who recently toured Isoclima's
Padua, Italy facilities and will be visiting their Mexicali, Mexico
facilities later this month. "Isoclima's glazing products have a very
strong reputation globally in the architectural and transportation
industries. In the marine industry, for example, the company's glazing
products have achieved 30-40% penetration of the European maxi-yacht
market (100+ meters in length), and the company has a 70-80% share of
all yacht glass supplied to Italian shipyards, one of the world's
largest shipbuilding regions."
Isoclima will first exhibit its CromaLite smart glass from October
3-6, 2007 at Vitrum 2007, the international trade fair for machinery,
equipment and systems for the processing of flat and hollow glass.
Vitrum 2007 will be held at Fiera Milano's new exhibition complex in
Milan and attracts visitors across the world. Isoclima's booth will be
located in Pavilion 24, stand E22 More information about Vitrum 2007
can be found at http://www.vitrum-milano.it.
From October 6-14, 2007, Isoclima will exhibit its CromaLite at
the 47th International Boat Show being held at the Genoa Fairgrounds
in Genoa, Italy. The International Boat Show is one of the world's
leading marine shows and features more than 100,000 square meters of
exhibition space and 8 kilometers of "walkways on the sea" where a
range of yachts and sailboats will be featured. Isoclima's CromaLite
smart window will be part of the Galinea booth located at Pavilion C,
stand M25. More information about the International Boat Show can be
found at http://www.salonenauticogenova.it.
About Isoclima S.p.A
With expertise in high-technology glass, specialty glass and
plastics, Isoclima employs over 400 people and produces high-end
quality products for the automotive, building, aerospace, railway and
marine markets. Isoclima has over 1.2 million square feet of
manufacturing facilities in nine factories located in Italy, Mexico
and Croatia that produce curved and flat laminated, impact-resistant,
bullet-resistant, and other specialty glass products including
patterned glass and low-iron glass for solar collectors and
photovoltaic panels. Isoclima is ISO 9001 certified and is part of the
Finind Group. Additional information about Isoclima may be found on
the Internet at www.isoclima.net.
In March 2002, Isoclima purchased a license from Research
Frontiers to manufacture smart switchable window products using
Research Frontiers' fast-responding suspended particle device (SPD)
light-control film technology. In July 2002, Isoclima expanded its
activities as a licensee of Research Frontiers by acquiring a
worldwide non-exclusive license to manufacture and sell SPD
light-controlling film to Research Frontiers' authorized licensees, as
well as using it in their own architectural and automotive glass
end-products. These products include SPD-Smart architectural windows,
skylights and partitions, and SPD-Smart automotive windows and
sunroofs for various transportation vehicles such as cars,
recreational vehicles, trucks, boats and trains.
About SPD Technology and Research Frontiers Incorporated
Research Frontiers Incorporated (Nasdaq: REFR) develops and
licenses suspended particle device (SPD) technology used in
VaryFast(TM) SPD-Smart controllable glass and plastic products. SPD
technology, made possible by a flexible light-control film invented by
Research Frontiers, allows the user to instantly and precisely control
the shading of glass or plastic, either manually or automatically. SPD
technology product applications include: SPD-Smart windows, sunshades,
skylights and interior partitions for homes and buildings; automotive
windows, sunroofs, sunvisors, sunshades, and mirrors; aircraft and
marine windows and window shades; eyewear products; and flat panel
displays for electronic products.
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 500 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. CromaLite(TM) is a trademark of
Isoclima S.p.A. SPD-Smart(TM), SPD-SmartGlass(TM),
SmartGlass(TM),VaryFast(TM), Powered by SPD(TM), The View of the
Future - Everywhere You Look(TM) and Visit SmartGlass.com - to change
your view of the world(TM) are trademarks of Research Frontiers
Incorporated.
