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Electrochromic Visor Aids Motorcyclists
opticsorg writes "A team from Uppsala University and the firm Chromogenics Sweden AB have developed a flexible electrochromic foil and integrated it into the visor of a motorcycle helmet. The result is a visor that the rider can electronically switch between dark and transparent states. Applying a voltage of about 1V to the initially transparent visor causes it to darken in a matter of seconds. When the voltage is turned off, the visor keeps its properties, while applying a reverse voltage makes it revert to its natural lightly tinted state."
The project lead didn't manage to show up for the project class presentation however; he'd wiped out on the way to school.
Apparently on a colder morning, the LCD began to dim on its own as the cold wind affected the crystals, making them darken slowly and subtly. By the time he consciously realized he wasn't seeing well, he'd already skidded into the back of a flatbed truck!
I guess the simple lessons can be painful ones at MIT.
The maximum transmissivity is 50% - in other words, at its "light" setting, it STILL blocks half the light coming in.
At its "dark" setting, it transmits 20%.
So what you have is not "clear" and "krylon black", but rather "dark" and "darker". While this is useful, it still would be darker than clear.
And for all the people who will post about "I want this on my car" - no, you don't. Many municipalities have a legal limit of about 90% on car windows - pass less than this and the nice police officer can ticket you. Since 50% < 90%, if the cop wants to give you grief he can.
www.eFax.com are spammers
Sweet. I've always wanted window panes that I can "turn off", and this is getting pretty close. Liquid crystals aren't so good because you need to keep the voltage applied in order to keep the crystals aligned.
If this makes it to market in Canada, I will be first in line to get one. Vision is tremendously important when operating a motorcycle, and tinted visors are a bad compromise at best. Magazines suggest that you should have a second, clear visor and change it after dark, but there are different situations such as tunnels, forest roads, and even weather changes that can darken a sunny day but are easy to wave off as not bad enough to stop, dig out a clear visor and install it.
This would be much more convenient and by extension, safer.
"Smart is sexy." -- D. Scully ("War of the Coprophages")
Where I live, your window tint can't be darker than a certain law-defined limit, which police can enforce with the use of a light meter once they pull you over. It'd be great to cruise around with my windows as dark as I want them to be, and then flip a switch when a suspicious cop decides to check me for a violation. :)
HSJ$$*&#^!#+++ATH0
NO CARRIER
Is it sandwiched between two pieces of plastic? Is it located on the inside/outside of the visor? This is important, because by sandwiching it, the two pieces of plastic could start separating over time. If its on the outside, like current iridium coated visors (the metallic mirrored ones) it will be easily scratched and damaged by bugs and debris. Inside is obviously best, however it would still be susceptible to fingers/foggy breath/scratching that could damage it.
I wonder how much these would cost. Current visors cost between $40 up to $100 for mirrored fancy ones. (up here in Canada eh)
We looked into this several years ago after doing a digitized lighting system for a wealthy family up in New Hampshire who had glass capable of this effect in their shower, overlooking a beautiful valley. If you wanted the privacy you could instantly have it. We thought, this is perfect for when your car is parked... block all of the suns rays and heat with a simple switch - no more need for those cardboard sunglasses. Unfortuneately the only supplier we could find wanted $5000 / sq. foot. But, if prices have come down, this would be pretty cool to have.
Welding visors have had this for years. Kind of interesting it's only being used now in helmets.
:(
The welding visors ran about $200 to $300 last I checked. When the glass is as dark as it needs to be to protect you, it's impossible to see through it to see what you're doing. Traditional visors require the user to leave it open, get ready the strike a spark, and then put the visor down right before. It's a pain in the ass, and if you're welding all day long, you're bound to accidentally strike a spark before the visor is down, leaving nice little trails on your eyes for awhile. With this, the initial spark is detected by a light sensor, and it auto darkens the glass. Much more convenient, especially when you need both of your hands to hold something in place before you start welding it.
I've always wanted something like this for the side windows in my car, and a nice little slider to adjust how dark they get. Alas, no one seems to make film I can apply.
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I want this for my car windows when I'm making out.
Think of the possibilities!
- Zav - Imagine a Beowulf cluster of insensitive clods...
I'd love something like this for those times when you leave your car in the sun.
Might go over big in Arizona or LA.
Also, if you can't see into the car, you cant' see any stuff to steal.
- Zav - Imagine a Beowulf cluster of insensitive clods...
It immediately darkens when dangers is near because what you can't see can't hurt you.
Now if they shrink it down to sunglasses size, we can all be like Zaphod Beeblebrox!
You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
...especially when you need both of your hands to hold something in place before you start welding it.
I don't know much about welding, but I think you're going to need more than a special visor to handle this situation, as you try to strike your spark and somehow also hold the torch. Whoa, might want to put the beer down for a sec, too.
to protect us from the Ravenous Bugblatter Beasts of Traal anymore! Hooray for Technology!!
More for the protection of motercyclist I say, there are a couple (of many) neat less well known motorcycles: The Royal Enfield a copy of the triumph 500 made in India since the late 40's and the Russian copy of the 650cc BMW circa mid fiftys called the URAL. There is a military version of the URAL with a sidecar with positive rear traction,(availaable in the U.S.) that is both rear wheels spinning. Well, I did not know the science related to this article so now you know about the Enfield and URAL.
I eat my grapes at room temperature, cuz the cold ones hurt my teeth
peril sensitive sunglasses!!
Anyone know what the difference is? Electrochromatic is the word car companies typically use to describe the auto-dimming rear-view mirrors. Dictionaries seem to only define electrocromic. Odd. Is electrochromatic just a made-up word that sounds better than the proper one? Sorta like disenfranchise (not proper) vis a vis disfranchise?
Stupid people make stupid things profitable.
The Ural was marketed as the Cossack in the UK - it was the only bike that you fixed with a lump hammer.
My mate had the powered sidecar versio when we were teenagers - about as basic as you can get.
I don't think Enfields are Triumph copies - Royal Enfield was originally a British company based in Middlesex, shipping its first motorcycle in 1901.
The UK operation shut down in 1970, but the Indians have been making 1940s designs since 1955, and are still going.
oh brave new world, that has such people in it!
Diesel is a favorite subject of mine, I drive a 1983 MB 300SD turbo diesel, Jetta makes a great diesel and I have a 1980 Rabbit Pick-up diesel your remark (any sights I could check?) about the diesel enfield caught my attention and the rest of your information will be greatly appreciated by my brothers. We talked about both of these cycles and checked a bunch of sights. The Bike talked up a lot when I grew up in the 60's Was the BSA. It seemed like it was rather depedable and looked and sounded very cool. What ever happened to this company?
I eat my grapes at room temperature, cuz the cold ones hurt my teeth
The web sight I found for diesel bikes is http://www.peace65.freeserve.co.uk/pictures/diesel .htm it seems the enfield diesel is not made any more but then I did find a reference for sale from mexico and venez. Apparently there is one still made that can be bought and it is from U.K. most of the others were custom built or those made and still around. It got my intrest. Thanks again for the information on the Enfield and URAL. Annisette
I eat my grapes at room temperature, cuz the cold ones hurt my teeth