Researchers have developed a new material. When it is under UV, it can change from transparency to dark blue. However, when it is removed from UV, it can change back to transparent at once. It can play an important role in storing optical data and making sunglasses that can change colors.
More than ten years ago, Japanese chemical engineer Jiro Abe and his colleagues started to research on those materials that can change color when the light changes, especially hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI). In the beginning, HABI is colorless. When one chemical bond between molecular is broken, HABI will become dark blue. But it takes dozens of seconds to finish the changing. So HABI is only used in those sunglasses that are changing colors slowly.
Occasionally, the research group found that when they added naphthalene to HABI, the changing would be finished in 180 Ms. When they used a kind of aromatic compounds to replace naphthalene, the changing would only take 30Ms.
Abe and his colleagues published a paper on the “Journal of Organic Chemistry”. It said that when UV is sheltered, this kind of HABI will change back to transparent more quickly.
Sunglasses made by this improved HABI can change to the dark blue immediately when they come under the sunlight. Once the wearers come indoors, it will change transparent at once. It is very convenient.
Many people must once have the experience that when you enter the room wearing prescription sunglasses from outside, you will feel dark indoors. It makes people feel uncomfortable. Of course, you can take off your sunglasses when you are in the room. But if you are not in home or office, instead if you are shopping or you just want to go through a shop; taking off your sunglasses will become really annoying. You would rather stand the uncomfortable feeling than take off your sunglasses. But if you have such a pair of sunglasses, there will be no need for you to take off your sunglasses when it is unnecessary.
As the summer comes, many people begin to put on their sunglasses. Why not buying such a pair of glasses, you will get a special experience.
Hello,
Are this kind of fast changing glasses into sunglasses already on the market? Manufacturer?
Best regards,
Peter
OPS Eyewear