Ever been constantly irritated by the glare on your
lenses, which makes it hard for you to see things clearly? Not only you, it
also creates a poor impression on others if you are in the middle of a video
conference, as your eyes are covered by the reflection on the screen. Wanting to
take a perfect picture of yourself? You can say goodbye to those, as your
wonderful eyes will be mostly covered by that icky reflection. Want to get rid
of these issues? Modern science has a solution for this, known as
anti-reflective (AR) coating.
So, what is the science behind this? Refractive index
(RI) determines the transparency of an object. The RI of normal optical lenses
is 1.5. These lenses are used in microscopes, photovoltaic cells, telescopes,
and glasses. Lenses need to provide clarity by deflecting stray light, which
causes glares or obstructs vision, and this is where AR coatings step in,
eliminating glare and improving lens efficiency.
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What Exactly Is This Coating?
Anti-reflective coatings are applied to the surfaces
of lenses to improve vision and reduce reflection. These coatings comprise thin
films layered alternately with contrasting RIs. They reduce reflections or
glint from the sun’s rays and allow clear vision. These coatings are used
extensively on large TV & computer screens to minimize glare. Telescopes
are microscopes are major applications of these coatings, since they possess
properties desirable in planetary astronomy.
This technology was first patented in 1938 by
Katherine Blodgett, a scientist at General Electric. She successfully created
the first instance of AR coating by continuously applying 44 layers of
monomolecular oil to a piece of glass. This enabled an almost 100% transmission
of natural light through the glass. In the past, when the technology was
introduced, there were issues with its implementation, mostly with regards to
the frequent scratching on them, as well as the continuous cleaning required.
However, since then, these coatings have come a long way.
Solar Applications
- A Cornerstone of Innovation
Magnolia Solar, an American
company, focuses on creating AR coatings for photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic
cells, an integral part of solar panels are semiconductor diodes that convert
sunlight to direct current. This is how the charging of solar panels takes
place. The purpose of anti-reflective coatings on solar panels is to reduce the
reflection rate and optimize energy absorption. The company has collaborated with
the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop coatings for
optical fibers.
DSM Innovation Center, a
Netherlands-based company developed a sunlight-trapping material with the help
of ‘nano-porous’ technology a few years back. Commercially, this material is
known as ‘KhepriCoat’. It was earlier used in picture frames but is used widely
in solar energy applications. More recently, in July 2019, Pellucere Technologies
introduced the MoreSun AR shield that additionally has anti-soiling properties
through the implementation of the Talus Dirt Rejection Technology™.
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Market
Developments
Major players operating in the
AR coatings industry are Carl Zeiss AG, Royal DSM, Honeywell International
Inc., Essilor International S.A., DuPont, Hoya Corporation, iCoat Company LLC,
PPG Industries, Rodenstock GmbH, Janos Technologies, Cascade Optical
Corporation, and Optical Coatings Japan. Expansion and new product development
are some of the strategies being implemented by major market players. Some more
recent developments in the field include:
- In June 2019, McLaren Automotive, in
partnership with the optical specialist L'Amy Group, launched its
inaugural line of eyewear called the McLaren Vision collection. The
collection will use Leica’s Eyecare lenses that feature AR
coatings, along with special tints for specific environments.
- In April 2019, Porsche Design, which is
partners with Rodenstock for frame supply and reading
spectacles, announced the launch of Performance Edition sunglasses
(P‘8665 and P‘8649). The sunglasses have UV 400 protection, ensuring glare
protection, and an antireflection coating on the back side of the lens.
- In November 2018, Honeywell launched
the Uvex Avatar™ OTG safety eyewear, to meet the growing demands
of the workforce in the United States. The product has an adjustable
nosepiece, along with insulated wire-core temples for safety in dielectric
use. The glass has anti-scratch and anti-reflective coating for optical
clarity and reduced eye strain.
- In April 2018, Royal DSM inaugurated a
7.61-acre solar field in Kingstree, South Carolina. The solar field makes
use of DSM AR coating technology, which helps in increasing the solar
output, while also powering the DSM Nutritional Products facility,
which is located nearby. The coating will be used on 4,256 panels, which
would maximize energy capture by 3%. The technology is currently being
used at the company’s solar projects in India and New Jersey.
About
Grand View Research
Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based
market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California
and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research
reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients
make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring
relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology
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