Dimmable Windows for Planes!

Could these windows be the future of air travel?

You know the drill. You want to watch out the window as you fly, but eventually it gets boring, or dark, or you need a nap. Staring out at those white plastic window shades is a thoroughly uninspiring concept. French company Vision Systems will soon make this a thing of the past.

The company hopes to replace the current blinds with a dimmable photovoltaic shade, which enables the passenger to change the transparency from clear to opaque with the press of a few buttons.

How does it work?

The windows rely on nanoparticle film, which has been sandwiched between the ordinary window made of polycarbonate or glass. When an electric current is applied to this film, the particles will become active, and fall out of the alignment that makes them opaque.

When tinted, the film blocks out more than 99% of visible light, and it’s possible to have a range of opacities rather than just on and off. The company even asserts that the windows reduce cabin temperature by 18degrees F, saving energy and money.

Some planes already have this technology, especially in the newer models such has the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but Vision Systems want to install these on smaller planes and private jets.

In the future, the company would like to incorporate data into the windows, such as maps, flight information or communications from the crew.