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Intelligent
Materials
Materials which can adapt to their environment and those which,
more modestly, are able to alter their properties as required by
their users are called "intelligent".
Saint-Gobain Recherche has invented and continues to work on the
development of different types of "intelligent" glass. Liquid
crystal glazing can be used to instantly block out intrusive
observers.
Thanks to electrochromism, blinds or curtains
are no longer needed to darken a room: just press a button and a
window will darken.
Conversely, at night, electroluminescent polymers
can be used so that windows continue to emit light. Intelligent
materials will be user- and environmentally friendly. For instance,
self-cleaning materials, which are presently
at the development stage, will keep roofs, windows and external
glazed walls effortlessly clean without the need of special cleaning
products.
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