The future of glass and window technology:
Innovations by Him Imperial

Glass is one of the most essential materials today, used in several things ranging from cutlery to kitchenware to appliances to buildings to automobiles to a zillion other things. New innovations have made it possible to create different kinds of glass – shatter-proof, temperature resistant, UV resistant etc. If you look around, you will notice that construction, whether it is residential or commercial, has been increasingly using glass in its facades, balconies, balustrades and other sections. In fact, there is more glass and chrome today than ever before.

You now have different kinds of glass available, suitable for a variety of applications – float glass, tinted glass, toughened glass, tempered glass, insulated glass, mirrored glass, wired glass, frosted glass, laminated glass and more. The most commonly used types of glass are toughened glass and laminated glass, widely used in construction and automobiles. Glass technology today is evolving at a rapid rate and there are several new features being incorporated.

We now have variants like ‘Smart Glass’ and ‘Self Cleaning’ glass, the result of innovations in electronics and polymer technology that further push the envelope and open newer application opportunities. Smart glass is dynamic which means the traditionally static material can come alive and deliver multiple functions. The technology enables the control of visible light, UV and IR. The technology is called switchable PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal), a medium whose opacity can be varied by applying an electric field. When the power is on, the electrical current makes the liquid crystal molecules align ensuring light passes through, making the glass transparent. Primarily there are two types of smart glass – active and passive. The active type such as PDLC, SPD or EC, requires electrical power while the passive type does not. Common passive technologies include Photochromic glass, that which responds to light, and Thermochromic glass, that which responds to change in temperature.  Here are a few advantages of smart glass.

.-      UV ray protection – Smart glass incorporates superior technology that blocks over 95% of UV-rays, way more than the ordinary float glass which blocks 55%.

–          Convenient and low maintenance

–          Reduces heat loss – delivers improved insulation from heat loss or gain

–          Delivers superior energy savings

–          Provides ample natural light

–          Smart glass can be laminated/ tempered and offers better security

–          Can be used as a white board or window glass!

–        Privacy at the flick of a switch. Blinds are passé

‍‍On the down side, smart glass is more expensive than ordinary glass and consumes electricity. It also requires professional installation and is not recommended for exterior applications. Also, as of now, smart glass is custom manufactured.

The other innovative variant is self-cleaning glass, a type that maintains a clean surface, free of dirt and grime, achieved by special coatings on the glass face. The coatings are of two categories hydrophobic and hydrophilic, both of which clean themselves through water. The hydrophilic coating uses Titania, which helps in chemically breaking down dirt that’s absorbed in sunlight.

With a constant demand for light, flexible materials, glass and glazing technologies are catching up. Advanced manufacturing processes and materials are being used to create thinner, lightweight glass for applications such as mobile phones, eye wear, computer screens, bottles and construction facades. Once they enter mainstream, these are poised to revolutionise several industries.

Him Imperial – Spearheading innovation in glass technology

Him Imperial Auto Glass Works is one of India’s leading manufacturers of glass and a complete glass solutions company. Him Imperial produces several varieties of glass for various applications and has been pursuing innovation since inception. Established in 2008 in Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh, Him Imperial manufactures to exacting internal standards using the finest raw materials and processes. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and our products’ quality standards are approved/verified by ARAI (THE AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF INDIA), ICAT (INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY), BIS (BUREAU OF INDIA STANDARDS) & IATF (TS). We are a European Union (E+ Marking) certified company.

Our manufacturing facilities incorporate modern machinery and a full-fledged testing lab with sophisticated equipment. We have developed a high level of competence in product development that includes in-house tool design. Today we are a widely recognised automotive and building and construction glass solutions company and produce one of the largest spans of laminated glass (2000 * 3000 mm wide) for front windshields of heavy vehicles.

Since inception, we have focused on forging long term relationships with our customers and are driven by the core values of integrity and commitment to quality. We are proud to have some of the best known names in the industry for customers – leading coach builders, state road transport corporations, heavy engineering equipment manufacturers, reputed builders and developers, prestigious manufacturers of buses, cars and trucks among others, who vouch for Him Imperial laminated safety glass.

To learn more about our offerings in toughened glass, laminated glass and our other products, visit us at www.himimperial.in.