REFR Research Frontiers Inc

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Forward-Looking Statements

Information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. We generally use the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “likely,” “will” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including those concerning our expectations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Item 1A. – Risk Factors” below. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

General:

As used herein, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Research Frontiers” means Research Frontiers Incorporated unless otherwise indicated. Research Frontiers operates in a single business segment which is engaged in the development and marketing of technology and devices to control the flow of light (see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). We develop and license our patented suspended particle device (“SPD-Smart”) light-control technology to other companies that manufacture and/or market the: (i) SPD-Smart chemical emulsion, (ii) light-control film made from the chemical emulsion, (iii) the light-control panels made by laminating the film, (iv) electronics to power end-products incorporating the film, or (v) lamination services for, and the end-products themselves such as “smart” windows, skylights and sunroofs. Research Frontiers currently has over 40 companies that, in the aggregate, are licensed to primarily serve five major SPD-Smart application areas (aerospace, architectural, automotive, marine and display products) in every country of the world.

The Company has entered into a number of license agreements covering its light control technology. During 2019, three licensees accounted for 38%, 12% and 10%, respectively, of fee income recognized for the year. During 2018, four licensees accounted for 35%, 13%, 11% and 10%, respectively, of fee income recognized during the year.

Research Frontiers was incorporated in New York in 1965 to continue early work that Dr. Edwin Land, founder of Polaroid Corporation, and others had done in the area of light-control beginning in the 1930s. Research Frontiers was reincorporated in Delaware in 1989. Since 1965, Research Frontiers has actively worked to develop and license its own SPD technology, which it protects using patents, trade secrets and know-how. Although patent and trade secret protection is not a guarantee of commercial success, Research Frontiers currently has 235 patents that have been issued worldwide. In addition, the Company has current patent applications in the US and other countries that if granted, would add a significant number of additional patents to its portfolio. The Company has and continues to devote significant resources to develop, license and protect its intellectual property position.

SPD-Smart products use microscopic light-absorbing nanoparticles that are typically suspended in a film. These particles align when an electrical voltage is applied, thus permitting light to pass through the film. Adjustment of the voltage to the SPD film gives users the ability to quickly, precisely and consistently regulate the amount of light, glare and heat passing through the window, skylight, sunroof, window shade or other SPD-Smart end-product. This SPD film can be incorporated between two layers of glass or plastic, or combinations of both, to produce a laminate that has enhanced energy efficiency, light-control and security performance properties.

Research Frontiers believes that the SPD industry is in the initial phase of growth. SPD light-control technology may have commercial applicability in many products where variable light-control is desired. Some existing product applications for SPD-Smart glass or plastic include the following:

In addition to the product applications listed above, SPD-SmartGlass technology may also offer potential benefits in the development of new flat panel displays, light conservation panels, neonatal and other incubators, consumer electronics, eyewear, self-dimming automotive rear-view mirrors and other reflective information displays. However, such products need additional product design, engineering or testing before the commercial potential of such SPD-SmartGlass products can be determined.

Some of our licensees consider the stage of development, product introduction strategies and timetables, and other plans to be proprietary or secret. Unless required to disclose such information, the Company may limit its disclosure of licensees’ activities until such licensees, or their customers, make their own public announcements of planned or actual product launches.

Some of the early sales and uses of SPD technology were to low volume commercial installations and some have involved concept and test installations by licensees and their customers. Recent progress with regard to market development and commercialization activity has been the result of focused and active efforts by Research Frontiers and its key licensees who have invested in product development and improvements, production facilities, increased production capacity, durability, performance testing, quality control and assurance, and marketing programs.

Beginning in late 2011, higher volume sales of SPD products commenced with the launch by Daimler AG of the Magic Sky Control™ all glass roof option on their Mercedes-Benz SLK (subsequently renamed SLC). In early 2012, sales of the Magic Sky Control™ all glass roof option commenced on their Mercedes-Benz SL. In mid-2014, sales of the Magic Sky Control™ all glass roof option commenced on the new S-Class Coupe with other Mercedes-Benz S-Class variants began offering the Magic Sky Control™ all glass roof option in 2015 and 2016. These vehicles are reaching the latter part of their model lifecycle. In some cases, such as the SLC and S-Class Coupe, there has been indications that these models may be discontinued completely at the end of their current model lifecycle. In the case of the SL roadster, it is expected that the next version of the SL roadster might use a canvas roof instead of the current switchable and static tint glass roofs. It has not been announced whether plans for the next models of the S-Class and Maybach vehicles will include any switchable glass technology in the sunroofs or windows.

Research Frontiers believes that with the normal progression of product and manufacturing improvements, and as licensees become more experienced at the lamination, fabrication and installation of SPD-Smart products for various applications, the adoption rates for SPD-Smart products will grow and accelerate, which we expect will increase the stream of royalty income for the Company. Research Frontiers believes the largest and most predictable near and intermediate term market for its technology will be automotive glass.

As part of their marketing and branding programs, many of our licensees have developed their own trademarks for SPD-Smart emulsion, film, and end-products and these are listed in their respective press releases, product brochures, advertising and other promotional materials. Research Frontiers uses the following trademarks: SPD-Smart™, SPD-SmartGlass™, VaryFast™, SPD-CleanTech™, SPD Clean Technology™, SmartGlass™, The View of the Future - Everywhere you Look™, Powered by SPD™, Powered by SPD-CleanTech™, Powered by SPD Clean Technology™, SG Enabled™, SPD Green and Clean™, SPD On-Board™, Speed Matters™ and Visit SmartGlass.com - to change your view of the world™.

In each of the last three fiscal years the Company devoted substantially all of its time to the development of one class of products, namely SPD-Smart light-control technology, and therefore revenue analysis by class is not provided herein. Information about our operations and those of our licensees is included below and in our financial statements and notes thereto.

The Company does not believe that future sales will be seasonal in any material respect. The Company does not currently directly manufacture products on its own but rather depends on activities of its licensees and vendors. Due to the nature of the Company’s business operations and the fact that the Company is not presently a manufacturer, there is no backlog of orders for the Company’s products.

The Company believes that compliance with federal, state and local provisions which have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, will not have a material effect upon the capital expenditures, earnings and competitive position of the Company. The Company has no material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities planned for the remainder of its current fiscal year or its next succeeding fiscal year.

Employees:

On March 9, 2020, the Company had eight full-time employees, two of whom are technical personnel, and the rest of whom perform legal, finance, marketing, investor relations, and administrative functions. Of these employees, two have obtained doctorates in chemistry and one has extensive industrial experience in electronics and electrical engineering. Two employees also have additional postgraduate degrees in business administration, and one has a doctorate in jurisprudence. Also, the Company’s suppliers and licensees have people on their teams with advanced degrees in a number of areas relevant to the commercial development of products using the Company’s technology. The success of the Company is dependent upon, among other things, the services of its senior management, the loss of which could have a material adverse effect upon the prospects of the Company.

Smart Glass Industry Trends:

There are favorable converging global trends in the major near-term markets for smart glass and SPD-Smart products. The potential for smart glass products is significant and is expected to attain economies of scale with increasing high-volume production. This increased production is also expected to bring down end product costs and expand market opportunities.

In both public and private sectors across the world, there are substantial efforts targeted toward the promotion and use of energy efficient smart glass materials, including those used in automobiles, windows and other architectural glazings, aircraft and boats. Products using SPD-Smart technology continue to be exhibited at trade shows, conferences, and industry events, with such products not only being exhibited by our licensees but also by their customers and by OEMs. While there can be no assurance that these trends will continue, to the extent that they do continue, each is expected to have a beneficial effect on future interest in SPD-Smart technology.

In October 2019, MarketsandMarkets issued Smart Glass Market by Technology (Suspended Particle Display, Electrochromic, Liquid Crystal, Photochromic, Thermochromic), Application (Architecture, Transportation, Consumer Electronics), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023. This market research report concludes that the smart glass market is expected to grow from USD $2.8 billion in 2016 to reach USD $8.35 billion by 2023, with a growth rate of 16.6% between 2017 and 2023. Key conclusions in this report included:

In June 2019, Grand View Research issued Smart Glass Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis (SPD, PDLC, Liquid Crystal, Electrochromic), By Application (Consumer Electronics, Architectural Transportation), And Segments Forecast, 2019-2025. This market research report concludes that the smart glass market is expected to grow from USD $3.7 billion in 2018 to reach USD $8.6 billion by 2025 reflecting a growth rate of 15.2%. Key conclusions in this report include:

Automotive Market:

In the automotive industry, global trends include the introduction of larger sunroofs and panoramic roof panels in transportation vehicles, and a higher percentage of these vehicles having a sunroof or using more glass in the roof.

SPD-SmartGlass has also been shown in armored automotive glass applications, recreational vehicles, and a new market is also beginning to develop for personalized custom conversions of automobiles for owners who wish to express themselves through the design of the cars they own and/or drive.

Aircraft Market:

In the aircraft industry, there is a trend towards larger windows with more passenger control and functionality. In the “transport category” (primarily large commercial passenger aircraft) segment, the world’s two largest aircraft manufacturers are both promoting the size of the windows in new aircraft platforms already being delivered (e.g. Boeing 787 and Airbus A350). In the “general aviation” category (primarily business jets, private or chartered smaller aircraft) this trend is true as well. For example, Gulfstream is promoting the size of the windows on their G650 platform, and Bombardier highlights the size of the cabin window on the Global 7000 and 8000 platforms. Several OEMs either already offer, or have announced their interest to include, electronically dimmable windows in their aircraft – including Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer, Textron-Beechcraft, HondaJet, Airbus Helicopter, Bell Helicopter, Dassault, Epic and One Aviation. Electronically dimmable windows for aircraft may use SPD technology, or may use other smart window technologies such as liquid crystal or electrochromic technology. A window system using electrochromic technology was introduced in the Boeing 787. There have been concerns raised that this aircraft’s electronically dimmable windows are not dark enough for long haul flights, transmit too much heat into the cabin, and have a switching speed that is too slow.”

The Company believes its SPD technology offers important performance advantages over other technologies including faster, more uniform response time, superior heat-rejection when the aircraft is parked on the ramp, superior acoustic insulation, an automated dimming system to continuously maintain a constant level of light in the cabin in real-time, and weight-savings. Leading companies manufacturing electromechanical pleated window shades have products that incorporate SPD-Smart windows into their designs, and Tier 1 suppliers of other cabin systems (e.g. cabin management systems) are featuring SPD-Smart electronically dimmable windows in mockups.

SPD technology is also the only commercially available light-control smart window technology known to have passed the stringent safety and durability tests required by the aviation industry and to have received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration. Today, SPD-Smart electronically dimmable windows are flying on over 40 models of various aircraft including those used in commercial aviation, general aviation and military aviation. SPD-Smart products have been selected by aircraft manufacturers as standard equipment on new production platforms including the Honda Aircraft HondaJet, Textron-Beechcraft King Air 250, 350i and C90GTx, Epic Aircraft E1000, and One Aviation Eclipse 700.

Architectural Market:

The architectural community is actively increasing the use of daylight harvesting, green building technologies and building automation systems to more effectively capture and control natural light as part of energy reduction strategies to offset cooling/heating costs and electricity used by artificial lighting. In addition to design, aesthetic and other benefits, the expanded use of glass also supports a growing body of research which finds that the presence of and control over incoming natural light improves an individual’s well-being and productivity. Products using SPD-Smart light-control technology – sunroofs, windows, skylights, partitions and others – can play an important role in supporting these converging global trends.

For architectural applications, various market forces and the distinctive features of SPD-SmartGlass are having a positive influence on interest for SPD-Smart products. Many architects are specifying more glass in their designs to satisfy building occupants’ desire for greater connectedness with the outside environment. In addition, there is increasing interest in improving energy efficiency in both commercial and residential buildings. Various studies indicate that buildings in the United States and Europe now account for an estimated 39-40% of total energy use and upwards of 70% or more of electricity consumption. Many architects and building owners are striving for sustainable, “green” buildings that are highly energy-efficient, reduce environmental impact, and improve occupant health and well-being. In addition, the design community is increasingly interested in advanced daylighting systems in buildings that lower electrical lighting usage and reduce heating and cooling loads. Because of this, the ability to control light, glare and heat in these building applications is very important and advanced solutions often are needed to optimize operating efficiencies. SPD-Smart architectural products instantly and precisely provide shading, glare control and heat management solutions for offices and homes, especially when these products are available for new construction, replacement and retrofit projects. These products include insulated glass units, single-panel retrofits, unusually shaped glazings, and products with advanced fabrications such as those with ballistic- and blast-resistant capabilities.

In 2015, Research Frontiers’ patented SPD-SmartGlass technology was selected as the exclusive smart glass for the USA Pavilion at the World’s Fair, Expo Milano 2015. The USA Pavilion featured 312 large panels of SPD-SmartGlass manufactured under license from Research Frontiers by Isoclima S.p.A. Each panel measures approximately 1 meter by 3 meters, making the total surface area in the roof more than 10,000 square feet. This is the largest known installation of smart glass in the world for a roof application and was seen by over 6 million people.

Marine Market:

In the marine application, where light-control needs are especially important, many yacht manufacturers currently employ less than ideal glazing solutions as they try to satisfy various shading and solar control objectives. For example, some report having to use as many as five different types of glass in a typical yacht to satisfy diverse glazing needs. SPD-Smart marine products can reduce the number of different types of glass used in these yachts because of their increased functionality, superior performance and versatility. SPD-Smart marine products provide an innovation that allows these operators to manage incoming light, glare and heat while achieving privacy or maintaining one’s view as desired.

Historical Background and Recent Developments:

Hitachi Chemical

An important material used in SPD-Smart end-products is SPD light-control film that varies the tint of glass or plastic. In early 2007, our licensee Hitachi Chemical began producing its initial SPD-Smart light-control film on its first factory line. During the second half of 2009, Hitachi Chemical announced that it had begun mass production on its new, larger capacity production line and expanded its annual production capacity to 400,000 square meters (over 4.3 million square feet).

Hitachi Chemical’s production line is dedicated exclusively to the production of SPD-Smart film. In July 2009, Hitachi Chemical launched its website dedicated to its SPD-Smart light control film and during 2009, Hitachi Chemical outlined in its press releases and public presentations that it plans to “accelerate the use of SPD film, which holds significant potential for growth” and noted that “SPD film is positioned as one of the key emerging products promoted by Hitachi Chemical to become a future leading product for the company.”

Hitachi Chemical expanded its SPD film product portfolio by initiating commercial production of a “lighter” version of its film. Both the SPD “dark” and “light” versions of the films provide a high range of visible light transmission. The best-selling SPD “dark” film has a range of approximately 0.5% to 55.0%. This leads to contrast ratios (the ratio of clear to dark light transmission) of up to 110:1. The commercialization of both “dark” and “light” versions of SPD-film provides greater design and performance options for end-product applications.

Gauzy Ltd.

In October 2018, Gauzy Ltd. announced that it will be producing SPD-Smart light control film for the entire SPD-SmartGlass industry. The announcement came at a ceremony to celebrate the inauguration of Gauzy’s production line to produce SPD-Smart light control film in Tel Aviv-Jaffo.

Gauzy initially announced that its Tel-Aviv film production line has a capacity to produce up to 364,000 square meters of film per year per shift, and that its initial production will be 1.2 meters wide, and in 2019 it planned on expanding its SPD film coating capabilities to 1.5 meters wide rolls, and in 2020 to 1.8 meters wide rolls. In February 2019 Gauzy announced that it would be expanding its SPD film production capacity by having SPD emulsion produced in Tel Aviv and that this emulsion would be coated into SPD-Smart light control film in a new dedicated factory being build by Gauzy in Stuttgart, Germany.

In December 2019, Gauzy Ltd. celebrated the opening of its second production facility in Stuttgart, Germany to produce SPD-Smart light control film for the entire SPD-SmartGlass industry. This state-of-the-art facility, with specially designed coating and curing areas, will give Gauzy the capacity to coat over one million square meters of SPD film per year in widths of up to 1.8 meters.

Customers for Hitachi Chemical’s and Gauzy’s SPD-Smart film are end-product licensees of Research Frontiers. These licensees receive the film, laminate it between glass or plastic substrates, and then fabricate end-products which are sold into various industries. Most end-product licensees pay Research Frontiers a royalty on the sale of these end-products that typically range from 10-15%.

Others

Other companies are currently licensed by Research Frontiers to sell SPD-Smart light-control film to licensees of Research Frontiers. None of these other companies has yet announced commercial SPD film for sale.

Research Frontiers and its licensees are currently working with multiple automotive manufacturers to introduce SPD-Smart windows, sunroofs and roof systems on both concept and production vehicles. Research Frontiers’ end-product licensees in this sector include industry leaders American Glass Products, Asahi Glass, Custom Glass, Daimler AG, Isoclima, Pilkington Glass, Pittsburgh Glass Works, Saint-Gobain, SER, and Vision Systems. The Company’s automotive glass licensees account for the majority of all glass produced for the automotive market throughout the world.

Automotive OEMs:

In 2011, Daimler AG began using SPD-SmartGlass technology in its Magic Sky Control™ panoramic glass roof as an option on its new Mercedes-Benz 2012 SLK. In 2012, Daimler AG began offering its Magic Sky Control™ panoramic glass roof as an option on its new Mercedes-Benz 2013 SL. These SPD products allow drivers and passengers to change the tint of the car roof from dark to clear quickly with a touch of a button. The SLK and SL are the first large-scale series production vehicles to offer SPD-SmartGlass. The Research Frontiers licensees involved with the production of the Magic Sky Control™ roof for the SLK and SL include Hitachi Chemical, which manufactures the SPD-Smart light-control film in Japan. Automotive glass companies Nippon Sheet Glass in Japan and its subsidiary, Pilkington, in the UK and Germany then process and laminates Hitachi’s SPD film into the glass for the Magic Sky Control™ roof.

In late 2014, Daimler AG began offering its Magic Sky Control™ as an option on the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe. In 2015, other S-Class variants (i.e. Standard Wheel base W222, Long Wheel Base V222, Maybach S600 X222 and the Maybach Pullman Limousine) began offering Magic Sky Control™ as an option. The current Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the third large-scale serial production vehicle to offer Magic Sky Control™ using SPD-Smart technology.

The S-Class Coupe offers the largest panoramic Magic Sky Control™ roof ever put into serial production. The surface area of the panoramic roof using SPD-SmartGlass technology on the S-Class is approximately three times the size of the roof glass used on the current SLC and SL roadster. With the addition of the new 2018 S450 and S450 4MATIC S-Class Sedans, a total of 14 Mercedes-Benz model variants now offer this remarkable panoramic smart glass roof:

A key factor in the broad adoption of SPD technology in various automotive windows is its cost. Typically, the cost for new technology products decreases as production volumes increase. The price per square foot of SPD-SmartGlass reported by our licensees has gone down over time in the automotive market. Royalties from the Magic Sky Control panoramic roofs generate a royalty of 10% of the selling price of these roofs by our licensees to Daimler. The roofs on the S-Class are approximately two to three times the surface area of the roofs on the SLC and SL vehicles.

Research Frontiers believes that the addition of the S-Class car model is also significant because it applies our SPD-Smart light-control technology to the broader class of vehicles by moving beyond roadsters to coupes and passenger sedans. Historically, since its debut over 40 years ago, the S-Class represents the premier platform to introduce new technologies to the customer, which in many cases expand to the other less expensive model lines within the Mercedes-Benz brand.

In November 2015 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz launched a refreshed Mercedes-Benz SL. The press release from Mercedes-Benz stated, “Another feature which has been retained is the unique optional extra MAGIC SKY CONTROL: when closed, the panoramic vario-roof automatically changes from dark to transparent or vice-versa within just a few seconds.” The MAGIC SKY CONTROL feature is a carry-over from the previous model. Other new features include a new front end, new headlamps, more powerful engines, and a new transmission, among many others.

In January 2016 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mercedes-Benz premiered the new Mercedes-Benz SLC. The press release from Mercedes-Benz when the SLC was first announced stated, “A feature that continues to be unique to the SLC is the panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control – this glass roof is lightened or darkened at the touch of a button. This means that it provides an open-air feeling at any time, but when required gives welcome shade under a hot sun.” The Magic Sky Control feature, using Research Frontiers SPD-SmartGlass technology, is a carry-over from the SLC’s predecessor model, the SLK roadster.

Other automakers continue to develop and evaluate the use of SPD technology in their windows systems. Such window systems include sunroofs, side-windows, rear-windows and sun visors. Some automakers and their suppliers have incorporated SPD-SmartGlass in concept vehicles, with some of these concept vehicles being exhibited at major auto shows:

Corning introduced a concept car that features an SPD-SmartGlass panoramic roof and rear glass at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show. This large roof and curved rear glass is made using SPD-SmartGlass light-control film laminated between Corning’s Gorilla® Glass, a special chemically-strengthened thin and lightweight glass.

At the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show, Continental Corporation (“Continental”) showcased an advanced version of its SPD-equipped vehicle that it originally showcased at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. This vehicle has enhanced and more sophisticated electronics, Continental indicated that its Intelligent Glass Control system increases passenger comfort and lowers CO2 emissions by keeping the interior of the vehicle cooler. As a result, smaller, more efficient and lighter air conditioning units could be used. Calculations showed a reduction in CO2 emissions of four grams per kilometer. Continental also estimates that its Intelligent Glass Control system can increase the driving range of electric vehicles by 5.5%

While the highest volume market for which SPD-Smart technology is being developed is new car production by the world’s automakers, the aftermarket upgrade market also presents opportunities in the automotive market. Research Frontiers licensee American Glass Products (AGP) is offering its Vario Plus Sky SPD-SmartGlass to the automotive aftermarket as well as to the automotive OEM market for serial production. In March of 2013, Research Frontiers announced that it had added two new licensees, Tint-It JSC and Advnanotech, both of whom are targeting the automotive aftermarket in Russia. In May of 2017, Hanamac International Ltd. acquired a license from Research Frontiers to produce and sell SPD-SmartGlass automotive windows for the South Korean aftermarket.

In August 2019, Research Frontiers licensed São Paulo, Brazil based SER Company to make SPD-SmartGlass primarily for the automotive armored glass aftermarket in Brazil. SER Company is a Brazilian leader in the development of technologies and solutions for ballistic cars in the protection and security sector.

Vision Systems exhibited its SPD-SmartGlass technology for the coach marketplace at UMA Expo.

Most motorcoach windows use heavily tinted windows to manage excessive light, glare or heat. While this reduces somewhat the time the shade has to be down, it remains ineffective for many conditions. Also, it limits passengers’ experience of views during dusk, nighttime and dawn hours. This is due to the fact that when outside light levels are low, a heavily tinted window blocks or degrades elements of the scene outside. During these hours, the high optical clarity of SPD-SmartGlass in the “clear” state eliminates this problem.

Features of Vision Systems’ SPD-SmartGlass electronically dimmable window (“EDW”) for motorcoaches include:

Innotrans, the leading international trade fair for transport technology, was the stage for the world premier of new EDW solutions using SPD-SmartGlass technology. AGC and Vision Systems launched their respective latest generations of SPD-SmartGlass EDWs for the rail industry. In addition, Continental also new electronic control products for SPD-SmartGlass EDWs at the show.

Vision Systems at InnoTrans

Some of the products using SPD-SmartGlass for the train industry being showcased this week in Berlin include:

In addition to the above information, Vision Systems confirmed at Innotrans that it was working on other high-volume train projects with major commuter train manufacturers and operators.

AGC at InnoTrans

AGC, a leading Tier 1 supplier of transparencies to the rail industry for over 50 years, is also prominently featuring SPD-SmartGlass EDWs. In a recent article entitled AGC at Innotrans with smart glass for transportation, it was noted, “AGC’s booth will feature AGC’s smart glasses for transportation… Wonderlite light control glazing, that switches from clear to dark at the simple touch of a button.” Wonderlite is AGC’s brand name for its SPD-SmartGlass EDWs.

Global Rail News published an article about Continental at Innotrans, noting, “The level of transparency… of the glass can be adjusted via a control system, which can be programmed to respond to external conditions, such as sensor data on sunlight intensity.”

Continental at InnoTrans

Continental unveiled a number of new innovations, including an intelligent technology for darkening glass panes and a range of individual surface designs…. The ‘Intelligent Glass Control’ (IGC) system by Continental provides passengers with the flexibility to adjust the amount of light and the color of their window or other glazed areas to suit their needs. The technology, which was originally developed for the automotive industry, relies on a film sandwiched between two panes of glass and connected to an electronic control unit (ECU).

Vision Systems announced to the press in September 2017 that it had just signed a contract to supply SPD-Smart Nuance windows for a new proposed special Shinkansen bullet train which will be put in service for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Within the automotive market, a potentially additional sector is the armored glass market. Armored glass (sometimes referred to as “transparent armor” and “bullet-resistant glass”) encompasses the military, non-military government, and civilian markets. In addition, SPD-Smart technology in this market not only provides the benefits of light-control and UV blockage, it also enhances security by introducing darker tints and privacy. A number of the Company’s licensees including American Glass Products, GKN, Isoclima, SER and Pittsburgh Glass Works are recognized industry leaders in the armored glass market.

In August 2019, Research Frontiers licensed São Paulo, Brazil based SER Company to make SPD-SmartGlass primarily for the automotive armored glass aftermarket in Brazil. SER Company is a Brazilian leader in the development of technologies and solutions for ballistic cars in the protection and security sector.

Four aircraft manufacturers have announced that they have selected SPD-Smart dimmable window products as standard or optional equipment for their production aircraft:

The HondaJet, with first delivery in December 2015, comes with SPD-Smart electronically dimmable windows as standard equipment on all passenger windows.

The Falcon 5X was scheduled to come with SPD-Smart electronically dimmable skylights as standard equipment. Subsequently, however, Dassault announced in December 2017 that it was terminating the Falcon 5X program and announced the launch of a new Falcon program featuring the same cross section as the Falcon 5X. This aircraft is scheduled to enter into service in 2022. No decision regarding the use of SPD-Smart electronically dimmable windows has been made for this new program.

Other aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers continue to develop and evaluate the use of SPD technology in their window systems. Aircraft manufacturers and SPD product suppliers have incorporated SPD-Smart electronically dimmable windows in mockups, with some of these mockups being exhibited at major aviation shows:

Vision Systems presented its SPD-Smart EDWs at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany. Its system delivers important passenger experience benefits including a cooler and quieter cabin due to remarkable thermal and acoustic insulation. The following chart summarizes some of the performance advantages highlighted at the show that Vision Systems’ SPD-Smart EDWs have over electrochromic EDWs:

Vision Systems presented its second-generation SPD-Smart EDWs, branded Nuance V2, with enhanced optics and a lower cost at the NBAA business aviation show. The solutions on display at Vision Systems’ NBAA included:

Fokker Services, in partnership with InspecTech Aero Service, featured their Element EDW brand of SPD-Smart EDWs at the AIX commercial aviation show in Hamburg, Germany:

At the AIX show in Hamburg, Vision Systems unveiled the world premiere of Vision System’s Info-Vision, the first smart information window integrating both SPD-Smart and electroluminescent technologies. This economical innovation, for use in windows and cabin dividers, provides passengers with travel information right on the panel. The tint of the Info-Vision window or divider can automatically adjust in real-time, providing optimal contrast and readability. Other SPD-Smart EDW solutions from Vision Systems featured at AIX in Hamburg include:

PPG Aerospace, in partnership with Vision Systems, launched a new product at the National Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nuance V2 Ultra Clear is a new product responding to the industry requests for aircraft cabin shading systems that allow for brighter cabin interiors, while providing for more effective shading. This Electronically Dimmable Window (EDW) solution uses patented SPD-Smart light control technology developed by Research Frontiers.

ONE Aviation announced the selection of the ALTEOS EDW by PPG for its new Eclipse 700 aircraft. The Eclipse 700 aircraft is an upgraded version of its Eclipse 500/550. The Alteos EDW utilizes the NUANCE V2 shading product by Vision Systems that uses SPD-Smart light-control technology from Research Frontiers. As ONE Aviation stated in the announcement, “A priority at ONE Aviation is to maximize ease of use and passenger comfort. The PPG ALTEOS system provides both with simple and effective control of window shading.”

Vision Systems and PPG Aerospace announced that they have reached a commercial agreement to work together on developing new applications utilizing Vision Systems’ EDW shading solutions for aircraft. These solutions use Research Frontiers’ SPD-Smart EDW technology and also combine the considerable experience that both PPG Aerospace and Vision Systems have in supplying the aircraft industry with EDW systems. As stated in their press release, “The agreement provides a framework for PPG and Vision Systems to pursue opportunities in commercial, regional, military and general aviation applications that capitalize on each company’s expertise.”

At the MRO Europe conference Fokker Services, a division of GKN Aerospace, launched “Element EDW,” a new electronically dimmable window system for commercial airliners. Developed in collaboration with Research Frontiers licensee InspecTech Aero Service, this “smart transparency” controls and manages both beneficial and undesirable outside elements coming into aircraft cabins through passenger windows.

Vision Systems exhibited SPD-Smart EDWs at Aircraft Interiors Expo Asia and at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. These products improve the airline passenger experience by controlling light, glare, heat and noise entering the cabin.

Easier SPD-Smart EDW control switches from InspecTech Aero Service were featured at the EBACE aircraft show on the newly redesigned King Air 350i and 250 that were on display by Textron-Beechcraft. Also, at EBACE it was reported that the King Air C90GTx (the third King Air to offer SPD-Smart EDWs as standard equipment) has received FAA certification, and Textron highlighted the improved EDWs on its newly redesigned aircraft as an important cabin enhancement.

Vision Systems debuted an Acti-Vision interactive aircraft window at the EBACE aircraft show that not only dims but brings the passenger important information such as flight status, moving map, satellite imagery, and even tourist information about what the passenger is looking at out the window via a transparent video touchscreen built into the window.

Vision Systems introduced a solution for the light and glare issues commonly experienced in aircraft cockpits at the Aircraft Interiors Expo. Vision Systems’ Nuance Smart Shell, using Research Frontiers SPD-Smart EDW technology, is designed for lateral cockpit windows, which account for a large percentage of light and glare entering cockpits, and are extremely difficult to shade. The Nuance Smart Shell EDW covers the entire window surface area and brings dynamic solar control to aircraft cockpits – providing automated management of intense high-altitude light and glare, and protection from harmful UV radiation.

Vision Systems demonstrated its Nuance Touchless SPD-Smart EDW at the 2015 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. The new system allows passengers to use gestures, much like those used to operate a smart phone, to control the tint of their aircraft windows, but without ever having to touch the window or any other aircraft interior component.

Isoclima showcased its CromaLite brand of SPD-Smart electronically dimmable windows at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.

Vision Systems unveiled its SPD-Smart Opti-Visor electronically dimmable sun visor for the aircraft market at the Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida.

At the 2014 MEBA show in Dubai, U.A.E., Vision Systems unveiled a new generation of its Energia photovoltaic autonomous SPD-Smart dimmable window – the new product is capable of producing more energy than the prior generation.

Epic Aircraft featured SPD-Smart windows in the mock-up of its upcoming E1000 aircraft. The mock-up was unveiled at 2014 NBAA in Orlando, Florida.

At the 2014 EBACE show in Geneva, Switzerland, Vision Systems unveiled a new SPD-Smart dimmable window product that offers passengers the ability to independently control the tint of different “zones” within the same window. At the same show, Vision Systems announced an improvement in the optical performance of its Nuance SPD-Smart dimmable windows – a product offering wider amplitude between clear and dark.

BAE Systems featured SPD-Smart electronically dimmable windows in its cabin management system mock-up at the 2014 Hamburg Airshow. The windows can be controlled by the BAE system.

Vaupell featured an SPD-Smart electronically dimmable window in its commercial airliner window assembly at the 2014 Hamburg Airshow.

At the 2013 AIX Americas show, Vision Systems’ strategic partner Vaupell announced they are offering the industry a complete SPD-Smart light-control window system – Vision Systems’ SPD-Smart Noctis window and control system, integrated with Vaupell’s window assembly. This product offering was showcased at Vaupell’s AIX Americas booth. Vision Systems and Vaupell entered into a strategic partnership to develop and offer SPD-Smart Noctis and Nuance windows to OEMs, including Vaupell’s longstanding customer Boeing.

At the 2013 NBAA, Vision Systems unveiled Energia – the world’s first self-powered dimmable window for aircraft cabins. Energia adds the many practical, technical, and financial benefits of solar power to the instant switching speed, wide range of light transmission, and relief from light, glare and heat that SPD-Smart aircraft windows already provide. Energia operates without using the aircraft’s electrical system because it integrates a transparent photovoltaic layer that is capable of producing its own energy – from the sun, or from artificial light sources. Energia facilitates the installation of dimmable windows on new production and aftermarket aircraft. It is completely independent of the cabin’s wiring, and no modifications to the aircraft’s existing electrical system are required. Energia was developed in collaboration with Sunpartner Technologies, Vision Systems partner and the inventor and manufacturer of the transparent photovoltaic panel. In March 2014, Vision Systems announced that Energia had been selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2014 Crystal Cabin Award.

In a press release at the 2013 NBAA in Las Vegas, GKN stated: “In addition to the Global 7000/8000, the aircraft transparencies operation equips the Beechcraft KingAir, the Lear 35/45 and 60 – and the complete Embraer aircraft family. The company’s latest passenger windows are the largest and most effective on the market and GKN Aerospace is developing new dimmable cabin management technology that will include full cabin blackout – providing passengers with new levels of comfort and environmental control during their journey.”

At the Paris Air Show, Vision Systems announced it will open its first-ever U.S. SPD-SmartGlass factory, investing nearly $1.2 million in capital expenditures to serve customers with strong U.S. operations. The new factory was highlighted by Florida Governor Rick Scott and Vision Systems President and CEO Carl Putman, with Research Frontiers President and CEO Joseph M. Harary and others in attendance for this special announcement. This announcement of a further expansion to the United States indicates an acceleration of existing and projected business in North and South America where major aircraft OEMs and customers of Vision Systems are located, including HondaJet and Gulfstream.

Eurocopter featured SPD-Smart windows, and SPD-Smart cabin partitions, in the mock-up of its EC175 helicopter. The mock-up was unveiled at EBACE 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Vision Systems debuted its new SPD-Smart window with integrated electronics and controls directly on the window at the 2013 Hamburg Air Show. Developed with strategic partner Vaupell, a world leader in the production of aircraft interior subassemblies for commercial aerospace applications, it became the first dimmable window with integrated electronics and control panel directly on the aesthetically attractive window reveal.

Honda Aircraft Company featured HondaJet SPD-Smart cabin windows at the 2012 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual Meeting & Convention. The HondaJet’s passenger windows will use SPD technology as standard equipment. SPD-Smart Nuance windows for the HondaJet went into production at Vision Systems’ new Melbourne, Florida factory.

InspecTech announced enhancements to its electronics architecture used to control its iShade to enable the SPD-Smart electronically dimmable windows to switch to their clearest state in the event of a power loss – that was a request made by certain OEMs. InspecTech’s iShades now offer “the best of both worlds” - when unpowered on the ramp, the windows automatically switch to their darkest, maximum heat-rejecting state, and when in the air, they instantly switch to the clear state in the event of a loss of power.

InspecTech announced improvements to its iShade iQ including a higher light transmission, greater contrast ratio, unprecedented optical clarity, superior acoustic and thermal insulation properties, and lighter weight.

At the 2012 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, Isoclima S.p.A. announced that Isoclima’s CromaLite brand of SPD-Smart aerospace windows made its world premiere. CromaLite is Isoclima’s SPD-Smart solar control glazing product and enables users to efficiently control the transmitted solar radiation in both the visible and the solar range. Dr. Alberto Bertolini, Executive Director of Isoclima, commented: “Our CromaLite brand of SPD-Smart window offers many valuable light-control benefits: instant shading, glare control, UV rejection, the desire for passenger comfort, and keeping aircraft cool when they are on the ground. We are very excited by the reactions we have received from OEMs and cabin designers who are here at the Aircraft Interiors Expo and are excited about our growing portfolio of SPD-Smart CromaLite solutions for the transportation and architectural markets.”

Vision Systems announced that the company has invested over $750,000 to expand its existing factory in France to add a production facility dedicated to the manufacture of its SPD-Smart Nuance and Noctis aerospace and transportation windows and cabin dividers.

Bombardier Aerospace featured SPD-Smart aircraft windows in its CSeries aircraft cabin mock-up at the 2011 Dubai Airshow, equipping the business class windows in its mock-up with SPD-Smart aerospace windows.

Vision Systems exhibited its Nuance and Noctis brands of SPD-Smart aircraft cabin windows at the Dubai Airshow in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Nuance and Noctis SPD-Smart aerospace windows offer instant and precise light-control at every level which provides OEMs and private aircraft owners a solar protection solution that enhances flying comfort and supports fuel efficiency. These electronically dimmable aircraft and helicopter window shades and cabin dividers are impact-resistant, completely silent, available in flat and curved surfaces, and can be controlled by the cabin management system or by passengers. Vision Systems’ Noctis SPD-Smart product line offers enhanced blackout solar protection and complete privacy. Also, at the November 2011 Dubai Airshow, Vision Systems announced that Bombardier Aerospace was featuring Vision Systems’ SPD-Smart aircraft windows in Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft cabin mock-up. Bombardier equipped the business class windows in its mock-up with Vision Systems’ SPD-Smart Noctis aerospace windows. Developed for the 100- to 149-seat market segment, the CSeries family of aircraft is Bombardier’s all new mainline transport solution.

InspecTech announced a new model of its SPD-Smart iShade window, branded iShade iQ. This model, in addition to the light, glare and heat control, also reduces noise levels in the cabin.

Research Frontiers and GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems publicly announced the expansion of the scope of the former license agreement to include the sale of SPD-Smart windows, window shades, interior partitions, cabin dividers and other products for aircraft. The earlier license agreement with GKN focused on SPD-Smart products for armored transportation applications. GKN Aerospace is the world-leading supplier of cockpit transparencies and passenger cabin windows.

Key performance requirements for aircraft light-control windows:

Additional challenges stated by OEMs and their customers that have been successfully met by SPD-Smart dimmable aircraft windows include:

Research Frontiers and its licensees are currently working with multiple architectural customers to introduce SPD-Smart products including windows, skylights, partitions and doors. The architectural markets for these products are highly fragmented and in general have a high sensitivity to price. In the near term, the Company expects SPD-SmartGlass products primarily will be commercialized in specialty applications and/or sectors that value its distinctive performance attributes including fast switching speed regardless of window size, a very wide range of visible light transmission, infinite light-control between its dark and clear states, and availability in unusual shapes and sizes. Research Frontiers’ end-product licensees in this sector include industry leaders such as: American Glass Products (AGP), Asahi Glass, Cricursa Cristales Curvados, Gauzy, Glatic, Innovative Glass, Isoclima, LTI SmartGlass, NSG UMU Products Co., Ltd Prelco, Isoclima, Smartglass International and Traco (a business unit of Alcoa).

In December 2019, Research Frontiers licensed Seoul, South Korea based Glatic Co., Ltd. to produce and sell SPD-SmartGlass smart windows for the South Korean architectural market.

In January 2017, Research Frontiers and NSG UMU Products Co., Ltd. announced that UMU Products has acquired a license from Research Frontiers to produce and sell SPD-SmartGlass architectural intelligent products throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan. The non-exclusive license grants UMU Products, a subsidiary of world-leading glass manufacturer Nippon Sheet Glass, the right to manufacture and sell SPD-SmartGlass products including windows, doors, solar shading screens, curtainwalls, skylights and other intelligent smart glass architectural products.

In September 2016, Smartglass International announced that its Solar SmartGlass brand of SPD-SmartGlass has been selected for both new construction and retrofit projects. An example of a retrofit project is the University of Edinburgh’s historic McEwan Hall. The interior of this hall, built in 1897, is being refurbished. In an article on the Smartglass International website, the company indicates that its Solar SmartGlass “…will be retrofitted to the internal building walls to protect the beautiful paintings and features for many more years to come. The glass will increase the functionality of the space by allowing instant control over the amount of light entering the hall. Smartglass International will create bespoke solar switchable panels that will be fitted inside each of the 13 circular oculi, each more than 2 metres in diameter.”

At its annual stockholders meeting in June 2015, Research Frontiers announced a small strategic investment in Zuli Inc. a manufacturer of smartplugs. At this meeting, Joseph Harary demonstrated how the Zuli Smartplug integrates with SPD SmartGlass products. Mr. Harary indicated that “Using a Zuli Smartplug, you can walk into a room with your smartphone, and have the lights automatically turn on, temperature adjust, and the glass in your windows instantly go from an energy-saving dark tint, to clear so you can see the magnificent views outside your home. Now, walk into another room and have those lights and windows adjust too, while the Zuli Smartplug automatically shuts off your devices in the room you left to save energy.”

In March 2015, Research Frontiers’ patented SPD-SmartGlass technology was selected as the exclusive smart glass for the USA Pavilion at this year’s World’s Fair, Expo Milano 2015 from May through October 2015. The USA Pavilion 312 large panels of SPD-SmartGlass manufactured under license from Research Frontiers by Isoclima S.p.A. Each panel measures approximately 1 meter by 3 meters, making the total surface area in the roof more than 10,000 square feet. This is the largest known installation of smart glass in the world for a roof application and was seen by over six million people.

SPD-Smart windows, skylights, doors and partitions offer various benefits in architectural applications. During 2009, independent tests were conducted by DSET Laboratories, a division of Atlas Material Testing Technology, in accordance with ASTM and ASHRAE testing and calculation protocols. These test results demonstrate that SPD-Smart windows have excellent solar heat rejection and control capabilities. In January 2011 a study published by the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge concluded that SPD-Smart light-control windows are exceptionally energy efficient, reducing solar heat gain by as much as 90%. The Cambridge study indicated that the real-world testing “confirms theoretical predictions that SPD glass holds great energy saving potential and is a technology that can really help to reduce energy wastage of glass facades.” In addition to SPD-Smart technology, the Cambridge study discussed alternative dynamic glazing technologies that could be used in windows (e.g. electrochromics) and reported that SPD-Smart technology did not have the disadvantages that limited the potential of these alternative technologies. For example, the study cited that an electrochromic window that is 2.4 square meters can take up to 30 minutes to change from clear to dark.

In November 2011, Research Frontiers’ licensee Innovative Glass Corporation was awarded two 2010 Crystal Achievement Awards for its smart window product line using our SPD-Smart light-control technology. In October 2010, its SPD-SmartGlass product was awarded WFX’s (Worship Facilities Conference & Expo) New Product award for Best Building System Material Product/Window. Innovative Glass has completed or is working on a variety of SPD-SmartGlass projects in the commercial, residential and institutional markets. Innovative Glass also periodically exhibits its SPD-SmartGlass architectural products at Glass Expo Northeast in Hauppauge, New York. Glass Expo Northeast is the region’s largest conference and trade show dedicated to the architectural glass and metal industry.

Research Frontiers licensee SmartGlass International has announced completion of several high visibility SPD-SmartGlass installations. During February 2012, the company announced installation of SPD-SmartGlass at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, which is one of the world’s largest and most respected centers for scientific research. SmartGlass International installed SPD-SmartGlass in CERN’s Globe of Science and Innovation that will house a permanent exhibition and is intended to serve as a venue for a wide range of activities, conferences and other events, In February 2011, SmartGlass International announced it supplied retrofit SPD-SmartGlass to five London television studios of the Associated Press. The SPD-SmartGlass used in these projects harvests daylight when it’s needed, improves occupant comfort by providing controllable solar shading during peak light conditions, and preserves views. Just prior to this installation, it was announced that SmartGlass International installed retrofit SPD-SmartGlass panels at the set of “Daybreak,” the breakfast anchor program from ITV, one of the UK’s largest commercial television networks.

In 2014, Research Frontiers added Teknoglass Solutions LLP and Diamond Glass. Teknoglass Solutions LLP acquired a license from Research Frontiers Inc. to make and sell SPD-SmartGlass architectural smart window products in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Diamond Glass acquired a license from Research Frontiers Inc. to make and sell SPD-SmartGlass architectural smart window products throughout Europe. In November of 2013 Research Frontiers announced that it had a new licensee, MDV, who is targeting the architectural market in Brazil. In March of 2013 Research Frontiers announced that it had added two new licensees, Tint-It JSC and Advnanotech, both of whom are targeting the architectural market (in addition to the automotive aftermarket discussed previously) in Russia.

Research Frontiers and its licensees are currently working with marine customers to introduce SPD-Smart products including windows, doors and partitions. When our patented SPD-Smart light-control technology is used in yacht windows and other products, users can quickly and precisely control and “tune” the amount of light, glare and heat coming through their windows, while preserving their view. Diamond Sea Glaze Manufacturing commenced marketing activities for products using SPD technology during the second quarter of 2011 but did not renew its license for SPD-SmartGlass technology for the marine market which terminated at the end of December 2017.

In June 2019, Vision Systems exhibited at the Cruise Ship Interiors Expo in Miami, Florida. Building upon its expertise in dimmable shading systems, Vision Systems exhibited its Electronically Dimmable Windows (EDWs) for solar protection and privacy, including a curved dimmable solution, a complete privacy solution, and a multizone Electronically Dimmable Window with integrated information display. Vision Systems’ innovative solutions make it possible to eliminate shades that clutter up the space, block the view and require regular maintenance. They also allow for a solar protection on windows where shades could not, or be difficult, to be installed.

In October 2016, Vision Systems announced at the Monaco Yacht Show and 2016 IBEX new relationships for offering SPD-SmartGlass products with Taylor Made Systems, ProCurve Glass, and Yachtglass. In addition, the Monaco Yacht Show hosted the world premiere of the “Edition 1” model of the “ARROW460 – Granturismo,” which has SPD-Smart dimmable glazing products throughout the Silver Arrows Marine motor yacht supplied by Vision Systems and designed by Mercedes-Benz Design.

In November 2015, Silver Arrows Marine in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz Style (a design arm of Mercedes-Benz) unveiled a new yacht called the ARROW460 – Granturismo featuring an SPD-SmartGlass electronically dimmable roof. The roof, which is supplied by licensee Vision Systems, will be able to be electrically risen, creating a “glass pergola” effect on the yacht. First customer deliveries of this production yacht are planned to start in early 2016. Vision Systems presented its products at the 2015 Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam in November 2015 and at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2015.

In November 2013, Hatteras Yachts unveiled its new flagship motor yacht, the 100 Raised Pilothouse with dual SPD-SmartGlass skylights in the galley as standard equipment at the 2013 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.

In February 2013, licensee Isoclima demonstrated its VebLite brand of SPD-SmartGlass for marine applications at SEATEC 2013 in Italy. SEATEC is a leading international exhibition of technology and design for boats, megayachts and ships.

In November 2012, licensee Isoclima exhibited its VebLite brand of SPD-SmartGlass for marine applications at the Marine Equipment Trade (METS) Show 2012 in The Netherlands. VebLite is Isoclima’s SPD-Smart solar control and privacy glazing product that functions like a venetian blind. It has multiple segments that provide instantly customizable shading fully controlled by the passenger that can be operated individually to create the effect of a shade being raised or lowered or moved to the side. This precisely controls where incoming heat and glare enter a yacht or boat through a window or rooflite, and also controls privacy levels.

In addition to exhibiting its SPD-Smart marine products at METS 2012, licensee Vision Systems’ SPD-Smart Nuance dimmable marine window was named the category winner in the prestigious METS 2012 Design Award METS (DAME) competition for interior equipment, furnishing, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins. DAME is considered the world’s most prestigious design competition for new marine equipment and accessories. In METS’ news release about the DAME award, it was noted “The Jury felt that Nuance is a major innovation that will benefit designers and owners greatly - with comparatively little increase in cost.”

In October 2011, Cheoy Lee Shipyards unveiled the Alpha 76 Express, its most advanced production yacht, which is fully equipped with the latest yacht design features including SPD-SmartGlass supplied by Research Frontiers licensee Diamond Sea Glaze. The Alpha has approximately 150 square feet of SPD-SmartGlass at various places throughout the vessel and it is the first large-scale production yacht to make such extensive use of SPD-SmartGlass. In October 2012, Cheoy Lee Shipyards exhibited two yachts – the Alpha 76 Express and the Alpha 76 Flybridge – at the 2012 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with SPD-SmartGlass.

In May of 2013, Research Frontiers announced the formation of its VariGuard SmartGlass business unit. This business unit allows the Company to directly address market opportunities for SPD technology outside the scope of its current license agreements or the focus of its licensees. VariGuard SmartGlass is a developmental activity for the Company and its revenues are currently immaterial relative to the Company’s licensing activities.

The VariGuard SmartGlass business unit markets and sells SPD-Smart products directly to customers for specialty uses such as the protection of artwork and light-sensitive documents in museums and private collections. The business uses an optimized fabrication designed specifically for its exhibition panels. The production of these panels is outsourced to current licensees that have experience producing SPD laminates.

Excessive light-exposure is a leading cause of irreversible damage to many precious objects, particularly works on paper, textiles and watercolor. Presently, no display system is able to provide these artifacts with any protection against visible light damage. VariGuard SmartGlass provides the world’s first and only display panels that limit an artifact’s light-exposure only to when the artifact is being viewed. This provides unequalled protection for light-sensitive artifacts by substantially reducing an artifact’s overall lux-hour exposure when compared to conventional display panels.

VariGuard SmartGlass marketing and exhibition activities include:

Some of the works being protected by the ArtRatio display case include:

Many objects in the collection date from the Middle Ages and are highly susceptible to permanent damage from exposure to UV, visible and infrared light.

Nationalmuseum Comments:

“The ArtRatio smart glass table works wonderfully, does its job of protecting our manuscripts and looks great in the room as well!” Carina Pia Fryklund – Curator, Department of Prints and Drawings, Nationalmuseum

“With VariGuard SmartGlass we can now show very light sensitive illuminations in a gallery where we also let daylight coming in.” Joakim Werning – Exhibition Designer, Nationalmuseum

On March 14, 2019, the Company suspended its VariGuard SmartGlass business unit activities. Instead, the Company licensed a new entity to pursue the business opportunities previously pursued by the Company’s VariGuard SmartGlass business unit. This new licensee continues to use the VariGuard SmartGlass name. The non-exclusive license grants this new licensee the right to manufacture and sell: (i) SPD-SmartGlass products used in panels, frames, cases, wall cases, appliances or other similar products to protect light-sensitive documents, artwork or other objects, (ii) SPD-SmartGlass products used in panels, frames, cases, wall cases, appliances or other similar products to provide “hide and reveal” functionality, and (iii) SPD-SmartGlass products used in a medical device to provide control and management of visible light. See Related Party Transactions in Item 7 of this report for more details regarding this transaction.

More information about VariGuard SmartGlass can be found on its independent website at www.VariGuard.com.

Marketing Activities and Licensee Support:

In addition to supporting the efforts of its licensees, the Company also recognizes the need to develop the SPD industry as a whole. As such, the Company continues to plan and execute complementary programs that build awareness and interest in smart glass generally and demand for SPD-Smart products specifically. In 2019 and 2018, these programs included presentations at various general industry conferences, participation in panel presentations and discussions hosted by academia, development of trade association educational materials, and presentations to architects, designers, and other influential specifiers.

In January 2020, the Company and Gauzy presented at the CES in Las Vegas the benefits of SPD-SmartGlass for the automotive, architectural and consumer electronics industries. Some examples on display were automotive sunroofs that could be controlled electronically with a variety of control systems including smart speakers, high definition and projection displays. The use of SPD-SmartGlass technology enhances the clarity and vibrancy of displayed images, and when used to control the tint of automotive windows, sunroofs and sun visors, reduces heat, light or glare on demand or automatically. This can increase the driving range of electric vehicles by up to 5.5% and reduce CO2 emissions by up to four grams per kilometer and reduce air conditioner compressor sizes by 40%.

In February 2019, Research Frontiers and its licensee Gauzy rang the opening bell at the Nasdaq Market Site in Times Square to announce Gauzy’s new SPD-Smart light control film factory in Stuttgart, Germany. In early December 2019, Research Frontiers, Gauzy and executives from the automotive and architectural smart glass industries, invited guests and government officials, celebrated the opening of Gauzy’s new state-of-the-art production facility in Stuttgart, Germany. In May 2019, Research Frontiers presented the benefits of SPD-SmartGlass to the Automotive Industry at the 5th International CTI Automotive Glazing USA conference in Novi, Michigan. In March 2019, the Company presented the benefits of SPD-SmartGlass to the Automotive Industry at the Automotive Glazing Summit in Berlin, Germany. Both of these presentations focused on a real-world analysis of the use, benefits and reliability of SPD-SmartGlass in automotive and other glazings. SPD-SmartGlass technology, which allows users to instantly vary the tint of glass or plastic, is currently being used in the automotive, aircraft, marine, architectural, museum and consumer electronics industries.

In 2018, the Company was invited to speak at the 12th International CTI Conference – Automotive Glazing Europe and at the 3rd Annual 2018 Disruptive Growth & Healthcare Conference on the subject of disruptive automotive technologies. In 2017 and 2016, the Company participated in clean tech, emerging growth and automotive glass conferences in Europe, and during 2016 the Company presented at the Autonomous Vehicle Interior Design & Technology Symposium in Novi, Michigan and was the keynote speaker, and event chairman, at the annual CTI Automotive Glazing USA Conference in Rochester, Michigan.

The Company’s market development department has a number of other initiatives in place. To help guide and prioritize its technical and marketing investments, the Company periodically retains outside strategic marketing and other consultants to help generate increased short- and medium-term market penetrations for each of the major markets for the Company’s light-control technology, and to provide support and guidance to the Company’s licensees worldwide.

The Company has emerged as a leading resource for market research information on the subject of smart glass. Research Frontiers lectures and presents at industry conferences in areas of energy efficiency, daylight harvesting and sustainability. The Company has published independent test data about SPD-SmartGlass, shared the results of its research studies and test data with industry and the media, posted various reference materials to the Company’s website for global dissemination, and published presentations, data and bylined articles.

Research Frontiers maintains an active role with various standards-setting organizations, including ASTM International, which has an active committee developing standards for smartglass.

In addition to Research Frontiers providing overarching support of licensees’ sales efforts by developing the SPD industry as a whole, leveraging its prominence as a leading resource on the topic of smart glass, and maintaining an active role with standards organizations, Research Frontiers also supports licensees’ marketing and sales efforts directly. Activities include advising and assisting with branding strategies and advertising campaigns, website development and other marketing materials, joint presentations to prospective customers, and additional support. As a focal point of interest in smart glass, resulting in many consumer and business inquiries, Research Frontiers has an active referral program to generate customer leads for its licensees.

As part of this mission to develop the industry and to support our licensees’ acquiring SPD projects, Research Frontiers completed the construction of the SPD-SmartGlass Design Center. This Center is also configured as an interactive and energy-efficient “smart” executive office and conference room and is located at the Company’s corporate headquarters in Woodbury, New York. The SPD-SmartGlass Design Center features leading-edge SPD-Smart windows of different sizes (some floor-to-ceiling) and framing materials. It has a multi-functional electronic controller system for manual, remote, and automatic SPD-SmartGlass switching, and windows that can be controlled remotely over the internet or using a smart phone. This interactive area also contains other types of smart glass, such as those using liquid crystal and electrochromic technologies, allowing users to operate and experience first-hand the differences in performance characteristics of different types of smart glass. Additional showcases of SPD-SmartGlass are being established in other geographic locations to make it convenient for even more people to experience the benefits of SPD-SmartGlass technology.

Research Frontiers’ Design Center is the only known public forum where designers, specifiers and end-users can compare performance between SPD-Smart technology and products using other light-control technologies. Research Frontiers believes that the growth of the smart glass industry will accelerate as more information is made available through direct comparisons. Research Frontiers believes that SPD products will be strongly preferred over competing technologies once a direct comparison is available to potential buyers. Research Frontiers continues to encourage its competitors to participate in public forums where consumers of electronically tintable products can see the relative performance of products that are available.

Licensees of Research Frontiers:

The Company’s licensees are currently categorized into four main areas: materials for making films (emulsions), film, lamination of film to glass or plastic, and end-products. Emulsion makers produce and combine the necessary materials (i.e. SPD particles and various liquids and special polymers) from which SPD-Smart films are made. The film makers coat a thin layer of emulsion between two sheets of plastic film, each of which has a transparent conductive coating. This emulsion is then partly solidified to form an SPD film that allows users to control the amount of light, glare and heat passing through this film. The end-product licensees then integrate this film into a variety of SPD-Smart products or make electronic systems to control such SPD-Smart products. Some of these end-product licensees do their own lamination of the SPD light-control film to glass or plastic, and some outsource this lamination to other companies. The names of Research Frontiers’ licensees, and the year that their license agreements were entered into, are available on the Company’s SmartGlass.com website and with its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Licensees of Research Frontiers that incorporate SPD technology into end-products will pay Research Frontiers a royalty of 5-15% of net sales of licensed products under license agreements currently in effect and may also be required to pay Research Frontiers fees and minimum annual royalties. Licensees that sell components (such as SPD emulsion or film) or lamination services to other licensees of Research Frontiers do not pay a royalty on such sale or service, and Research Frontiers will collect a royalty from the licensee incorporating these components into their own SPD-Smart end-products. Research Frontiers’ license agreements typically allow the licensee to terminate the license after some period of time and give Research Frontiers only limited rights to terminate before the license expires. The licenses granted by the Company are non-exclusive and generally last as long as Research Frontiers’ patents remain in effect. Due to their bankruptcy filings or other termination of their general business activities or for other reasons, the Company does not believe that Polaroid Corporation, Kerros Limited, ThermoView Industries, BRG Group, MDV, Hanamac, SPD Technologies, SPD Systems, and Film Technologies International are pursuing business activities with respect to SPD technology. The Company and SPD Control Systems agreed to terminate their license agreement in December 2014 which resulted in a grant back to Research Frontiers of certain rights in SPD Control Systems’ intellectual property. Some of the Company’s other licensees are currently inactive with respect to SPD technology, but may hereafter become active again. To date, the Company has not generated sufficient revenue from its licensees to profitably fund its operations.

The Company plans to continue to exploit its SPD-Smart light-control technology by entering into additional license and other agreements with end-product manufacturers such as manufacturers of flat glass, flat panel displays and automotive products, and with other interested companies who may wish to acquire rights to manufacture and sell the Company’s proprietary emulsions and films. Although the Company believes based upon the status of current negotiations that additional license agreements with third parties will be entered into, there can be no assurance that any such additional license agreements will be consummated, or of the extent to which any current or future licensee of the Company will produce or sell commercial products using the Company’s technology or generate meaningful revenue from sales of such licensed products.

The Company’s plans also call for further development of its technology and the provision of additional technological and marketing assistance to its licensees to develop commercially viable SPD-Smart products and expand the markets for such products. The Company cannot predict when or if new license agreements will be entered into or the extent to which commercial products will result from its existing or future licensees because of general economic conditions and the risks inherent in the developmental process and because commercialization is dependent upon the efforts of its licensees as well as on the continuing research and development efforts of the Company.

Competitive Technologies:

The Company believes that SPD light-control technology, in which particles move under the influence of an electric field, has certain performance advantages over other “smart glass” technologies.

The Company believes that pricing and product performance are the two main factors critical to the adoption of smart glass products. Because the non-SPD smart glass technologies listed below do not have published, consistent pricing or cost data that can be relied upon, the Company cannot accurately report its price position relative to these other technologies. In terms of product performance, the Company believes that SPD-SmartGlass technology offers numerous advantages over other smart glass technologies as discussed below.

Variable light transmission technologies can be classified into two basic types: “active” technologies that can be controlled electrically by the user either automatically or manually, and “passive” technologies that can only react to ambient environmental conditions such as changes in lighting or temperature. One type of passive variable light transmission technology is photochromic technology; such devices change their level of transparency in reaction to external ultra-violet radiation. As compared to photochromic technology, the Company’s SPD technology permits the user to adjust the amount of light passing through the viewing area of the device, rather than the viewing area of the photochromic device merely reacting to external radiation without control by the user. In addition, the reaction time necessary to change from light to dark with SPD-Smart technology can be almost instantaneous, as compared to the much slower reaction time for photochromic devices. Also, unlike SPD technology, photochromic technology does not function well at the high and low ends of the temperature range in which smart windows and other devices are normally expected to operate, nor does photochromic technology perform well in vehicles or other enclosed settings where existing glass is blocking incoming ultra-violet light which is required for photochromic devices to operate.

Similarly, thermochromic smart windows are passive systems which change their light transmission properties as sunlight heats or cools the glass. Because the light transmission properties of thermochromic systems are not controlled by the user, their ability to adapt to the specific needs of occupants is very limited. For example, thermochromic glazings will remain tinted on hot days even when occupants desire more daylight to enter the building or when they want to preserve their views. SPD-Smart windows, which require very low amounts of power to operate, allow for much greater control of incoming light, glare and heat and can be adjusted to any level of light transmission from dark to clear at any time. In addition, SPD-Smart windows can block up to 99.5% of incoming light, a level many times darker than thermochromic systems. The added advantage offers much higher levels of privacy and control over incoming solar energy. Companies involved in thermochromic technology include Pleotint, Suntek and Ravenbrick.

Active, user-controllable technologies, sometimes referred to as “smart” technologies, are generally more useful than passive technologies because they allow the user to actually control the state of the window. This control is achieved with a manual adjustment, or automatically when coupled with a timer or sensing device such as a photocell, motion detector, thermostat or other intelligent building system.

There are three main types of active devices which are compared below:

Electrochromic Technology:

Electrochromic windows and rear-view mirrors use a direct current voltage to alter the molecular structure of electrochromic materials (which can be in the form of either a liquid, gel or solid film) causing the material to darken. When compared to electrochromic devices, SPD technology is expected to have numerous potential performance and manufacturing advantages, including some or all of the following:

Many companies with substantially greater resources than Research Frontiers such as 3M, Gentex Corp., Pilkington, PPG Industries, Saint-Gobain and other large corporations have pursued or are pursuing projects in the electrochromic area. While some of these companies have reportedly discontinued or substantially curtailed their work on electrochromics due to technical problems and issues relating to the expense of these technologies, at least four companies (Gentex, PPG Industries, View (formerly known as Soladigm), and Sage Electrochromics) are currently working to commercialize electrochromic window products. In May 2012, Saint-Gobain acquired Sage Electrochromics and combined all of their respective electrochromic manufacturing and developmental efforts.

Liquid Crystal Technology:

To date, the main types of liquid crystal smart windows have been produced by Taliq Corp. (a subsidiary of Raychem Corp. which has since discontinued its liquid crystal operations and licensed its technology to others), Asahi Glass Co., Gauzy, Nippon Sheet Glass, Saint-Gobain Glass, iGlass Projects Pty Limited, Polytronix, Inc., DMDisplays, and 3M (which has also reportedly discontinued its liquid crystal film making operations). The first four companies listed above are also licensees of Research Frontiers Inc. for SPD-Smart technology. Liquid crystal windows only change from a cloudy, opaque milky-white to a clear state, are hazy when viewed at an angle and have no useful intermediate states. As compared to liquid crystal windows, SPD smart windows are expected to have some or all of the following advantages:

In the flat panel display market, further development (such as the achievement of faster switching speeds sufficient for full-motion video applications) is required if the Company expects to compete against display technologies that are currently being used commercially such as liquid crystal displays (“LCDs”) and organic light-emitting diodes (“OLEDs”). Some of the advantages that SPD displays might have include the ability to make displays without using sheet polarizers or alignment layers, and lower light loss and a corresponding reduction in backlighting requirements. However, such products need additional product design, engineering or testing before an evaluation of the commercial potential of such SPD-SmartGlass products can be determined and when, or if, its licensees may begin to penetrate the flat panel display market.

LCDs and other types of displays, liquid crystal windows, as well as electrochromic self-dimmable rear-view mirrors, are already on the market, whereas products incorporating SPD technology (as well as electrochromic windows) have only begun to appear in the marketplace. Therefore, the long-term durability and performance of SPD-Smart displays have not yet been fully ascertained. The companies that manufacture LCD and other display devices, liquid crystal windows, and electrochromic self-dimmable rear-view mirrors and windows, have substantially greater financial resources and manufacturing experience than the Company. There is no assurance that comparable systems having the same advantages of the Company’s SPD technology could not be developed by competitors at a lower cost or that other products could not be developed which would render the Company’s products difficult to market or otherwise render our products obsolete.

Research and Development:

As a result of the Company’s research and development efforts, the Company believes that its SPD technology is now, or with additional development will become, usable in a number of commercial products. Such products may include one or more of the following fields: “smart” windows, doors, skylights and partitions; variable light transmission eyewear such as sunglasses and goggles; self-dimmable automotive sunroofs, windows, sun visors, and mirrors; display cases/frames; and instruments and other information displays that use digits, letters, graphic images, or other symbols to supply information, including scientific instruments, aviation instruments, automobile dashboard displays and, if certain improvements can be made in various features of the Company’s SPD technology that increases switching speed to the levels needed for video applications, portable computer displays and flat panel television displays.

Even though the Company’s SPD technology has much faster switching speeds than electrochromic technology, current switching speeds are not fast enough for such video applications. The Company believes that most of its research and development efforts have applicability to products that may incorporate the Company’s technology. At its current state of development, the Company’s technology has been judged sufficiently advanced by various of its licensees and their customers for them to proceed with the development, introduction and sale of SPD-Smart products. However, the Company is continuously investing in research and development because it believes that further improvements will result in accelerated and increased market penetration. The Company intends to continue its research and development efforts for the foreseeable future to improve its SPD light-control technology and thereby assist our licensees in the product development, sales and marketing of various existing and new SPD-Smart products.

During the past few years, the Company and/or its licensees have made significant advances relating to materials to enable (1) improved stability of SPD emulsions, (2) a wider range of light transmission, (3) improved film adhesion and cohesion and (4) increased durability of SPD films/laminates, and (5) cost reductions. These advances have resulted in 44 patents being issued to the Company by the US Patent Office and by foreign patent offices between 2018-2019 in addition to other patents and patent applications that are pending worldwide.

The Company has devoted most of the resources it has heretofore expended to research and development activities with the goal of producing commercially viable SPD products and has developed working prototypes of SPD-Smart products for several different applications, with primary emphasis on smart windows for various industries. In addition to working with the Company’s licensees, Research Frontiers has also expanded its efforts to also work directly with some of our licensees’ major customers.

Research Frontiers’ main goals in its research and development include:

Excluding non-cash expenses of approximately $143,000 and $9,000, associated with the grant of stock options and restricted stock to the Company’s technical personnel, Research Frontiers incurred approximately $892,000 and $854,000 during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 respectively, for research and development costs. Research Frontiers plans to engage in substantial continuing research and development activities to invest in future improvements in SPD light-control technology and to expand for its licensees the capabilities of SPD-Smart technology and the markets for SPD-Smart products.

Patents and Proprietary Information:

Research Frontiers continues to make substantial investments to develop, license and protect its intellectual property position. The Company has 21 United States and 214 foreign patents in force. The Company’s United States patents expire at various dates from 2020 through 2037, while its foreign patents expire at various dates from 2020 through 2036.

The Company has current US and foreign patent applications that, if granted, would add a significant number of additional patents to its portfolio. The Company believes that its SPD light-control technology is adequately protected by its patent position and by its proprietary technological know-how. However, the validity of the Company’s patents has never been contested in any litigation. The Company also possesses know-how and relies on trade secrets and nondisclosure agreements to protect its technology. The Company generally requires any employee, consultant, or licensee having access to its confidential information to execute an agreement whereby such person agrees to keep such information confidential.

Rights Plan:

In February 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a Stockholders’ Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”) and declared a dividend distribution of one right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of Company common stock to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2003 (“Record Time”) and authorized the issuance of one Right in respect of each share of Common Stock issued after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time.

“Separation Time” shall mean the earlier of the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day (or such later date as the Board of Directors may from time to time fix by resolution adopted prior to the Separation Time that otherwise would have occurred) following but not including (i) the date on which any Person commences a tender or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in such Person’s becoming an Acquiring Person, and (ii) the date of the first event causing a Flip-in Date to occur; provided that if any tender or exchange offer referred to in clause (i) of this paragraph is cancelled, terminated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the Separation Time without the purchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto, such offer shall be deemed, for purposes of this paragraph, never to have been made.

Subject to certain exceptions listed in the Rights Plan, if a person or group has acquired beneficial ownership of, or commences a tender or exchange offer for, 15% or more of the Company’s common stock, unless redeemed by the Company’s Board of Directors, each Right entitles the holder (other than the acquiring person) to purchase from the Company $80 worth of common stock for $40. If the Company is merged into, or 50% or more of its assets or earning power is sold to, the acquiring company, the Rights will also enable the holder (other than the acquiring person) to purchase $80 worth of common stock of the acquiring company for $40. The Rights will expire at the close of business on February 11, 2023, unless the Rights Plan is extended by the Company’s Board of Directors or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed by the Company at a price of $.0001 per Right. The Rights are not exercisable during the time when they are redeemable by the Company.

The above description highlights some of the features of the Company’s Rights Plan and is not a complete description of the Rights Plan. A more detailed description and copy of the Rights Plan has been filed with the SEC and is available from the Company upon request.

Available Information:

Our principal executive offices are located at 240 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, New York 11797, our telephone number is (516) 364-1902, and our Internet website address is www.SmartGlass.com. We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements on Schedule 14A, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC.