Variable Optical Transmission Lens for Integrated Eyewear Protection

This SBIR Phase II proposal is to develop electrically variable light transmission (VLT) see-through lenses (i.e., spectacles) that provide dynamic light transmission control to accommodate lighting level between bright and dark environments. In full daylight, the VLT lens maintains sufficient light attenuation to reduce staining and fatigue of the eyes. Under low light environments and twilight conditions, the VLT lens passes ~90% of the light to the user eyes to enable natural vision which is superior to night vision sensors for situational awareness. The proposed VLT spectacle is regarded as the best candidate that will bring immediately the following main benefits. • ~20% more light transmission in clear state than the most advanced state-of-the-art variable eyewears • 2.1X higher attenuation contrast than the state-of-the-art • >100’sX faster transition speed as compared to photochromic VLT eyewears • Truly color neutral versus photochromic VLT eyewears