ITRI TODAY

ing functions.Flexible Electrochromic Processing, developed byITRI South, uses ITO/PET as its base conductive material,and plates it with a coating of electrochromic material atlower costs. This new technology can be mass producedby roll to roll, so that the overall cost is much lower thanthat of using liquid crystals. At the current scale norm of60cm x 30cm, only ±3.5v is required to serve as a drivervoltage for the glass to start changing hues between transparentand blue. It will also effectively block out 80% to95% of infrared rays and heat radiation, meaning that only5% to 20% of infrared rays pass through. Experimentshave shown that ITRI’s electrochromic material can successfullylower interior heat by 3 degrees.Moreover, ITRI has also developed a nano-structuredelectrode layer. When packaged in gel electrolyte, it employselectricity to cause window glass to switch colors at200ms. The development team has already successfullysolved the two major problems in electrochromic processing:full HD and swift switching technology. Electrochromicprocessing for large scale panes is currently done bysmall scale piecing. This method simultaneously coversthe problems of slower color change, and uneven coloringfor large scale panes, not to mention that it is alsoeasier and quicker to assemble. If ITRI’s ElectrochromicProcessing technology is successfully produced and marketed,it may even be commonly available at DIY warehouses,granting consumers a wider selection in domesticmakeovers.Technology5REDDEXSource: ITRIFire-proof building material is a must for ensuringsafety in public buildings or structures. Yet, not everytype or fire-proof material has qualities such as beingnon-hazardous during high temperature, non-toxic to theenvironment when released into underground sewers, andcontributing to the overall stability of the architecturalstructure.Director Jer-Young Chen of MCL's Chemical ApplicationsDivision explains that there are three basic typesof traditional fireproof material, namely the most commonlyseen halogen or bromide, and inorganic material.Although it is true that these materials will not ignite easily,halogen and bromide produce acid gas when burned,and the stiffness of inorganic material can jeopardize fireextinguishingand escape opportunities. Another materialcommonly used within steel structures is vermiculite—itsadvantage is that it is cheap, and it obstructs fire fromspreading, by expanding when coming into contact withfire. Yet because it needs to be mixed together with cementin order to function, its quality in cleanliness andprecision is not up to standard, and it is not easily appliedwithin high-technology architecture.To develop a breakthrough in fire-proof material,ITRI’s MCL has been involved in research concerninginorganic fire-proof materials for the past decade, and theoutcome of this research is REDDEX, originally namedK60. K stands for 1,000 degrees Celsius, and 60 indicatesthat the material can remain fire-proof for 60 minuteswithout releasing toxic gas. Steel structures begin to meltat 500 degrees. Existing fire-proof calcium silicate boardscan withstand up to 1,200 degrees of heat, but they willalso heat up to 600 degrees within 100 seconds. RED-DEX on the other hand can withstand the same temperature,yet remain at a mere 300 degrees, which is of coursefar superior for fire insulation.Moreover, REDDEX is highly adhesive, and can alsoserve as coating material, film, or boards. Because RED-DEX is both flexible and thin, it can be applied towardsfire proofing in a variety of fields, such as interior design,furniture, steel structuring, or foam material. REDDEX’suse is not limited to architecture; it can even be appliedin advanced machines such as airplanes and ships, whichrequire higher-than-normal safety standards. This nextgenerationfire-proof material can also elevate internationalfire-safety standards for buildings and vehicles,providing enhanced protection against fire hazards. Withproper promotional efforts, REDDEX has very high marketpotential.ITRI TODAY▂Summer 2010 Quarterly▂5