FAST-RESPONSIVE and LONG-LASTING TRANSPARENT PHOTOCHROMIC FILMS

ended

Photochromic materials capable of undergoing reversible colour changes upon irradiation of light have potential revolutionary applications as optics and electronic devices, information displays and as smart materials. Due to technical limitations it has been so far a niche technology in most markets and currently 80% of their current commercial use is in the ophthalmic sector. Through this SME Instrument project, we at Futurechromes aim to validate the commercial feasibility of our proprietary fast responsive photochromic technology and translate it into consumer products in the eyewear, and architecture sectors. Our fast responsive photochromic films based on nanoencapsulation of the photochromic dyes, provides the speed, transparency, and other technical requirements, which have been hindering the widespread use of photochromatic materials. Moreover, our technology can be easily adapted to current manufacturing processes thus envisioning affordable fabrication costs. Building on a real market demand and partnerships with industry end-users in the ophthalmic sector already established, our technology has been validated to TRL6 as a forerunner to this project. Over the course of this Phase 1 SME Instrument, we will perform a feasibility study to define our product manufacturing strategy and to validate the economic viability of our product in the target end-user markets. Our goal is to ensure that our films are commercially available by 2022. We will develop on our business plan, whereby the commercial targets are to reach annual turnover of 8.15M€ by 2024 achieving 1.5% of our initial target market and incorporating 12 new full-time employees within the period 2019-2024.