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American Glass Products Acquires License from Research Frontiers for Architectural and Automotive SPD-Smart Windows

In an SPD-Smart window or sunroof, the user can manually or automatically "tune" the amount of light, glare and heat coming into a home, office, or vehicle.

The American Glass Products Group (AGP) is a leading international supplier of laminated and tempered glass, and employs over 800 people worldwide with manufacturing and sales operations in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Central America, Germany and Japan.

With over 30 years experience in the glass business, AGP has approximately 30 percent of the world's armored glass market with products used by the U.S. Army, Pentagon, CIA, DEA, and by statesmen, executives and other dignitaries including the Pope. Their product lines include high-end architectural and automotive glass, armored and bullet-resistant glass, specialty and security glass, and glass used for marine applications, appliances and furniture.

Arturo Mannheim, Executive Director of A.G.P. Group, stated, "This technology is a perfect compliment to AGP's Intelligent Glass as an impressive and high value improvement, just like the others that we have incorporated in our glass. We realize that a new market opportunity and the chance to give to our customers new options in comfort and privacy, is behind the development of SPD Technology."

SPD (suspended particle device) technology allows you to instantly and precisely control how clear or dark glass or plastic is, and electrically adjust its light transmission by either turning a knob or having the device automatically adjust itself by means of a photocell or other sensing or control device. This is made possible by a thin flexible film that uses SPD light-control technology invented by Research Frontiers Incorporated.

SPD-Smart(TM) products include windows and sunshades for homes and buildings, skylights and interior partitions. A SPD-Smart window product provides relief from glare or heat without blocking view, security, protection from UV damage, promotion of energy conservation, and other benefits. In automotive vehicles, SPD-Smart products can include windows, sunroofs, sunvisors, sunshades, rear-view mirrors, instrument panels and navigation systems. In aircraft, replacing existing window shades with SPD film can improve passenger satisfaction and comfort, while also reducing fuel consumption, maintenance, downtime and cost of operation. SPD-Smart eyewear products - sunglasses, sport goggles such as ski goggles, and visors - will continuously and instantly control glare to the degree needed.

In SPD-Smart information displays, electronic drivers will selectively "address" (open and close) tiny segments of the SPD film. SPDs may be used to make brighter, easier-to-read screens in products such as laptop computers, cell phones, and handheld devices such as PDAs - personal digital assistants. In advertising, promotion, and retail sales environments, SPD displays offer display advertising advantages, bringing large, thin, flexible yet changeable displays to stores, store windows, point-of-purchase displays, billboards, truck sidings, road signs, and other signage applications.

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