How Does Auto-Tinting Sunglasses Work?

Self-tinting sunglasses achieve their effect by replicating a common chemical process.

By Kayne Andersen - Technology Editor
How does auto-tinting sunglasses work
Artist: Yulia Fedotova

Accessories that can also be worn as eyewear: Sunglasses not only protect the wearer’s eyes from the potentially harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays, but they also help the wearer see better in bright sunlight. Certain models have lenses that automatically darken in response to the presence of sunlight. Nevertheless, how do these glasses manage to tint themselves on their own?

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Being in the light is not always a pleasant experience, regardless of whether it is a blazing hot summer or a white-covered winter. An excessive amount of sunlight makes it difficult to see clearly and causes you to blink involuntarily to block the sun’s rays out. The ultraviolet (UV) rays that come from the sun are dangerous: A cornea that has been sunburned is susceptible to injury the same way that any other part of the body is. In the worst-case scenario, the person could suffer permanent damage, including blindness. A quality pair of sunglasses that offer protection from UV rays is going to be your most effective line of defense here. The sunglasses that darken themselves automatically when exposed to bright sunlight are an excellent choice for conditions with conditional lighting.

Similar to the idea behind black and white photographs

Amazingly, self-tinting sunglasses achieve their effect by replicating the chemical process that occurs during the exposure of a conventional black-and-white photograph. The lens may contain silver bromide or silver chloride, both of which are unstable in the presence of ultraviolet light and simply disintegrate. The resultant silver can form tiny crystals, which, depending on the substance that was used and the amount of diffusion that took place, end up giving the glass a hue that is either gray, brown, or black.

In contrast to a photograph, the reaction does not cease or become irreversible after it has been exposed. Simply switching off the light will cause the process to go in the opposite direction. However, this lightening process is significantly sped up by submerging in warm water, even though it occurs more slowly than the darkening process.

The intricacy of the smart glasses design

The so-called “smart glass,” on the other hand, makes things more complicated: An electrical voltage is applied to the surface of this glass, which either makes it darker, brighter, or completely opaque, depending on the desired degree of opacity or transparency in the product. Altering the color of a glass window is another possible application of this method. These panes operate in a manner that is analogous to that of liquid crystal displays found in televisions or smartphones. When voltage is applied, the crystals are caused to align in the electric field, which enables them to take in more light and make the pane darker.

These glasses have the benefit of being able to be electrically regulated, which enables their use in any lighting condition. This is a significant advantage. The technology is far too complicated to be utilized in the production of sunglasses; however, it has the potential to be utilized in the production of other items, such as window panes.

It is never a good idea to look directly at the sun while wearing sunglasses, not even during a total solar eclipse. Sun filters and solar viewing glasses are designed specifically for this purpose. If you don’t use them, you run the risk of causing serious and possibly permanent damage to your eyes.

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