RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED (NASDAQ:REFR) Files An 8-K Regulation FD Disclosure
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
Las Vegas, Nevada and Detroit, Michigan. January 9,
2017 The bold and innovative ways that the automotive
industry is using patented SPD-SmartGlass by Research Frontiers
(Nasdaq: REFR) was shown this past week at the Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas and the North American
International Auto Show in Detroit. SPD-SmartGlass technology
allows you to instantly change the tint of glass automatically or
at the touch of a button in your car, home, office or smart
phone.
Over five years ago, Mercedes showed that SPD-SmartGlass can be
practical, functional, elegant, reliable, and fun with the
industry-first introduction into serial production of the MAGIC
SKY CONTROL panoramic roof using SPD-SmartGlass technology on the
newly designed SLK roadster. Since then Mercedes has put this on
five additional redesigned car models: their SL roadster in 2012,
the S-Class Coupe in 2014, the S-Class Maybach in 2015, and their
flagship S-Class Sedan in 2016.
Now, Corning Inc. has taken a dramatic step forward towards
bringing to real life the advanced use of glass first introduced
by Corning in their A Day Made of Glass video series which has
been viewed over 30 million times. At the 2017 Consumer
Electronics Show, Corning introduced a concept car that features
an SPD-SmartGlass panoramic roof and rear glass. This remarkable
large roof and curved rear glass is made using SPD-SmartGlass
light-control film laminated between Cornings Gorilla Glass, a
special chemically-strengthened thin and lightweight glass.
Last year at the Consumer Electronics Show, Continental
Corporation, one of the worlds top five automotive suppliers,
debuted its Intelligent Glass Control system on a demonstration
vehicle at a special event at the CES. This vehicle, a Ford
Mondeo station wagon, uses Research Frontiers patented
SPD-SmartGlass technology to enable the glass in all eleven side
and rear windows and in the top sunvisor portion of the
windshield to change its transparency and darken instantly
through electronic control signals. This increases passenger
comfort, energy efficiency, safety and security. This year
Continental presented at CES an even more advanced vehicle with
enhanced and more sophisticated electronics, glass and sensors.
Continental indicated that its Intelligent Glass Control system
increases passenger comfort and lowers CO2 emissions by keeping
the interior of the vehicle cooler. As a result, smaller, more
efficient and lighter air conditioning units could be used.
Calculations showed a reduction in CO2 emissions of four grams
per kilometer. Continental also estimates that their Intelligent
Glass Control system can increase the driving range of electric
vehicles by 5.5%. When compared to conventional automotive glass,
Mercedes-Benz reported that the use of SPD-SmartGlass
significantly reduces the temperature inside the vehicle by up to
18F/10C.
Continental also highlighted the safety benefits of its
Intelligent Glass Control system in typical driving situations
such as when the sun is low on the horizon. Normally the drivers
hand instinctively goes from the steering wheel to the sun visor,
resulting in both impaired visibility and a brief decrease in
control of the vehicle. Continentals Intelligent Glass Control
system can detect this in advance and darken the car windows
automatically before the event even occurs.
Continentals Intelligent Glass Control system also enhances
security and privacy. For example, when the vehicle is parked,
the windows darken automatically so the inside of the vehicle
cannot be seen from the outside. This also protects the interior
of vehicles and their occupants from heat, light and UV
radiation.
Joseph M. Harary, President and CEO of Research Frontiers, the
company which invented SPD-SmartGlass technology and has licensed
it throughout the world for use in the automotive, aircraft,
architectural, marine and museum industries noted: This year the
content of both the Consumer Electronics Show and the Detroit
Auto Show demonstrates how far cars have evolved. Cars are no
longer just means of transportation, but have become more and
more an extension of the driver and passengers inside them.
SPD-SmartGlass technology has become a major part of enhancing
the driver and passenger experience through its safety, comfort
and energy-saving benefits. And the benefits of SPD-SmartGlass
technology will become even more important as cars become more
connected, and the more prevalent electric and self-driving
vehicles become.
Details are noted in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1
to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by
reference. The Research Frontiers press release is also available
on the Companys website at www.SmartGlass.com and at various
other places on the internet.
This report and the press releases referred to herein may include
statements that may constitute forward-looking statements as
referenced in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Those statements usually contain words such as believe,
estimate, project, intend, expect, or similar expressions. Any
forward-looking statements are made by the Company in good faith,
to the safe-harbor provisions of the Act. These forward-looking
statements reflect managements current views and projections
regarding economic conditions, industry environments and Company
performance. Factors, which could significantly change results,
include but are not limited to: sales performance, expense
levels, competitive activity, interest rates, changes in the
Companys financial condition and several business factors.
Additional information regarding these and other factors may be
included in the Companys quarterly 10-Q and 10K filings and other
public documents, copies of which are available from the Company
on request. By making these forward-looking statements, the
Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for
revisions or changes after the date of this report.
The information in this Form 8-K or the press release reproduced
herein shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall they be deemed
incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act
of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific
reference in such filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
| 99.1 | Research Frontiers Press Release dated January 9, 2017. |