Technology

1
Technology World Change (MGMT002)Term 1
Academic Year 2004-2005

• Prepared by
• Fu Shixin
• Guang Yunxing, Chris
• Nur Faizah Zainodin
• Yong Zhimin, Joan
• Wong Kwok Pin Edmund

2
What This Technology Is About!

• Electrochromism - a reversible and visible change
  in the color of the material as a result of
  electrochemical oxidation/reduction.
• Basis of this technology- electrochromic polymers
  (ECP)
• Approaches
• inorganic thin film (which we will use)
• organic polymer
• organic solution

3
Diagram of Electro Chromic System
4
Technologys Current Applications

• Rearview mirrors of cars
• Motorcyclists visors
• Latest windows

5
The CarMeleon
6
Application ECP for Car bodies

• Properties of ECP
• Rapid colour change
• Retention of color via electrochromic memory
• Suitable for any surfaces
• Efficient convenient way to change the colour
  of car bodies
• Aesthetic needs Owners can change a colour to
  suit his tastes/preferences
• Safety needs Colour change generates greater
  visibility and attention

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Linking Up the System

• Apply ECP to car body
• Connect ECP to electrical source (car battery)
• Control System (Brain) that connects the battery
  to ECP
• To colour/reverse change Use low dc voltage of 0
  to /- 5 V
• Handheld Internet Device (e.g. mobile phone, PDA)
  to be connected to control system via
  Bluetooth

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Diagram
Internet Device
Bluetooth
E C P
Control System
--------------------------------------------------
-----------
Internal
--------------------------------------------------
-------
Beneath the hood
Battery
External body of car
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The Old Way of Changing Colours

• Previously
• Apply for colour change via LTA website
• Wait 3 5 working days for processing of
  application
• Proceed to change colour at the garage

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The New CarMeleon System

• Steps
• Apply via LTA website
• 24 hrs approval system
• 24 hrs later, use internet device to log on to
  LTA website to receive approval
• Click on Proceed to Change Colour
• Information is transferred from device to control
  system via bluetooth
• System recognises amount of electricity needed
  for chosen colour
• Electricity released to ECP
• Colour changing is complete!

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Advantage of using the New System

• Reduces administrative work and manpower
• Shortens waiting and approval process
• Internet device acts as a User Interface
• Convenient and efficient
• - The control system automatically recognizes
  the approval and amount of voltage needed for
  colour change

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Regulation

• No changing of colours when traveling on the road
• - Diverts attention of driver
• - Distraction to others
• Driver will be severely penalized
• Changing of colour allowed only when car is
  PARKED.

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Safety Purpose

• Distress colour Fluorescent Pink
• Used only for broken down vehicles
• - To reduce the problem of traffic jams
• Change of colour will be triggered by a special
  button specific for this purpose
• Not a colour for everyday use/ traveling on roads
• Serves as a warning signal for others

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Bad Weather, Low Visibility

• Level of transparency or opaqueness can be
  controlled by specifying the amount of current
  applied
• Combining ECPs and light sensor (automatic change
  of shade)
• Insufficient Light (e.g. heavy rain, fog)
• - Illumination Shade brightens
• Too much light (e.g. glare)
• - Shade darkens

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Limitations of ECP

• Required DC voltage 0 to /- 5V.
• ? ECP easily destroyed if too much voltage
  applied
• Colour-bleach cycle lifetime
• Repeated chemical reactions eventually lead to
  degradation of performance
• Similar to charging a battery
• Limited variety of colours
• Speed of change across large surfaces

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Applications N Needs

• Fulfills a safety need- changing colors of car to
  a PINK color to identify break-down vehicles low
  visibility problem
• Fulfills the aesthetic pleasure of people

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Research on effectiveness of illumination

• Fog caused 44, 000 accidents in 2001
• Experiment
• During a fog, the shade of green on the right
  would be more visible

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Substitutes
Complements

• Certain car safety devices however, significantly
  dissimilar due to different approach to car
  safety
• Car-spraying services
• Car spray and paints

• Low Visibility Warning System
• Wireless technology
• Handheld wireless applications e.g. PDA
• Car manufacturers

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Collaboration

• Collaboration with Gentex Corporation
• Leading supplier of electrochromic devices
• Leverage on the technological know-how of company
• Less staff needed

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Staffing
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Costs
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Cost analysis

• Cost savings cost is negated within 6 colour
  changes
• Time saved and convenience
• Price suggested is launch price and is expected
  to fall with widespread usage

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Market Entry

• First mover
• Strategy for manufacturers to adopt will be that
  of early entry
• Manufacturers could thus seek to tie in with
  government regulatory bodies so as to obtain
  patent rights
• Yield monopoly rents
• Ease of use lies directly under car users.

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3-Year Timeline
Phrase 1 Strategy Development Idea Generation
Phrase 3 Further Development Market Testing
Nov 04 May 05 Nov 05 May 06 Nov 06 May 07
Nov 07
Phase 4 Launch the product extensively
Phrase2 Screening, Evaluation and Business
Analysis
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Conclusion

• If Carmeleon is widely adopted, accident rate
  will be lowered and the efficiency of changing
  the colors of cars will be increased.
• Greatly revolutionize the automotive industry,
  creating great potential for car manufacturers
  and benefits for the general public.

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End of Presentation

• Thank you for your attention!