Dual-mode smart switchable liquid crystal window

A dual-mode switchable liquid crystal window comprising a liquid crystal composition between a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode;

• wherein the window is transparent without haze in the absence of an applied voltage;
• wherein the liquid crystal and doped dye molecules inside the window reorient uniformly under dielectric interactions when a high-frequency voltage is applied;
• and
• wherein the liquid crystal and doped dye molecules are switched into a micron-sized polydomain structure under flexoelectric interactions when a low-frequency voltage is applied.

A method for switching a window comprising:

• providing a liquid crystal cell comprising a liquid crystal composition disposed between a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode, wherein the window is transparent without haze in the absence of an applied voltage;
• and
• applying one of:
• a high-frequency voltage, wherein liquid crystal molecules and doped dye molecules inside the window reorient uniformly under dielectric interactions;
• and
• a low-frequency voltage, wherein liquid crystal molecules and doped dye molecules are switched into a micron-sized polydomain structure under flexoelectric interactions.