REFR News & Events

Research Frontiers (REFR) highlighted the strong industry interest in SPD-SmartGlass at last week's ECV Automotive Glazing Summit in Detroit, where Research Frontiers President & CEO Joseph M. Harary served as Chairman of the event and delivered the keynote address. The summit brought together automakers, Tier-1 suppliers, glass manufacturers, and technology innovators to discuss next-generation automotive glazing and its role in vehicle comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. Across multiple sessions, attendees emphasized that variable-tint glazing has moved from an emerging concept to an essential feature for modern vehicle programs, with benefits for both internal combustion engine and electric vehicles. In addition to OEM and Tier-1 participation, the summit also included key contributions from Gauzy (GAUZ), a licensee of Research Frontiers and manufacturer of SPD light-control film. Gauzy attended the conference and participated in the panel discussion moderated by Mr. Harary, offering insights into film production capabilities, global scaling, and integration within next-generation vehicle programs. During the summit, Mr. Harary highlighted the growing number of OEM programs evaluating or actively using SPD-SmartGlass-from premium vehicles to next-generation EV platforms. Attendees responded positively to SPD's real-world performance in production models such as the Ferrari Purosangue, Cadillac Celestiq, and a number of car models from McLaren and Mercedes. The conference concluded with significant interest from automakers seeking follow-up demonstrations, technical workshops, and design-in support for upcoming vehicle cycles. Several OEM teams have already scheduled additional sessions with Research Frontiers and its licensees.

Research Frontiers announced the debut of the next-generation retrofittable SPD-SmartGlass window. The Thermolite RetroWAL SPD-SmartGlass system will be demonstrated at GlassBuild America 2025 in Orlando, Florida from November 4-6, 2025, at Booth 9034. "Our new RetroWAL SPD system transforms legacy glass into intelligent glass," said Jeff Besse, President and CEO of AIT Group. "It delivers the energy savings, wellness, and privacy benefits of next-generation buildings without demolition or downtime. A weekend retrofit can completely change how a space feels and performs."

Research Frontiers announced that Michael LaPointe, Vice President - Aerospace Products, has retired from the Company effective September 15, 2025. LaPointe has worked with Research Frontiers since 1994 and joined Research Frontiers as an employee in 2000 and served in a variety of senior leadership roles, including Vice President - Marketing, and Vice President - Aerospace Products.

Gauzy (GAUZ) joined by Research Frontiers (REFR) announced the first customer delivery of General Motors' (GM) Cadillac CELESTIQ, their first fully electric vehicle sedan featuring patented SPD smart glass technology supplied by Gauzy. As part of Gauzy's ongoing production program with GM and longstanding involvement in bringing SPD technology to market, this milestone marks the first customer delivery of the CELESTIQ with serially produced electronically dimmable SPD smart glass. This milestone underscores Gauzy's continued leadership in advanced smart materials for the automotive sector and its broad collaboration with Research Frontiers to supply the highest-performing smart glass technology in serial production.