Soladigm
Encyclopedia
Soladigm is a green tech company aiming to develop smart windows
based on electrochromism
that can control light and heat while maintaining view and reducing glare. Originally named Echromics, Soladigm was founded in 2006 by Dr. Paul Nguyen, an expert who had worked in electrochromism since graduate school in the early 1990s at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
. In 2007, Mike Scobey was hired to be CEO. Soladigm raised a sizable amount of Series A funding (rumored to be over $10M) from Sigma Partners and Khosla Ventures
and built up a team of respectable technologists and executives, including long-time electrochromism authorities such as Dr. Jan Isidorsson, who came from the famous electrochromism group at Uppsala University
. Although it plans to become a significant player in the emerging smart window market, Soladigm had not yet released any products as of early 2009.
Soladigm's main competitors include SAGE Electrochromics
in the USA and EControl-Glas in Europe. Other larger companies such as Saint-Gobain, a French multinational corporation which has successfully commercialized switchable electrochromic sunroofs, have also recently started to look closely at the architectural smart window market, though no definite plans have been announced.
Smart windows
Smart glass, EGlass, or switchable glass, also called smart windows or switchable windows in its application to windows or skylights, refers to electrically switchable glass or glazing which changes light transmission properties when voltage is applied.Certain types of smart glass can allow users...
based on electrochromism
Electrochromism
Electrochromism is the phenomenon displayed by some materials of reversibly changing color when a burst of charge is applied. Various types of materials and structures can be used to construct electrochromic devices, depending on the specific applications....
that can control light and heat while maintaining view and reducing glare. Originally named Echromics, Soladigm was founded in 2006 by Dr. Paul Nguyen, an expert who had worked in electrochromism since graduate school in the early 1990s at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. In 2007, Mike Scobey was hired to be CEO. Soladigm raised a sizable amount of Series A funding (rumored to be over $10M) from Sigma Partners and Khosla Ventures
Khosla Ventures
Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on early stage companies in the Internet, computing, mobile, silicon technology and clean technology sectors....
and built up a team of respectable technologists and executives, including long-time electrochromism authorities such as Dr. Jan Isidorsson, who came from the famous electrochromism group at Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
. Although it plans to become a significant player in the emerging smart window market, Soladigm had not yet released any products as of early 2009.
Soladigm's main competitors include SAGE Electrochromics
SAGE Electrochromics
SAGE Electrochromics, Inc. is a specialized window glass developer based in Faribault, Minnesota. The company develops electronically tintable smart glass , for use in building windows and skylights, that can be switched from clear to darkly tinted at the click of a button, or programmed to respond...
in the USA and EControl-Glas in Europe. Other larger companies such as Saint-Gobain, a French multinational corporation which has successfully commercialized switchable electrochromic sunroofs, have also recently started to look closely at the architectural smart window market, though no definite plans have been announced.