Would you have expected that the aerospace industry also manufactures sunglasses? This is what the Shanghai Solar Energy Science & Technology Company, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is showcasing at the ongoing China International Industry Fair being held in Shanghai.

Jointly developed by Shanghai Solar Energy Science and Technology and other partners, sunglasses which change color within 0.1 seconds of being exposed to sunlight have caught fairgoers’ attention.

According to Wei Jinghua, director of the System Components Department of the company, the conventional photochromic lens take tens of seconds to complete the color-changing process, while their solar smart glasses only take 0.1 seconds, almost synchronizing the color change with the change of the lighting environment.

The color of the lens is lighter when there is no sunlight and changes from top to bottom when they are exposed to sunlight. "The most amazing thing about these sunglasses are their continuous color changing function. Once exposed to sunlight, they automatically discolor and block the sunlight. This almost finishes unobtrusively, so its shading effect is particularly good," said Wei.

Wei also introduced that there are several companies in Europe, America and Japan that are doing similar research and development, but his team has made breakthroughs earlier than their competitors and has always been in the leading position. “At present, in the field of intelligent photochromic lenses, the products we have manufactured maintain to be number one in the world,” said Wei.

In Wei’s words, the intelligent technology can be applied to both high-end scenarios and daily life situations. Wearing the sunglasses, a driver not only has a clear view, but also needs not take them off when entering a parking lot or tunnel, enjoying more convenience.