You've had a little more than a glass of your favourite tipple and lurch into your car expecting to drive home quickly. But, a sensor in your windshield sniffs, well, senses your alcoholic breath and signals the engine to shut down, keeping you safe and off the road. Or, picture this. There's fire in a room and the smoke prevents those in the room from locating the exits. Heat sensors incorporated into the double-glazed glass "sense" the heat and emit a bright strobe of light which can lead the occupants to the exit. These innovations in glass aren't in the realm of labs, but very much ready to roll as commercial applications if the end users want to. Developed at Saint-Gobain's Chennai, India site, the laboratory is working on creating quick wins int he market by solving specific problems customers have. Or, in the case of these two examples, anticipating how the market can evolve.
