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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
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CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): May 18, 2010
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RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE 1-9399 11-2103466
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) (IRS EMPLOYER
OF INCORPORATION) IDENTIFICATION NO.)
240 CROSSWAYS PARK DRIVE
WOODBURY, NEW YORK 11797-2033
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (516) 364-1902
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On May 18, 2010, Research Frontiers Inc., Smart Glass International
Ltd. (SGI) and Schott Group announced the expansion of their
SPD-SmartGlass business internationally as noted in the press
release reproduced below:
SmartGlass International, Schott and Research Frontiers
Announce SPD-Smart License Expansion from the Hamburg Air Show
May 18, 2010-From the booth of its partner the SCHOTT Group at
the 2010 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, SmartGlass
International Ltd., a licensee of Research Frontiers Inc.
(Nasdaq: REFR), announced an agreement with Research Frontiers
to expand the scope of SmartGlass International's license to
include SPD-Smart aircraft and marine products, and a further
expansion of the geographic territory where it can offer these
and its SPD-Smart(tm) architectural products.
Under the new agreement, SmartGlass International is authorized
to manufacture and offer SPD-Smart architectural, aerospace and
marine products worldwide. These products include: architectural
windows, skylights and partitions; aerospace windows and cabin
dividers; and marine windows. Prior to this agreement, SmartGlass
International was licensed to offer SPD-Smart architectural
products worldwide outside of North America.
SmartGlass International is the leading worldwide manufacturer of
electronically switchable glass supplied to the commercial,
hospitality, healthcare, transport and security, industrial,
exhibition and exclusive residential sectors. The company
recently tripled its smart glass production capacity with a
new factory capable of producing over 400,000 square feet of
smart glass per year. This factory, located in Dublin, Ireland,
includes state-of-the-art lamination and glass fabrication facilities.
SmartGlass International and the SCHOTT Group have an agreement
granting SCHOTT the right to sell SmartGlass International's
SPD-Smart products. In business for more than 125 years, SCHOTT is
a world leader in the specialty glass industry and brings its
extensive infrastructure of sales, distribution and service -
including over 50 sales offices spanning 125 countries - to
SmartGlass International and its award-winning SPD-Smart
product line.
The 2010 Aircraft Interiors Expo, considered the leading event
for the world's aircraft interiors industry, will be held
May 18-20, 2010 in Hamburg Germany. SmartGlass International
will exhibit an SPD-Smart aircraft cabin window and other smart
glass products at the SCHOTT Aviation booth located at Stand 5G80.
Information about the Aircraft Interiors expo can be found at:
http://www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com.
SPD-Smart light-control film technology transforms widely
used products - windows, skylights, curtainwalls, partitions,
sunroofs and more - into products that allow users to instantly
and precisely control the light, glare and heat entering a
building or vehicle. SPD-SmartGlass is instantly tunable to
an infinite number of light transmission states regardless of
window size, and easily adapts to individual preferences using
control devices ranging from basic dimmer switches and
photosensors to those that are integrated into a building's
or vehicle's intelligent control system. These unequalled
performance characteristics help optimize energy-savings and
human comfort, and they offer many other desired benefits
such as increased security, noise reduction, protection from
harmful ultraviolet light and the potential for aesthetically
distinctive designs. On aircraft, weight-saving light-control
and shading systems are needed that reduce cabin heat build-up,
preserve views and offer privacy on-demand, and protect
passengers and interiors from harmful UV light. In a boat,
glare from the water and solar heat gain from the sun can
pose particularly unique issues that need heat, light and
glare to be controlled and managed, while also preserving
views. In a home or office, managing energy and preserving
views is desired using windows and skylights with excellent
solar heat gain control properties and daylight harvesting
benefits to further reduce energy consumption and improve
occupant comfort. SPD-Smart light-control film technology
can address all of these needs, thus allowing elegant and
efficient engineering and design solutions for the modern
green home, office, boat, car or aircraft.
John Browne, Managing Director of SmartGlass International,
commented: "The world market is increasingly demanding
high-performance glazings that share a common set of
performance features and outcomes across applications -
energy efficiency, dynamic shading and privacy on-demand,
enhanced occupant and passenger comfort, and product
solutions that integrate well with automated control
systems. We are committed to offering the best smart
glass products available today and are very excited to
work with our partner SCHOTT to bring an expanded portfolio
of architectural, aerospace and marine SPD-Smart products
to the world market."
"SmartGlass International and their growing business has
an excellent and well-deserved reputation in the worldwide
smart glass industry," commented Joseph Harary, Chief Executive
Officer of Research Frontiers. "They bring many resources and
competencies to the SPD infrastructure and to their customers -
a commitment to product quality and customer service,
world-class production capabilities, and their strong sales and
service partnership with SCHOTT. This expansion further of their
licensed products into aircraft and marine, and their now
worldwide geographic territory will bring the many distinctive
benefits of SPD-Smart products to even more people and
organizations across the world."
About SmartGlass International Ltd.
SmartGlass International Ltd. (SGI) is a dedicated manufacturer
of electronically switchable glass. These technologically
advanced glass products are fast moving from niche to mainstream
items with particular value in the commercial, residential, retail,
security, transport, healthcare and hospitality sectors. The
company's main products are SPD-SmartGlass for solar control and
LC SmartGlass for privacy.
SmartGlass International has its headquarters, manufacturing,
finance and R&D centres in Dublin, Ireland and has commercial,
sales and technical offices in the UK. With the intention of
concentrating its products and markets, SGI only produces
electronically switchable glass products and, because of
continued research and development initiatives, we are
expanding our range of products to meet the needs of
growing specialist markets in the architecture, transport
and medical fields. SmartGlass International has invested
heavily in plant and machinery and has the capacity to
fulfill large orders on short lead times over wide geographic
areas. Each piece of SmartGlass produced is bespoke made to meet
and exceed our client's needs - always.
SmartGlass International is an award-winning company claiming
such accolades as the 100% Detail "Most Innovative Building
Product Award" sponsored by the Royal Institute of British
Architects (RIBA).
Additional information about SmartGlass International is
available at: http://www.smartglassinternational.com.
About The SCHOTT Group
The SCHOTT Group is an international technology group that
sees its core purpose as the lasting improvement of living
and working conditions. To this end, the company has been developing
special materials, components and systems for more than 125 years.
Main areas of focus include architectural glass, solar energy,
household appliances, pharmaceuticals, electronics, optics and
products for the automotive and aviation industries. SCHOTT is
present in close proximity to its customers with offices in all
its major markets including Europe, the Middle East, China,
Australia and elsewhere. The SCHOTT company employs over
17,000 people worldwide and has sales of approximately
US $3 billion. The company's technological and economic
expertise is closely linked with its social and ecological
responsibility. The parent company of the SCHOTT Group is
SCHOTT AG, whose sole shareholder is the
Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (Foundation).
Solar architecture, fascinating illumination effects plus
decorative glass ideas - SCHOTT offers multifaceted applications
for interior and exterior architecture. Some of the most
progressive designs around the world bear the distinctive
signature of its multinational technology-based group.
When glass and light are combined to create aesthetically
pleasing and fascinating beauty, you can bet that SCHOTT
was involved.
Additional information about SCHOTT is available at:
www.schott.com.
About SPD Technology and Research Frontiers Inc.
Research Frontiers Inc. (Nasdaq: REFR) develops and licenses
suspended particle device (SPD) technology used in VaryFast
SPD-Smart controllable glass and plastic products. Benefits
include dynamic control of light, glare and heat passing through
many types of glazings, noise reduction, greater security due to
both privacy and structural integrity, and the protection of
interiors and occupants from heat and harmful ultraviolet
radiation. SPD technology, made possible by a flexible
light-control film invented and patented by Research Frontiers,
allows the user to instantly, precisely and uniformly control the
shading of glass or plastic, either manually or automatically.
This patented film can be used to transform into "smart" products
a variety of products used every day in homes, buildings, cars,
aircraft, boats, trains and motorcoaches.
Current product applications for SPD technology include:
SPD-Smart windows, sunshades, skylights, atria, curtainwalls
and interior partitions for homes and buildings; automotive
windows, sunroofs, roof systems, sunvisors and sunshades;
and aircraft and marine windows and window shades. Potential
future applications include: eyewear products including
sunglasses, ski goggles and motorcycle helmets, mirrors;
flat panel displays for electronic products; and
light-control filters for various industrial and
consumer applications.
SPD-Smart film technology was awarded the "Best of What's
New Award" for home technology from Popular Science magazine,
received the 2007 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for
Excellence in Technology for glass, and was also recognized
as one of the top technologies by the Society of Automotive
Engineers' Aerospace Engineering magazine. SPD technology is
covered by over 500 patents and patent applications held by
Research Frontiers worldwide. Currently 37 companies are
licensed to use Research Frontiers' patented SPD light-control
technology in emulsions, films, or end-products. Further
information about SPD-Smart technology, Research Frontiers and
its licensees can be found at www.SmartGlass.com.
Note: From time to time Research Frontiers may issue
forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. This press release contains forward-
looking statements. Actual results could differ and are
not guaranteed. Any forward-looking statements should be
considered accordingly. SPD-Smart(tm), SPD-SmartGlass(tm),
SmartGlass(tm), VaryFast(tm), Speed Matters(tm), Powered by
SPD(tm), SPD Clean Technology(tm), SPD On-Board(tm),
Visit SmartGlass.com - to change your view of the world(tm)
and The View of the Future - Everywhere You Look(tm) are
trademarks of Research Frontiers Inc.
For further information, please contact:
SmartGlass International Ltd.
John Browne, Managing Director
+353-1-462-9945
Info@SmartGlassInternational.com
www.SmartGlassInternational.com
SCHOTT Group
Erik Richter
+49 (0) 5187-771-206
erik.richter@schott.com
www.schott.com
Research Frontiers Inc.
Gregory M. Sottile, Ph.D., Director of Market Development
(516) 364-1902
Info@SmartGlass.com
www.SmartGlass.com
The Press Release is reproduced above and is also available
on the Company's web site at www.SmartGlass.com and on
SGI's web site at www.smartglassinternational.com.
This report and the press release referred to hereing may include
statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements as referenced
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements
usually contain words such as "believe", "estimate", "project", "intend",
"expect", or similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements are
made by the Company in good faith, pursuant to the safe-harbor
provisions of the Act. These forward-looking statements reflect
management's current views and projections regarding economic
conditions, industry environments and Company performance. Factors,
which could significantly change results, include but are not
limited to: sales performance, expense levels, competitive activity,
interest rates, changes in the Company's financial condition and
several business factors. Additional information regarding these
and other factors may be included in the Company's quarterly 10-Q
and 10K filings and other public documents, copies of which are
available from the Company on request. By making these
forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation
to update these statements for revisions or changes after the
date of this report.
The information in this Form 8-K or the press release reproduced
herein shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall they be deemed
incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities
Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly
set forth by specific reference in such filing.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED
/s/ Joseph M. Harary
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By: Joseph M. Harary
Title: President
Dated: May 19, 2010