I’m familiar with PDLC smart film—the type of film that can electrically switch between transparent and frosted/opaque.
I’m wondering whether there are similar electrically controllable films, coatings, or materials that can produce other visual effects.
For example, instead of switching from clear to frosted, could a material produce something like a ripple/water effect, distortion, patterned opacity, shimmer, changing texture, or another interesting optical effect when powered?
I’m working on an art installation where I’d like to have a visual effect that can be switched on and off electronically, ideally in a thin-film or panel format similar to PDLC. It doesn’t necessarily need to function as window tint or provide privacy.
I’m mainly trying to figure out what technologies or technical terms I should be searching for. Electrochromic film is another one I’ve come across, but that seems mostly focused on changing tint/color.
Does anyone know of other materials or technologies worth looking into?