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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):February 7, 2011
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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 February 7, 2011, it was announced that Research Frontiers Inc. has
provided the techology for Mercedes-Benz new Magic Sky Control
SPD-SmartGlass roof, as noted in the press release reproduced below:
RESEARCH FRONTIERS PROVIDES TECHNOLOGY FOR
MERCEDES-BENZ' NEW MAGIC SKY CONTROL SPD-SMARTGLASS ROOF
Mercedes-Benz SLK debuting in early 2011 will be the first
large-scale series production vehicle to offer SPD-SmartGlass
Woodbury, New York and Sindelfingen, Germany - February 7, 2011. After
evaluating various technologies, Daimler AG selected Research Frontiers'
patented SPD-Smart light-control technology for one of its latest
Mercedes-Benz innovations: the MAGIC SKY CONTROL panoramic glass roof.
The MAGIC SKY CONTROL feature allows drivers and passengers to change
the tint of their car roof from dark to clear instantly with the press
of a button. The first Mercedes-Benz vehicle model to offer the
MAGIC SKY CONTROL glass roof as an option will be the new Mercedes-Benz
SLK which debuted on January 29, 2011.
Nanoparticles suspended in a film manufactured by Hitachi Chemical
Company under license from Research Frontiers allow users to control,
automatically or with the push of a button, the tint from between very
dark (blocking over 99.5% of visible light, which is about 50-60 times
darker than a typical sunroof) to about twice as clear as an ordinary
sunroof. The new Mercedes-Benz SLK will be the first large-scale
series production vehicle to use Research Frontiers' patented
SPD-Smart light-control technology.
Mercedes-Benz put the MAGIC SKY CONTROL SPD-SmartGlass roof through
rigorous durability and performance testing in some of the most extreme
conditions on earth. This included testing in the arctic cold of
Scandinavia (with temperatures below -22 degrees F/-30 degress C)
and the blistering desert heat of Death Valley, California (with
temperatures exceeding 122 degrees F/50 degrees C).
The MAGIC SKY CONTROL feature using SPD-Smart light-control technology
allows drivers many benefits including the ability to create the
open-air feeling of a roadster even when the weather does not permit
one to open the roof. It also blocks over 99% of harmful UV radiation
and substantially reduces heat inside the vehicle. Test data published
by Mercedes-Benz shows the ability of the roof to reduce sun exposure
to 1/20th of direct exposure levels (from over 1,000 watts/square meter
to less than 50 watts/square meter). When compared to conventional
automotive glass, Mercedes-Benz reported that the use of SPD-SmartGlass
significantly reduces the temperature inside the vehicle by up to
18 degrees F/10 degrees C. This increases passenger comfort and reduces
air conditioning loads, thereby saving fuel and reducing CO2 emissions.
Research Frontiers holds about 500 patents and patent applications
worldwide on its SPD-Smart light-control technology, and licenses it
to 39 companies, including most of the world's leading automotive
glass manufacturers.
Joseph M. Harary, President and CEO of Research Frontiers noted:
"Research Frontiers has invested over $80 million to develop SPD-Smart
light-control technology. This has allowed Daimler AG and its
Mercedes-Benz brand to take the lead to be the first car manufacturer
to offer its customers the most advanced and highest-performing smart
glass in the world. The Mercedes-Benz development team spearheaded a
coordinated effort across three continents among Research Frontiers
and our licensees."
The Research Frontiers licensees involved with the production of the
MAGIC SKY CONTROL roof for the SLK include Hitachi Chemical, which
manufactures the SPD-Smart light-control film in Japan and has recently
announced its capacity to manufacture 4.3 million square feet of SPD film
per year. Automotive glass companies Nippon Sheet Glass in Japan and
Pilkington in the UK and Germany then process and laminate Hitachi's SPD
film into the glass for the MAGIC SKY CONTROL roof. SPD Control Systems
and Research Frontiers have jointly licensed intellectual property to
Daimler AG regarding the electronics to control the SPD-SmartGlass
in the Mercedes-Benz SLK and other vehicles.
About Research Frontiers Inc.
Research Frontiers Inc. (Nasdaq: REFR) is the developer of SPD-Smart
light-control technology which allows users to instantly, precisely
and uniformly control the shading of glass or plastic, either manually
or automatically. Having spent over $80 million to date to develop its
technology, Research Frontiers currently holds approximately 500 patents
and patent applications and has built an infrastructure of 39 licensed
companies that collectively are capable of serving the growing global
demand for smart glass products in automobiles, homes, buildings,
aircraft and boats. 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" and "SPD-SmartGlass" are
trademarks of Research Frontiers Inc. "MAGIC SKY CONTROL" and
"Mercedes-Benz" are trademarks of Daimler AG.
For further information or to schedule a visit to the
Research Frontiers Design Center, please contact:
Joseph M. Harary, President and CEO
Research Frontiers Inc.
+1-516-364-1902
info@SmartGlass.com
[Photographs of the Mercedes-Benz SLK being tested in Death Valley,
California and of the SLK with the Magic Sky Control SPD-SmartGlass
Roof are included in the press release and have been supplied
courtesy of Daimler AG.]
The Press Release is reproduced above and is also available
on the Company's web site at www.SmartGlass.com and at
various other places on the internet.
This report and the press release referred to herein 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: February 7, 2011