How do the new airplane windows that turn dark using a button work?

Question

I was on a flight recently that had the dimmer style windows instead of the old style where you would just pull down a shade. I wondered how the glass could be made to go darker or lighter at the push of a button?

In: 24

Answer 1

There are polarized particles in the glass that change orientation when they receive an electrical voltage through the edge of the panel. When the voltage changes, they reorient themselves and block some of the light.