Optics startup DiYPRO on Monday announced that it is currently developing a functional window film that is capable of using natural light to illuminate much larger spaces inside rooms. The film redirects incoming sunlight onto indoor ceilings, reducing the need for artificial lighting and resulting in a significant reduction in electricity fees for lighting. DiYPRO CEO Kim Myung-joong explained, “The purpose of existing functional window films is to block light, but the product we are currently developing is based on an entirely different concept: the redirection and use of natural sunlight.”

The key technology of daylighting window films involves maximizing the refraction of incoming sunlight onto the indoor ceiling. In the case of full-glass windows, DiYPRO’s new film aims to illuminate a ceiling of up to 240 pyeong (approx. 793 square meters) in size. A DiYPRO spokesperson said, “We are the first in Korea to develop a window film that manipulates natural sunlight in this way.”

The film was designed in consideration of the position of the sun in spring and fall and will include options to accommodate a range of window directions. In terms of the brightness of the ceiling’s reflective surface, the company is targeting an intensity of approximately 4,000 lux, which is slightly brighter than an average classroom. DiYPRO said that it is working on a film design that can reduce electricity consumption by an annual average of 700 to 1,100 kWh per 100 square meters.

Once the film is commercialized, it is expected to be used widely in offices, classrooms, hospitals, and hotels. Domestic sales will be conducted primarily via B2B (offline) and B2C (online) channels, while international sales will involve promoting the product’s outstanding value through KOTRA convention centers and international architecture expos. The Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy & Innovation provides support for the overseas marketing activities of DiYPRO, including its participation in expos and trade shows.

(jshwang@heraldcorp.com">jshwang@heraldcorp.com)