The ALivE group recently published their patented work on a pneumatic daylight control system for both new construction and for retrofitting existing glazing systems in Building and Environment. The invention combines two rigid layers of glass or hard plastic with an elastic, pneumatic interlayer that can be flexibly adapted to lighting needs.

Initial prototypes with PDMS as the flexible interstitial layer were optically characterized by the Berkeley National Laboratory. Testing showed a significantly increased lighting level for interior zones that cannot normally be daylight.

Dynamic Daylight Redirection System from Wyss Institute on Vimeo.