Breaking the polarization limit in guest-host liquid crystal smart windows via dynamic scattering

Conventional guest-host liquid crystal (GH-LC) smart windows suffer from limited transmittance modulation (ΔT ∼ 30%) due to the polarization-dependent absorption of dye molecules in the planar-aligned dark state. Although cholesteric GH-LCs reduce this polarization dependence, they compromise the bright-state transmittance due to imperfect alignment. Herein, we overcome this bottleneck by introducing an ion-induced dynamic scattering mode (DSM). Electrohydrodynamic turbulence drives the dye molecules into a dynamic, three-dimensional random orientation, establishing a truly polarization-independent absorbing state. The DSM-GH-LC device effectively suppresses light leakage, enhances ΔT to ∼38%, and maintains a high-transmittance bright state, offering a robust solution for high-contrast smart windows.