| CPC G02F 1/1334 (2013.01) [C09K 19/56 (2013.01); G08C 23/04 (2013.01); B82Y 30/00 (2013.01); C09K 2019/528 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims | 

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               1. An assembly for actively controlling infrared radiation transmission, the assembly comprising: 
            a power source; 
                a first substrate having a plurality of electrodes thereon, the plurality of electrodes coupled to the power source; 
                a second substrate; 
                a composite material interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the composite material comprising plasmonic nanoparticles dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal; 
                a functionalized coating overlaying the plasmonic nanoparticles, the functionalized coating comprising silica; and 
                a chemical coating overlaying the functionalized coating, the chemical coating comprising one or more of dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl]ammonium chloride (DMOAP), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and perfluorocarbon polymers, 
                wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles comprise one or more of aluminum, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, and indium tin oxide, and 
                wherein the plasmonic nanoparticles are anisotropic. 
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