In May 2012, the French firm St Gobain acquired SAGE Electrochromics, a small firm in which they had previously invested substatially. The firm now operates as a wholly owned subsiduary of St Gobain. A pioneer in the development of smart electrochromic glass, SageGlass® connect the built and the natural environments. SageGlass tints on demand to optimize daylight, reduce glare and manage heat all while maintaining unobstructed views of the outdoors. With SageGlass, architects and building owners can improve occupant comfort and reduce energy demand in buildings. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, SageGlass is backed by more than 350 years of building science expertise. Sage has developed a technology that coats float glass with thin films of metal oxides using sputter deposition to form the active layer. The tintable windows have the potential to lower heating and air conditioning bills (as does the act of closing a shade). SAGE Electrochromics, Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of insulating glass units and control systems to window and skylight manufacturers in the residential marketplace. The company also provides windows, skylights, and curtain walls for commercial and institutional buildings. It offers its products to owner-occupied office spaces, museums, libraries, art galleries, health care facilities, religious facilities, aviation facilities, high-tech or image buildings, and atriums and overhead daylight openings.