Abstract: A non-light-emitting, variable transmission device can include a first substrate, a first transparent conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, a second transparent conductive layer, a second substrate; and an interlayer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The non-light-emitting, variable transmission device is configured such that a failure of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device is less likely than another non-light-emitting, variable transmission device in which the interlayer directly contacts the second transparent conductive layer and has a moisture content of at least 0.08 wt %. In an embodiment, the interlayer has a moisture content of at most 0.05 wt %.

Abstract: A non-light-emitting variable transmission device can include an active stack; a transparent conductive layer overlying the active stack; an antireflective layer overlying the transparent conductive layer and defining a hole; and a bus bar comprising a conductive tape that extends into the hole and contacts the transparent conductive layer. Proper selection of materials and design of a bus bar can allow an electrical connection to be made to the transparent conductive layer without the need to cut an underlying transparent conductive layer. A method of forming the non-light-emitting variable transmission device can include patterning the antireflective layer to define the hole that extends to the transparent conductive layer. Improved control in patterning allows the antireflective layer to be relatively thin and not remove too much of the underlying transparent conductive layer.

Abstract: A process for encapsulating an apparatus to restrict environmental element permeation between the apparatus and an external environment includes applying multiple barrier layers to the apparatus and preceding each layer application with a separate cleaning of the presently-exposed apparatus surface, resulting in an apparatus which includes an encapsulation stack, where the encapsulation stack includes a multi-layer stack of barrier layers. Each separate cleaning removes particles from the presently-exposed apparatus surface, exposing gaps in the barrier layer formed by the particles, and the subsequently-applied barrier layer at least partially fills the gaps, so that a permeation pathway through the encapsulation stack via gap spaces is restricted. The quantity of barrier layers applied to form the stack can be based on a determined probability that a stack of the particular quantity of barrier layers is independent of at least a certain quantity of continuous permeation pathways through the stack.

Abstract: An electrochromic structure can include a substrate and an electrochromic residue disposed on the substrate. The electrochromic structure can include an electrochromic stack on the substrate. A process can be used to separate the structure. The process can include forming a filament in the substrate and applying a thermal treatment to the substrate. Forming a filament can be performed by applying a pulse of laser energy to the substrate. In a particular embodiment, a filament pattern including a plurality of filaments can be formed in the substrate. The substrate can include mineral glass, sapphire, aluminum oxynitride, spinel, or a transparent polymer.

Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to restrict moisture permeation between an electrochromic stack in the device and an external environment. The electrochromic device includes conductive layers and one or more encapsulation layers, where the encapsulation layers and conductive layers collectively isolate the electrochromic stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layers resist moisture permeation, and at least the outer portions of the conductive layers resist moisture permeation. The moisture-resistant electrochromic device can be fabricated based at least in part upon selective removal of one or more outer portions of at least the EC stack, so that at least the encapsulation layer extends over one or more edge portions of the EC stack to isolate the edge portions of the EC stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layer can include one or more of an anti-reflective layer, infrared cut-off filter, etc.

Abstract: A process for encapsulating an apparatus to restrict environmental element permeation between the apparatus and an external environment includes applying multiple barrier layers to the apparatus and preceding each layer application with a separate cleaning of the presently-exposed apparatus surface, resulting in an apparatus which includes an encapsulation stack, where the encapsulation stack includes a multi-layer stack of barrier layers. Each separate cleaning removes particles from the presently-exposed apparatus surface, exposing gaps in the barrier layer formed by the particles, and the subsequently-applied barrier layer at least partially fills the gaps, so that a permeation pathway through the encapsulation stack via gap spaces is restricted. The quantity of barrier layers applied to form the stack can be based on a determined probability that a stack of the particular quantity of barrier layers is independent of at least a certain quantity of continuous permeation pathways through the stack.

Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to restrict moisture permeation between an electrochromic stack in the device and an external environment. The electrochromic device includes conductive layers and one or more encapsulation layers, where the encapsulation layers and conductive layers collectively isolate the electrochromic stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layers resist moisture permeation, and at least the outer portions of the conductive layers resist moisture permeation. The moisture-resistant electrochromic device can be fabricated based at least in part upon selective removal of one or more outer portions of at least the EC stack, so that at least the encapsulation layer extends over one or more edge portions of the EC stack to isolate the edge portions of the EC stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layer can include one or more of an anti-reflective layer, infrared cut-off filter, etc.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electrochromic glazing unit includes forming, on one face of a glass sheet, a complete all-solid-state electrochromic stack including in succession a first layer of a transparent conductive oxide; a layer of a cathodically colored mineral electrochromic material to form an electrochromic electrode; a layer of an ionically conductive mineral solid electrolyte; a layer of a cation intercalation material to form a counter electrode; and a second layer of a transparent conductive oxide; then heat treatment of the complete electrochromic stack by irradiation with radiation having a wavelength comprised between 500 and 2000 nm, the radiation originating from a radiating device placed facing the electrochromic stack, a relative movement being created between the radiating device and the substrate so as to raise the electrochromic stack to a temperature at least equal to 300° C. for a brief duration, for example shorter than 100 milliseconds.

Abstract: An electrochromic device can include a substrate; an electrochromic layer or a counter electrode layer over the substrate and including a mobile ion; a first transparent conductive layer over the substrate and including Ag. In one embodiment, the electrochromic device can include a barrier layer disposed between first transparent conductive layer and the electrochromic or counter electrode layer. In another embodiment, the electrochromic device can include means for preventing (1) the mobile ion from migrating into the first transparent conductive layer, (2) Ag from migrating into the electrochromic layer or counter electrode layer, or both (1) and (2). A process of forming an electrochromic device can include forming an electrochromic layer or a counter electrode layer over a substrate; forming a barrier layer; and forming a first transparent conductive layer over the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an electroactive device having a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and one or more electroactive layers sandwiched between the first and second conductive layers. One or more adjacent layers of the electroactive device may include a physical separation between a first portion and a second portion of the adjacent layers, the physical separation defining a respective tapered sidewall of each of the first and second portions. The one or more adjacent layers may include one of the first and second conductive layers. The remaining layers of the electroactive device may be formed over the physical separation of the one or more adjacent layers. The remaining layers may include the other of the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: A glazing including an electrochromic component and a coating coupled to the electrochromic component. In an embodiment the coating includes a non-transparent element. In a further embodiment, the non-transparent element includes a plurality of non-transparent elements. In another aspect, a method of displaying an image includes providing an electrochromic component and a coating coupled to the electrochromic component and projecting the image onto the coating from a light emitting source.

Abstract: A laminate can include a first panel and including a first transparent substrate having a first refractive index. The laminate can further include a second panel and a third panel, each coupled to the first panel. The second panel includes a second transparent substrate having a second refractive index, and the third panel includes a third transparent substrate having a third refractive index. The laminate can further include a fill material disposed within a gap between the second and third panels and having a fill material refractive index. The fill material refractive index is within 0.09 of the second refractive index, the third refractive index, or a value between the second and third refractive indices. Coupling may be direct or may be achieved with an adhesive film. The fill material can help to reduce the likelihood of seeing seams between the second and third panels.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical device (100) having electrically controllable optical and/or energy transmission properties comprising a substrate (40), a functional system (60) formed on the substrate and a cover film (56) formed on the functional system. The functional system comprises a bottom electrode coating (46), formed on the substrate, a top electrode coating (54) and at least one electrochemically active film (48, 52) located between the two electrode coatings, the electro-chemically active film being able to switch reversibly between a first state and a second state having optical and/or energy transmission properties different from the first state. The cover film defines at least one surface cavity (66) that passes through the cover film without penetrating the top electrode coating and the device comprises electrical connection means (70) arranged at least partially in at least one surface cavity for electrical contact with the top electrode coating.

Abstract: A process for encapsulating an apparatus to restrict environmental element permeation between the apparatus and an external environment includes applying multiple barrier layers to the apparatus and preceding each layer application with a separate cleaning of the presently-exposed apparatus surface, resulting in an apparatus which includes an encapsulation stack, where the encapsulation stack includes a multi-layer stack of barrier layers. Each separate cleaning removes particles from the presently-exposed apparatus surface, exposing gaps in the barrier layer formed by the particles, and the subsequently-applied barrier layer at least partially fills the gaps, so that a permeation pathway through the encapsulation stack via gap spaces is restricted. The quantity of barrier layers applied to form the stack can be based on a determined probability that a stack of the particular quantity of barrier layers is independent of at least a certain quantity of continuous permeation pathways through the stack.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a cutting process involving: (a) creating a starter crack using a scribe wheel, (b) application of laser or electrothermal heating, and (c) subsequent cooling from a gas or an aerosol jet, as the laser beam and cooling jet move along the desired cutting line. The cutting process can be implemented for cutting a glass panel or other substrate into a plurality of smaller panels. The starter crack may be created on any of the smaller panels within about 10 mm to about 20 mm from the corner of the smaller panel.

Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to restrict moisture permeation between an electrochromic stack in the device and an external environment. The electrochromic device includes conductive layers and one or more encapsulation layers, where the encapsulation layers and conductive layers collectively isolate the electrochromic stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layers resist moisture permeation, and at least the outer portions of the conductive layers resist moisture permeation. The moisture-resistant electrochromic device can be fabricated based at least in part upon selective removal of one or more outer portions of at least the EC stack, so that at least the encapsulation layer extends over one or more edge portions of the EC stack to isolate the edge portions of the EC stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layer can include one or more of an anti-reflective layer, infrared cut-off filter, etc.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide an electrochromic device having improved insulating film structure to reduce electrical leakage. The improved structure includes a lower conductive layer, upper transparent conductive layer, an electrochromic electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and at least one ion-conductor layer sandwiched between the electrochromic electrode layer and the counter electrode layer. The lower transport conductive layer is scribed and the gap formed from the scribing is filled with the layer(s) formed above the lower conductive layer, such as the electrode layer formed directly above the lower conductive layer. The effective linewidth of the scribe is greater than the migration length of the lithium ions intercalated into the electrode layer, such that the electrode materials occupying the gap do not convert the electrode layer into an electrically conductive region.

Abstract: An insulated glazing unit is provided. The unit includes a spacer frame separating a pair of substrates. The spacer frame has a length and a width transverse to the length. The unit further includes a conductive element passing through the width of the spacer frame. The unit further includes a first conductive component within the spacer frame. The first conductive component is in electrical communication with the conductive element. The conductive element is adapted for electrical communication with a second conductive component on a side of the width of the spacer frame opposite the first conductive component.

Abstract: Several of the films that comprise various energy producing or control devices, for example, electrochromic devices, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic cells, are sensitive to moisture in some way. They may be especially vulnerable to moisture at particular stages during their fabrication. It may also be highly desirable during fabrication to be able to wash particulates from the surface. The particulates may be generated some aspect of the fabrication process, or they may arise from the environment in which the fabrication takes place. This invention shows ways to remove said particles from the surface without incurring the damage associated with typical washing processes, resulting in higher manufacturing yields and better device performance.

Abstract: A thin-film component comprising a film structure and an electrically conductive protection device is disclosed, together with a method for the production and use thereof.