Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce a thin film three dimensional microelectrode of an electrically conductive polymer having an organized array of identical microprotrusions, which method comprises:(a) depositing at least one conductive metal thin film on an essentially smooth substrate,(b) depositing a thin film of a micropositive photoresist on the surface of the at least one conductive metal thin film,(c) subjecting the combination of step (b) to photolithographic or electron beam lithographic conditions with a mask capable of producing a metallic microwell,(d) electrochemically polymerizing an electrically conductive polymer onto the conducting metal,(e) removing the photoresist to produce the three dimensional microelectrode array of the electrically conductive polymer. Preferred electrically conductive polymers of step (d) are selected from polypyrrole or polyaniline.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrochromic device comprising a layer (2') of an electrochromic product held between two conducting layers (5',6') each formed on one face of a transparent plate (3',4'), electrodes formed on each of the conducting layers, and a source of direct current for selectively supplying these electrodes with electrical energy. Electrodes (8', 9', 10, 11) are of elongated shape and extend over facing surfaces of the two conducting layers (5',6'), essentially symmetrical with respect to the plane of the electrochromic layer (2').The invention has application to windows in the building industry or the automobile industry (windshields, windows, rear view mirrors, etc.

Abstract: A chromogenic device with a chromogenic material facing a conductive layer, in which the transmission of incident radiation through the conductive layer and the chromogenic material is enhanced. The enhancement is achieved by adjusting indices of refraction of layers embracing the conductive layer.

Abstract: An electrode of nickel oxide intercalated with lithium ions, is obtained by:thermally evaporating, under vacuum, nickel oxide (Ni.sub.2 O.sub.3) and depositing on a conductive glass substrate a film of nickel oxide in which the atomic ratio of nickel to oxygen is comprised within the range of from 0.7:1 to 0.9:1, up to a thickness of the order of 100 nm; andactivating the thin film of nickel oxide by electrochemical intercalation of an amount of lithium ions, which corresponds to a charge level of from 100 to 1,000 C/m.sup.2. An electrochromic window is disclosed, which comprises:(a) an electrode of tungsten oxide (WO.sub.3) on a transparent, conductive glass sheet; and(b) an electrode of nickel oxide activated by electrochemical intercalation of lithium metal, on a transparent, conductive glass sheet;(c) an electrolyte interposed between the (a) electrode and the (b) electrode;wherein the nickel oxide electrode was obtained as said hereinabove.

Abstract: An improved working electrode for use in display devices is disclosed. The working electrode comprises a transparent metal grid having a coating of metal oxide thereon. Suitable metal grids include Cu, Au, Ag, Al, Pt, Ni and Zn, while suitable metal oxide coatings include In.sub.2 O.sub.3, SnO.sub.2 and indium tin oxide (ITO). The display devices preferably include an electrochromic material comprising an aqueous solution of an electrochemically depositable metal. Display devices in which the present working electrode is used possess favorable characteristics such as rapid response times, wide dynamic range, high transmittance and improved uniformity. The devices are particularly suitable for large surface area applications.

Abstract: Electrochromic material, i.e. polyaniline, is polymerized in situ in a polymeric electrolyte to form an electrochromic/polyelectrolyte mixture. The mixture is coated as a film on electrochromic material. A film of electrolyte is placed in ion transfer relationship with the electrochromic/polyelectrolyte film. This electrochromic/polyaniline/polyelectrolyte film greatly increases the ion transfer between the electrochromic film and the electrolytic film by imposing a region of molecularly mixed electrochromic material and electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochromic device is constructed with a first electrode layer, an electrochromic layer and a second electrode layer formed on a substrate in sequence, with at least one of the first and second electrode layers being a transparent electrode layer. The device is characterized in that a conductive thin film having a resistance lower than that of the transparent electrode layer is formed on part of the substrate, and part of the transparent electrode layer is formed on this conductive thin film. Alternatively, the conductive thin film is formed in contact with a part of the transparent electrode layer formed on an end surface of the substrate, and the area of the conductive thin film is larger than a corresponding underlying cross-sectional area of the substrate taken in the direction of the substrate thickness.

Abstract: A device for controlling transmittance of light therethrough includes first and second transparent substrates which are spaced from each other. The first substrate has at an end portion thereof a notch. First and second transparent electrode layers are respectively coated on inner surfaces of the first and second substrates for defining a space therebetween. The first layer is partially cut off so as to conform to a periphery of said notch. An electro-optically responsive material substantially fills up the space. The material is made so as to allow transmittance of light therethrough to change in response to voltages applied between the first and second layers. A terminal is received in said notch and said space, and is sized so as to be biased against the first substrate and the second layer so as to ensure an electrical contact between the terminal and the second layer.

Abstract: An electrochromic transparency comprising an electrochromic film and an ion-conductive layer disposed between a pair of electrodes is disclosed wherein the optical properties and electrochromic efficiency are improved by means of a metal grid electrode, wherein adhesion of the metal grid to an acidic polymer electrolyte is improved by means of a primer coating comprising a copolymer of acrylamidopropane sulfonic acid and acrylic acid.