Abstract: A layer system with a controllable heat emission, includes an IR-transparent carrier substrate, a layer with a controllable IR-transmission, an ion-permeable, IR-reflecting electrode, a solid electrolyte, an ion storage layer, a back electrode. The ion-permeable, IR-reflecting electrode is structured in such a manner that it is provided with non-cohesive openings which are distributed homogeneously over the electrode surface and whose maximal flat dimension is smaller than 10 .mu.m.

Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising three elements. The first element is a first electrode. The second element is a second electrode. The second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode so that there is a space between the first electrode and the second electrode. The third element is a dispersion positioned in the space. The dispersion is in electrical contact with the first electrode and with the second electrode. The dispersion comprises a polyoxometalate such as H.sub.3 PW.sub.12 O.sub.40, a counter electrode couple such as ferrocene and a solvent selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, nitriles, cyanoethyl ether, water, dimethylsulfoxide, nitromethane, nitrobenzene, acetic acid, dimethoxy benzene, toluene, tetramethylene sulfone, 3-methyl sulfolane, 2-methyl glutaronitrile, cyanoethyl ether, gamma butyrolactone, gamma valerolactone and acetone. The dispersion is resistant to photodegradation such as discoloring in sunlight.

Abstract: Electrochromic device having electrode surface confined complementary polymer electrochromic materials, and materials, systems and methods of fabrication therefore. The electrochromic devices employ a polypyrrole-prussian blue composite material on the oxiatively coloring electrode, and a heteroaromatic substance containing at least one quaternized nitrogen atom group on the reductively coloring electrode. A bilayer material consisting substantially of metallic oxide which is conductive in at least one of its redox states and electroplated with a polymer is also disclosed for use as an electrochromic material on either the oxidatively colored or reductively colored electrodes. A method for electrodeposition of viologen polymers at a substantially neutral pH is also disclosed. A method for self-powering and self-modulating electrochromic devices by means of photovoltaic cells is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rearview mirror system for a vehicle having an electrochromic reflective element and heating means for uniformly heating substantially the entire reflectance surface in order to promote uniform coloration of the reflectance surface to a desired reflectance level. The reflective element is illustrated as an all solid-state electrochromic element having a large area reflectance surface for use as the exterior mirrors of a truck or other large vehicle. The application of energy to the heater can be controlled on the basis of a low ambient light condition and an ambient temperature that is low but not necessarily freezing, such as between 5.degree. C. and 20.degree. C. The heater can be resistance film that is evenly covering a surface of the reflective element and divided into first and second regions by an insulating break in the resistance film. Energy may be applied to one region in order to heat the reflectance element at a high rate to remove frost and dew.

Abstract: An electrochromic system comprising a layer of anode electrochromic material with all iridium oxide bass formatted by intensiostatic cycling in a liquid medium comprising a salt of a cation, excluding the proton, that can be inserted in said anode electrochromic material of an alkaline metal.

Abstract: An elecctrochromic system utilizes the benefit both from the continuous variability in transmission and memory in EC devices to provide a partial level of light transmission that is variable while minimizing energy usage. An electrochromic element that is responsive to a momentary application of a signal by coloring to a corresponding partial transmission level and maintaining at that level for a given period of time after removal of the drive signal, is provided with a drive signal. The drive signal has a value corresponding to a selected transmission level and is applied for a first predetermined period of time in order to color the electrochromic element to the selected transmission level and repetitively thereafter for the same or shorter periods of time. The subsequent periods are separated from each other and from the first period by holding periods of time during which the drive signal is not applied.

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: An electrochromatic glazing system is provided. The system comprises a first glass sheet covered with a first transparent electrically conductive film and a second glass sheet covered with a second transparent electrically conductive film. A film of electrochromatic material, an electrolyte, and a counterelectrode are interposed between the first and second transparent electrically conductive films. The first and second electrically conductive films are connected to a voltage generator by an electrical control circuit and the voltage generator receives a set-point value from a control unit equipped with a memory and generates a potential difference as a function of the temperature of the electrolyte.

Abstract: A display having an array of matrix addressable pairs of electrodes mounted face up on the same substrate. The pairs of electrodes are derivatized with either electrochromic materials or electroluminescent material to form the pixels of the display. In the electrochromic embodiment of the invention, a layer of a solid polymer electrolyte is included. The air of electrodes may also be left clean of derivatizing material, but with an electroluminescent substance dissolved in the solid polymer electrolyte. An electrochemiluminescent embodiment is also provided where the electrochemiluminescent substance can be dissolved in the solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochromic device comprises a first electrode layer, an intermediate layer including an electrochromic layer, a second electrode layer, the first electrode layer, intermediate layer and second electrode layer being laminated in succession, and an electrode member connected to one of the first and second electrode layers and extending in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the direction of lamination of the first electrode layer, intermediate layer and second electrode layer. The resistances R.sub.1, R.sub.2 respectively of the first and second electrode layers and the internal resistance R.sub.3 of the intermediate layer satisfy predetermined conditions to achieve uniform coloration.

Abstract: An electrochromic assembly useful for rearview mirrors, windows, vehicle sunroofs, information displays, office partitions and other structures which allows prolonged coloration substantially indefinitely without voltage or concentration gradient induced color segregation. The assembly includes a pair of optically aligned, electrochromic devices defined by at least one transparent sheet, first and second layers of electrochromic material adjacent opposing surfaces of the sheet, the transmittance of said layers being variable when an electrical field is applied, and electrical conductors for applying such an electrical field. Electrical energy is switched alternately from one device to the other for short periods of time while the remaining device is alternately bleached. The switching can continue cyclically for any desired period. A reflective coating may be included to allow operation as a dimming mirror. Anti-reflection and index of refraction matching coatings may be included to enhance transmission.