Abstract: A method for controlling an electrochromic device comprises obtaining (210) of a target colouring level and a measure of an initial colouring level. A measure of an initial open circuit voltage between electrodes of the electrochromic device is obtained (220). A voltage applied between the electrodes is calibration ramped (230). A calibration charging current is measured (232) during the calibration ramping of the voltage. The calibration ramping of the voltage is interrupted (236), intermittently and temporarily and a calibration open circuit voltage is measured (238). The calibration ramping is stopped (240) when a calibration condition is met. A constant main charging/discharging voltage between the electrodes of the electrochromic device is applied (250). The voltage is selected in dependence of the ramped voltage when stopped. Application of a voltage between the electrodes is removed (270) when target colouring level is reached. An electrochromic device capable of performing such procedure is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the reliability of contacting the conductive layers in a laminated electrochromic device structure is disclosed (FIG. 7). The laminate structure (10), typically fabricated in the form of a sheet, comprises: two polymer substrates (21, 22); two conductive layers (31, 32)—one arranged on each substate—and facing each other; an electrochromic layer (41) and a counter-electrode layer (42) each arranged on different conductive layers; and an electrolyte layer (50) interposed between the electrochromic layer and the counter-electrode layer. Either an incision with an undulating cutting depth or perforations of predetermined sizes, depths (through at least most of one substrate) and separations are prefabricated along a desired tear line in the structure (step 220)—once the final shape of the device is defined—to facilitate the tearing away of the one polymer substrate to reveal the conductive layer to be contacted on the underlying substrate.

Abstract: An electrochromic device (1) comprises an electrochromic layered structure (10) having a first substrate sheet (21), a second substrate sheet (22), a first (23) and a second (24) electron conducting layer at least partially covering a respective substrate sheet, an electrochromic layer (25) and a counter electrode layer (26) at least partially covering a respective electron conducting layer and an electrolyte layer (30) laminated between and at least partially covering the first electrochromic layer and the counter electrode layer. The electrochromic layered structure also has an area (51, 52) in which the electrochromic layer or the counter electrode layer is not covered by the electrolyte layer. An electrode (41, 42) is soldered to the respective electron conducting layer through the electrochromic layer or the counter electrode layer.

Abstract: An electrochromic device (1) comprises an electrochromic layered structure (10) having a first substrate sheet (21), a second substrate sheet (22), a first (23) and a second (24) electron conducting layer at least partially covering a respective substrate sheet, an electrochromic layer (25) and a counter electrode layer (26) at least partially covering a respective electron conducting layer and an electrolyte layer (30) laminated between and at least partially covering the first electrochromic layer and the counter electrode layer. The electrochromic layered structure also has an area (51, 52) in which the electrochromic layer or the counter electrode layer is not covered by the electrolyte layer. An electrode (41, 42) is soldered to the respective electron conducting layer through the electrochromic layer or the counter electrode layer.

Abstract: An electrochromic device (1) comprises a layered structure (11) having an ion conducting electrolyte layer (20). The ion conducting electrolyte layer (20) in turn comprises particles (30) absorbing electromagnetic radiation. The particles (30) are electrically conducting. The particles have a main light absorption above 700 nm.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing of thermochromic material, a target increased luminous transmittance level for the thermochromic material is determined (210). The luminous transmittance level is defined within a predetermined wavelength region. Preferably, this predetermined wavelength region at least partly comprises visible light. A concentration level of a first dopant element is determined (212) for generating the luminous transmittance level of the thermochromic material. The first dopant element is capable of forming an oxide having a high bandgap in its electronic structure, and in a specific embodiment is Al and/or Mg. A VO2-based thermochromic material is doped (214) with the determined concentration level of the first dopant element. At least one second dopant may also be employed.

Abstract: An electrochromic device (1) comprises a layered structure (11) having an ion conducting electrolyte layer (20). The ion conducting electrolyte layer (20) in turn comprises particles (30) absorbing electromagnetic radiation. The particles (30) are electrically conducting. The particles have a main light absorption above 700 nm.

Abstract: An optical device (1) includes a first transparent substrate (10), a thermochromic device (20) covering a surface (11) of the first transparent substrate (10), a second transparent substrate (50), an electrochromic device (40) covering a surface (51) of the second transparent substrate (50) and a thermally insulating volume (30) separating the first transparent substrate (10) and the second transparent substrate (50). The thermally insulating volume (30) is preferably a vacuum volume or a volume (31) filled with gas.

Abstract: An electrolyte for electrochromic devices is manufactured by mixing (210) a solvent, an ionisable substance and a solvated polymer. The solvent comprises a substance having an amide group and selected from a specified group of substances. The ionisable substance comprises an anion and a cation, where the cation preferably is selected among the alkaline ions. The anion is selected from simple anions, such as hydroxide ions, halide ions or more or less complex organic anions. The polymer is solvated in the mixture of the two other components.

Abstract: An illumination system (1) is based on a window (21) having controllable transmittance and a light guide system (31) arranged for transferring light from a light guide input (33) to a light guide output (34). The light guide output is located in a same space (50) as the window (21), but at a distance therefrom (21). The illumination system includes elements for balancing (40) the transmittance of the window and a throughput of the light guide system. Preferably, the window is an outer window, the light guide input (33) is arranged for gathering day light and the light guide output (34) is arranged to illuminate an area (52) within sight from the window (21). Preferably the transmittance of the window (21) and/or the light throughput of the light guide system (31) are controlled. A method for illuminating a space (50) having a window (21) with controllable transmittance is presented.

Abstract: A method of controlling transmittance of an electrochromic device is presented. The electrochromic device to be controlled has a first and a second electron conducting layer, a first electrochromic layer covering the first electron conducting layer, a counter electrode layer covering the second electron conducting layer and an electrolyte layer laminated between the first electrochromic layer and the counter electrode layer. The method comprises applying (212) of a sequence of voltage pulses between the first and second electron conducting layers and providing of an open circuit between the first and second electron conducting layers between the applied voltage pulses. The method is characterized by measuring (214) a voltage between the first and second electron conducting layers during a period of the open circuit and controlling (220) a pulse parameter of the voltage pulses dependent on the measured voltage, where the pulse parameter is one of pulse duration and pulse voltage.

Abstract: An optical device (1) includes a first transparent substrate (10), a thermochromic device (20) covering a surface (11) of the first transparent substrate (10), a second transparent substrate (50), an electrochromic device (40) covering a surface (51) of the second transparent substrate (50) and a thermally insulating volume (30) separating the first transparent substrate (10) and the second transparent substrate (50). The thermally insulating volume (30) is preferably a vacuum volume or a volume (31) filled with gas.

Abstract: An illumination system (1) is based on a window (21) having controllable transmittance and a light guide system (31) arranged for transferring light from a light guide input (33) to a light guide output (34). The light guide output is located in a same space (50) as the window (21), but at a distance therefrom (21). The illumination system includes elements for balancing (40) the transmittance of the window and a throughput of the light guide system. Preferably, the window is an outer window, the light guide input (33) is arranged for gathering day light and the light guide output (34) is arranged to illuminate an area (52) within sight from the window (21). Preferably the transmittance of the window (21) and/or the light throughput of the light guide system (31) are controlled. A method for illuminating a space (50) having a window (21) with controllable transmittance is presented.

Abstract: Pollutant decomposition device, including at least one outer transparent sheet and at least one inner transparent sheet being arranged such that a gap is formed between them and such that the gap is in communication with a surrounding gaseous composition on one side of the device such that the gaseous composition can pass through the gap. The device further including a photocatalyst arranged in the gap for depolluting the gaseous composition that pass through the gap. To obtain optimum decomposition efficiency the outer transparent sheet has a high degree of ultraviolet transmittance compared with the inner transparent sheet.