Abstract: An electrochromic mirror device suitable for use in a vehicle comprises a first transparent substrate having a transparent conductive layer on a surface thereof and a second substrate having a conductive layer on a surface thereof. The conductive layer of the first substrate opposes the second conductive layer of the second substrate in a spaced-apart relationship thereby forming an interpane distance between the substrates. A boundary seal is interposed between the first and second substrates spacing apart the substrates and forming a cavity wherein the interpane distance is at least about 10 microns. An electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film is disposed within the cavity. The electrochromic cross-linked solid polymeric film is formed from an electrochromic monomer composition that includes at least one cathodic electrochromic compound. The second conductive layer comprises a metallic reflective layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a substrate having a plurality of microfeatures that provide a high surface area and are open to provide ready access to fluids and components therein. Methods of making the high surface area substrates are described and include generating microfeatures and/or microstructures on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: This invention recognizes the hazards of beryllium and beryllium oxide in automotive applications and offers alternative material solutions. In particular, commercial electrochromic mirrors use beryllium comprising alloys for busbars and may also use beryllium oxide for the electronics used to power and control these mirrors. Further, this can be combined by reducing other known hazards such as mercury, cadmium, lead and antimony compounds.

Abstract: This invention describes non-planar electrochromic mirrors that are made by combining planar electrochromic elements with non-planar reflectors. This results in lower cost mirrors by circumventing several issues related to the difficulty of making non-planar EC elements.

Abstract: An electrochromic device is achieved that exhibits the characteristics of impact-resistant safety glass by starting with a solid electrolyte sheet material and a peripheral sealant material sandwiched between substrates to heat and pressure such that the electrolyte bonds to the treated surfaces of the substrates with an adhesion of at least 1.8 kg/linear cm width causing the electrolyte to exhibit a tensile strength of at least 5 kg/cm2.

Abstract: A low-cost practical method of determining beryllium or a beryllium compound thereof in a sample is disclosed by measuring fluorescence. This method discloses optical filters for use with low cost fluorometers which may be used to quantitatively determine the presence of beryllium. This method may be extended to estimate particle size distribution for particles comprising Beryllium. A method is also disclosed to store solutions for extended period of time so that these materials are stable during transportation and in the labs.

Abstract: Electrolyte solutions for electrochromic devices such as rear view mirrors and displays with low leakage currents are prepared using inexpensive, low conductivity conductors. Preferred electrolytes include bifunctional redox dyes and molten salt solvents with enhanced stability toward ultraviolet radiation. The solvents include lithium or quaternary ammonium cations, and perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions selected from trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3SO3?), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3SO2)2N?), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2N?) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3C?). Electroluminescent, electrochromic and photoelectrochromic devices with nanostructured electrodes include ionic liquids with bifunctional redox dyes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochromic polymeric solid films, manufacturing electrochromic devices using such solid films and processes for making such solid films and devices. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention exhibit beneficial properties and characteristics, especially when compared to known electrochromic media. The electrochromic polymeric solid films are transformed in situ from a low viscosity electrochromic monomer composition by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and in so doing minimum shrinkage occurs. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention also perform well under prolonged coloration, outdoor weathering and all-climate exposure, and provide an inherent safety aspect not known to electrochromic media heretofore.

Abstract: Radiofrequency attenuator and method. The attenuator includes a pair of transparent windows. A chamber between the windows is filled with molten salt. Preferred molten salts include quarternary ammonium cations and fluorine-containing anions such as tetrafluoroborate (BF4?), hexafluorophosphate (PF6?), hexafluoroarsenate (AsF6?), trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3 SO3?), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3 SO2)2 N?), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2 N?) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3 C?). Radicals or radical cations may be added to or electrochemically generated in the molten salt to enhance the RF attenuation.

Abstract: Radiofrequency attenuator and method. The attenuator includes a pair of transparent windows. A chamber between the windows is filled with molten salt. Preferred molten salts include quarternary ammonium cations and fluorine-containing anions such as tetrafluoroborate (BF4?), hexafluorophosphate (PF6?), hexafluoroarsenate (AsF6?), trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3SO3?), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3SO2)2N?), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2N?) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3C?). Radicals or radical cations may be added to or electrochemically generated in the molten salt to enhance the RF attenuation.

Abstract: The invention includes many applications for electrochromic devices that require neutral colors and patterned electrodes. It uses novel materials, ways of making the materials, device configurations and applications. In one aspect, the device also includes electrical leads (115,116), transparent conductor layers (135,136), patterned EC layers (143,144), an etch line (99) and a substrate (125).

Abstract: An electrochromic mirror device suitable for use in a vehicle comprises a first transparent substrate having a transparent conductive layer on a surface thereof and a second substrate having a conductive layer on a surface thereof. The conductive layer of the first substrate opposes the second conductive layer of the second substrate in a spaced-apart relationship thereby forming an interpane distance between the substrates. A boundary seal is interposed between the first and second substrates spacing apart the substrates and forming a cavity wherein the interpane distance is at least about 10 microns. An electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film is disposed within the cavity. The electrochromic cross-linked solid polymeric film is formed from an electrochromic monomer composition that includes at least one cathodic electrochromic compound. The second conductive layer comprises a metallic reflective layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochromic polymeric solid films, manufacturing electrochromic devices using such solid films and processes for making such solid films and devices. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention exhibit beneficial properties and characteristics, especially when compared to known electrochromic media. The electrochromic polymeric solid films are transformed in situ from a low viscosity electrochromic monomer composition by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and in so doing minimum shrinkage occurs. The electrochromic polymeric solid films of the present invention also perform well under prolonged coloration, outdoor weathering and all-climate exposure, and provide an inherent safety aspect not known to electrochromic media heretofore.

Abstract: Electrolyte solutions of soluble bifunctional redox dyes in molten salt solvent may be used to prepare electrooptic devices with enhanced stability toward ultraviolet radiation. The solvents include lithium or quaternary ammonium cations, and perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions selected from trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3SO3?), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3SO2)2N?), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2N?) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3C?).

Abstract: An electrochromic device is achieved that exhibits the characteristics of impact-resistant safety glass by starting with a solid electrolyte sheet material and a peripheral sealant material sandwiched between substrates to heat and pressure such that the electrolyte bonds to the treated surfaces of the substrates with an adhesion of at least 1.8 kg/linear cm width causing the electrolyte to exhibit a tensile strength of at least 5 kg/cm2.

Abstract: Electrolyte solutions for electrochromic devices such as rear view mirrors and displays with low leakage currents are prepared using inexpensive, low conductivity conductors. Preferred electrolytes include bifunctional redox dyes and molten salt solvents with enhanced stability toward ultraviolet radiation. The solvents include lithium or quaternary ammonium cations, and perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions selected from trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3SO3−), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3SO2)2N−), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2N−) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3C−). Electroluminescent, electrochromic and photoelectrochromic devices with nanostructured electrodes include ionic liquids with bifunctional redox dyes.

Abstract: This invention describes non-planar electrochromic mirrors that are made by combining planar electrochromic elements with non-planar reflectors. This results in lower cost mirrors by circumventing several issues related to the difficulty of making non-planar EC elements.

Abstract: This invention focuses on electrooptic devices and in particular on electrochromic devices with many aspects directed towards automotive EC mirrors. There are several ways to improve these products and their processing using this invention and some of the prominent ones are outlined below. This invention improves on the devices by disclosing new compositions for electrodes and methods of depositing them. It also addresses novel ways to provide busbars to power these devices in order to improve their performance. The device processing attributes and performance are also improved by adhesive compositions and solid electrolytes disclosed herein. In addition sensors are also disclosed which are novel for use in electrochromic mirrors. The invention also discloses how the electrolytes comprising ionic liquids have no adverse effect on attributes of commercial EC mirrors and often result in improved performance and/or feature enhancements.

Abstract: This invention discloses novel ways of making electrooptic devices where the electrodes are made from conductive yarns. This allows fabrication of flexible and large area devices at an attractive cost.

Abstract: A transparent chromogenic assembly in which color changes are selectively effectable over predefined areas comprises a pair of facing transparent substrates (15, 21, 28) each covered with a conductive layer divided into individual energizeable areas each provided with a set of busbars (187, 188). A passive layer may be superimposed over one of the substrates, its color being chosen so that the color and the transmissivity of the passive layer accommodates the range of color change and transmissivity of the electrochromic layer to maintain the transmitted color of the panel in a warm or neutral shade. Various other chromogenic windows, devices and systems are also disclosed.