Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochromic composition comprising at least one reducing compound and at least two oxidizing compounds, said at least two oxidizing compounds having similar oxydo-reduction potentials. More specifically, said at least two oxidizing compounds are selected from viologen derivatives. Said composition can be used as a variable transmittance medium for the manufacture of an optical article, such as an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochromic composition comprising at least one reducing compound, at least one oxidizing compound which is selected from specific viologen derivatives, and at least one dye. Said composition can be used as a variable transmittance medium for the manufacture of an optical article, such as an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a group of novel electrochromic materials. More specifically, it relates to electrochromic materials based on either single or two-core viologen systems and the use of these viologen systems as a variable transmittance medium for the manufacture of an optical article, such as an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a group of novel electrochromic materials. More specifically, it relates to electrochromic materials having two-core viologens and the use of these two-core viologens as a variable transmittance medium for the manufacture of an optical article, such as an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: A method manufactures an optical element having a surface that includes cells filled with an aerogel that does not crack during its manufacture or during a subsequent step of impregnating the aerogel with a liquid. The disclosure also relates to the optical elements that can be obtained using the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing an electrochromic article, comprising the following successive steps: (a) deposition of a layer of an electrochromic compound on the surface of a transparent or translucent electroconductive substrate; (b) deposition of a redox agent, which is a reducing agent or an oxidizing agent for the electrochromic compound, on the layer of electrochromic compound at a multitude of discrete points or areas thereon; (c) bringing the layer of electrochromic compound, deposited in step (a), and the redox agent, deposited in step (b), into contact with a liquid electrolyte for a time long enough to allow the electrochromic compound to be reduced or oxidized by the redox agent; and (d) elimination of the electrolyte by rinsing and/or drying, the layer of electrochromic compound being a porous layer of open porosity and/or an electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent electrochromic systems which each include one pair of supply electrodes and at least one pair of polarization electrodes. The polarization electrodes prevent a reaction of mutual neutralization of the electroactive substances of the systems from causing unnecessary consumption of electric current. Said electrodes also prevent a neutralization reaction from limiting a lower value of light transmission of the systems. For this purpose, the polarization electrodes produce an electric field inside the systems, which attracts the electroactive substances that have already reacted with the supply electrodes to different areas.

Abstract: A transparent electrochromic system includes a cellular structure, two power supply electrodes together supported on a single wall, and at least one additional electrode. The additional electrode can be used as a reference electrode or as a polarization electrode. The additional electrode can also form a condenser with a fourth electrode that is added to the system, in order to control a migration of certain electroactive substances responsible for coloring and decoloring the system. The operation of the system can thus be improved.

Abstract: A method manufactures an optical element having a surface that includes cells filled with an aerogel that does not crack during its manufacture or during a subsequent step of impregnating the aerogel with a liquid. The disclosure also relates to the optical elements that can be obtained using the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photo-crosslinkable composition obtainable by a method comprising: (a) the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of a [(epoxycycloalkyl)alkyl]trialkoxysilane in solution in an organo-aqueous medium as described in specification to obtain a solution of an organo-mineral hybrid prepolymer, in which the totality or quasi-totality of the alkoxysilane groups has been hydrolysed, and which comprises in average at least 4 (epoxycycloalkyl)alkyl groups; (b) cooling the obtained polyepoxide prepolymer composition as described in specification: (c) adding to said composition at least one cationic-polymerisation photo-photoinitiator and at least one specific photosensitiser as describes in specification and adding a surfactant; (d) agitating the obtained composition as described in specification thus obtained; (e) filtering the obtained composition as described in specification thus obtained; and (f) storing the obtained liquid filtrate as described in specification thus obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the non-electrolytic deposition of a compound, preferably an electrochromic compound, comprising the following successive steps: (a) an electroconductive layer is deposited on a non-conductive solid substrate; (b) a reducing agent or an oxidizing agent (=redox agent) is deposited on an area of said electroconductive layer, said area covering only a portion of the surface of said electroconductive layer; and (c) a solution of a precursor of the compound to be deposited is brought into contact both with the redox agent and with at least a portion of the area of said electroconductive layer not covered by the redox agent, said precursor being chosen from those having an oxidation-reduction potential higher or lower than the redox agent and forming, after an oxidation-reduction reaction, a compound insoluble in the solution of the precursor of the compound to be deposited.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent electrochromic system (100) which includes two pairs of transparent supply electrodes (1-4), which are intended for being electrically connected to variable power sources (20, 21). The electrodes of the two pairs are supported by separate outer walls (10, 11) of the system, on either side of a closed volume which contains electroactive substances. The electrochromic system has superior dynamics and switching rate. Various embodiments of the invention correspond to various modes for connecting the electrodes to the power sources, and to various partitions of the closed volume into separate cells (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing an electrochromic article, comprising the following successive steps: (a) deposition of a layer of an electrochromic compound on the surface of a transparent or translucent electroconductive substrate; (b) deposition of a redox agent, which is a reducing agent or an oxidizing agent for the electrochromic compound, on the layer of electrochromic compound at a multitude of discrete points or areas thereon; (c) bringing the layer of electrochromic compound, deposited in step (a), and the redox agent, deposited in step (b), into contact with a liquid electrolyte for a time long enough to allow the electrochromic compound to be reduced or oxidized by the redox agent; and (d) elimination of the electrolyte by rinsing and/or drying, the layer of electrochromic compound being a porous layer of open porosity and/or an electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing mesostructural coatings comprising electrically conductive structures formed of metal nanoparticles. Said method includes the steps that involve: a) depositing on a substrate, a first layer consisting of a silica material, mesostructured by a structuring agent, and a photocatalytic material: b) depositing on the first layer, a second layer of a mesostructural silica material, said second layer being free of photocatalytic material: c) consolidating the first and second layers at at temperature between 50° C. and 250° C.; and d) placing the consolidating coating in contact with a solution that contains and irradiatting coating with a radiation that enables the photocatalytic material to be activated. Said method is characterized in that it includes no heat treatment at a temperature greater than 250° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent electroactive system that includes two electrodes (2, 3) juxtaposed on the same side of a closed space (12) containing electroactive substances. The two electrodes are separated by a distance of less than 250 ?m, and a barrier (1) extending towards the inside of the closed space is placed between the electrodes. The separation between the electrodes is thus not visible, and a mutual neutralization between the electroactive substances is prevented. Advantageously, the electroactive substances are contained in cells (5) separated from each other within the closed space. The barrier (1) can thus be distinct from separation walls (4) between the cells, or can be assimilated with some intercellular walls.

Abstract: A method for preparing a colloidal solution of non-aggregated zirconia particles, comprising the following steps: a) providing a zirconium hydroxide sol, b) adding to said sol an inorganic acid according to an [inorganic acid]/[Zr] molar ratio of <0.5, c) performing the hydrothermal treatment of said sol, and d) recovering the colloidal solution of zirconia particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent electrochromic systems which each include one pair of supply electrodes and at least one pair of polarisation electrodes. The polarisation electrodes prevent a reaction of mutual neutralisation of the electroactive substances of the systems from causing unnecessary consumption of electric current. Said electrodes also prevent a neutralisation reaction from limiting a lower value of light transmission of the systems. For this purpose, the polarisation electrodes produce an electric field inside the systems, which attracts the electroactive substances that have already reacted with the supply electrodes to different areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article having a nanotextured surface with superhydrophobic properties, comprising an array of vertical tabs, preferably regular, wherein the pillar array fulfils the following conditions: the surface fraction of the pillars Øs is such that 3%?Øs?13%, preferably 5%?Øs?12%, preferably 5%?Øs?13%, even better 5.5%?Øs?13%, even better 6%?Øs?13%, and better still 8%?Øs?13%; the pitch p of the array is such that 100 nm?p?250 nm; the height h of the pillars is such that 100 nm?h?400 nm, preferably 250?h?400 nm, even better 300?h?400 nm; and the lateral surface of the pillars is inclined at most by an angle of ±20°, preferably ±10° or even better ±5°, in relation to the vertical axis of the pillars.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent electrochromic system (100) which includes two pairs of transparent supply electrodes (1-4), which are intended for being electrically connected to variable power sources (20, 21). The electrodes of the two pairs are supported by separate outer walls (10, 11) of the system, on either side of a closed volume which contains electroactive substances. The electrochromic system has superior dynamics and switching rate. Various embodiments of the invention correspond to various modes for connecting the electrodes to the power sources, and to various partitions of the closed volume into separate cells (13).

Abstract: A method for chemical vapor deposition of a polymer film onto a substrate (6), includes the following two separate, consecutive steps:—a step for the photon activation of the gas phase wherein photon activation energy (42, 43) is provided to at least one gaseous polymer precursor that is present in a mainly gaseous composition, and—a chemical vapor deposition step wherein the activated gaseous polymer precursor, from the photon activation step, is deposited onto a substrate (6) so as to form a polymer film on the substrate, the total gas phase pressure ranging from 102 to 105 Pa. A device (1) for using such a method is also described.