Abstract: Electrically controllable device having variable optical/energy properties in transmission or in reflection, comprising at least one carrier substrate provided with a stack of electrochromically functional layers, including at least two electrochromic active layers, separated by an electrolyte, the said stack being placed between two current leads, namely the lower current lead and the upper current lead respectively (“lower” corresponding to the current lead closest to the carrier substrate, as opposed to the “upper” current lead that is furthest from the said substrate), characterized in that the stack of functional layers is joined to at least one polymer film, the percentage shrinkage of which is between 0.6 and 2.0% and preferably between 0.8 and 1.5%.

Abstract: A control circuit is provided for controlling a current and/or voltage of an electronic circuit. The circuit comprises an input stage, which has at least one input, a supply voltage terminal, an amplifier element, and a subcircuit. The amplifier element comprises an operating current path and a control terminal. In the circuit, the subcircuit applies a bias to the control terminal and the input is connected to the latter. The control circuit is characterized in that the subcircuit provides a bias, which is independent of a supply voltage applied to the supply voltage terminal and of a current amplification of the amplifier element.

Abstract: Electrically controllable device having variable optical/energy properties in transmission or in reflection, comprising at least one carrier substrate provided with a stack of electrochromically functional layers, including at least two electrochromic active layers, separated by an electrolyte, the said stack being placed between two current leads, namely the lower current lead and the upper current lead respectively (“lower” corresponding to the current lead closest to the carrier substrate, as opposed to the “upper” current lead that is furthest from the said substrate), characterized in that the stack of functional layers is joined to at least one polymer film, the percentage shrinkage of which is between 0.6 and 2.0% and preferably between 0.8 and 1.5%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for disposing of perlite, wherein perlite particles are removed by suction from a source, mixed with water and then compressed, whereby the volume of the perlite is reduced by the compression to about a third or a fifth of its original volume.

Abstract: A fastening element assembly includes a fastening element having a head and an axially extending shank, a ring-shaped elastic member laterally enclosing at least an axial part of the shank, and a washer located on the shank between the elastic member and the head. The elastic member can be in contact with the surface of the shank or spaced radially outwardly from it. When using the assembly to attach an object to a support material, an opening or hole is formed in the object with the opening having a diameter approximately the same size as the outside diameter of the elastic member. The fastening element assembly is driven through the opening in the object into the support material so that the elastic member seats in the opening and spaces the shank from the object. Any transverse forces acting on the object are damped by the elastic member before they reach the shank.