Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic nanocomposite film. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic nanocomposite film, includes (1) a solid matrix of oxide based material and (2) transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures embedded in the matrix. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic nanocomposite film farther includes a substrate upon which the matrix is deposited. The present invention also provides a method of preparing an electrochromic nanocomposite film.

Abstract: An electrochromic (EC) privacy window includes an EC pane unit including a first EC device having a bright state and a dark state, and a privacy device facing the EC pane unit and having a bright state and a privacy state configured to attenuate visible radiation transmitted through the window. In some embodiments, when the privacy device is in the privacy state, the window has transmitted haze of greater that 80%. In other embodiments, when the privacy device is in the privacy state and the first EC device is in the dark state, the window has a visible transmittance of about 0.1% or less.

Abstract: An electrochromic device may include a working electrode that includes a high temperature stable material and nanoparticles of an active core material, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte deposited between the working electrode and the counter electrode. The high temperature stable material may prevent fusing of the nanoparticles of the active core material at temperatures up to 700° C. The high temperature stable material may include tantalum oxide. The high temperature stable material may form a spherical shell or a matrix around the nanoparticles of the active core material. A method of forming an electrochromic device may include depositing a working electrode onto a first substrate, in which the working electrode comprises a high temperature stable material and nanoparticles of an active core material, and heat tempering the working electrode and the first substrate.

Abstract: Methods of charging an electrochromic device includes post assembly charging using a sacrificial redox agent, lithium diffusion into an electrode from a lithium layer or salt bridge charging, or pre assembly charging using proton photoinjection into an electrode.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze layer that includes one or more transition metal oxide and one or more dopant. The electrochromic device also includes nanoparticles containing one or more transparent conducting oxide (TCO), a solid state electrolyte, a counter electrode, and at least one protective layer to prevent degradation of the one or more nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze. The nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze selectively modulates transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) and visible radiation as a function of an applied voltage to the device.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze layer that includes one or more transition metal oxide and one or more dopant, a solid state electrolyte, and a counter electrode. The nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze selectively modulates transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) spectrum and visible spectrum radiation as a function of an applied voltage to the device.

Abstract: An electrochromic system and method for controlling photochromic darkening of an electrochromic device, the system including an EC device, a control unit, a voltage detector, and a power supply. The EC device includes a working electrode, a counter electrode, a solid-state polymer electrolyte disposed therebetween, and an ionically conductive and electrically insulating protective layer disposed between the electrolyte and the working electrode. The control unit is configured to control a sweep voltage applied between the working and counter electrodes, such that the sweep voltage is applied when an open circuit voltage (OCV) between the working and counter electrodes is less than a threshold voltage.

Abstract: An electrochromic system and method for controlling photochromic darkening of an electrochromic device, the system including an EC device, a control unit, a voltage detector, and a power supply. The EC device includes a working electrode, a counter electrode, a solid-state polymer electrolyte disposed therebetween, and a Bragg reflector configured to selectively reflect UV radiation away from the working electrode. The control unit is configured to control a sweep voltage applied between the working and counter electrodes, such that the sweep voltage is applied when an open circuit voltage (OCV) between the working and counter electrodes is less than a threshold voltage.

Abstract: An electrochromic system and method for controlling photochromic darkening of an electrochromic device, the system including an EC device, a control unit, a voltage detector, and a power supply. The EC device includes a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a solid-state polymer electrolyte disposed therebetween. The control unit is configured to control a sweep voltage applied between the working and counter electrodes, such that the sweep voltage is applied when an open circuit voltage (OCV) between the working and counter electrodes is less than a threshold voltage.

Abstract: An electrochromic device and method, the device including: a first transparent conductor layer; a working electrode disposed on the first transparent conductor layer and including nanostructures; a counter electrode; a solid state electrolyte layer disposed between the counter electrode and the working electrode; and a second transparent conductor layer disposed on the counter electrode. The nanostructures may include transition metal oxide nanoparticles and/or nanocrystals configured to tune the color of the device by selectively modulating the transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) and visible radiation as a function of an applied voltage to the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a control device for regulating and balancing currents, for DC/DC converters, between first and second voltage sources, the device comprising: n converters (C1, C2, . . . Cn) that are connected in parallel to the first voltage source (11); n inductors (L1, L2, . . . Ln) that have their outlets connected to the second voltage source (R) via n connections; n current sensors (22) that are arranged on respective ones of the connections; and a single regulator system that has its inputs connected to respective ones of the n current sensors (22), and its output connected to the n converters (C1, C2, . . . Cn).

Abstract: An electrochromic device and method, the device including a light transmissive first substrate, a working electrode disposed on the first substrate, a counter electrode, a solid state electrolyte layer disposed between the counter electrode and the working electrode, a light transmissive second substrate disposed on the counter electrode, and a Bragg reflector configured to selectively reflect UV radiation away from the working electrode.

Abstract: An electrochromic device and method, the device including: a first transparent conductor layer; a working electrode disposed on the first transparent conductor layer and including nanostructures; a counter electrode; a solid state electrolyte layer disposed between the counter electrode and the working electrode; and a second transparent conductor layer disposed on the counter electrode. The nanostructures may include transition metal oxide nanoparticles and/or nanocrystals configured to tune the color of the device by selectively modulating the transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) and visible radiation as a function of an applied voltage to the device.

Abstract: An AC/DC electrical converter device having a source mode and a recovery mode, and for connection, on the AC side, to an AC voltage source and, on the DC side, to a DC power distribution network. It includes an AC/DC converter, a switching cell with two switches (K1, K2) that are bidirectional for current, the switches sharing a common point (A) and each having a respective end terminal (B1, B2), a filter stage, and a control unit for the cell; the converter is for connection on the AC side to the voltage source and is connected on the DC side to the cell; in use, the first switch (K1) is connected between the converter and the DC power distribution network via the filter stage, the second switch (K2) forming a combination in parallel with the filter stage and the DC power distribution network. The control means are able to manage a short-circuit current in source mode by operating on the first and second switches.

Abstract: Methods of charging an electrochromic device includes post assembly charging using a sacrificial redox agent, lithium diffusion into an electrode from a lithium layer or salt bridge charging, or pre assembly charging using proton photoinjection into an electrode.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze layer that includes one or more transition metal oxide and one or more dopant. The electrochromic device also includes nanoparticles containing one or more transparent conducting oxide (TCO), a solid state electrolyte, a counter electrode, and at least one protective layer to prevent degradation of the one or more nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze. The nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze selectively modulates transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) and visible radiation as a function of an applied voltage to the device.

Abstract: An electrochromic device may include a working electrode that includes a high temperature stable material and nanoparticles of an active core material, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte deposited between the working electrode and the counter electrode. The high temperature stable material may prevent fusing of the nanoparticles of the active core material at temperatures up to 700° C. The high temperature stable material may include tantalum oxide. The high temperature stable material may form a spherical shell or a matrix around the nanoparticles of the active core material. A method of forming an electrochromic device may include depositing a working electrode onto a first substrate, in which the working electrode comprises a high temperature stable material and nanoparticles of an active core material, and heat tempering the working electrode and the first substrate.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide an electrochromic device. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic device includes (1) a substrate and (2) a film supported by the substrate, where the film includes transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes (a) an electrolyte, where the nanostructures are embedded in the electrolyte, resulting in an electrolyte, nanostructure mixture positioned above the substrate and (b) a counter electrode positioned above the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a conductive coating deposited on the substrate between the substrate and the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a second substrate positioned above the mixture.

Abstract: Microfluidic structures featuring substantially circular channels may be fabricated by embossing polymer sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fields of application of health, biotechnology and nutrition, the aim of the invention being to provide a gelatinous mixture of probiotics and prebiotics with synergic symbiotic action for the treatment of chronic renal disease, the characteristics and components thereof reducing the concentration of uremic toxins, improving the renal function of the patient with an increase in urea, creatinine, uric acid, p-cresols or indoles in the blood. The gelatinous mixture of probiotics and prebiotics with synergic symbiotic action for the treatment of chronic renal disease is easier to administrate orally as it does not require the consumption of liquids for the administration thereof, reducing liquid retention. Another advantage of the present invention is the fact that it refers to live and active bacteria. The present invention is also used a primary source of food with known prebiotic effects, an element which is not considered in other inventions; it is not in a pharmaceutical form.