Abstract: Various embodiments relate to an electrochromic (EC) device that is structured with surface contour features arranged according to a randomized pattern. For example, one or more conductive layers of an EC device may be structured with such surface ablations. In some embodiments, the randomized ablation pattern may comprise a randomized variation in one or more geometrical characteristics of a group of segments. In some examples, the geometrical characteristic(s) may include a distance characteristic, an orientation characteristic, and/or a shape characteristic, etc. According to various embodiments, the randomized ablation pattern may be configured to reduce diffraction and/or scatter of light incident on the surface ablations as compared to some other ablation patterns.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrochromic device comprising: coupling a logic device to the electrochromic device; applying a voltage to the electrochromic device; receiving a current from the electrochromic device in response to the provided voltage; and with the logic device, determining an exact operating condition of the electrochromic device from the received current. A method of operating a plurality of electrochromic devices comprising: adjusting a frequency of voltage applied to the plurality of electrochromic devices, wherein each of the plurality of electrochromic devices is adjusted by a different frequency; measuring a duration of time required to change tint states of each of the electrochromic devices; and identifying a location of each of the plurality of electrochromic devices in response to the measured duration of time required to change the tint states of each of the electrochromic device.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is disclosed. The electrochemical device includes a first transparent conductive layer, an electrochromic layer overlying the first transparent conductive layer, a counter electrode layer overlying the electrochromic layer, a second transparent conductive layer, and a switching speed parameter of not greater than 0.68 s/mm at 23° C.

Abstract: A non-light-emitting variable transmission device can include an active stack; a transparent conductive layer overlying the active stack; an antireflective layer overlying the transparent conductive layer and defining a hole; and a bus bar comprising a conductive tape that extends into the hole and contacts the transparent conductive layer. Proper selection of materials and design of a bus bar can allow an electrical connection to be made to the transparent conductive layer without the need to cut an underlying transparent conductive layer. A method of forming the non-light-emitting variable transmission device can include patterning the antireflective layer to define the hole that extends to the transparent conductive layer. Improved control in patterning allows the antireflective layer to be relatively thin and not remove too much of the underlying transparent conductive layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to glazing (1) comprising a first glazing sheet (10; 10A, 10B) forming a substrate on which at least one film of an electrochemical system (12) is formed, said system having optical and/or energy-related properties that are electrically controllable, a second glazing sheet (14) forming a counter-substrate, and a third glazing sheet (18). The substrate has characteristics that allow it to be obtained by being cut from a motherboard on which motherboard at least one film of the electrochemical system (12) is formed. The substrate is located between the counter-substrate (14) and the third glazing sheet (18) and is set back relative to the counter-substrate (14) and relative to the third glazing sheet (18) over the entire circumference of the substrate (10; 10A, 10B).

Abstract: An electrochromic device is structured to restrict moisture permeation between an electrochromic stack in the device and an external environment. The electrochromic device includes conductive layers and one or more encapsulation layers, where the encapsulation layers and conductive layers collectively isolate the electrochromic stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layers resist moisture permeation, and at least the outer portions of the conductive layers resist moisture permeation. The moisture-resistant electrochromic device can be fabricated based at least in part upon selective removal of one or more outer portions of at least the EC stack, so that at least the encapsulation layer extends over one or more edge portions of the EC stack to isolate the edge portions of the EC stack from the ambient environment. The encapsulation layer can include one or more of an anti-reflective layer, infrared cut-off filter, etc.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various processes of forming an electrochromic stack using at most one metallic lithium deposition station. In some aspects, a process may include depositing metallic lithium only within an electrochromic counter-electrode of an electrochromic stack. In some aspects, a process may include using a lithium-containing ceramic counter-electrode target to form an electrochromic counter-electrode and depositing metallic lithium only within or above an electrochromic electrode of the electrochromic stack. In some embodiments, a process may include using a lithium-containing ceramic electrode target, and optionally additionally depositing metallic lithium to add mobile lithium to the electrochromic stack. In some embodiments, a process may include using a single metallic lithium deposition station to deposit metallic lithium between an ion-conducting layer and an electrochromic electrode of the electrochromic stack.

Abstract: An assembly can include a first substrate, a second substrate, a non-light-emitting, variable transmission device deposited on the first substrate, and a transparent light-emitting device deposited on the second substrate, where the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device faces the transparent light-emitting device, and where the non-light emitting device alters an intensity of a wavelength prior to reaching the transparent light-emitting device.

Abstract: A non-light-emitting variable transmission device can include an active stack; a transparent conductive layer overlying the active stack; an antireflective layer overlying the transparent conductive layer and defining a hole; and a bus bar comprising a conductive tape that extends into the hole and contacts the transparent conductive layer. Proper selection of materials and design of a bus bar can allow an electrical connection to be made to the transparent conductive layer without the need to cut an underlying transparent conductive layer. A method of forming the non-light-emitting variable transmission device can include patterning the antireflective layer to define the hole that extends to the transparent conductive layer. Improved control in patterning allows the antireflective layer to be relatively thin and not remove too much of the underlying transparent conductive layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various processes of forming an electrochromic stack using at most one metallic lithium deposition station. In some aspects, a process may include depositing metallic lithium only within an electrochromic counter-electrode of an electrochromic stack. In some aspects, a process may include using a lithium-containing ceramic counter-electrode target to form an electrochromic counter-electrode and depositing metallic lithium only within or above an electrochromic electrode of the electrochromic stack. In some embodiments, a process may include using a lithium-containing ceramic electrode target, and optionally additionally depositing metallic lithium to add mobile lithium to the electrochromic stack. In some embodiments, a process may include using a single metallic lithium deposition station to deposit metallic lithium between an ion-conducting layer and an electrochromic electrode of the electrochromic stack.

Abstract: An apparatus can include an electrochromic device. When using the apparatus, the electrochromic device can be switched from a first transmission state to a continuously graded state and maintained at continuously graded transmission state. An apparatus can include an active stack with a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, an anodic electrochemical layer between the first and the second transparent conductive layers, and a cathodic electrochemical layer between the first and the second transparent conductive layers. The apparatus can further include a first bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, a second bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, where the second bus bar is generally non-parallel to the first bus bar, and a third bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, where the third bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrochromic device comprising: coupling a logic device to the electrochromic device; applying a voltage to the electrochromic device; receiving a current from the electrochromic device in response to the provided voltage; and with the logic device, determining an exact operating condition of the electrochromic device from the received current. A method of operating a plurality of electrochromic devices comprising: adjusting a frequency of voltage applied to the plurality of electrochromic devices, wherein each of the plurality of electrochromic devices is adjusted by a different frequency; measuring a duration of time required to change tint states of each of the electrochromic devices; and identifying a location of each of the plurality of electrochromic devices in response to the measured duration of time required to change the tint states of each of the electrochromic device.

Abstract: The invention relates to glazing (1) comprising a first glazing sheet (10; 10A, 10B) forming a substrate on which at least one film of an electrochemical system (12) is formed, said system having optical and/or energy-related properties that are electrically controllable, a second glazing sheet (14) forming a counter-substrate, and a third glazing sheet (18). The substrate has characteristics that allow it to be obtained by being cut from a motherboard on which motherboard at least one film or the electro-chemical system (12) is formed. The substrate is located between the counter-substrate (14) and the third glazing sheet (18) and is set back relative to the counter-substrate (14) and relative to the third glazing sheet (18) over the entire circumference of the substrate (10; 10A, 10B).

Abstract: A device for enhanced electromagnetic communication through a coated transparent substrate is provided. The device includes a first transparent conductive (TC) layer having a first surface and a second TC layer having a second surface. The first surface is parallel to the second surface. The device also includes a first section extending through the first TC layer from the first surface and aligned with an axis that extends from the first surface to the second surface. The first section is configured to enhance electromagnetic communication through the coated transparent substrate. The device further includes a second section extending through the second TC layer from the second surface and offset from the axis that extends from the first surface to the second surface. The second section is configured to enhance electromagnetic communication through the coated transparent substrate.

Abstract: A device for enhanced microwave permeability through a coated transparent substrate includes a first surface of the device and a second surface of the device each forming an exterior boundary of the device. The device includes a first section extending through the device from the first surface to the second surface. The first section enhances a permeability of a first microwave band through the coated transparent substrate. The device also includes a second section extending through the device from the first surface to the second surface. The second section enhances a permeability of a second microwave band through the coated transparent substrate. The device further includes a third section extending through the device. The third section includes a location where the first section and the second section merge. The third section enhances a permeability of a third microwave band through the coated transparent substrate.

Abstract: An electrochromic device and method of cloaking an electrochromic device is disclosed. The electrochromic device can include a first transparent conductive layer on a substrate, a second transparent conductive layer, a cathodic electrochromic layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer, and an anodic electrochromic layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. The stack of layers can be patterned to be parallel to a voltage gradient of the electrochromic device and extend through all layers of the electrochromic device. The electrochromic device can also include a masking layer that covers the patterned inactive area. A method can include determining a pattern of inactive areas within a visible area, determining a cloaking pattern that corresponds to the pattern of inactive areas, and depositing a masking layer in the areas of the cloaking pattern.

Abstract: The color of an electrochromic stack in a tinted state may be modified to achieve a desired color target by utilizing various techniques alone or in combination. A first approach generally involves changing a coloration efficiency of a WOx electrochromic (EC) layer by lowering a sputter temperature to achieve a WOx microstructural change in the EC layer. A second approach generally involves utilizing a dopant (e.g., Mo, Nb, or V) to improve the neutrality of the tinted state of WOx (coloration efficiency changes). A third approach generally involves tailoring a thickness of the WOx layer to tune the color of the tinted stack.

Abstract: A non-light-emitting, variable transmission device can include a first substrate, a first transparent conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, a second transparent conductive layer, a second substrate; and an interlayer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The non-light-emitting, variable transmission device is configured such that a failure of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device is less likely than another non-light-emitting, variable transmission device in which the interlayer directly contacts the second transparent conductive layer and has a moisture content of at least 0.08 wt %. In an embodiment, the interlayer has a moisture content of at most 0.05 wt %.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrochromic device comprising: coupling a logic device to the electrochromic device; applying a voltage to the electrochromic device; receiving a current from the electrochromic device in response to the provided voltage; and with the logic device, determining an exact operating condition of the electrochromic device from the received current. A method of operating a plurality of electrochromic devices comprising: adjusting a frequency of voltage applied to the plurality of electrochromic devices, wherein each of the plurality of electrochromic devices is adjusted by a different frequency; measuring a duration of time required to change tint states of each of the electrochromic devices; and identifying a location of each of the plurality of electrochromic devices in response to the measured duration of time required to change the tint states of each of the electrochromic device.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and method of forming said device is disclosed. The method can include providing a substrate and stack overlying the substrate. The stack can include a first transparent conductive layer over the substrate, a cathodic electrochemical layer over the first transparent conductive layer, an anodic electrochemical layer over the electrochromic layer, and a second transparent conductive layer overlying the anodic electrochemical layer. The method can include depositing an insulating layer over the stack and determining a first pattern for the second transparent conductive layer. The first pattern can include a first region and a second region. The first region and the second region can be the same material. The method can include patterning the first region of the second transparent conductive layer without removing the material from the first region. The first region can have a first resistivity and the second region can have a second resistivity.