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: 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: Electrochromic coating solutions are prepared by reacting a transition metal with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and an organic acid. The resulting transition metal-peroxy acid product is esterified by reacting with lower carbon alcohols to produce a peroxyester-transition metal derivative. This derivative in solution in lower carbon alcohols provides a working solution into which a substrate having a conductive surface is preferable dipped and removed at a rate sufficient to give a coating of a desired thickness over the conductive surface. Spray or spin coating can be used to apply the coating to the conductive surface of the substrate. The coating is then dried and is externally fired in an oven to complete the necessary reactions to yield an electrochromic oxide coating having exceptional electrochromic properties.

Abstract: An electrochromic coating is produced by adding an organic moiety to a solution of an electrochromic precursor, said organic moiety having a decomposition temperature greater than, or a vapor pressure sufficiently low at, the temperature at which solution solvent is removed, such that said organic moiety remains integral with the electrochromic precursor coating on said substrate after said solvent evaporates, and said organic moiety having a decomposition temperature lower than, or a vapor pressure sufficiently high at, the temperature at which said electrochromic precursor coating is converted to an electrochromic coating that said moiety is substantially removed from said coating before or during said conversion.

Abstract: Electrochromic coating solutions are prepared by reacting a transition metal with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and an organic acid. The resulting transition metal-peroxy acid product is esterified by reacting with lower carbon alcohols to produce a peroxyester-transition metal derivative. This derivative in solution in lower carbon alcohols provides a working solution into which a substrate having a conductive surface is preferably dipped and removed at a rate sufficient to give a coating of a desired thickness over the conductive surface. Spray or spin coating can be used to apply the coating to the conductive surface of the substrate. The coating is then dried and is externally fired in an oven to complete the necessary reactions to yield an electrochromic oxide coating having exceptional electrochromic properties.

Abstract: The performance and operating characteristics of electrochromic devices may be improved by the incorporation of a moisture control layer comprised of either water reservoir material or water scavenger material in conjunction with a moisture permeable intermediate barrier layer within the device. The water reservoir material provides a source of water for those electrochromic stacks which require water for proper operation. For stacks which require protection from moisture, water scavenger material may be utilized. A moisture permeable intermediate barrier layer separates the moisture control layer from the electrochromic stack. The invention is also directed towards methods of incorporating such layers into electrochromic devices during their manufacture.