Abstract: The invention concerns an electro-optical cell, in particular a liquid crystal cell, or an improved electrochemical photovoltaic cell including a contact pad (26) made of an electrically conductive material affixed onto each electrode (6, 8) of the cell, to the right of the lateral electric contact zone (22) where the electrode (6, 8) comes level with the edge of the strip (2, 4) onto which it has been deposited, so as to fill the volume of the cavity defined by each electrode (6, 8) with the respective strip (4, 2) which is opposite thereto, in order to increase the surface of the electric contact zone (22).

Abstract: A dial, in particular for a timepiece, formed of at least one regenerating photoelectrochemical type solar cell including a first substrate intended to be exposed to the light and a second substrate carrying on their opposite faces electrodes between which is arranged a physico-chemical system capable of absorbing light and generating an electric voltage across the terminals of said electrodes, characterised in that said first substrate is formed of a translucent material.

Abstract: The batch manufacturing of laminated cells whose spacing is kept constant by means of spacers (11) of diameter d, comprises the steps of forming a first line on a substrate (1), with a hot melt adhesive material for the sealing frames (3) and junction portions (5) between the holes (6) of spacing e and a second line (7) closed at one end (8) to create a filling channel (9), said lines having a constant cross-section So and a height h; depositing the spacers (11) over the substrate (1) and close to the holes (6), destructible or deformable spacers (12) of diameter D such that h>D>d; sealing a second flat deformable substrate (2) with a reduced application of pressure above the holes (6); filling all the cells; exerting a second pressure equal to or greater than the first and heating the zones above the holes to a temperature equal to or greater than that of the hot melt adhesive material; and cutting out each cell.

Abstract: An electrooptical cell has electrical connection means between electrodes and a control unit which comprise a contact block of a synthetic adhesive material having conducting particles applied on the edge of each plate in contact zones which are provided flush with said edge, the contact block constituting both the electrical connection and the mechanical bond with at least one other element of said connection.

Abstract: A device for displaying the value of a quantity represented by input data comprises a mobile indicator member (24) driven by a stepping motor (20), a control circuit (18) for this motor for delivering drive pulses to the motor in response to the input data to move the indicator member to a position corresponding to the value of the quantity, and a dial (26) for showing an indexing system, for example a scale, which cooperates with the indicator member to indicate the value at least approximately. The dial comprises a liquid crystal, electrochromic or electroluminescent electrooptical display device (26) which displays the indexing system in response to signals from another control circuit (28) when the latter receives an activation signal. The device enables values of a single quantity situated in different ranges or values of distinct quantities to be indicated, by making the cell selectively display corresponding indexing systems. A specific application of the device is for automobile dashboards.

Abstract: The article is provided with a coating resisting wear and corrosion, such coating being for the most part made of a precious metal or alloy of a precious metal, for example gold or an alloy containing gold.The coating is made up of a first layer of such precious metal or alloy thereof comprising discrete inclusions of a metallic compound such as titanium nitride. These inclusions are deposited along with the precious metal in vapor phase and distributed in a substantially homogeneous manner through the entire thickness of the layer, said thickness being equal to or greater than 0.4 .mu.m. A second layer of precious metal or alloy thereof is located between the article and said first layer.The article may be a watch case, a bracelet link or a piece of jewelry.

Abstract: A watch display comprises time display hands (3, 4) and a reflecting digital display (5) which acts as dial for the hands, the display being transparent under the effect of an electric field and opaque in the absence of the field.

Abstract: An electrochromic display cell comprises a frame interposed between an ionic conductor and an annular soldered zone sealing a cover of the cell to a substrate of the cell. The frame is squeezed between the cover and the substrate to tightly separate the ionic conductor and the solder, preventing any reaction therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the frame is made of a thermofusible material. It partially melts during the sealing of the cell, adhering thus very tightly to the cover and to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing the substrate of an electrochromic display cell as a result of which the ionic conductor of the cell cannot come into contact with the transparent conductive elements which form part of this substrate. A transparent conductive layer, a layer of an electrochromic material and a layer of photosensitive material having a positive action are deposited in turn on a transparent plate. A network of conductive elements is formed by etching away the electrochromic layer and the conductive layer through a mask constituted by the photosensitive material which is selectively exposed and developed. The electrochromic material is then etched away through a second mask formed by the same photosensitive material selectively exposed and developed a second time. This second mask is also used for the deposition of a layer of dielectric material. The conductive elements are thus covered with a continuous layer of dielectric material and of electrochromic material.

Abstract: An electro-optic passive display cell including two glass plates positioned spaced from each other with the edges thereof sealed and having an active constituent disposed between said plates. The plates are maintained in spaced and sealed relationship by a frame-shaped distance-piece adhered to the plates by a layer of glass paste solidified by sintering. The cell is formed by applying a high frequency induction current to fuse the frame-shaped piece to at least one plate.

Abstract: To prepare a masking agent resistant to temperature, one adds silica powder to a photoresist. The mixture thus obtained is used to produce selective deposition of a layer of material on a substrate. The mixture of photoresist and silica powder serves as a photo-sensitive protective material which is then eliminated partially by selective exposure to light and use of a photographic developer. The temperatures involved in the deposition of the layer of desired material, for instance tin oxide, are about 500.degree. C. (deposition in the vapor phase), and the photo-sensitive material would be liable to destruction if it did not contain silica powder. It is then necessary, once the deposition of the desired material has been effected, to increase the temperature of the workpiece up to about 540.degree. C. to destroy and, hence, to eliminate the protective material.

Abstract: Electro-optic passive display cell constituted by a layer of a mixture of a nematic liquid crystal having a positive dielectric anisotropy, an optically active compound and dichroic molecules. The inner faces of the plates of the cell are covered with alignment layers such that, in the area situated outside the display zones or segments, the layer of the mixture has a homeotropic structure in its whole thickness. Opposite the segments the cell is arranged in such a way that the layer of the mixture has a helicoidal structure so that incident light is absorbed in these zones when the segments are not activated and that the layer of the mixture is orientated according to a homeotropic structure under the action of an electric field. Thus, when the cell is at rest, all its segments are visible. The display is effected by "cancelling" or "effacing" the segments which must not appear, so that only the non activated segments remaining visible in dark on a clear or transparent background.

Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment film is deposited on the inner surfaces of two plates of an electro-optic passive display cell. The film is vacuum evaporated on the plates at an incidence of 5.degree. and at least one plate is rubbed in only the direction of deposition. A helicoidal nematic liquid crystal is disposed between the two plates of the cell, and is aligned by the film.