Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a touch sensor, including a window substrate, and bezel layers formed along an outer circumference on the window substrate. The bezel layer includes a photochromic compound or a thermochromic compound expressing at least two colors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical window-filter including a thermochromic material and a light absorbing material. An absorption of light by the light absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material. The present invention further relates to a filter for an infrared imaging system having detectors sensitive to radiation in an infrared transmission spectrum. The filter includes a thermochromic material and a light-absorbing material. An absorption of high-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum by the light-absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material to attenuate the high-power radiation while transmitting substantially unaffected low-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum.

Abstract: There is described a passive variable emittance device comprising: a substrate having a receiving surface adapted to reflect radiations having a given wavelength; an intermediary layer deposited on the receiving surface of the substrate and being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength; and a thermochromic layer deposited on top of the intermediary layer, the thermochromic layer being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength for a first temperature below a given transition temperature, and presenting both reflection and absorption for the radiations for a second temperature above the given transition temperature, a total optical thickness for the intermediary and thermochromic layers being substantially equal to one quarter of the given wavelength so that radiations reflected by the thermochromic layer at the second temperature destructively interfere with radiations transmitted by the thermochromic and intermediary layers and reflected by the sub

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for regulating the passage of energy through a light-transmitting area, comprising a first polarisation layer, a second polarisation layer and a switching layer which is arranged between the two polarisation layers and changes the polarisation properties of polarised light as a function of temperature, where the two polarisation layers are characterised by a suitable choice of their transmission in the transmission direction and their degree of polarisation. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of the device according to the invention and to the use of the device for influencing light transmission and/or the passage of energy into an interior as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A thermochromic window, the sunlight transmittance of which is adjustable depending on temperature, and a method of fabricating the same. The thermochromic window includes a substrate, a plurality of nanodots formed on the substrate, and a thermochromic thin film coating the substrate and the nanodots. The thermochromic thin film is made of a thermochromic material. The thickness of the thermochromic thin film disposed on the substrate is smaller than the thickness of the thermochromic thin film disposed on the nanodots.

Abstract: A multifunctional building component is capable of serving as one or more of a window, a wall, a shading device, a roofing element, a color panel, a display, an energy harvesting device, an energy storage device, and an energy distribution device.

Abstract: Methods for tuning a transmitter to a selected wavelength are disclosed. A transmitter including a laser array comprising a plurality of lasers spatially offset from one another and each having a laser output having a unique wavelength. A first prism is positioned to impart a first angular shift to the laser outputs to produce and a second prism is positioned to impart a second angular shift opposite the first angular shift on the outputs. An index modulating element is coupled to one of the first and second prisms and a controller is electrically coupled to the index modulating element to control an angle of light output form the second prism. An optical spectrum reshaper may be positioned between the second prism and the lens and have at least one transmission edge aligned with the wavelength at least one of the lasers.

Abstract: A thermochromic window, the sunlight transmittance of which is adjustable depending on the temperature, and a method of fabricating the same. The thermochromic window includes a flexible substrate, a thermochromic thin film disposed on the flexible substrate, and a hot-processed substrate bonded to the thermochromic thin film.

Abstract: A combination of layers comprised of: 1) a first LETC layer; 2) a second LETC layer and 3) a separator layer between the two LETC layers 4) an additive within at least one of the LETC layers and the separator layer wherein when the layers are laminated between two sheets of clear glass the color coordinate values of the laminate are about ?8.5?a*?about 8.5 and about ?8.5?b*?about 8.5 throughout the temperature range of about 0° C. to about 85° C.

Abstract: An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment.

Abstract: A tunable PLC optical filter having sequentially connected thermally tunable Mach-Zehnder (MZ) interferometers is described. The cascade of MZ interferometers, each having a free spectral ranges matching ITU frequency grid spacing, are tuned so as to have a common passband centered on the frequency of the signal being selected, while having at least one of the stopbands centered on any other ITU frequency. Any other optical channel that may be present at any other ITU frequency is suppressed as a result. Another MZ interferometer in series with the cascade of interferometers including an asymmetric or variable coupler, is tuned to have low transmission at the center frequency of the selected optical channel.

Abstract: A thermochromic window system includes at least one substrate and a thermochromic layer applied onto the at least one substrate. The thermochromic layer includes at least two thermochromic films and at least one non-thermochromic colored film positioned between the thermochromic films. The at least one substrate can be selected from glass, plastic, or mixtures thereof. The at least one non-thermochromic colored film can also include light absorbers.

Abstract: An incandescent light source display includes a container and a number of incandescent light sources. The incandescent light sources are located in the container. Each of the incandescent light sources includes a first electrode, a second electrode and an incandescent element. The second electrode is spaced from the first electrode. The incandescent element is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. The incandescent element includes a carbon nanotube structure.

Abstract: An optical limiter comprises a glass backing, a glass cover, and a layer of a phase changing material placed between said glass backing and said glass cover, the phase changing material comprising a transparent matrix having embedded particles of material that changes its optical properties due to temperature induced phase change of said material. The optical properties may change from transparent to reflective, from transparent to refractive or from transparent to scattering. The phase changing material is preferably at least one material selected from the group consisting of the elements Antimony, Bismuth, Cadmium, Lead, Tin and Indium and low-melting-point alloys of two or more of these elements. Two or more layers of phase changing materials may be used in a stack configuration, with each of the phase changing materials having a unique melting temperature.

Abstract: A thermochromic substrate and a method of manufacturing the same, in which the crystallinity of a thermochromic layer can be improved. The method includes the steps of forming a pre-thermochromic layer on a glass substrate by coating the glass substrate with pure vanadium, forming a seed layer by heat-treating the pre-thermochromic layer, and forming a thermochromic layer by coating the heat-treated seed layer with a vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin film.

Abstract: A layer arrangement (1) which changes the transmission of incident light depending on its temperature, where the layer arrangement (1) has a first polarization layer (5a), a switching layer (2) which influences the polarization properties of light depending on the temperature, and a second polarization layer (5b), whereby both the first polarization layer (5a) and the second polarization layer (5b) are arranged to affect polarization both in the VIS region and in the NIR region.

Abstract: A thermally switched optical downconverting (TSOD) filter is a self-regulating device including a downconverter that converts incoming light at a variety of wavelengths into longer-wavelength radiation and then directs it using one or more bandblock filters in either the inward or outward direction, depending on the temperature of the device. This control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating properties of the device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The TSOD filter is energy-efficient as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The TSOD filter has unique aesthetic and optical properties not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls.

Abstract: A microfluidic panel including at least one substrate, one or more channels formed in the substrate, and fluid disposed within the one or more channels. The fluid is selected to store thermal energy and the microfluidic panel is adapted to convert the thermal energy into useable energy or condition the energy to adjust optical wavelength passband of the panel.

Abstract: A light source device is provided with a coherent light source for emitting the coherent light, and a pattern changer for changing an interference pattern of the coherent light on a surface of the illumination object. The pattern changer includes a photorefractive crystal which is arranged between the coherent light source and the illumination object and on an optical path of the coherent light and exhibits a photorefractive effect, and a changer for changing at least one of a light intensity distribution, a polarization direction, a wavelength and an intensity of coherent light incident on the photorefractive crystal. The illumination object is illuminated with the coherent light.

Abstract: A thermochromatic device in a thermochromatic display includes an insulating substrate, a color element, a heating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the color element and the heating element located on the insulating substrate being virtually integral but together are physically isolated and heat-insulated and allow such fast electrically-governed color changes that moving color images can be displayed.

Abstract: The thermally switched absorptive optical shutter may be a self-regulating “switchable absorber” device that may absorb approximately 100% of incoming light above a threshold temperature, and may absorb approximately 50% of incoming light below a threshold temperature. The shutter may be formed by placing a thermotropic depolarizes between two absorptive polarizers. This control over the flow of radiant energy may occur independently of the thermal conductivity or insulation of the shutter device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. This has energy-efficiency implications as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The shutter device has unique optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or other building materials.

Abstract: The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device.

Abstract: A thermochromic window, including: a first glass substrate, a transparent conductive film applied to the first glass substrate, a silicone resin layer applied to the conductive film, a second glass substrate, and a power source which supplies power to the conductive film, the silicone resin layer including vanadium oxide (e.g., VO2) nanoparticles which are encapsulated in a silica inclusive (e.g., SiO2) shell.

Abstract: There is described a passive variable emittance device comprising: a substrate having a receiving surface adapted to reflect radiations having a given wavelength; an intermediary layer deposited on the receiving surface of the substrate and being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength; and a thermochromic layer deposited on top of the intermediary layer, the thermochromic layer being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength for a first temperature below a given transition temperature, and presenting both reflection and absorption for the radiations for a second temperature above the given transition temperature, a total optical thickness for the intermediary and thermochromic layers being substantially equal to one quarter of the given wavelength so that radiations reflected by the thermochromic layer at the second temperature destructively interfere with radiations transmitted by the thermochromic and intermediary layers and reflected by the sub

Abstract: A thermochromatic device includes an insulating substrate, a color element, a heating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The color element is located on the insulating substrate and includes a reversible thermochromatic material. The heating element is located adjacent to the color element and includes a carbon nanotube structure. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to the heating element. A thermochromatic display apparatus using the thermochromatic device is also related.

Abstract: A tunable photonic crystal device comprising: alternating layers of a first material and a second material, the alternating layers comprising a responsive material, the responsive material being responsive to an external stimulus, the alternating layers having a periodic difference in refractive indices giving rise to a first reflected wavelength; wherein, in response to the external stimulus, a change in the responsive material results in a reflected wavelength of the device shifting from the first reflected wavelength to a second reflected wavelength.

Abstract: A tunable metamaterial comprising a membrane on which is arranged a two-dimensional array of elements to form a metamaterial, wherein the array is subdivided into blocks of multiple elements, each block being separated from adjacent blocks by a gap to allow each block to be moveable relative to its adjacent blocks. The lattice of the metamaterial and hence its properties are tuned by inducing adjacent blocks to move away from each other or towards each other either in-plane or out-of-plane in a controllable manner in response to an electrical, thermal or optical control signal.

Abstract: A thermochromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an isolation layer and a first heating element. The isolation layer is received in the sealed enclosure that divides the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first heating element is located adjacent to the first chamber. The first heating element includes a carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of first carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotube groups between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction.

Abstract: A thermochromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an insulation layer and a first heating element. The insulation layer is received in the sealed enclosure, that divides the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first heating element is configured to heat the first chamber. The first heating element includes a carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of first carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotube groups between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction.

Abstract: A thermochromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an insulation layer and a first heating element. The sealed enclosure includes an upper semitransparent sheet and a lower sheet opposite to the upper semitransparent sheet, and defines a chamber between the upper semitransparent sheet and the lower sheet. The first transparent heating element is the semitransparent upper sheet. The first transparent heating element includes a carbon nanotube film including a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of first carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotube groups between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction.

Abstract: A thermochromatic element includes a color element and at least one heating element configured to supply heat for the color element such that the color element changes color. The at least one heating element includes at least one carbon nanotube film. Each carbon nanotube film includes a number of carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups. Each carbon nanotube linear unit includes a number of carbon nanotubes substantially oriented along a first direction, and are spaced from each other and substantially extending along the first direction. The carbon nanotube groups are combined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force. The carbon nanotube groups between adjacent carbon nanotube linear units are spaced from each other in the first direction.

Abstract: Thermochromic liquid crystal filters are fabricated by providing two polarizers oriented at offset polarity with respect to each other; providing alignment structures adjacent the inner surfaces of the polarizers; placing a plurality of spacers between the polarizers; and filling a space created by the spacers with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a depolarizer in a nematic state. The filter acts as a wave block when the liquid crystal is in an isotropic state. Alternatively, the filters can be created by encapsulating a thermochromic liquid crystal with a polymer material to form a flexible film and orienting the thermochromic liquid crystal in the polymer material to create a structure that functions as a thermochromic optical filter. Such filters can control the flow of light and radiant heat through selective reflection, transmission, absorption, and/or re-emission. The filters have particular application in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films and materials.

Abstract: An optical-path-switching apparatus according to the present invention includes a reducing optical system capable of guiding signal light and control light along the direction of gravity into a thermal-lens-forming optical element having an incidence plane positioned to be perpendicular to the direction of gravity in such a way as to differentiate respective convergence points in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The apparatus further includes a light-receiving unit configured to converge or condense straight-traveling signal light in the absence of irradiation with the control light and signal light whose optical path has been switched due to irradiation with the control light using the same optical element. Further, the apparatus includes a wedge-type prism provided at a passing position of the optical-path-switched signal light to increase the distance between the optical axis of the optical-path-changed signal light and the optical axis of the straight-traveling signal light.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical bank (1) comprising a carrier (10) for receiving optical components (60, 70) and a crystal (30) that is mechanically connected to the carrier, for changing the frequency of the light irradiated into the crystal (30) from a light source (50). Two rails (12) are arranged essentially in parallel on the carrier (10). The crystal (30) and the carrier (10) are mechanically connected by a surface of the rails (12), facing away from the carrier (10). A heat conducting element (20) is arranged on the crystal, said heat conducting element being applied to the surfaces of the rails (12), that face away from the carrier (10).

Abstract: An optical modulation system includes a metamaterial structure configured to receive and process an input optical signal at at least one operational wavelength, where the metamaterial structure changes between a transmissive state and a non-transmissive state with respect to the optical signal(s) at the operational wavelength(s) in response to an external stimulus applied to the metamaterial structure. An external stimulus source is coupled with the metamaterial structure and is configured to change the metamaterial structure between its transmissive and non-transmissive states by applying selected stimulus pulses to the metamaterial structure. The optical modulation system processes the input optical signal to output a modulated optical signal that modulates in correspondence with the selected pulses applied to the metamaterial structure.

Abstract: An incandescent light source display includes a substrate, a plurality of first electrode down-leads, a plurality of second electrode down-leads and a plurality of heating units. The plurality of first electrode down-leads are located on the substrate in parallel to each other and the plurality of second electrode down-leads are located on the substrate in parallel to each other. The first electrode down-leads cross the second electrode down-leads and corporately define a grid having a plurality of cells. Each of the incandescent light sources is located in correspondence with each of the cells. Each incandescent light source includes a first electrode, a second electrode and an incandescent element. The incandescent element includes a carbon nanotube structure.

Abstract: Ligand exchange thermochromic systems comprising a. a transition metal ion, iodide; and at least one material capable of minimizing or eliminating yellow color formation in the system, wherein at 25° C. the color coordinate b* value of the system is less than 30.

Abstract: A thermochromic window doped with a dopant and a method of manufacturing the same. The thermochromic window includes a substrate and a thermochromic thin film formed on the substrate. The thermochromic thin film has a thermochromic material doped with a dopant, the concentration of the dopant gradually decreasing in a depth direction from one surface of the upper surface and the undersurface of the thermochromic thin film. The thermochromic window has a high level of visible light transmittance and high phase change efficiency while having a low phase transition temperature.

Abstract: An optical phase shifter according to the invention includes the thermo-optical element of which a refractive index with respect to an input optical signal changes dependently on temperature; a temperature change section, having contact with one end of the thermo-optical element and of which a temperature changes so that a temperature of the thermo-optical element becomes a desired temperature; a heat dissipation section being disposed on an opposite side of the thermo-optical element with respect to the temperature change section and going into a state of thermal equilibrium at a temperature different from the temperature of the temperature change section; and a temperature buffer section, being disposed between the temperature change section and the heat dissipation section, having contact with the temperature change section and the heat dissipation section, and having a heat resistance greater than that of the heat dissipation section.

Abstract: An optical window-filter includes a thermochromic material and a light absorbing material that can be bonded chemically. Absorption of light by the light absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material. A filter for an infrared imaging system has detectors sensitive to radiation in an infrared transmission spectrum. The filter includes a thermochromic material and a light-absorbing material. Absorption of high-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum by the light-absorbing material generates heat that causes phase transformation of the thermochromic material to attenuate the high-power radiation while transmitting substantially unaffected low-power radiation in the infrared transmission spectrum.

Abstract: A thermochromatic device includes an insulating substrate, a back color layer, a color element, a heating element, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The back color layer is located on the insulating substrate. The color element is located on the back color layer and includes a transparence-changeable material. The transparence-changeable material performs a transformation between a transparent state and a nontransparent state at a phase change temperature. The heating element is located adjacent to the color element and includes a carbon nanotube structure. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to the heating element. A thermochromatic display apparatus using the thermochromatic device is also related.

Abstract: A thermochromic window that can effectively insulate heat when warming is conducted in winter. The thermochromic window that includes a substrate, a thermochromic thin film formed on the substrate, and a transparent conductive film formed on at least one surface of the upper surface and the undersurface of the thermochromic thin film. The emissivity of the transparent conductive film is lower than the emissivity of the thermochromic thin film.

Abstract: An optical device that includes a wavelength-sensitive optical component, which has an associated thermal time constant, is described. Note that an operating wavelength of the wavelength-sensitive optical component is a function of several physical parameters including temperature. Moreover, the optical device includes a heating mechanism that provides heat to the wavelength-sensitive optical component. Furthermore, the optical device includes a driver circuit that provides a pulse-width modulated signal to the heating mechanism. Note that an average pulse-width modulated heat provided by the heating mechanism, and which corresponds to the pulse-width modulated signal, thermally tunes the wavelength-sensitive optical component to a target operating wavelength. Additionally, note that the target operating wavelength corresponds to a target operating temperature of the wavelength-sensitive optical component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a layer arrangement which changes the transmission of light depending on its temperature, where the layer arrangement has a first polarisation layer, a switching layer which influences the polarisation properties of light depending on the temperature, and a second polarisation layer, as well as an additional NIR transmission-preventing layer.

Abstract: A thermally responsive material comprising an ordered periodic array of particles received in a substantially nonaqueous matrix composition. The material diffracts radiation in a first wavelength band when the material is at a first temperature and the material diffracts radiation in a second wavelength band when the material is at a second temperature.

Abstract: A smart window including: a thermochromic or thermotropic transmittance controlling layer; and a heater layer for generating heat in response to an external energy source and for supplying the heat to the transmittance controlling layer.

Abstract: A multilayer laminate and, more particularly a variable transmission window, which comprises: a) a thermochromic layer b) a photochromic layer wherein the thermochromic layer exhibits a net increase in its ability to absorb UV, visible, and/or near infrared light energy as the temperature of the system increases and a net decrease in its ability to absorb UV, visible and/or near infrared light energy as the temperature of the system decreases within the active range of the thermochromic layer.

Abstract: A thermochromic smart window and a method of manufacturing the thermochromic smart window including a glass and a thermochromic layer including a vanadium dioxide material formed on the glass. A thermochromic smart window includes a substrate and a thermochromic layer disposed on the substrate, wherein a slope of a graph of a reflectance of the thermochromic layer is at or between 1 and 2%/° C. at a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a photochromic optical article including: (a) an optical substrate; (b) a thermally reversible photochromic material; and (c) reversible thermochromic material capable of at least partially filtering UV/visible light at or below room temperature and becoming less capable of filtering UV/visible light at temperatures greater than room temperature. The reversible thermochromic material (c) is operable for filtering light in the range of from 300 to 450 nanometers.

Abstract: An ultraviolet absorbent substance includes a metal complex and a matrix, formed with at least one matrix material and/or polymerizable monomer as a precursor of a matrix material and containing said metal complex therein. One exemplary function of the ultraviolet absorbent substance is allowing visible light rays transmitted through satisfactorily while selectively blocking ultraviolet rays.