Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an electrochromic element comprises providing a first substrate having first and second surfaces and a first edge surface, providing a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and a second edge surface, the third surfaces facing the second surface, providing an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, the medium having a light transmittance that is variable upon application of electric field thereto, applying a conductive layer on a portion of at least one of the surfaces, wherein applying the layer is accomplished at substantially atmospheric pressure, and applying at least one of metallic particles, an organometallic, a metallo-organic, and combinations thereof, wherein the conductive layer has a bulk resistivity of greater than or equal to 150 microohm cm. The conductive layer may be applied via ink jetting, ultrasonic spraying, auger or jet pumping.
Abstract:
An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state.
Abstract:
An apparatus, method, and process that includes a substantially transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the substantially transparent substrate, wherein the edge being a laser induced channel edge having enhanced edge characteristics.
Abstract:
A switchable mirror system (SMS) for use in a vehicular rearview assembly equipped with a light source transmitting light from within the rearview assembly through the SMS to a field-of-view (FOY) outside the assembly An SMS includes at least two electro-optic (EO) cells, one of which corresponds to the outside of the assembly and is adapted to be a switchable linear absorptive polarizer thereby configuring the SMS to have a reflectance value that is gradually variable in response to changes in voltages applied to the first and second EO-cells, as measured in said FOY in ambient light The SMS further includes first and second linear reflective polarizer laminates situated on two sequentially disposed substrates such as to sandwich an EO-medium of the second EO-cell between said first and second linear reflective polarizer elements, the laminates being devoid of extended distortion
Abstract:
An apparatus, method, and process that includes a substantially transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the substantially transparent substrate, wherein the edge being a laser induced channel edge having enhanced edge characteristics.
Abstract:
An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack. The materials utilized to construct the insulator/metal/insulator stack are selected to optimize optical and physical properties of the element such as reflectivity, color, electrical switch stability, and environmental durability.