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Self bleaching photoelectrochemical-electrochromic device

  • US 6,369,934 B1
  • Filed: 08/01/2000
  • Issued: 04/09/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A self-powered photoelectrochemical-electrochromic device that automatically modulates transmittance of incoming light without an external power source the device comprising:

  • a first transparent electrode;

    a second transparent electrode disposed in parallel, spaced relation to said first electrode, the first transparent electrode being electrically connected to said second transparent electrode;

    a layer of electrochromic material applied to said first transparent electrode;

    a nanoporous semiconductor film applied to said second transparent electrode;

    said nanoporous semiconductor film having adsorbed therein a light absorbing dye;

    said absorbing dye enhancing the absorption of light in a specific spectral range; and

    electrolyte means of a selected thickness to provide lateral ionic conductivity that darkens an entire immediately adjacent layer of electrochromic material when light strikes any portion of the electrolyte means deposited between and contacting said electrochromic material layer and said nanoporous semiconductor dye adsorbed film, the electrolyte means having a redox couple such that upon application of light, the dye is illuminated by the absorption of light and said redox couple oxidizes to produce an electric field across the device which modulates effective light transmittance in said electrochromic material, said device and electrochromic material spontaneously bleaching upon removal of the light as a result of illuminated oxidized dye causing a chemically reversible oxidation on ions in said electrolyte means.

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