VARIABLE TRANSMITTANCE OPTICAL DEVICES

• US 20130278989A1
• Filed: 12/15/2011
• Published: 10/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solutia Canada, Inc. (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Original Assignee: Switch Materials, Inc.
• Inventors: Lam, Duhane, Branda, Neil Robin, Smit, Matthew Paul, Von Hahn, Peter Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 9,176,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/23 Photochromic filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/102 Photochromic filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0102 Constructional details, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0126 Opto-optical modulation, i.e. control of one light beam by another light beam, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1516 comprising organic material
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15165 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/086 UV absorbing
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/14 photochromic
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/34 by control of light from an independent source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/38 using electrochromic devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

A self-powered variable transmittance optical device, such as a smart window or other device, and associated method are provided. The device comprises one or more transparent substrates, with a switching material disposed thereon or therebetween. The switching material may be a hybrid photochromic/electrochromic material capable of transitioning from a first transmittance state to a second transmittance state with application of electricity, and from second state to first state due to another stimulus, such as UV radiation. Electrodes are coupled to the switching material for applying electricity. An electrical system provides for controllable application of the electricity, and may store energy. Energy is provided by an energy-harvesting power source such as a solar cell or other photovoltaic source, or array thereof, or another device for harvesting vibrational or thermal energy. Energy harvesting, energy storage capacity and/or switching material may be configured to provide at least a predetermined level of device operability.

Claims

1-103. -103. (canceled)

104. A variable transmittance optical filter comprising:

a. a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate with a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system disposed thereon, the SC electrode system made of transparent electrically conductive material and comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner on the first substantially transparent substrate, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode,

b. a second layer proximate to the first layer and comprising a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic, and that darkens in response to a non-electrical stimulus and lightens in response to application of an electric voltage; and

c. an electrical connection system for electrically connecting the SC electrode system to a source of electric voltage.

105. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104, wherein the optical filter further comprises a second substantially transparent substrate.

106. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode of each pair comprise finger-like structures and the finger-like structures of the first electrode are interdigitated with the finger-like structures of the second electrode.

107. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 106, wherein the fingerlike structures the first electrode and the finger like structures of the second electrode are substantially the same length.

108. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 106, wherein the fingerlike structures of the first electrode and the second electrode form a linear or curvilinear unit.

109. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 106, wherein each of the interdigitated finger-like structures of the first and second electrodes have an interdigit spacing of from about 10 μ

m to about 1 mm or any amount or range therebetween.

110. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104, wherein the surface area of the first electrode is substantially equal to, or greater than, the surface area of the second electrode.

111. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 106, wherein the width of the fingerlike structures of the first electrode and the finger like structures of the second electrode have a ratio of from about 2:

1 to about 100;

1 or any amount therebetween.

112. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 106, wherein the space between the fingerlike structures of the first electrode and second electrode is less than the width of the second electrode.

113. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104, wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode.

114. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104, wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode.

115. The variable transmittance optical filter claim 104, wherein the compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic is an anodic species.

116. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104, wherein the compound that is both photochromic and electrochromicis a diarylethene.

117. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104, wherein the non-electrical stimulus is light, wherein the light comprises wavelengths of about 350 to about 420 nm, or of about 365 to about 420 nm, or of about 374 to about 420 nm, or of about 375 to about 420 nm, or of about 380 to about 420 nm, or of about 385 nm to about 420 nm, or any amount or range therebetween.

118. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104, comprising two or more pairs of electrically separate electrodes.

119. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104, wherein the variable transmittance optical filter is a film.

120. An architectural window, automotive window or opthalmic device comprising the variable transmittance optical filter of claim 104.

121. A method of preparing a variable transmittance optical filter comprising the steps of:

a. providing a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate, and;

i. etching into a layer of substantially transparent electrically conductive material disposed thereon a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system, the SC electrode system comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode;

or

ii. printing onto the first substrate a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system using a conductive ink, the SC electrode system comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode;

b. disposing a second layer proximate to the SC electrode system, the second layer comprising a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic that is capable of dynamically varying the degree of visible light transmittance on application of an electric voltage; and

c. providing an electrical connection system electrically connecting the SC electrode system to a source of electric voltage.

122. A method of transitioning a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic from a dark state to a faded state comprising the steps of:

a. applying a positive voltage to a first electrode and a negative voltage to a second electrode;

b. reversing the polarity of the voltage, thereby applying a negative voltage to the first electrode and a positive voltage to the second electrode.

123. The method of claim 122, wherein the voltage applied to the first and second electrodes is from about 0.5 to about 3.0 V, or from about 1.2V to about 2.5 V, or from about 1.8V to about 2.2 V, or any amount or range therebetween.