Electrochromic light valve and method of manufacturing it as well as its use

US5631765A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Föderung der Wissenschaften e.V. · US

Inventors

• Gunter Baur · Glückstadt, DE
• Peter Schlotter · Glückstadt, DE
• Heinz Strinitz · Waldkirch, DE
• Uta Weinberg · Glückstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 12, 1993
• Grant date: May 20, 1997
• Expiry date: Nov 12, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02F2001/1555
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention makes available an electrochromic right valve (1) with an active electrochromic layer (2) and a passive electrochromic layer (3). Between the two electrochromic layers is an electrolyte (4). Each of the electrochromic layers is connected to an associated electrode (5, 6). The active electrochromic layer can accept electrons from its electrodes and ions of a particular element from the electrolyte to become reversibly colored. The passive electrochromic layer acts as a reservoir for ions of the species concerned, donating such ions to and accepting them from the electrolyte. At the operating temperature of the electrochromic light valve, the passive layer is super-saturated with the element which provides the ions of the species concerned. The invention also covers a method of manufacturing the electrochromic light valve and uses of the valve.