Photochromic, electrochromic, photoelectrochromic and photovoltaic devices
US6118572A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/163
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light activated photoelectrochromic device is formed of a two-component system formed of a photoactive charge carrier generating material and electrochromic material (plus an elecrolyte). Light interacts with a semiconductive material to generate hole-electron charge carriers which cause a redox reaction in the electrochromic material. One device is formed of hydrated nickel oxide as the electrochromic layer and polycrystalline titanium dioxide as the charge generating material. The materials may be formed as discrete layers or mixed together. Because of the direct charge transfer between the layers, a circuit to apply a voltage to drive the electrochromic reaction is not required, although one can be used to enhance the reaction. The hydrated nickel oxide-titanium dioxide materials can also be used to form a photovoltaic device for generating electricity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.