Smart window, smart window system, method of operating smart window, and method of fabricating smart window

A method of operating a smart window, comprising:

• integrating an antenna layer in a smart window configured to transition between a substantially transparent state and a dimmed state;
• receiving wireless power transmissions by the antenna layer to provide energy for directly powering the smart window to transition between the substantially transparent state and the dimmed state;
• and
• powering the smart window to transition between the substantially transparent state and the dimmed state using the energy provided by the antenna layer;
• wherein the smart window comprises:
• a first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• an ion storage layer on the first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• an electrolyte layer on a side of the ion storage layer away from the first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• an electrochromic layer on a side of the electrolyte layer away from the ion storage layer;
• a second substantially transparent conductive layer on a side of the electrochromic layer away from the electrolyte layer;
• a switch configured to switch on and off a charging circuit for the smart window;
• and
• a converter electrically connected to the antenna layer and configured to convert the wireless power transmissions received by the antenna layer into an electrical energy;
• wherein the electrochromic layer comprises an electrochromic material sandwiched between the electrolyte layer and the second substantially transparent conductive layer;
• and
• an orthographic projection of the electrochromic layer on the first substantially transparent conductive layer substantially covers an orthographic projection of the antenna layer on the first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• wherein a first terminal of the antenna layer is electrically connected to the first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• and
• a second terminal of the antenna layer is electrically connected to the converter;
• the converter is electrically connected to a first terminal of the switch;
• and
• a second terminal of the switch is electrically connected to the second substantially transparent conductive layer through the antenna layer.

A method of fabricating a smart window configured to transition between a substantially transparent state and a dimmed state, comprising:

• forming a first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• forming an ion storage layer on the first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• forming an electrolyte layer on a side of the ion storage layer away from the first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• forming an electrochromic layer on a side of the electrolyte layer away from the ion storage layer;
• forming a second substantially transparent conductive layer on a side of the electrochromic layer away from the electrolyte layer;
• forming an antenna layer configured to receive wireless power transmissions to provide energy for directly powering the smart window to transition between the substantially transparent state and the dimmed state by depositing an antenna material on a layer of the smart window and patterning the antenna material;
• forming a switch configured to switch on and off a charging circuit for the smart window;
• and
• forming a converter electrically connected to the antenna layer and configured to convert the wireless power transmissions received by the antenna layer into an electrical energy;
• wherein the electrochromic layer comprises an electrochromic material sandwiched between the electrolyte layer and the second substantially transparent conductive layer;
• and
• the antenna layer is formed so that an orthographic projection of the electrochromic layer on the first substantially transparent conductive layer substantially covers an orthographic projection of the antenna layer on the first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• wherein a first terminal of the antenna layer is electrically connected to the first substantially transparent conductive layer;
• and
• a second terminal of the antenna layer is electrically connected to the converter;
• the converter is electrically connected to a first terminal of the switch;
• and
• a second terminal of the switch is electrically connected to the second substantially transparent conductive layer through the antenna layer.