# US 2013/0278989 A1 · Variable transmittance optical devices

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2013/0278989 A1
- Document ID: US20130278989A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/994,388
- Filed: 2011-12-15
- Published: 2013-10-24
- Earliest claimed: 2010-12-15
- Assignees: Switch Materials, Inc.
- Inventors: Duhane Lam; Neil Robin Branda; Matthew Paul Smit; Peter Alexander Von Hahn
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130278989A1

## CPC

- G02F 1/163: Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
- B60J 3/04: adjustable in transparency
- G02B 5/208: {for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation}
- G02B 5/23: Photochromic filters
- G02C 7/101: {having an electro-optical light valve (electro-optical elements per se G02F)}
- G02C 7/102: {Photochromic filters}
- G02F 1/0102: {Constructional details, not otherwise provided for in this subclass}
- G02F 1/0126: {Opto-optical modulation, i.e. control of one light beam by another light beam, not otherwise provided for in this subclass}
- G02F 1/1516: comprising organic material
- G02F 1/15165: {Polymers}
- G02F 1/157: Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
- G09G 3/38: using electrochromic devices
- G02F 1/153: Constructional details
- G02F 2201/086: UV absorbing
- G02F 2202/14: photochromic
- G09G 3/34: by control of light from an independent source
- Y10T 29/49155: Manufacturing circuit on or in base
- G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02C: SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES (trial frames for testing the eyes A61B3/04; goggles or eyeshields not having the same features as spectacles A61F9/00)
- G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## 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

### Claim at position 1

1-103. (canceled)

### Claim 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.

### Claim 105 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 106 (depends on 104)

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.

### Claim 107 (depends on 106)

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.

### Claim 108 (depends on 106)

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.

### Claim 109 (depends on 106)

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

### Claim 110 (depends on 104)

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.

### Claim 111 (depends on 106)

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.

### Claim 112 (depends on 106)

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.

### Claim 113 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 114 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 115 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 116 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 117 (depends on 104)

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.

### Claim 118 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 119 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 120 (depends on 104)

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

### Claim 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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 123 (depends on 122)

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.