# US 2020/0401010 A1 · Gaschromic light control element

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- Number: US 2020/0401010 A1
- Document ID: US20200401010A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/979,237
- Filed: 2019-03-12
- Published: 2020-12-24
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-16
- Assignees: Nitto Denko Corporation
- Applicants: Nitto Denko Corporation
- Inventors: Kenta Watanabe; Hiroyuki Takemoto; Akiko Sugino
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200401010A1

## CPC

- G02F 1/1533: {structural features not otherwise provided for}
- G02F 1/19: based on variable-reflection or variable-refraction elements not provided for in groups G02F1/015 - G02F1/169
- G02F 1/157: Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
- G02F 1/17: based on variable-absorption elements not provided for in groups G02F1/015 - G02F1/169
- G02F 1/133305: {Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film}
- G02F 1/13392: {spacers dispersed on the cell substrate, e.g. spherical particles, microfibres}
- G02F 1/161: Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
- 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

## Abstract

A gaschromic light-modulation element according to the present invention includes a light-modulation substrate having a light-modulation portion on one principal surface of a first transparent substrate; and a second transparent substrate which is arranged so as to face the light-modulation part of the light-modulation substrate. The light-modulation portion includes a light-modulation layer, the light transmittance of which is reversibly changed by hydrogenation and dehydrogenation. At least one of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate is flexible. A plurality of dot-shaped spacers are arranged between the light-modulation part and the second transparent substrate. It is preferable that the number density of the spacers is 70 to 15000 pieces/m2.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A gas chromic light-modulation element capable of reversibly changing between a transparent state by hydrogenation and a light-shielding state by dehydrogenation,
the gas chromic light-modulation element comprising:
a light-modulation substrate having a light-modulation portion provided on one principal surface of a first transparent substrate, the light-modulation portion including a light-modulation layer capable of reversibly changing light transmittance by hydrogenation and dehydrogenation; and
a second transparent substrate disposed so as to face the light-modulation portion of the light-modulation substrate,
wherein at least one of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate is flexible, and
a plurality of dot-shaped spacers are arranged between the light-modulation portion and the second transparent substrate, and a number density of the spacers is 70 pieces/m2 or more.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The gas chromic light-modulation element according to claim 1, wherein the spacers are fixed on the second transparent substrate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The gas chromic light-modulation element according to claim 1, wherein a height of the spacers is 10 to 5000 μm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The gas chromic light-modulation element according to claim 1, wherein a projected area circle equivalent diameter of each of the spacers is 30 to 1000 μm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The gas chromic gas chromic light-modulation element according to claim 1, the first transparent substrate is flexible.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The gas chromic light-modulation element according to claim 1, wherein both of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are flexible.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The gas chromic light-modulation element according to claim 1, wherein the light-modulation portion further includes a catalyst layer which promotes hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of the light-modulation layer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The gas chromic light-modulation element according to claim 1, wherein the light-modulation layer is a thin-film formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of rare earth metals, alloys of rare earth metals and magnesium, alloys of alkaline earth metals and magnesium, and alloys of transition metals and magnesium.