US 2026/0186352 A1 · CURVED OPTICAL DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME

Abstract

A curved variable transmission optical device (“VTOD”) includes a first substrate structure including a first transparent electrode provided over a first substrate, and a second substrate structure including a second transparent electrode provided over a second substrate. The VTOD includes an electro-optic material provided between the substrates, wherein each transparent electrode is interposed between its respective substrate and the electro-optic material. The first and second substrate structures retain a curved shape such that the VTOD is characterized by at least a first curvature. At least one transparent electrode includes a transparent hybrid conductor having a multilayer or gradient compositional structure. The transparent hybrid conductor includes a conductive polymer and may further include a supplemental conductor.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A curved variable transmission optical device (“VTOD”) comprising:

a first substrate structure comprising a first transparent electrode provided over a first substrate;
a second substrate structure comprising a second transparent electrode provided over a second substrate;
and
an electro-optic material provided between the substrates, wherein each transparent electrode is interposed between its respective substrate and the electro-optic material,
wherein the first and second substrate structures retain a curved shape such that the VTOD is characterized by at least a first curvature,
and wherein at least one transparent electrode comprises a transparent hybrid conductor having a multilayer or gradient compositional structure, the transparent hybrid conductor comprising a conductive polymer.

3 more elements

A method of making a curved VTOD, the method comprising:

a) providing a substantially planar VTOD in association with a shaping apparatus, the substantially planar VTOD comprising:
i) a first substrate precursor structure comprising a first transparent electrode material provided over a substantially planar first flexible substrate;
ii) a second substrate precursor structure comprising a second transparent electrode material provided over a substantially planar second flexible substrate;
and
iii) a cell gap provided between the substrate precursor structures, wherein each transparent electrode is interposed between its respective flexible substrate and the cell gap;
and
b) applying heat, force, or both heat and force to the substantially planar VTOD to cause the first and second substrate precursor structures to permanently change shape in accordance with the shaping apparatus to form a curved VTOD comprising at least a first curvature,
wherein at least one transparent electrode material comprises a transparent hybrid conductor having a multilayer or gradient compositional structure, the transparent hybrid conductor comprising a conductive polymer.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Curved optical devices, and methods for making same

Life of this patent

Curved optical devices, and methods for making same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38