Electrochromic device with color gradient and method of making the device

A method for making an electrochromic device adapted to provide a color intensity gradient during operation of the electrochromic device which comprises a substrate and thereon:

• a first electrode layer;
• an electrochromic layer;
• an ion conductive material;
• a counter electrode and a second electrode layer in that order, the ion conductive layer being adapted to communicate ions between the electrochromic layer and the counter electrode upon application of a voltage across the first and second electrode layers, the method comprising:
• depositing at least one of the electrochromic layer and the counter electrode with a graded thickness gradient in at least one region when measured normal to the plane of the first or second electrode layer;
• and
• gradationally infusing the at least one of the electrochromic layer and the counter electrode having the thickness graded with a uniform concentration of ions prior to assembling the electrochromic device.

An electrochromic device which comprises a substrate and thereon:

• a first electrode layer;
• an electrochromic material;
• an ion conductive material;
• a counter electrode and a second electrode layer in that order, said ion conductive layer being adapted to communicate ions between said electrochromic material and said counter electrode upon application of a voltage across said electrode layers, and wherein both of said electrochromic material and said counter electrode have a graded thickness in at least one region when measured normal to the plane of an electrode layer.

A method of gradationally infusing a graded thickness permeable medium with a material to obtain a uniform concentration of the material throughout the permeable medium, comprising:

• placing the material in a container;
• inserting the permeable medium into the material within the container;
• and
• removing the permeable medium from the material, in a manner so as to inject a uniform concentration of the material into the permeable medium.