Electrochromic polymeric solid films, manufacturing electrochromic devices using such solid films, and processes for making such solid films and devices

A segmented electrochromic device comprising:

• (a) a first transparent substrate having a transparent conductive layer on a surface thereof;
• (b) a second substrate having a conductive layer on a surface thereof, said conductive layer of said first substrate opposing said conductive layer of said second substrate in a spaced-apart relationship, thereby forming an interpane distance between said substrates of at least about 10 microns;
• (c) an electrochromic medium disposed between said spaced-apart substrates, said medium comprising a cross-linked polymeric solid film formed by curing a monomer composition that includes at least one of (A) a monofunctional monomer and a cross-linking agent and (B) a polyfunctional monomer capable of cross-linking, said cross-linked polymeric solid film plasticized with a plasticizer;
• and
• (d) at least one break in electrical continuity in at least one of said conductive layer of said first substrate and said conductive layer of said second substrate, said at least one break in electrical continuity of said conductive layer defining a selected portion of the electrochromic device in order that upon application of a potential thereto, said selected portion colors in preference to an adjacent portion.