Reversible electrochemical mirror for modulation of reflected radiation

An electrochemical mirror for reversibly controlling the reflection of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:

• a first substrate which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
• a first electrode which is disposed on the first substrate and which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
• a surface modification layer disposed on the first electrode;
• a second substrate;
• a second electrode which is disposed on the second substrate;
• an electrolytic solution disposed between and in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes;
• a plurality of ions of a metal capable of electrodeposition on the first and second electrodes, the ions being soluble in the electrolytic solution;
• and
• a plurality of atoms of said metal disposed on either the first or the second electrode,
• such that a negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode relative to the second electrode tends to cause deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode, the surface modification layer facilitating substantially uniform nucleation of the electrodeposited metal on the first electrode, and
• such that a positive electrical potential applied to the first electrode relative to the second electrode tends to cause deposited metal to be dissolved from the first electrode and electrodeposited from the solution onto the second electrode,
• the amount of deposited metal subsisting on the first electrode affecting the reflectivity of the mirror for the radiation.

An electrochemical mirror for reversibly controlling the reflection of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:

• a first substrate which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
• a first electrode which is disposed on the first substrate and which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
• a surface modification layer disposed on the first electrode;
• a second, electrically insulating substrate;
• a second, continuously electrically conducting electrode disposed on the second substrate;
• an electrolytic solution disposed between and in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes;
• a plurality of ions of a metal capable of electrodeposition on the first and second electrodes, the ions being soluble in the electrolytic solution;
• and
• a plurality of atoms of said metal disposed on either the first or the second electrode,
• such that a negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode relative to the second electrode tends to cause deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode, the surface modification layer facilitating substantially uniform nucleation of the electrodeposited metal on the first electrode, and
• such that a positive electrical potential applied to the first electrode relative to the second electrode tends to cause deposited metal to be dissolved from the first electrode and electrodeposited from the solution onto the second electrode,
• the amount of deposited metal subsisting on the first electrode affecting the reflectivity of the mirror for the radiation.

An electrochemical mirror for reversibly controlling the reflection of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:

• a first substrate which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
• a first electrode which is disposed on the first substrate and which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
• a surface modification layer disposed on the first electrode;
• a second, electrically insulating substrate;
• a second electrode which is an electrochemically stable metal deposited on the second substrate;
• an electrolytic solution disposed between and in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes;
• a plurality of ions of a metal capable of electrodeposition on the first and second electrodes, the ions being soluble in the electrolytic solution;
• and
• a plurality of atoms of said metal disposed on either the first or the second electrode,
• such that a negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode relative to the second electrode tends to cause deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the solution and to be clectrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode, the surface modification layer facilitating substantially uniform nucleation of the electrodeposited metal on the first electrode, and
• such that a positive electrical potential applied to the first electrode relative to the second electrode tends to cause deposited metal to be dissolved from the first electrode and electrodeposited from the solution onto the second electrode,
• the amount of deposited metal subsisting on the first electrode affecting the reflectivity of the mirror for the radiation.