Electrochromic medium having a self-healing cross-linked polymer gel and associated electrochromic device

An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device, comprising:

• at least one solvent;
• a cathodic electroactive material;
• an anodic electroactive material;
• wherein at least one of the cathodic and anodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;
• a cross-linked polymer gel, wherein the cross-linked polymer gel comprises a product of a first reactant having a cohesive functional group and a second reactant having a cross-linking functional group, wherein the molar ratio of the cohesive functional group to the cross-linking functional group is greater than approximately 3:1;
• and
• means associated with the cross-linked polymer gel for substantially diminishing undesirable visual irregularities within the same.

An electrochromic device, comprising:

• at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;
• and
• an electrochromic medium which comprises:
• at least one solvent;
• a cathodic electroactive material;
• an anodic electroactive material;
• wherein at least one of the cathodic and anodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;
• and
• a self-healing cross-linked polymeric gel, wherein the self-healing cross-linked polymer gel comprises a product of a first reactant having a cohesive functional group and a second reactant having a cross-linking functional group, wherein the molar ratio of the cohesive functional group to the cross-linking functional group is greater than approximately 3:1.

An electrochromic device, comprising:

• a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;
• a second substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith;
• and
• an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises:
• at least one solvent;
• a cathodic electroactive material;
• an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic;
• and
• a self-healing cross-linked polymeric gel, wherein the self-healing cross-linked polymer gel comprises a product of a first reactant having a cohesive functional group and a second reactant having a cross-linking functional group, wherein the molar ratio of the cohesive functional group to the cross-linking functional group is greater than approximately 3:1.