A self-powered variable transmittance optical device, such as a smart window or other device, and associated method are provided. The device comprises one or more transparent substrates, with a switching material disposed thereon or therebetween. The switching material may be a hybrid photochromic/electrochromic material capable of transitioning from a first transmittance state to a second transmittance state with application of electricity, and from second state to first state due to another stimulus, such as UV radiation. Electrodes are coupled to the switching material for applying electricity. An electrical system provides for controllable application of the electricity, and may store energy. Energy is provided by an energy-harvesting power source such as a solar cell or other photovoltaic source, or array thereof, or another device for harvesting vibrational or thermal energy. Energy harvesting, energy storage capacity and/or switching material may be configured to provide at least a predetermined level of device operability
VARIABLE TRANSMITTANCE OPTICAL DEVICES
2016-03-24
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | G02F DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPTICAL OPERATION OF WHICH IS MODIFIED BY CHANGING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM OF THE DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INTENSITY, COLOUR, PHASE, POLARISATION OR DIRECTION OF LIGHT, e.g. SWITCHING,... , Vorrichtungen oder Anordnungen, deren optische Arbeitsweise durch Änderung der optischen Eigenschaften des Mediums der Vorrichtungen oder Anordnungen geändert wird zum Steuern der Intensität, Farbe, Phase, Polarisation oder der Richtung von... / B60J WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES , Fenster, Windschutzscheiben und bewegbare Dächer, Türen oder Ähnliches für Fahrzeuge / G02B Optische Elemente, Systeme oder Geräte , OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS |
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