Electrochromic Devices

This paper reviews a number of recently discussed electrochromic devices, mainly for modulating optical transmittance. Data are given on all-solid-state and polymer-laminated constructions, with and without self-powering by integrated solar cells. Special attention is devoted to a novel flexible polyester-based device incorporating electrochromic tungsten oxide and nickel oxide. In particular the exposition covers some critical manufacturing aspects, including gas treatments for pre-charging of the individual electrochromic films in order to make them ready for facile device assembly as well as enhancements of the bleachedstate transmittance through additions of wide band gap metal oxides to the nickel oxide.