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 bleached-state transmittance through additions of wide band gap metal oxides to the nickel oxide.