Reversible electro-optic device employing aprotic molten salts and method

Abstract

A reversible electro-optic device includes a medium of variable transmittance to light. The medium includes a soluble redox couple of a first soluble metal containing species and a second soluble metal containing species. The metal of the soluble redox couple is capable of being electrodeposited. The medium also includes one or more anodic compound(s) capable of being oxidized. An alternate medium includes a soluble metal-containing species and a soluble anodic compound, where the soluble metal-containing species includes metal capable of being electrodeposited, and the anodic compound is capable of being oxidized to a soluble oxidized anodic compound. Another electro-optic device includes a medium of variable reflection to light.

1 . A reversible electro-optic device comprising a medium of variable transmittance to light, said medium comprising a soluble redox couple of a first soluble metal containing species and a second soluble metal containing species, said soluble redox couple comprising metal capable of being electrodeposited, and at least one anodic compound capable of being oxidized.  
     
     
         2 . The reversible electro-optic device of  claim 2 , wherein said soluble redox couple comprises a metal salt.  
     
     
         3 . The reversible electro-optic device of  claim 2 , wherein said anodic compound comprises an organic compound or a metal oxide layer.  
     
     
         4 . The reversible electro-optic device of  claim 2 , wherein the medium of variable transmittance to light further comprises an aprotic solvent, a molten salt, or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The reversible electro-optic device as in  claim 2 , further comprising 
 a first substrate;    a first electrically conductive material on the first substrate;    a second substrate;    a second electrically conductive material on the second substrate; and    a chamber between the first electrically conductive material and the second electrically conductive material, wherein said chamber contains said medium of variable transmittance to light.    
     
     
         6 . The reversible electro-optic device of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of said first electrically conductive material and said second electrically conductively materials further comprises nucleation centers for metal electrodeposition.  
     
     
         7 . The reversible electro-optic device as in  claim 1 , wherein said device comprises an electro-optic window for a building, an electro-optic window for a transportation vehicle, or an automatically dimming mirror for a vehicle.  
     
     
         8 . A reversible electro-optic device comprising a medium of variable reflection to light, said medium comprising a soluble redox couple of a first soluble metal containing species and a second soluble metal containing species, said soluble redox couple comprising metal capable of being electrodeposited, and at least one anodic compound capable of being oxidized.  
     
     
         9 . The reversible electro-optic device of  claim 8 , wherein said device comprises an electro-optic window for a building, an electro-optic window for a transportation vehicle, or an automatically dimming mirror for a vehicle.  
     
     
         10 . A reversible electro-optic device comprising a medium of variable transmittance to light, said medium comprising a soluble metal-containing species and a soluble anodic compound, the soluble metal-containing species comprising a metal capable of being electrodeposited, the anodic compound capable of being oxidized to a soluble oxidized anodic compound.