Electrochromic device

Abstract

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first transparent conductive layer, an ion storage layer, an electrolyte layer, an electrochromic layer, and a second transparent conductive layer. The electrolyte layer includes a tantalum atom. The electrochromic layer includes a tungsten atom. The ion storage layer includes an iridium atom and a tantalum atom. The ion storage layer is hydrogenated in bleached state and the electrochromic device has a transmittance of 64.1% or more in bleached state. A difference between the transmittance of the electrochromic device in bleached state and the transmittance of the electrochromic device in colored state is 8.4% or more.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrochromic element including:
 a substrate;   a first conductive layer positioned on the substrate;   at least one layer positioned on the first conductive layer and including at least one material configured to do discoloration based on oxidation and/or reduction; and   a second conductive layer positioned on the at least one layer,   wherein the second conductive layer includes a first part and a second part that are electrically separated from each other,   wherein the at least one layer includes a third part and a fourth part that are electrically separated from each other,   wherein the first portion of the second conductive layer is in contact with the third portion of the at least one layer, and   wherein the first portion of the second conductive layer is electrically connected to the first conductive layer.   
     
     
         2 . The electrochromic element of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one layer includes a first functional layer,   the first functional layer includes a fifth part and a sixth part that are electrically separated from each other, and   the first part includes a region in contact with a side surface of the fifth part and a region in contact with a side surface of the sixth part.   
     
     
         3 . The electrochromic element of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one layer includes an electrolyte layer,   the electrolyte layer includes a fifth part and a sixth part that are electrically separated, and   the first part includes a region in contact with the side surface of the fifth part and a region in contact with the side surface of the sixth part.   
     
     
         4 . The electrochromic element of  claim 3 , wherein a groove is formed through a laser etching process into the at least one layer formed on the substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The electrochromic element of  claim 1 , wherein a first wire is connected to an upper surface of the first part and a second wire is connected to an upper surface of the second part. 
     
     
         6 . The electrochromic element of  claim 1 , wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are transparent electrodes. 
     
     
         7 . The electrochromic element of  claim 1 , wherein the first conductive layer is a transparent electrode, and the second conductive layer is a reflective film configured to reflect light. 
     
     
         8 . The electrochromic element of  claim 1 , wherein the first conductive layer, the at least one layer and the second conductive layer are formed by a sputtering process.