Electrochromic coatings and devices: survey of some recent advances

The first part of this paper reviews a large number of electrochromic devices for modulating transmittance and emittance. Data are given on all-solid-state devices as well as on polymer laminated devices, with and without self-powering by integrated solar cells. In the second part we turn to a specific, flexible polyester-based device incorporating electrochromic W oxide and Ni oxide and discuss, among other things, gas treatments for precharging of the individual electrochromic films in order to make them ready for facile device assembly, and enhancements of the bleached-state transmittance through addition of Al or Mg to the Ni oxide.