Electrochromic devices: Present and forthcoming technology

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:arial;mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">During last two decades electrochromism in various materials has been investigated very widely. Devices based on electrochromic phenomenon have been found to be useful for a wide range of applications. Electrochromic device (ECD) technology has expanded from its only application of display devices in its early stage to various other applications including in automobile and building industries. An ECD has undergone drastic changes in its different parts and in methods of fabricating them, although the basic structure has remained the same. In particular, significant advancements in the ion conductors -the electrolytes used in ECDs have led to realization of a laminated ECD-an emerging technology of today. This review article discusses general concepts of the phenomenon of electrochromism, the most common electrochromic materials and basic configurational and operational aspects of an ECD with special emphasis to the developmental steps of the electrolytes used in them. The efforts towards commercial development of ECDs for various applications along with a brief analysis of some of the opportunities and challenges faced for successful exploitation of the ECD technology are also presented.</span>