Chameleon Optics has developed low-toxicity inks that can be used to form both the negative electrochromic layer (U.S. Patent 6,456,418) and the positive electrochromic layer (U.S. Patent 7,586,665) in a plastic device. These low-viscosity inks are dispersed in an alcohol/water media. They can be applied by spin coating, dip coating, bar coating, rod coating, knife coating, curtain coating, or slot-dye coating onto any clean conductor. The inks dry to solvent-resistant, tightly-bound layers.

To complement these electrochromic inks, Chameleon Optics has also developed an ion-conductive adhesive (U.S. Patent 7,414,771). This low-toxicity adhesive is transparent, although it may be tinted to modify the color of the electrochromic device. The adhesive solution can be directly applied to an ink layer by bar coating, rod coating, knife coating, curtain coating, or slot-dye coating and, once dry, forms a tacky layer. Final assembly involves laminating the device together using heated rubber rolls or an autoclave.

Slot Dye Coating of Electrochromic Ink

The Chameleon Optics suite of electrochromic materials simplifies the development of variable-tint products. Prototyping and scale-up is straightforward. No special coating equipment is required.

Bar-Coated Electrochromic Film Cycling on 1.5V Square Wave