Inventors:
George A. Neuman - Holland MI, US
Henry A. Luten - Holland MI, US
John S. Anderson - Holland MI, US
Jeffrey A. Forgette - Holland MI, US
Scott W. VanderZwaag - Holland MI, US
Assignee:
GENTEX CORPORATION - Zeeland MI
International Classification:
G02F 1/153
Abstract:
An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The electrochromic element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack. The materials utilized to construct the insulator/metal/insulator stack are selected to optimize optical and physical properties of the electrochromic element such as reflectivity, color, electrical switch stability, and environmental durability.