Optical: systems and elements – Optical modulator – Light wave temporal modulation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-02
2002-05-21
Epps, Georgia (Department: 2873)
Optical: systems and elements
Optical modulator
Light wave temporal modulation
C359S272000, C359S273000, C252S583000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06392783
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to electrochromic materials for use in electrochromic devices, and more particularly, to anodic electrochromic materials comprising substituted metallocenes.
2. Background Art
Electrochromic materials have been known in the art for several years. Furthermore, experimentation associated with the utilization of metallocenes and simple substituted metallocenes as anodic electrochromic materials has also been explored. While the utilization of such anodic electrochromic materials in electrochromic devices has been identified, they have not exhibited sufficient thermal and/or ultraviolet stability characteristics for long term use in electrochromic devices.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an anodic electrochromic material comprising a substituted metallocene having constituents which substantially protect the metal center from chemical reactions that would otherwise adversely affect stability of the same.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an electrochromic device comprising: (a) at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and (b) an electrochromic medium which comprises: (1) a solvent; (2) a cathodic material; and (3) an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula:
wherein M comprises a transition metal; wherein X
1
-X
10
are the same or different and comprise C, Si, or H; wherein R
n1
-R
n10
are the same or different and comprise O, C, or a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites; nitro constituents; sulfoxides; sulfonates; phosphonium constituents; phosphonates; phosphonites; ammonium constituents; viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents; carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates; ketones; esters; and amides; ethers, including polyethers; amines, including tertiary amines; alkenes; alkynes; and mixtures thereof; wherein n
1
-n
10
are the same or different and comprise 0, 1, 2, or 3, and are the number of bonds between a given X and associated constituent(s) other than hydrogen; wherein Z
1
-Z
10
are the same or different and comprise 0 or 1; and wherein
∑
y
=
1
10
n
y
≥
7
;
∑
y
=
1
10
z
y
≥
7
;
or
∑
y
=
1
10
(
n
y
+
z
y
)
≥
9.
The present invention is also directed to an electrochromic device comprising: (a) at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and (b) an electrochromic medium which comprises: (1) a solvent; (2) a cathodic material; and (3) an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula:
wherein R
1
-R
10
are the same or different and at least three of R
1
-R
10
are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites; nitro constituents; sulfoxides; sulfonates; phosphonium constituents; phosphonates; phosphonites; ammonium constituents; viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents; carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates; ketones; esters; and amides; ethers, including polyethers; amines, including tertiary amines; alkenes; alkynes; and mixtures thereof; wherein any remainder of R
1
-R
10
comprise H; and wherein M comprises a transition metal.
Preferably some or all of constituents R
1
-R
10
serve to increase stability of the metallocene relative to the stability of the metallocene without the constituents.
The present invention is also directed to an electrochromic medium comprising one or more solvents, one or more cathodic materials, and one or more above-identified anodic electrochromic materials.
The present invention is further directed to an electrochromic device comprising at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith, and an above-identified electrochromic medium.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5724187 (1998-03-01), Varaprasad et al.
patent: 5770114 (1998-06-01), Byker et al.
patent: 5876581 (1999-03-01), Itaya et al.
patent: 5910854 (1999-06-01), Varaprasad et al.
patent: 6002511 (1999-12-01), Varaprasad et al.
patent: 6064508 (2000-05-01), Forgette et al.
patent: 6137620 (2000-10-01), Guarr et al.
patent: 6143209 (2000-11-01), Lynam
patent: 6193912 (2001-02-01), Thieste et al.
patent: 1 010 741 (2000-06-01), None
patent: 830456 (1993-02-01), None
Guarr Thomas F.
Lomprey Jeffrey R.
Epps Georgia
Factor & Partners, PLC
Gentex Corporation
Rees Brian J.
Thompson Tim
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