A heat ray shielding film is disclosed, including composite tungsten oxide particles; and an ionomer resin. The composite tungsten oxide particles are expressed by a general formula M.sub.xWO.sub.y (where M denotes one or more kinds of elements selected from Cs, Rb, K, Tl, In, Ba, Li, Ca, Sr, Fe, Sn, Al, Cu, and Na, and 0.1≦x≦0.5 and 2.2≦y≦3.0).

The present invention relates to a transparent substrate comprising a multiple layer coating stack and the use of same in the manufacture of a double glazing unit, wherein the multiple layer coating stack comprises, n functional metal layer, m; and n plus 1 (n+1) dielectric layer, d, wherein the dielectric layers are positioned before and after each functional metal layer, and wherein n is the total number of functional metal layer in the stack counted from the substrate and is greater than or equal to 3; and wherein each dielectric layer comprises one or more layers, characterized in that the geometrical layer thickness of each functional metal layer in the coating stack Gm, is greater than the geometrical layer thickness of each functional metal layer appearing before it in the multiple layer coating stack, that is, Gmi+1>Gm.sub.i wherein i is the position of the functional metal layer in the coating stack counted from the substrate, and wherein for each dielectric layer d located before and after each functional metal layer m, the optical layer thickness of each dielectric layer (opln) is greater than or equal to the optical layer thickness of the dielectric layer (opln−1) positioned before it in the coating stack with the proviso that: twice the optical layer thickness of the first dielectric layer (opl.sub.1) in the coating stack, is less than the optical layer thickness of the second dielectric layer (opl.sub.2) in the coating stack, that is, (2×opl.sub.1)<opl.sub.2; and twice the optical layer thickness of the last dielectric layer (opl.sub.n+1) in the coating stack, is greater than the thickness of the optical layer thickness of the penultimate dielectric layer (opl.sub.n), that is, (opl.sub.n)<(opl.sub.n+1)×2.

A substrate is coated on one face with a thin-films stack having reflection properties in the infrared and/or in solar radiation including a single metallic functional layer, based on silver or on a metal alloy containing silver, and two antireflection coatings. The coatings each include at least one dielectric layer. The functional layer is positioned between the two antireflection coatings. At least one of the antireflection coatings includes an intermediate layer including zinc oxide Zn.sub.1O.sub.1+x with 0.05<x<0.3 and having a physical thickness of between 0.5 nm and 20 nm, or between 2.5 nm and 10 nm.

An insulating glazing system may include: at least two glass panes and a spacer element, wherein the at least two glass panes and the spacer element define a closed volume; a light ray shielding device within the closed volume, defining: transparent areas allowing passage of incident light rays with a given angle of incidence, whereas light rays having other angles of incidence are unable to pass through the transparent areas; and non-transparent areas configured to block the passage of the incident light rays, the non-transparent areas defining first and second surfaces; and a support means connected to the spacer element and operably associated with the shielding device. The shielding device may include a layer having retroreflective properties. The layer may at least partially cover one or both of the first and second surfaces of at least one of the areas of the non-transparent areas of the shielding device.

An electrochromic system and method for controlling photochromic darkening of an electrochromic device, the system including an EC device, a control unit, a voltage detector, and a power supply. The EC device includes a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a solid-state polymer electrolyte disposed therebetween. The control unit is configured to control a sweep voltage applied between the working and counter electrodes, such that the sweep voltage is applied when an open circuit voltage (OCV) between the working and counter electrodes is less than a threshold voltage.

The invention provides an IG unit comprising two panes and a between-pane space located between the two panes. A desired surface of a selected one of the two panes bears a coating comprising both a transparent conductive oxide film, and an overcoat film located over the transparent conductive oxide film. The IG unit further comprises a bus bar and a transparent conductor bridge each located over the desired surface. The bus bar is spaced apart from the coating and is connected electrically to the transparent conductive oxide film by virtue of the transparent conductor bridge extending from the bus bar to a top surface of the overcoat film. In some embodiments, the IG unit further comprises a frit located over the desired surface and extending around a perimeter thereof. The bus bar is located over the frit. Certain embodiments provide a refrigerator having a door comprising such an IG unit.

Certain example embodiments relate to a coated article including at least one infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like in a low-E coating, and methods of making the same. In certain cases, at least one layer of the coating is of or includes nickel and/or titanium (e.g., Ni.sub.xTi.sub.yO.sub.z). The provision of a layer including nickel titanium and/or an oxide thereof may permit a layer to be used that has good adhesion to the IR reflecting layer, and reduced absorption of visible light (resulting in a coated article with a higher visible transmission). When a layer including nickel titanium oxide is provided directly over and/or under the IR reflecting layer (e.g., as a barrier layer), this may result in improved chemical and mechanical durability. Thus, visible transmission may be improved if desired, without compromising durability; or, durability may simply be increased.

A coated article includes a low-E coating having an absorbing layer located over a functional layer (IR reflecting layer) and designed to cause the coating to have an increased outside reflectance (e.g., in an IG window unit) and good selectivity. In certain embodiments, the absorbing layer is metallic, or substantially metallic, and is provided directly over and contacting a lower of two IR reflecting layers. In certain example embodiments, a nitride based layer (e.g., silicon nitride or the like) may be located directly over and contacting the absorbing layer in order to reduce or prevent oxidation thereof during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, heat bending, and/or heat strengthening) thereby permitting predictable coloration, high outside reflectance values, and/or good selectivity to be achieved. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application.

A low-E coating supported by a glass substrate, the coating from the glass substrate outwardly including at least the following layers: a dielectric layer of or including silicon nitride; a high index layer having a refractive index of at least 2.1; another dielectric layer of or including silicon nitride; a layer comprising zinc oxide; an infrared (IR) reflecting layer, wherein the coating includes only one IR reflecting layer; and an overcoat including (i) a layer comprising tin oxide and (ii) a layer comprising silicon nitride located over and contacting the layer comprising tin oxide. An IG unit including the coating may have a visible transmission of at least 70%.

There are provided coated articles that include two or more infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., of or including NbZr, Nb, NiCr, NiCrMo, and/or a nitride thereof) sandwiched between at least dielectric layers, and/or a method of making the same. The coating may be designed so that the coated articles realize bronze glass side reflective coloration in combination with a low solar factor (SF) and/or a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). Such coated articles may be used in the context of monolithic windows, insulating glass (IG) window units, laminated windows, and/or other suitable applications, and may optionally be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) in certain instances.