Various embodiments herein relate to methods, structures, tools, installation systems, etc. for retrofitting a new electrochromic window in a pre-existing window recess. In many cases, the new electrochromic window is installed parallel to a lite of a pre-existing window, with the resulting structure including the new electrochromic window, the pre-existing window, and a pocket that forms between them. Installation of a new electrochromic window in tandem with a pre-existing window results in many benefits including improved insulation (e.g., due to the presence of the additional air pocket(s) and lite(s)), improved climate control (e.g., due to the ability to control the amount of sunlight entering the building via the electrochromic window), and enhanced aes thetics.

An organic compound represented by the following general formula is provided.

##STR00001##

In the above formula (1), R.sub.11 to R.sub.15 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, an aralkyl group, an acyl group, or a halogen atom provided that at least one of R.sub.11, R.sub.13, and R.sub.15 represents the alkoxy group or the aryloxy group; and R.sub.11 to R.sub.15 may form a ring structure therebetween, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 each independently represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group. In addition, R.sub.21 to R.sub.24 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, an aralkyl group, an acyl group, or a halogen atom and may form a ring structure therebetween. The above groups except the acyl group may be substituted when necessary.

A smart window control device controls transmittance of a smart window provided as a window of a space where a temperature is controlled by an air conditioning system in accordance with a set temperature. The smart window control device includes a processor, and a memory storing program instructions that cause the processor to obtain a predicted value of external environment information about outside of the space in an interval between a first time and a second time, the second time being when a predetermined time period has elapsed from the first time, calculate transition of the temperature of the space in the interval based on the predicted value of the external environment information in the interval, and control the transmittance of the smart window so that the temperature of the space in the interval transitions based on the calculated transition of the temperature.

This invention relates to a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device, including a substrate layer; a neutralized first electrode layer formed on the substrate layer; a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer formed on the first electrode layer; a neutralized second electrode layer formed on the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer; and a substrate layer formed on the second electrode layer, and to a method of manufacturing the same.

The present disclosure relates generally to methods for the integration of electrochromic films onto a substrate, such as a glass window, and the systems/structures formed via such methods.

An electrochromic device can include a substrate, a transparent conductive oxide layer over the substrate, and a bus bar over the substrate. The bus bar can include silver and has a resistivity of at most 6.7×10.sup.−6 Ω*cm, an average adhesion strength to SiO.sub.2 of at least 3N based on 20 measurements, as determined by Method A of ASTM B905-00 (Reapproved 2010), or a classification of at least 4, as determined by Method B of ASTM B905-00 (Reapproved 2010). In another aspect a process of forming an electrochromic device can include forming a transparent conductive oxide layer over a substrate; forming a bus bar precursor over the substrate, wherein the precursor includes silver; and firing the precursor to form a bus bar. Firing can be performed such that the first bus bar is at a temperature of at least 390° C.

The embodiments herein relate to methods for controlling an optical transition in an optically switchable device, and optically switchable devices configured to perform such methods. In various embodiments, non-optical (e.g., electrical) feedback is used to help control an optical transition. The feedback may be used for a number of different purposes. In many implementations, the feedback is used to control an ongoing optical transition.

In one aspect, an apparatus is described that includes a transparent pane having a first surface and a second surface. An electrochromic device (ECD) is arranged over the second surface that includes a first conductive layer adjacent the second surface, a second conductive layer, and an electrochromic layer between the first and the second conductive layers. The apparatus further includes at least one conductive antenna structure arranged over the second surface.

Methods are described for the commissioning of optically switchable window networks. During commissioning, network addresses are paired with the locations of installed devices for components on a window network. Commissioning may also involve steps of testing and validating the network devices. By correctly pairing the location of a device with its network address, a window network is configured to function such that controls sent over the network reach their targeted device(s) which in turn respond accordingly. The methods described herein may reduce frustrations that result from mispairing and installation issues that are common to conventional commissioning practices. Commissioning may involve recording a response to a manually or automatically initiated trigger. Commissioning methods described herein may rely on user input, or be automatic, not requiring user input.

An active glazing system (100) includes a double glazing, with two transparent plates (1a, 1b) that together delimit an intermediate volume (2) filled with gas. The system further includes a control device (10) that is capable of producing a transition in a volatile compound present in the intermediate volume, between a dry vapor state and a supersaturated vapor state of the volatile compound. Switching processes can therefore be controlled for the double glazing, between a transparent optical state and a diffusing optical state. Such a system can be used as building or vehicle glazing, an interior partition arrangement, a projection screen, a solar diffuser, a light source diffuser, a vision blurring device, etc.