A computer-implemented method for altering an appearance of an electrochromic coating of a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining that a vehicle is a boundary area of a testing zone based on a determined location of the vehicle. The method also includes changing a base appearance of the electrochromic coating of the vehicle to an altered appearance based on the determination that the vehicle is in the boundary area.

A computer-implemented method for altering an appearance of an electrochromic coating of a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining that a vehicle is a boundary area of a testing zone based on a determined location of the vehicle. The method also includes changing a base appearance of the electrochromic coating of the vehicle to an altered appearance based on the determination that the vehicle is in the boundary area.

A heat treated electrochromic device comprising an anodic complementary counter electrode layer comprised of a mixed tungsten-nickel oxide and lithium, which provides a high transmission in the fully intercalated state and which is capable of long term stability, is disclosed. Methods of making an electrochromic device comprising an anodic complementary counter electrode comprised of a mixed tungsten-nickel oxide are also disclosed.

A multi-layer device comprising a first substrate, a first electrically conductive layer and a first current modulating structure on a surface thereof, the first current modulating structure comprising a composite of a resistive material and a patterned insulating material, the first current modulating structure having a cross-layer resistance to the flow of electrical current through the first current modulating structure that varies as a function of position.

A non-light-emitting, variable transmission device can include a first substrate, a first transparent conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, a second transparent conductive layer, a second substrate; and an interlayer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The non-light-emitting, variable transmission device is configured such that a failure of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device is less likely than another non-light-emitting, variable transmission device in which the interlayer directly contacts the second transparent conductive layer and has a moisture content of at least 0.08 wt %. In an embodiment, the interlayer has a moisture content of at most 0.05 wt %. In another embodiment, the non-light emitting, variable transmission device further includes a barrier layer disposed between the second transparent conductive layer and the interlayer, wherein the barrier layer extends at least partly through the second transparent conductive layer or seals off a passageway.

A non-light-emitting, variable transmission device can include a first substrate, a first transparent conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, a second transparent conductive layer, a second substrate; and an interlayer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The non-light-emitting, variable transmission device is configured such that a failure of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device is less likely than another non-light-emitting, variable transmission device in which the interlayer directly contacts the second transparent conductive layer and has a moisture content of at least 0.08 wt %. In an embodiment, the interlayer has a moisture content of at most 0.05 wt %. In another embodiment, the non-light emitting, variable transmission device further includes a barrier layer disposed between the second transparent conductive layer and the interlayer, wherein the barrier layer extends at least partly through the second transparent conductive layer or seals off a passageway.

Electrochromic devices and methods may employ the addition of a defect-mitigating insulating layer which prevents electronically conducting layers and/or electrochromically active layers from contacting layers of the opposite polarity and creating a short circuit in regions where defects form. In some embodiments, an encapsulating layer is provided to encapsulate particles and prevent them from ejecting from the device stack and risking a short circuit when subsequent layers are deposited. The insulating layer may have an electronic resistivity of between about 1 and 10.sup.8 Ohm-cm. In some embodiments, the insulating layer contains one or more of the following metal oxides: aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silicon aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, tungsten oxide, nickel tungsten oxide, and oxidized indium tin oxide. Carbides, nitrides, oxynitrides, and oxycarbides may also be used.

Electrochromic devices and methods may employ the addition of a defect-mitigating insulating layer which prevents electronically conducting layers and/or electrochromically active layers from contacting layers of the opposite polarity and creating a short circuit in regions where defects form. In some embodiments, an encapsulating layer is provided to encapsulate particles and prevent them from ejecting from the device stack and risking a short circuit when subsequent layers are deposited. The insulating layer may have an electronic resistivity of between about 1 and 10.sup.8 Ohm-cm. In some embodiments, the insulating layer contains one or more of the following metal oxides: aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silicon aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, tungsten oxide, nickel tungsten oxide, and oxidized indium tin oxide. Carbides, nitrides, oxynitrides, and oxycarbides may also be used.

A decoration element including a color developing layer including a light reflective layer, a light absorbing layer provided on the light reflective layer, and a convex portion or concave portion having an asymmetric-structured cross-section; an electrochromic device provided on any one surface of the color developing layer; and an in-mold label layer provided on the other surface of the color developing layer.

A decoration element including a color developing layer including a light reflective layer, a light absorbing layer provided on the light reflective layer, and a convex portion or concave portion having an asymmetric-structured cross-section; an electrochromic device provided on any one surface of the color developing layer; and an in-mold label layer provided on the other surface of the color developing layer.