The embodiments herein relate to electrochromic stacks, electrochromic devices, and methods and apparatus for making such stacks and devices. In various embodiments, an anodically coloring layer in an electrochromic stack or device is fabricated to include nickel-tungsten-niobium-oxide (NiWNbO). This material is particularly beneficial in that it is very transparent in its clear state.

An optical path control member according to one embodiment comprises: a first substrate; a first electrode arranged on the first substrate; a second substrate arranged on the first substrate; a second electrode arranged below the second substrate; and a light conversion unit arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the light conversion unit includes a barrier part and an accommodation part, which are alternately arranged, the accommodation part has a light transmittance that changes according to applied voltage, the first electrode extends in a first direction and includes a plurality of pattern electrodes spaced from each other, and the barrier part and the accommodation part extend in a second direction that differs from the first direction.

An optical path control member according to one embodiment comprises: a first substrate; a first electrode arranged on the first substrate; a second substrate arranged on the first substrate; a second electrode arranged below the second substrate; and a light conversion unit arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the light conversion unit includes a barrier part and an accommodation part, which are alternately arranged, the accommodation part has a light transmittance that changes according to applied voltage, the first electrode extends in a first direction and includes a plurality of pattern electrodes spaced from each other, and the barrier part and the accommodation part extend in a second direction that differs from the first direction.

An electrochemical device includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed face-to-face and each including an opposing electrode disposed on an opposing surface, and an electrolytic solution provided between the first substrate and the second substrate containing a solvent, a supporting electrolyte, a mediator, and an electrodeposition material containing Ag wherein the mediator contains one or more of Mo, Sn, Nb, Sb, and Ti.

An electrochemical device includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed face-to-face and each including an opposing electrode disposed on an opposing surface, and an electrolytic solution provided between the first substrate and the second substrate containing a solvent, a supporting electrolyte, a mediator, and an electrodeposition material containing Ag wherein the mediator contains one or more of Mo, Sn, Nb, Sb, and Ti.

According to one embodiment, a viewing angle control element includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and an electrolyte layer. The first substrate includes a first transparent substrate, a first light-shielding portion and a second light-shielding portion provided between the first transparent substrate and the electrolyte layer, a first transparent insulating layer provided between the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion, and a first transparent electrode. The first transparent electrode includes a first electrode portion overlapping the first light-shielding portion, a second electrode portion overlapping the second light-shielding portion, and an opening portion overlapping the first transparent insulating layer.

An optical element according to some embodiments includes: a plurality of lower electrodes spread on a surface of a lower substrate and including first and second lower electrodes arranged adjacent in a first direction in the lower substrate plane; a plurality of upper electrodes spread on a surface of an upper substrate and including a first upper electrode that faces the first lower electrode and a second upper electrode that faces a portion of the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode; and a conductive member that is sandwiched between and electrically connects the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode, the conductive member being selectively disposed in an overlap region in which the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode overlap when the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode are projected on a virtual plane parallel to the lower substrate or the upper substrate.

An optical element according to some embodiments includes: a plurality of lower electrodes spread on a surface of a lower substrate and including first and second lower electrodes arranged adjacent in a first direction in the lower substrate plane; a plurality of upper electrodes spread on a surface of an upper substrate and including a first upper electrode that faces the first lower electrode and a second upper electrode that faces a portion of the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode; and a conductive member that is sandwiched between and electrically connects the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode, the conductive member being selectively disposed in an overlap region in which the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode overlap when the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode are projected on a virtual plane parallel to the lower substrate or the upper substrate.

The present disclosure enables high contrast, fast, uniform, and color-neutral dynamic-glass elements based on uniform and reversible electrodeposition of metals a surface of the element. Elements in accordance with the present disclosure include a surface-modified transparent-conductor-based window electrode, wherein the surface modification of the window electrode includes a nucleation layer that is anchored to the transparent conductor via a non-metallic adhesion layer. In some embodiments, a plurality of traces is disposed on and electrically connected to the window electrode to reduce the voltage drop across the total area of the element, where the traces have a core made of a low-resistivity material.

The present disclosure enables high contrast, fast, uniform, and color-neutral dynamic-glass elements based on uniform and reversible electrodeposition of metals a surface of the element. Elements in accordance with the present disclosure include a surface-modified transparent-conductor-based window electrode, wherein the surface modification of the window electrode includes a nucleation layer that is anchored to the transparent conductor via a non-metallic adhesion layer. In some embodiments, a plurality of traces is disposed on and electrically connected to the window electrode to reduce the voltage drop across the total area of the element, where the traces have a core made of a low-resistivity material.