Thin-film devices, for example electrochromic devices for windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. Particular focus is given to methods of patterning optical devices. Various edge deletion and isolation scribes are performed, for example, to ensure the optical device has appropriate isolation from any edge defects. Methods described herein apply to any thin-film device having one or more material layers sandwiched between two thin film electrical conductor layers. The described methods create novel optical device configurations.

Thin-film devices, for example electrochromic devices for windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. Particular focus is given to methods of patterning optical devices. Various edge deletion and isolation scribes are performed, for example, to ensure the optical device has appropriate isolation from any edge defects. Methods described herein apply to any thin-film device having one or more material layers sandwiched between two thin film electrical conductor layers. The described methods create novel optical device configurations.

A variably transmissive electro-optic window that has an easily tunable dynamic range is disclosed. The window comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, an electro-optic medium, and at least one tuning layer. The first substrate has a first and a second surface. The first surface is in a first direction relative the second surface. The second substrate has a third and a fourth surface. The third surface is disposed in the first direction relative the fourth surface. The second substrate is disposed in a second direction opposite the first direction relative the first substrate. The second substrate is additionally disposed in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship with the first substrate. The first electrode is disposed in the second direction relative the first substrate. The second electrode is disposed in the first direction relative the second substrate. The electro-optic medium is disposed between the first and second electrodes. Additionally, the electro-optic medium is operable to vary a transmittance of light therethrough. Lastly, a tuning layer is substantially transparent and operable to attenuate the transmittance of visible light therethrough.

Methods, systems, and techniques for controlling a variable transmittance optical filter involve determining at least one of a temperature of, color of, and current flowing through the optical filter, and adjusting the voltage applied across the filter in response to at least one of the temperature, color, and current. The transmittance of the optical filter decreases until reaching a minimum on exposure to a first stimulus and increases until reaching a maximum in response to application of a second stimulus, and at least one of the first and second stimuli involves applying a voltage across the filter.

A composite pane with an electrical load, includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer, wherein the thermoplastic intermediate layer has a recess that has a receiving opening, the receiving opening is dimensioned such that it is designed for accommodating the electrical load in the recess, and the electrical load is arranged in the recess.

A composite pane, includes an outer pane having an outer-side surface and an interior-side surface, an inner pane having an outer-side surface and an interior-side surface, and a thermoplastic intermediate layer, which joins the interior-side surface of the outer pane to the outer-side surface of the inner pane. The composite pane has, between the outer and inner panes, a sun protection coating, which substantially reflects or absorbs rays outside the visible spectrum of solar radiation. The composite pane has, on the interior-side surface of the inner pane, a thermal-radiation-reflecting coating (low-E coating). The composite pane has a transmittance index A of 0.02 to 0.08, wherein the transmittance index A is determined according to the following formula A=TL.sub.composite glass pane/(TL.sub.low-E-coated pane*TE). TL is the light transmittance and TE is the energy transmittance measured according to ISO 9050.

A variably transmissive electro-optic window that has an easily tunable dynamic range is disclosed. The window comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, an electro-optic medium, and at least one tuning layer. The first substrate has a first and a second surface. The first surface is in a first direction relative the second surface. The second substrate has a third and a fourth surface. The third surface is disposed in the first direction relative the fourth surface. The second substrate is disposed in a second direction opposite the first direction relative the first substrate. The second substrate is additionally disposed in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship with the first substrate. The first electrode is disposed in the second direction relative the first substrate. The second electrode is disposed in the first direction relative the second substrate. The electro-optic medium is disposed between the first and second electrodes. Additionally, the electro-optic medium is operable to vary a transmittance of light therethrough. Lastly, a tuning layer is substantially transparent and operable to attenuate the transmittance of visible light therethrough.

An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a transparent lighting source, a switchable opaque film bonded to the transparent lighting source to provide a vehicle component, and an electrical connection that connects to the transparent lighting source and the switchable opaque film such that the switchable opaque film is electrically controlled to switch between an opaque state and a transparent state. A control unit independently controls the switchable opaque film and the transparent lighting source based on a predetermined application for the vehicle component.

A glazing having electrically switchable properties is presented. The glazing includes, areally arranged in sequence, a substrate, a first electrically conductive layer, an active layer, and a second electrically conductive layer. According to one aspect, at least one electrically insulating barrier layer is areally arranged within, and completely covered areally by, one of the first and second electrically conductive layers. According to another aspect, the active layer is an electrochromic functional element, that includes an electrochromic layer adjacent the first electrically conductive layer, and a counter electrode adjacent the second electrically conductive layer.

In one example, a crystal cell comprises: a first substrate, a second substrate, first spacers and second spacers sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate to define a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first spacers being fixedly bonded to each of the first substrate and the second substrate, the second spacers being movable between the first and second substrates, a sealant sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate and enclosing the first spacers and the second spacers, and a liquid crystal enclosed by the sealant, the first substrate, and the second substrate. Examples of a dimmable glass incorporating liquid crystal cells and methods of manufacturing the liquid crystal cells are also provided.