A window assembly includes an electro-optic element which has a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces. The second surface includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate defines third and fourth surfaces. The third surface includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity. The electro-optic medium is switchable such that the electro-optic element is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. An absorptive layer is positioned on the fourth surface of the electro-optic element and a reflective layer is positioned on the absorptive layer.

Laminated glass for a vehicle includes a vehicle-interior side glass plate, a vehicle-exterior side glass plate, an interlayer film that bonds the vehicle-interior side glass plate and the vehicle-exterior side glass plate, and a structure sealed in the interlayer film. The interlayer film includes a first interlayer film bonded to the vehicle-interior side glass plate, a second interlayer film bonded to the vehicle-exterior side glass plate, and a third interlayer film located between the first interlayer film and the second interlayer film to enclose an outer periphery of the structure. Where a film thickness of the first interlayer film or the second interlayer film, whichever is thinner, is denoted as ti, and a thickness of the structure is denoted as ts, ti/ts≥0.4 is satisfied. Where a flexural modulus of the structure is denoted as E.sub.1 [MPa], a relationship between ts and E.sub.1 satisfies E.sub.1×ts.sup.3≥500.

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 self-powered laminated switchable glass system. The laminated switchable glass system having an interior and exterior tempered glass layer. A transparent luminescent solar concentrator layer and a switchable glass film layer is disposed between the exterior and interior glass layer. The solar layer provides power to the switchable glass film layer to allow selective opacity of the switchable glass film.

An electrochromic device includes a chamber defined by a first conductive surface of a first substrate, a second conductive surface of a second substrate, and a sealing member joining the first substrate to the second substrate; an electrochromic medium containing a blue cathodic electroactive compound and up to three anodic electroactive compounds; wherein the electrochromic medium is disposed within the chamber; the anodic electroactive compounds include a green anodic electroactive compound and one or two gray anodic electroactive compounds; and the anodic electroactive compounds include from about 8 mol % to about 15 mol % gray anodic electroactive compounds.

An insulating glazing, in particular a triple glazing or a multiple glazing, with at least one first pane element, at least one spacer, and at least one connector, wherein the spacer and the connector are arranged next to each other such that they extend along a common longitudinal axis, wherein the spacer and the connector accommodate and position the first pane element. An electrically conductive coupling element is provided in the receiving groove of the connector such that an electrical coupling can be established between the connector and the first pane element for electrically connecting an external power source to the first pane element.

This disclosure provides spacers for smart windows. In one aspect, a window assembly includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an optically switchable device on a surface of the first substrate. The optically switchable device includes electrodes. A first electrode of the electrodes has a length about the length of a side of the optically switchable device. The window assembly further includes a second substantially transparent substrate a metal spacer between the first and the second substrates. The metal spacer has a substantially rectangular cross section, with one side of the metal spacer including a recess configured to accommodate the length of the first electrode such that there is no contact between the first electrode and the metal spacer. A primary seal material bonds the first substrate to the metal spacer and bonds the second substrate to the metal spacer.

A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material, such as a liquid crystal material, sandwiched between a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate. The flexible substrate and the rigid substrate may each have a conductive layer deposited on the surface facing the optically active material. The flexible substrate may be bonded about its perimeter to the rigid substrate and may be sufficiently flexible to conform to non-planarity of the rigid substrate. As a result, the flexible substrate may adopt the surface contour of the rigid substrate to maintain a uniform thickness of optically active material between the flexible substrate and the rigid substrate.

A privacy glazing structure may include an electrically controllable optically active material, such as a liquid crystal material, sandwiched between a flexible substrate and a rigid substrate. The flexible substrate and the rigid substrate may each have a conductive layer deposited on the surface facing the optically active material. The flexible substrate may be bonded about its perimeter to the rigid substrate and may be sufficiently flexible to conform to non-planarity of the rigid substrate. As a result, the flexible substrate may adopt the surface contour of the rigid substrate to maintain a uniform thickness of optically active material between the flexible substrate and the rigid substrate.

A composite pane includes outer and inner panes joined via an intermediate layer, an electrochromic functional element with electrically controllable optical properties within the intermediate layer, wherein the total solar energy transmittance in the darkened state is higher than in the bright state and/or the energy transmittance in the darkened state is higher than in the bright state, and an infrared protection layer having at least one silver-containing layer and arranged on an interior-side surface of the inner pane facing the intermediate layer, on an interior-side surface of the outer pane facing the intermediate layer, or within the intermediate layer. The infrared protection layer interacts with the functional element such that the total solar energy transmittance through the composite pane in the darkened state is lower than in the bright state and/or the energy transmittance through the composite pane in the darkened state is lower than in the bright state.