The photochromic composition contains one or more compounds represented by General Formula A, one or more compounds represented by General Formula B, and one or more compounds represented by General Formula C is provided. In General Formula A, R.sup.1 to R.sup.6, B.sup.1, and B.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. In General Formula B, R.sup.7 to R.sup.12, B.sup.3, and B.sup.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 each independently represent an electron-donating group. In General Formula C, R.sup.15 to R.sup.20, B.sup.5, and B.sup.6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and one of R.sup.21 and R.sup.22 represents a hydrogen atom and the other represents an electron-donating group.

##STR00001##

The photochromic composition contains one or more compounds represented by General Formula A, one or more compounds represented by General Formula B, and one or more compounds represented by General Formula C is provided. In General Formula A, R.sup.1 to R.sup.6, B.sup.1, and B.sup.2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. In General Formula B, R.sup.7 to R.sup.12, B.sup.3, and B.sup.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 each independently represent an electron-donating group. In General Formula C, R.sup.15 to R.sup.20, B.sup.5, and B.sup.6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and one of R.sup.21 and R.sup.22 represents a hydrogen atom and the other represents an electron-donating group.

##STR00001##

A composition comprising at least an electron-donating color-developing organic compound, an electron-accepting compound, and a color development regulator that hampers the color development by the electron-donating color-developing organic compound and the electron-accepting compound, wherein the color development regulator is hydrophilic, and the composition can change the color thereof in the presence of water or a water-containing liquid. A coloring agent comprising the composition, which composition is retained or carried by a specified microbody and can change its color in the presence of water or a water-containing liquid, wherein the specified microbody allowing water or a water-containing liquid to come into contact with the retained or carried composition.

A composition comprising at least an electron-donating color-developing organic compound, an electron-accepting compound, and a color development regulator that hampers the color development by the electron-donating color-developing organic compound and the electron-accepting compound, wherein the color development regulator is hydrophilic, and the composition can change the color thereof in the presence of water or a water-containing liquid. A coloring agent comprising the composition, which composition is retained or carried by a specified microbody and can change its color in the presence of water or a water-containing liquid, wherein the specified microbody allowing water or a water-containing liquid to come into contact with the retained or carried composition.

The present invention relates to an electrochromic solution and a use thereof, wherein the said solution comprises: a solvent; a thickening polymer agent having a molecular weight of at least 50,000 g/mol, preferably 200,000 g/mol, more preferably of at least 250,000 g/mol; at least an additive having a molecular weight between 300 and 50,000 g/mol, preferably between 320 and 20,000 g/mol; a redox chemical mixture in solution in said solvent said mixture being constituted of at least one electrochromic reducing compound and at least one electrochromic oxidizing compound, and which colors in the presence of an applied voltage and which bleaches to a colorless condition in the absence of an applied voltage. The invention further relates to a device comprising said solution.

The present invention relates to an electrochromic solution and a use thereof, wherein the said solution comprises: a solvent; a thickening polymer agent having a molecular weight of at least 50,000 g/mol, preferably 200,000 g/mol, more preferably of at least 250,000 g/mol; at least an additive having a molecular weight between 300 and 50,000 g/mol, preferably between 320 and 20,000 g/mol; a redox chemical mixture in solution in said solvent said mixture being constituted of at least one electrochromic reducing compound and at least one electrochromic oxidizing compound, and which colors in the presence of an applied voltage and which bleaches to a colorless condition in the absence of an applied voltage. The invention further relates to a device comprising said solution.

Structures of a particle containing a core and at least one shell, a metal oxide material of which is necessarily doped to ensure protection of a material of the core from photodegradation. The core can include any of a thermochromic material, a phase-change material, and a judiciously defined auxiliary material that in turn contains organic and/or polymeric material. Derivative products utilizing a plurality of such particles. Methodologies for producing such particles and derivative products.

Structures of a particle containing a core and at least one shell, a metal oxide material of which is necessarily doped to ensure protection of a material of the core from photodegradation. The core can include any of a thermochromic material, a phase-change material, and a judiciously defined auxiliary material that in turn contains organic and/or polymeric material. Derivative products utilizing a plurality of such particles. Methodologies for producing such particles and derivative products.

An electrical component including a polymeric body which (i) defines at least one electrical connection; or (ii) is configured for attachment to an electrical cable or wire; or (iii) is configured for attachment to an electrical apparatus, wherein the polymeric body or a portion thereof includes a thermochromic composition which has a first colour condition below a first threshold temperature and a second colour condition if the composition is heated above the first threshold temperature, and wherein the thermochromic composition maintains the second colour condition until it is cooled below a second threshold temperature.

An electrical component including a polymeric body which (i) defines at least one electrical connection; or (ii) is configured for attachment to an electrical cable or wire; or (iii) is configured for attachment to an electrical apparatus, wherein the polymeric body or a portion thereof includes a thermochromic composition which has a first colour condition below a first threshold temperature and a second colour condition if the composition is heated above the first threshold temperature, and wherein the thermochromic composition maintains the second colour condition until it is cooled below a second threshold temperature.