The invention provides an IG unit that includes two glass sheets and an aerogel sheet located between the two glass sheets. The aerogel sheet is adhered to an interior surface of one of the two glass sheets by an adhesive, such that a face of the aerogel sheet is carried alongside the interior surface and has a portion that is devoid of the adhesive. In some cases, the adhesive is outside a vision area of the unit. In some cases, the adhesive securing the aerogel sheet to the interior surface is in contact with the first face of the aerogel sheet, and the adhesive contacts less than 10% of the first face of the aerogel sheet. Furthermore, some embodiments provide a glazing assembly that includes a frame and an IG unit mounted in the frame such that a vision area of the glazing assembly is located inwardly of the frame.

A smart window including a motorized shade is provided, particularly where the smart window includes a frame portion having a first subframe and a second subframe for mounting the smart window and routing the motor wirings. In a described embodiment, the smart window comprises: a frame portion including a wiring chase positioned internal to the frame portion and a glass portion. The glass portion may comprise a motorized shade, the motorized shade including a motor, a motor wiring, and a shade roll; a first pane of glass attached to the frame portion on an exterior side of the smart window; and a second pane of glass attached to the frame portion on an interior side of the smart window; wherein the frame portion surrounds the glass portion, wherein the motorized shade is attached to the frame portion between the first pane of glass and the second pane of glass by a hanging system, and wherein the motor wiring is positioned internal to the frame portion and the wiring chase.

The present invention relates to variable optical transmission windows and window panels which are used for architectural applications, particularly in building entryway systems. This disclosure is directed to the use and powering of such panels in door and windows that, in part, physically open by manual or automatic sliding, tilting, pushing or rotating about the hinges, unless specifically mentioned otherwise. The doors may also have other electronic devices which provided added user functionality.

A switchable device for changing the opacity of at least a portion of a glazing is described. The switchable device comprises at least two (a first and a second) switchable regions in electrical communication with at least two (a first and a second) electrical connector regions. Each switchable region comprises an electrically actuated variable opacity layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, the first switchable region being arranged relative to the second switchable region such that upon connecting the first and second electrical connector regions to a suitable power supply, the opacity of the first and second switchable region changes such that at least two (a first and a second) portions of the switchable device have a change of opacity, the first portion of the switchable device having a different opacity to the second portion of the switchable device.

The present invention relates to optical power-limiting devices, and more particularly, to an optical power-limiting passive (self-adaptive) device and to a method for limiting solar power transmission in devices such as windows, using scattering level changes in a novel thermotropic composition that contains salt nano or microparticles embedded in a solid transparent host layer, where temperature change induces change in the refraction index of the matrix as well as of the embedded particles, creating a scattering layer, substantially reflecting the incident light thus limiting the amount of light passing through the window, green house covers, car sun roofs, solar panel windows and protection layers on housing roofs and walls, as a function of ambient temperature.

The present application discloses a switchable device, comprising a switching layer and a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, where the switching layer is positioned between the first and the second conductive layer, and where at least one of the first and the second conductive layers comprises a plurality of isolating sections and a plurality of conductive sections, where the isolating sections and the conductive sections alternate over the area of the conductive layer, and where the switching state of the switchable device is controlled by touch motions.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. Those holes may be sized, shaped, and arranged to promote summertime solar energy reflection and wintertime solar energy transmission. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.

Thin-film devices, for example, multi-zone electrochromic windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. In certain cases, a multi-zone electrochromic window comprises a monolithic EC device on a transparent substrate and two or more tinting zones, wherein the tinting zones are configured for independent operation.

Window controllers and methods for controlling tinting and other functions of tinting zones of multi-zone tintable windows and multiple tinting zones of a group of tintable windows.

A flexible spacer for an insulated translucent panel assembly. The flexible spacer includes a flexible thermoset extrudate formed from a two component flowable polymeric formulation and being a flowable mixture. One component carries a desiccant powder, and the other component is a catalyst for curing the extrudate. The flowable mixture is directly cast on to a vapor barrier web. The vapor barrier web includes a length and a width, the length being greater than the width. The vapor barrier web includes a corrugated sheet of material having a plurality of corrugations oriented generally orthogonal to the length of the vapor barrier web.