Patent ID: 6111685
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A reversible electrochemical mirror device for controlling the reflection of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:a first electrode;a second electrode, at least one of said first and second electrodes being substantially transparent to at least a portion of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation;an electrolytic solution disposed between and in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes, said electrolytic solution comprising:a solvent,a source of cations of at least one electrodepositable mirror metal,at least one halide and/or pseudohalide compound having cations that are not electroactive in the voltage range over which the device is operated, the ratio of the total molar concentration of halide and/or pseudohalide anions (where said total is the aggregate of anions originating from said halide and/or pseudohalide compound and anions originating from said source of said electrodepositable mirror metal cations) to the total molar concentration of said electrodepositable mirror metal cations being greater than 6:1; anda plurality of atoms of said electrodepositable mirror metal disposed on either the first or the second electrode,such that a negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode relative to the second electrode tends to cause deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution as a mirror deposit onto the first electrode, andsuch that a positive electrical potential applied to the first electrode relative to the second electrode tends to cause deposited metal to be dissolved from the first electrode into the solution and electrodeposited from the solution onto the second electrode,the amount of deposited metal subsisting on the first electrode affecting the reflection of electromagnetic radiation by the device.