Abstract:
This disclosure describes systems and methods for creating monolithically integrated electrochromic devices which may be a flexible electrochromic device. Monolithic integration of thin film electrochromic devices may involve the electrical interconnection of multiple individual electrochromic devices through the creation of specific structures such as conductive pathway or insulating isolation trenches.

Description:
GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS 
     This invention was made with government support under grant number DE-AR0000019 awarded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency, Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention. 
    
    
     RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/594,731, filed Feb. 3, 2012, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     INTRODUCTION 
     Electrochromic devices are used in a variety of applications where it is desirous to control the opacity of an object. Applications include using an electrochromic device in conjunction with a window to create a “smart window.” A solid-state electrochromic device has the advantage of being composed of solid materials, and therefore can operate in varied conditions such as any physical orientation and within a large temperature range. Through various fabrication techniques it is possible to make an electrochromic device composed of thin materials, some only nanometers or micrometers thick, to form an electrochromic device that may be millimeters thick, or smaller. These solid-state electrochromic devices are referred to as thin film electrochromic devices. Thin film electrochromic devices are often monolithically integrated, meaning they are manufactured by the patterned diffusion of elements into the surface of a thin substrate. 
     It is with respect to these and other considerations that embodiments have been made. Also, although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the introduction. 
     Architectures for Electrochromic Devices 
     This disclosure describes systems and methods for creating monolithically integrated electrochromic devices which may be a flexible electrochromic device. Monolithic integration of thin film electrochromic devices may involve the electrical interconnection of multiple individual electrochromic devices through the creation of specific structures such as conductive pathway or insulating isolation trenches. As used herein, etching (i.e. chemical), drilling (i.e. mechanical), and scribing (i.e. laser) are considered interchangeable processes and are not to be taken as limiting. 
     In an embodiment of fabricating an electrochromic device, the method includes depositing a plurality of first electrochromic device layers on a first side of a substrate. The method also includes depositing a plurality of second electrochromic device layers on a second side of the substrate. Additionally, the method includes connecting a first one of the first electrochromic device layers with a first one of the second electrochromic device layers. The method also includes connecting a second one of the first electrochromic device layers with a second one of the second electrochromic device layers. 
     Another method of creating an electrochromic device includes, depositing a plurality of first electrochromic device layers on a first side of a substrate. Additionally the method includes depositing a plurality of second electrochromic device layers on a second side of the substrate. Also, the method includes connecting a first one of the first electrochromic device layers with a second one of the second electrochromic device layers. 
     An electrochromic device comprising, a substrate with at least a first side and a second side. Additionally, the embodiment includes a first ion-storage layer deposited on the first side of the substrate. In embodiments, the device also includes a first electrolyte deposited on the first ion-storage layer. Also, the device includes a first electrochromic layer deposited on the first electrolyte in embodiments. The device also includes a second ion-storage layer deposited on the second side of the substrate. The device also includes a second electrolyte deposited on the second ion-storage layer. The device may include a second electrochromic layer deposited on the second electrolyte, wherein at least one of the first ion-storage layer and the first electrochromic layer are in electrical contact with at least one of the second ion-storage layer and the second electrochromic layer. 
     These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the systems and methods described herein will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. Additional features are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the technology. The benefits and features of the technology will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a single-sided electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a single-sided, multiple electrochromic device structure configured with a common cathode; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a single-sided, multiple electrochromic device structure configured with a common electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a stack-configured, single-sided electrochromic device connected in series; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a single-sided electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a stack-configured, single-sided electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a single-sided, series connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a single-sided, parallel connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of a double-sided, series and parallel connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of a double-sided, series connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of a method of roll-to-roll manufacture of a single-sided, series connected or parallel connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a first step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of a second step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an embodiment of a third step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment of a fourth step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of a fifth step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device; and 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of a completed parallel connected electrochromic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This application presents embodiments for thin film architectures of electrochromic devices. Various embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this application, and which show specific example embodiments. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete in the presentation of the functional concepts, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     Electrochromic devices are devices that transition from one opacity state to another under the stimulus of an electrical voltage. A voltage may be applied to an electrochromic device to cause the electrochromic device to change its opacity state. For example, an electrochromic device may change from substantially transparent with respect to the visible light range to an opacity state that reflects or otherwise prevents blue light from passing through the device. Other opacity changes are possible and may be selected by the manufacturer to achieve desired performance criteria. An electrochromic device may become more or less reflective or opaque when voltage is applied. 
     Embodiments described in this application may refer to layers of an electrochromic device. For example, electrochromic devices may have a substrate layer, a cathode contact layer, an ion-storage layer, an electrolyte layer, an electrochromic layer, or an anode contact layer. 
     In embodiments, the substrate layer may be polyethylene terephtlate (“PET”). In other embodiments, the substrate is one of plastic, stainless foil, glass, and ceramic. Any other suitable material, now known or later developed may also be used. 
     The cathode-contact and the anode contact are generally a transparent conductive oxide (“TCO”). This includes indium tin oxide. Any other suitable material, now known or later developed may also be used. 
     The ion-storage layer may be a variety of materials, but is often a metal oxide. This includes any number of lithiated metal oxides including lithium nickel oxide, lithiated mixed metal oxides (such as lithium nickel tungsten oxide where the W:Ni ratio is less than 1:1). Any other suitable material, now known or later developed may also be used. Furthermore, the ion-storage layer and/or electrochromic electrode can be deposited as a metal oxide using a method such as reactive sputtering, and lithiated in a separate step, such as a physical vapor deposition of lithium. 
     The electrolyte may be an insulating polymer fill, or it may be an electrolyte with sufficiently high resistance. The electrolyte (El) is deposited over the IS and TCO layers. Any suitable electrolyte, now known or later developed may be used. Polymer electrolytes, polyelectrolytes, and solid inorganic electrolytes may be used. For example, polypropylene glycol) with salts such as LiClO 4 , CF 3 SO 2 H or H 3 PO 4  dissolved in them may be used. 
     The electrochromic layer may be a mixed metal oxide (such as molybdenum tungsten oxide where the Mo:W ratio is less than 1:1). In an embodiment, Tungsten Oxide (WO x ) is used as the EC layer, though other suitable materials may be used. 
     There exist a variety of means, both vacuum and nonvacuum, to deposit each of the materials, such as but not limited to physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, thermal evaporation, pulsed laser deposition, sputter deposition, and sol-gel processes. 
     One embodiment of a single-sided electrochromic device is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the electrochromic device  100  is deposited in layers on a substrate  102 . To contact the cathode contact layer  104 , a via  116  is drilled or etched through the substrate  102  and a conductive layer  118  is deposited on the side of the substrate  102  opposite the electrochromic device. In another embodiment, a substrate  102  is used with a conductive layer  118  already present on one side, and vias  116  are etched or drilled through the substrate  102  but not through the conductive layer  118 . The vias  116  can then be filled with a conductive paste or with the cathode contact  104  to establish contact with the conductive layer  118 . The via  116  may be drilled or etched in any suitable manner such as but not limited to by laser. By contacting the ion-storage layer  106  through a laser-drilled via  116  the fabrication may be made easier. Also, when contacting the ion-storage layer  106  through a laser-drilled via, an electrochromic device can be fabricated and then post processed to form many smaller functional electrochromic device. It should be noted the cathode contact  104 , which is connected to and contacted by the conductive layer  118 , and the anode contact  112  are located on opposite sides of the substrate  102  in this embodiment. In an embodiment, substrate  102 , cathode contact  104 , ion-storage layer  106 , electrolyte  108 , electrochromic layer  110 , and/or anode contact  112 , are the same as or similar to previously described substrate. 
     One embodiment of a single-sided, multiple electrochromic device  200  configured with a common cathode is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated, it is possible for multiple electrochromic devices to be fabricated on a substrate  202  and then connected by a common conductive layer  218  connected to the cathode contact  204  of each electrochromic device by cutting etches or drilling vias  216  through the substrate  202  to contact each cathode  204 , and then depositing a conductive layer  218  on the substrate  202  opposite the electrochromic device. In another embodiment, a large electrochromic device could be fabricated and then etched or drilled  220  to isolate the electrochromic layer  210  and anode contacts  212  of each electrochromic device. It should be noted that in this embodiment the conductive layer  218  connected to the one ion-storage layer  206  is on the opposite side of the substrate  202  from the plurality of electrochromic devices  210 . In an embodiment, non-conductive substrate  202 , cathode contact  204 , ion-storage layer  206 , electrolyte  208 , electrochromic layer  210 , anode contact  212 , via  216 , and/or conductive layer  218 , are the same as or similar to previously described. 
     An embodiment of a single-sided, multiple electrochromic device structure  300  configured with an electrochromic device is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated, a common electrochromic layer  310  is possible by separating the ion-storage layer  306  and cathode contact  304  of different electrochromic devices from each other by depositing an electrolyte  308  between them. In one embodiment, as illustrated, contact is established with the cathode contacts  304  by laser-drilling vias  316  (or etches) through the substrate  302  and depositing a conductive material  318  on the opposite side of the substrate  302  as the electrochromic layer. In the embodiment shown, the conductive material  318  is deposited on an area local to the via  316 , and does not overlap with the conductive material  318  deposited around other vias  316 . This conductive material  318  deposition forms separate contact points for each of the electrochromic layers  304 . Further, the electrolyte  308  is deposited as a layer across the entire structure and between the ion-storage layer  306  and cathode contacts  304 . The electrochromic layer  310  and anode contact  312  are deposited as a layer across the top of the entire structure. The depositing of the electrochromic layer  310  and anode contact  312  creates a common electrochromic layer  310  and anode contact  312  across the structure  300 . It should be noted that the contact for the plurality of ion-storage layers  306  is made with a conductive layer  318  on the opposite side of the substrate  302  from the contact  312  for the electrochromic layer  310 . In an embodiment, substrate  302 , cathode contact  304 , cathode  306 , electrolyte  308 , electrochromic layer  310  and/or anode contact  312  are the same as or similar to previously described. 
     An embodiment of a stack-configured, electrochromic device connected in series  400  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, at least two electrochromic devices similar to those in  FIG. 3  are fabricated with laser drilled vias  416  on the back side of the substrate  402 . In some embodiments, series contact is made between the electrochromic devices by physically stacking the electrochromic devices on top of one another so the conductive region  418  is in contact with the anode contact layer  412  of another electrochromic device. 
     In one embodiment a single substrate  402  is used and electrochromic devices are deposited on top of one another, where the cathode contact  404  and/or ion-storage layer  706  of one electrochromic device is deposited directly on top of the anode contact  412  and/or electrochromic layer  410  of the electrochromic device that was previously deposited. In another embodiment an initial substrate  402  is one in which another electrochromic device has been deposited. Another electrochromic device is deposited on top of the first by replacing the secondary substrate, and cathode contact with a conductive metal foil. In an embodiment, substrate  402 , cathode contact  404 , ion-storage layer  406 , electrolyte  408 , electrochromic layer  410 , and/or anode contact  412  are the same as or similar to previously described. 
     One embodiment of a single-sided electrochromic device  500  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment the various layers of the structure  500  are deposited uniformly across the substrate  502 . Also, a conductive layer  518  is deposited on the side of the substrate  502  electrochromic device. In the embodiment shown, contact is made between the conductive layer  518  deposited on the back side of the substrate  502  and the ion-storage layer  506  and/or cathode contact  504  by soldering  514  them together around the edge of the substrate  502 . It should be noted that in this embodiment, contact with the ion-storage layer  506  and/or cathode contact  504  and the electrochromic layer  510  and/or anode contact  512  can be made on the same and/or opposite sides of the substrate  802 . In an embodiment, substrate  502 , cathode contact  504 , ion-storage layer  506 , electrolyte  508 , electrochromic device  510 , and/or anode contact  512  are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
     One embodiment of a stack-configured, single-sided electrochromic device  600  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, a conductive layer  618  is deposited on the back side of the substrate  602 , and contact is established with the ion-storage layer  606  and/or cathode contact  604  through soldering  614  around the edge of the substrate  602 . In this embodiment, two electrochromic devices, such as those illustrated in  FIG. 6  are connected in series by stacking the conductive layer  618  in contact with the ion-storage layer  606  and/or cathode contact  604  of one electrochromic device on the anode contact  612  of another electrochromic device. In an embodiment, substrate  602 , cathode contact  604 , ion-storage layer  606 , electrolyte  608 , electrochromic layer  610 , and/or anode contact  612  are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
     An embodiment of a single-sided, series connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device  700  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment uniform layers are deposited across a substrate  702 . Between deposition layers, structures  720 ,  722 , and  724  are etched into the previous layers to establish the architecture of the electrochromic device  700 . 
     In some embodiments, standard P1/P2/P3 etching is used to establish isolation between a first ion-storage layer  706  and a second ion-storage layer  706 , between a first electrolyte  708  and a second electrolyte  708 , and between a first electrochromic layer  710  and a second electrochromic layer  710 . Also the etching is used to establish a connection between the electrochromic layer  710  of one electrochromic device and the ion-storage layer  706  of the next electrochromic device in series. 
     As illustrated in this embodiment, the first etch (P1)  720  on the left side may occur after the cathode contact  704  and ion-storage layer  706  have been deposited on the substrate  702 . The P1 etch  720  may be created while leaving the substrate  702  relatively unaffected. The P1 etch  720  may be filled with the electrolyte when the electrolyte layer  708  is deposited. The P1 etch  720  isolates a first ion-storage layer  706  and/or a first cathode contact  704  of one electrochromic device from a second ion-storage device  706  and/or a second cathode contact  704  of another electrochromic device. 
     Continuing to the right in the illustration, the second etch (P2)  722  occurs after the electrolyte layer  708  and the electrochromic layer  710  have been deposited. The P2 etch  722  serves to further isolate a first ion-storage layer  706  of one electrochromic device from a second ion-storage layer  706  of another electrochromic device. Further, the P2 etch  722  allows a first anode contact  712 , after it has been deposited, to contact a second cathode contact  704  of the next electrochromic device in series. Additionally, the P1 etch  720  may prevent the ion-storage layer  706  and/or cathode contact  704  from contacting the P2 etch  722  after the anode contact  712  is deposited. The third etch (P3)  724  may be performed after all of the layers have been deposited, and it etches the anode contact  712  layer as well as the electrochromic layer  710 . This isolates the electrochromic layers  710  of each of the electrochromic devices. 
     The result of this P1/P2/P3 ( 720 / 722 / 724 ) etching process is multiple electrochromic devices deposited on the same substrate  702  at the same time that are all connected to one another in series. In this embodiment, the first cathode contact  704 , first ion-storage layer  706 , and first electrolyte  708  on the left end of the structure  700  before the P1 etch  720  occurs do not actually form an electrochromic device because there is no contact point for the first ion-storage device  706 . Because there is no contact point for the first ion-storage device  706  on the left end of the structure  700 , the first anode contact  712  on the left edge of the structure  700  serves as the point of contact for a second cathode contact  704  because the second cathode contact  704  is the only thing in electrical contact with the first anode contact  712 . It should be noted that in this embodiment the contact point for the cathode contact  704 , or the first anode contact  712 , and the third anode contact  712  are contacted on the same side of the substrate  702 . In an embodiment, substrate  702 , cathode contact  704 , ion-storage layer  706 , electrolyte  708 , electrochromic layer  710 , and/or anode contact  712  are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
     In another embodiment (not shown), vias are drilled through the back side of the substrate and a conductive material is deposited thereon. The conductive material can then be used as a point of contact for the ion-storage layer, assuming the vias are drilled through the substrate to the cathode contact, similar to the via  116  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the ion-storage layer, cathode contact, and electrolyte on the edge of the structure would be actively used in the electrochromic device because the cathode contact would be used as a contact point. Furthermore contact for the ion-storage layer and contact for the electrochromic device occur on opposite sides of the substrate. 
     An embodiment of a single-sided, parallel connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device  800  is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Similar P1/P2/P3 ( 820 / 822 / 824 ) etches are used as in  FIG. 7  with an additional P1 etch  820  included. This additional P1 etch  820  without the P2  822  and P3  824  etches creates electrochromic devices that are connected in parallel. Further, on the opposite side of the additional P1 etch  820  from the original P1/P2/P3 etches  820 / 822 / 824 , the order is reversed and P3/P2/P1 etches  824 / 822 / 820  are utilized. In this embodiment, the cathode contact  804 , ion-storage layer  806 , and electrolyte  808  on both edges of the structure  800  are not involved in an electrochromic device because there is no contact point for the cathode  806 . In another embodiment, two or more sets of series connected electrochromic devices similar to the one seen in  FIG. 7  can be connected in parallel in a manner similar to that seen in  FIG. 8 . It should be noted that this embodiment contains triple point contacting, all of which are located on the same side of the substrate. There is a different positive contact for each of the parallel branches, and one negative contact that is responsible for both of the parallel branches. In another embodiment (not shown), vias are drilled through the back side of the substrate and a conductive material is deposited thereon. The conductive material can then be used as a point of contact for the ion-storage layers, assuming the vias are drilled through the substrate to the cathode contact, similar to the via  116  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the cathode contact, ion-storage layer, and electrolyte on both edges of the structure can be utilized in the electrochromic device since the cathode contact can be contacted. Furthermore contact for the ion-storage layer and contact for the electrochromic device occur on opposite sides of the substrate. In an embodiment, substrate  802 , cathode contact  804 , ion-storage layer  806 , electrolyte  808 , electrochromic layer  810 , anode contact  812 , P1 etch  820 , P2 etch  822 , and/or P3 etch  824 , are the same as or similar to previously described substrate above. 
     One embodiment of a double-sided, series and parallel connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device  900  is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment a series connected, monolithically integrated, electrochromic device is fabricated similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , but is fabricated on both sides of the substrate  902 . It should be noted that in this embodiment the series connected electrochromic devices fabricated on the back side of the substrate  902  mirrors the electrochromic device fabricated on the front side. In some embodiments, both sides are patterned simultaneously. In one embodiment, the series connected electrochromic devices on either side of the substrate  902  are connected in parallel by soldering  914  together the cathode contacts  904  on one end, and the anode contacts  912  on the other. In another embodiment vias are etched or drilled through the substrate  902  and then filled with a conductive paste or the deposited cathode contact  904  to connect the cathode contacts  904  on one end of the structure, and the anode contacts  912  on the other end. In this embodiment the two contact points can be on the same side of the substrate  902  or on opposite sides of the substrate  902 , and either or both contacts can also be on the edge of the structure  900 . In an embodiment, substrate  902 , cathode contact  904 , ion-storage layer  906 , electrolyte  908 , electrochromic device  910 , anode contact  912 , P1 etch  920 , P2 etch  922 , and/or P3 etch  924 , are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
     One embodiment of a double-sided, series connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device  1000  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment a series connected monolithically integrated SSLB, similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , is deposited on both sides of the substrate  1002 . Unlike the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in this embodiment the electrochromic device on each side of the substrate  1002  do not mirror each other, so the cathode contact  1004  of the electrochromic device on one side of the substrate  1002  is located across the substrate  1002  from the anode contact  1012  of the electrochromic device on the other side. In this embodiment the cathode contact  1004  and anode contact  1012  are soldered  1014  together on one end of the structure  1000 , around the edge of the substrate  1002 . This soldering  1014  forms a series connection of the two series connected electrochromic device on each side of the substrate  1002 . It should be noted that the end of the structure  1000  opposite the soldering  1014  is not soldered and serves as the points of contact. In some embodiments, a via (not shown) is etched or drilled through the substrate  1002  on the end opposite the points of contact and then filled with a conductive paste or the deposited cathode contact  1004  to connect a cathode contact  1004  of the electrochromic devices on one side of the substrate  1002  with an anode contact  1012  of the electrochromic devices on the opposite side of the substrate  1002 . In the illustrated embodiment the point of contact is on the same edge of the structure  1000 , but on opposite sides of the substrate  1002 . In an embodiment, substrate  1002 , cathode contact  1004 , ion-storage layer  1006 , electrolyte  1008 , electrochromic layer  1010 , anode contact  1012 , P1 etch  1020 , P2 etch  1022 , and/or P3 etch  1304 , are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
     An embodiment of a method of roll-to-roll manufacture of a single-sided, series connected or parallel connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device  1100  is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The top view of an embodiment of a single-sided, series connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device  1100   a  similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  is shown to the left of the illustration. The top view of an embodiment of a single-sided, parallel connected, monolithically integrated electrochromic device  1100   b  similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  is shown to the right of the illustration. Included in this illustration are isolation etches  1120   a  as well as the P1  1120   b , P2  1122 , and P3  1124  etches. It should be noted that the isolation etch  1120   a  is similar to, and in some cases the same as, the P1 etch  1120   b . In an embodiment, the isolation etch  1120   a  differs from the P1 etch  1120   b  in that the isolation etch  1120   a  occurs after all of the active layers have been deposited on the substrate thereby isolating all of the layers. Also illustrated are positive and negative contact points for each of the electrochromic device architectures  1100   a ,  1100   b . In one embodiment, laser scribing is used to etch the isolation etches  1120   a  and/or the P1/P2/P3 etches  1120   b / 1422 / 1424 . In this embodiment a very high throughput can be achieved for a roll-to-roll process, in part due to the varied conditions under which a laser can operate compared to an alternate etching process. In an embodiment, roll-to-roll processing can be performed on one or two sides of the substrate, resulting in a single-sided or double-sided electrochromic device. The two sides of a double-sided electrochromic device can be deposited and/or etched in the same roll-to-roll process or in separate processes. It should be noted that the number of cells as well as the electrical configuration (series or parallel connection) can be modified to meet specific voltage and/or current guidelines. In an embodiment, P1 etch  1120 , P2 etch  1122 , and/or P3 etch  1124 , are the same as or similar to previously described P1 etch  720 , P2 etch  722 , and/or P3 etch  724 , respectively. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a first step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device  1200 . In this embodiment the first step is to uniformly deposit the active electrochromic device layers, such as but not limited to the ion-storage level  1206 , electrolyte  1208 , and electrochromic layers  1210  deposited on a substrate  1202 . In an embodiment, the layers include a cathode contact  1204  and an anode contact  1212 . In an embodiment, substrate  1202 , cathode contact  1204 , ion-storage layer  1206 , electrolyte  1208 , electrochromic layer  1210 , and/or anode contact  1212 , are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment of a second step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device  1300 . In the second step of this embodiment P1 etch  1320 , P2 etch  1322 , and P3 etch  1324  are performed. In one embodiment the P1 etch  1320 , P2 etch  1322 , and P3 etch  1324  are scribed with a laser. The P1 etch  1320  is used to isolate electrochromic devices that are located next to each other on the substrate  1302 . The P1 etch  1320  is scribed through all of the electrochromic device layers to the substrate  1302 . At this step in the illustrated embodiment the P2 etch  1322  and P3 etch  1324  are very similar etches. Both the P2 etch  1322  and the P3 etch  1324  penetrate through all of the active electrochromic device layers except for the ion-storage layer  1306  and/or cathode contact  1604  such as but not limited to the electrochromic device  1310 , anode contact  1312 , electrolyte  1308 , and ion-storage device  1306 . It should be noted that in this embodiment of a method for fabricating electrochromic devices a series connected electrochromic devices is fabricated. In another embodiment a parallel connected electrochromic devices may be fabricated by combining a plurality of P1/P2/P3 etches  1320 / 1322 / 1324  with a subsequent P1 etch  1320  followed by a plurality of P3/P2/P1 etches  1324 / 1322 / 1320 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 17 . In an embodiment, substrate  1302 , cathode contact  1304 , ion-storage layer  1306 , electrolyte  1308 , electrochromic device  1310 , anode contact  1312 , P1 etch  1320 , P2 etch  1322 , and/or P3 etch  1324 , are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an embodiment of a third step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device  1400 . In the third step of this embodiment the P1 etch  1420  and P3 etch  1424  are filled. In one embodiment the P1 etch  1420  and P3 etch  1424  are filled through an inkjet fill with insulating ink  1426 . In another embodiment the P1 etch  1420  and P3 etch  1424  are filled through another process with a non-conductive material. The P1 etch  1420  and P3 etch  1424  are used to electrochromic device layers across the substrate  1402  so any non-conductive material suitable for this isolation may be used. In an embodiment, substrate  1402 , cathode contact  1404 , ion-storage layer  1406 , electrolyte  1408 , electrochromic layer  1410 , anode contact  1412 , P1 etch  1420 , P2 etch  1422 , and/or P3 etch  1424 , are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment of a fourth step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device  1500 . In the fourth step, a conductive material  1528  such as but not limited to a conductive ink is filled into the P2 etch  1522 . This conductive material  1528  functions to electrically connect an electrochromic layer  1510  and/or an anode contact  1512  of one electrochromic devices with an ion-storage layer  1506  and/or cathode contact  1504  of an adjacent electrochromic device. It should be noted that the conductive material  1528  overlaps the non-conductive material  1526  in the P1 etch  1520  to contact, in this embodiment, the anode contact  1512 . This creates the electrical connection between the anode contact  1512  and the adjacent cathode contact  1504 . The conductive material  1528  overlaps the material  1526  in the P1 etch  1520 , but not the non-conductive material  1526  in the P3 etch  1524 , otherwise the conductive material  1528  in the P2 etch  1522  would short the electrochromic device. In an embodiment, substrate  1502 , cathode contact  1504 , ion-storage layer  1506 , electrolyte  1508 , electrochromic layer  1510 , anode contact  1512 , P1 etch  1520 , P2 etch  1522 , P3 etch  1524 , and/or insulating ink  1826 , are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of a fifth step of a method for fabricating electrochromic device  1600 . In the fifth step, busbars  1630  are connected to the electrochromic device in any suitable method. Busbars  1630  can be used as a point of contact for the fabricated electrochromic device. The size of the busbars  1630  can affect the maximum current that passes through the electrochromic device. Further  FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of a completed series connected electrochromic device. In an embodiment, substrate  1602 , cathode contact  1604 , ion-storage level  1606 , electrolyte  1608 , electrochromic layer  1610 , anode contact  1612 , P1 etch  1620 , P2 etch  1622 , P3 etch  1624 , insulating ink  1626 , and/or conductive material  1628 , are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of a completed parallel electrochromic device  1700 . The completed parallel electrochromic device  1700  can be fabricated in a method similar to that shown in  FIG. 12  through  FIG. 16 . The main difference between fabricating a series connected electrochromic device and a parallel connected electrochromic device is the order of the P1  1720 , P2  1722 , and/or P3  1724  etches. When fabricating a series connected electrochromic device a plurality of P1/P2/P3 etches  1720 / 1722 / 1724  are present. Alternately, when fabricating a parallel connected electrochromic device  1700  at least one set of P1/P2/P3 etches  1720 / 1722 / 1724  are present followed by a singular P1 etch  1720  followed by at least one set of P3/P2/P1 etches  1724 / 1722 / 1720 . In the completed parallel connected SSLB  1700  illustrated, a non-conductive material  1726  fills the P1  1720  and P3  1724  etches while a conductive material  1728  fills the P2 etch  1722 . The singular P1 etch  1720  has been filled with a non-conductive material  1726  and a conductive material  1728  has been deposited over and overlaps beyond the non-conductive fill  1726 . The overlap of the conductive material  1728  covering the non-conductive fill  1726  of the singular P1 etch  1720 , functions to electrically connect the anode contacts  1712  of adjacent electrochromic device. Further, busbars  1730  have been connected to the electrochromic device and can serve as a point of electrical contact. It should be noted that the electrochromic device illustrated uses three contact points, one of which is a common ground, while the other two serve as positive contacts for the parallel electrochromic device branches. In an embodiment, substrate  1702 , cathode contact  1704 , ion-storage device  1706 , electrolyte  1708 , electrochromic layer  1710 , anode contact  1712 , P1 etch  1720 , P2 etch  1722 , P3 etch  1724 , insulating ink  1726 , conductive material  1728 , and/or busbar  1730 , are the same as or similar to previously described above. 
     It will be clear that the systems and methods described herein are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems within this specification may be implemented in many manners and as such is not to be limited by the foregoing exemplified embodiments and examples. In other words, functional elements being performed by a single or multiple components and individual functions can be distributed among different components. In this regard, any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features herein described as possible. 
     While various embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the disclosed methods. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure.