Patent ID: 8094361

Claim:
An infrared electrochromic device operable for infra-red transmission and blocking comprising: a first outer electrically conducting layer and a second outer electrically conducting layer, the first and the second outer electrically conducting layers operable to transmit infrared light; wherein the first and second outer electrically conducting layers comprise germanium or a doped silicon wafer; the two outer electrically conducting layers sandwiching a conjugated electrochromic polymer layer and a gel electrolyte layer; wherein the gel electrolyte layer comprises a base material and a salt; wherein the salt further comprises an anion of tetrafluoroborate (BF 4 − ), hexafluorophosphate (PF 6 − ), perchlorate (ClO 4 − ) or p-toluenesulfonate, trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) (CF3SO3-), iodide (I—), chloride (Cl—), bromide (Br—), hexafluoroarsenate (AsF6-), bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl imide) (N(SO2CF3)2 or tris(trifluoromethanesulfonyl methide) (C(CF3SO2)3-)); the two outer electrically conducting layers, conjugated electrochromic polymer layer and electrolyte layer as combined being self supporting; and the conjugated electrochromic polymer layer comprising one or more electrochromic polymers operable to be electrically switched between a transparent state that transmits infrared light to an opaque state that does not transmit infrared light.