Smart windows based on electrophoresis of scattering particles

A switchable optical element (1), a smart window (90) comprising the same, and a method for switching between optical states of the element are disclosed. The optical element includes a pair of substrates (2a, 2b) disposed facing each other, and at least one cell (5) arranged between the pair of substrates and filled with scattering particles (6). An electrode configuration is provided on the pair of substrates such that a first group of cell electrodes (7A) is interleaved with electrodes of a second group of cell electrodes (7B) on a face of a first substrate, and a third group of cell electrodes (7C) is interleaved with electrodes of a fourth group of cell electrodes (7D) on a face of a second substrate. The cell electrodes are defining a transport region (10) and a confinement region (11) in the cell and are adapted for receiving a sequence of control signals for switching the at least one cell from a light-scattering first optical state to a non-scattering second optical state. Switching of the cell includes laterally transporting over at least a distance corresponding to two adjacent cell electrodes of one same cell electrode group and confining the scattering particles to a confinement region (11) within the cell.

Patent Publication Number: EP4150399

Year filing: 2021

Year approval: 2024

Year publication: 2024

Status: Assigned

Technology domains: undefined

Validated for IOF-key: Yes

Attributed to: Associatie Universiteit Gent