Philippe Boire

Highly durable all-solid state electrochromic glazings

After being successfully implemented as self-dimming minors in the automotive industry, electrochromic technologies are moving toward large-area applications. These applications often demand high levels of durability; warranties of ten to twenty years are commonly required in Europe for applications such as car sunroofs and insulated glass units for buildings. These active solar-control glazings need to be priced competitively. Very few EC technologies match all of these requirements. Mixed polymer/metal oxide-layer systems often fail in terms of durability and cost effectiveness, and inexpensive all-organic systems do not usually pass the severe high-temperature and UV tests.