Electrochromic Textiles Using Star Polymers

The goal of this program is to develop a fully printable multicolor electrochromic textile technology. The technology would be used to modify a range of textile surfaces to render them optically switchable in the visible and even infrared spectral regions,with continuous gray scale tunability. The proposed work takes advantage of several innovations at EIC Laboratories, Inc., including extremely high coloration efficiency and processible star conductive polymers that are available in a range of colors, andprinted or thin film complete electrochemically balanced electrochromic cell configurations for incorporation directly onto textiles. Phase I entails demonstrating these configurations in fully flexible textile devices with a durability of >10^3 cycles andan initial assessment of environmental durability. Phase I bridge and Phase II will address issues of making textile-based display elements, increasing device durability and UV stability, and scaling up a manufacturing process. The major products ofelectrochromic technology include: information displays; filters for optics, photography and electronic imaging; military smart textile and low observable applications; ophthalmic eyewear and sunglasses; automobile mirrors, sunroofs, and glass; atriaglass; and architectural glass for all kinds of buildings from passive solar dwellings to large office complexes.