Systems and methods for producing objects incorporating a selectably active electromagnetic energy filtering layer

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for forming an energy filter layer or shutter assembly, including an actively electrically switchable energy / light directing / scattering layer. The energy filter or shutter assembly is operable between at least a first mode, in which the layer and thus the presentation of the shutter assembly appear substantially transparent when viewed from the energy / light incident side, and a second mode, in which the layer and thus the presentation of the energy filter or shutter assembly appear opaque to incident energy impinging on the energy incident side. The different modes are selectable by electrically energizing, differently energizing and / or de-energizing an electric field near the energy scattering layer, including an electric field generated between a pair of transparent electrodes sandwiching the energy scattering layer. The refractive index of the transparent particles and the transparent matrix in which the particles are fixed is tunable according to the applied electric field.

Description

Background Art

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 147,573, entitled “Photovoltaic Cell and / or Photocell With Light Scattering Layer,” filed by Clark D. BOYD et al. on April 14, 2015, U.S. Patent Application No. 15006148, entitled “Systems and Methods for Implementing Selective Electromagnetic Energy Filtering Objects and Coatings Using Selectably Transmissive Energy Scattering Layers,” filed by Clark D. BOYD et al. on January 26, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15006150, entitled “Systems and Methods for Producing Objects Incorporating Selectably Active Electromagnetic Energy Filtering Layers and Coatings,” filed by Clark D. BOYD et al. on January 26, 2016, all of the above disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] This application is related to U.S. Patent Application No. 15006143, entitled “Systems and Methods for Producing Laminates, Layers and Coatings Including Elements for Scattering and Passing Selected Wavelengths of Electromagnetic Energy” filed on January 26, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15006145, entitled “Systems and Methods for Producing Objects Incorporating Selective Electromagnetic Energy Scattering Layers, Laminates and Coatings” filed on January 26, 2016, all of the above disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0003] 1. Technical Field of the Disclosed Embodiments

[0004] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for forming electromagnetically activated filter layers and shutter assemblies including energy / light directing or scattering layers by uniquely implementing energy / light directing / scattering technology in an energy / light transmitting layer, wherein the energy / light directing or scattering layer can be actively electrically switched between a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, the layer and thus the presentation of the shutter assembly appear substantially transparent (or translucent) to the impinging energy when viewed from the energy / light incident side, and in the second mode, the layer and thus the presentation of the shutter assembly appear opaque to the impinging energy when viewed from the energy / light incident layer, as well as objects, object portions, wall panels, lenses, filters, screens, etc. formed by or otherwise incorporating such electrically activated layers and / or shutter assemblies.

[0005] 2. Related prior art

[0006] The ability to provide or facilitate selectable transmission of electromagnetic energy, including light in the visible or near-visible radio frequency (RF) spectrum, through layers, materials, screens, structures or structural assemblies provides numerous benefits in several real-world use cases and applications.

[0007] In the background technology section related to the EE1-P1 and EE1-P2 situations identified above, these discuss some of the real world use cases and applications in detail. In terms of allowing the interior of the structure to be "naturally" sunlit, different uses of windows, skylights, etc. (whether left as transparent or otherwise frosted, colored, or disposed in some way) are all examples. Modification of the transparent lighting capabilities of specific windows is useful for addressing certain concerns including privacy and security and providing certain selected aesthetics (in the example of, for example, stained glass windows). It should be recognized that clean (transparent) windows may be available in some scenes, while windows of surface or internal disposal may be available in other scenes. In all technologies generally used to modify the energy / light transmission properties of specific windows or window panes (whether formed by glass or other transparent materials), it should be recognized that the light passing through those windows in either direction is generally substantially equally affected in both directions by whatever disposal is applied on or in a separate glass or other material window or window pane.

[0008] Also provided is a window treatment that results in a substantially one-way mirror (also referred to in some instances as a two-way mirror). The one-way mirror panel is specifically formed to be partially reflective and partially transparent by tuning the optical properties of the panel so as to produce an optical "cheat" based on differential illumination between the opposing surfaces of the mirror. It is noted that the intensity of the light must be differential between the two sides of the one-way mirror, since in practice the light energy always passes through the mirror substantially equally again in both directions. Thus, the operating principle is to keep one side brightly lit so that it is "difficult" to see through that side based on the principle that reflected light from the brightly lit side masks the visual penetration of the mirror. The intended effect is precisely that a large portion of the incident light is reflected back from the "shiny" side of the mirror, providing a substantially unmodifiable adverse transmission property of ambient light through the panel on the shiny side of the panel. High-end vehicle window tinting achieves substantially the same effect in terms of adding an interior or exterior reflective layer. It is known that the configuration of a substantially blacked-out tint adversely affects the light transmission properties, for example, when viewing from the exterior of the vehicle to the interior of the vehicle, which necessarily blackens or obscures in an indiscernible manner.

[0009] Recently, advertising schemes have emerged in which what is commercially described as "see-through vinyl" is applied to windows in order to provide what appears to be an opaque sign upon first viewing, typically in the form of a specific advertisement, formed on an office window, a public vehicle window, or other similar glass surface selected for ease of application and, where necessary, removal of the vinyl application. The vinyl application can be effectively "seen through" from the non-image side based on perforating an applied vinyl film (generally having a printed image side and an adhesive-bearing non-image side) with pinholes, which can preferably be in a range of 1.5 mm in diameter in a typical 65 / 35 pattern, with 35% of the graphics on the printed side removed to produce a fine mesh window covering. Such perforation schemes leave enough of the printed design on the viewing side for the sign to "appear" opaque, while at the same time removing enough of the vinyl material from the film to provide see-through visibility from the non-printed or non-image side. These schemes are further limited by the necessary requirement that the specific size of the window area to be covered be known, and the window area must be available for the see-through vinyl to be applied thereto.

[0010] Separately, there are certain fabrics that are made that appear to be opaque to observation, but allow transmission of certain wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, including visible or near-visible light. Descriptions of such materials and their use are found, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,798 to Riedel (issued May 21, 1996), which describes the composition of certain materials that transmit sunlight, and swimwear and light protective wear made from the materials, and in British Patent Application Publication No. 2 461 488 to Lanham-New (published March 8, 2011), which is directed to articles of headwear formed of a material that appears to be substantially opaque as observed, but transmits sunlight in order to contribute to, for example, reducing vitamin D deficiency in the wearer.

[0011] As new and unique application scenarios emerge, remote sensors of all kinds for discerning environmental factors and / or activities in a specific monitored area by collecting and analyzing electromagnetic energy elements present in the specific monitored area continue to be more widely diffused and accepted. In the field of regional observation, monitoring and surveillance, still and video cameras, as well as reactive sensors of all kinds of visual light and near-visual light, are generally used. Depending on the nature of regional observation, monitoring and surveillance, it may be preferred to hide or disguise the presence of a specific camera or other electromagnetic energy sensor so that the presence of the camera or other sensor is largely undetected for observers or intruders in the monitored area. Other considerations include that it may be simply preferred to embed the camera or sensor unobtrusively in a specific structure in a way that does not adversely affect the aesthetics of the structure. The difficulty is that conventional attempts to hide, disguise or otherwise cover the lens of the camera or the image or other energy receiver of the sensor phase generally indiscriminately and / or adversely modify the characteristics of the visual or near-visual light that passes through the hidden to reach the camera or sensor device, and such modification of the characteristics of the energy passing through the layer can and generally does adversely affect its operation in the hidden operation application scenario.

[0012] In the field of energy collection and energy harvesting, it is often advantageous to employ photovoltaic or other photoelectric cells in or on a particular structure to convert ambient light into electricity. The efficiency of a particular photoelectric cell is affected by its ability to absorb and / or minimize reflection of incident light on the surface of the photoelectric cell. For this reason, photoelectric cells are generally formed with a dark (generally, black or dark gray) exposed surface facing the light or light incidence ("face") . Maximum efficiency is achieved when the dark face surface is exposed to unfiltered light in the visible or near-visible spectrum. It is for this reason that in virtually all conventional installations, the photoelectric cell is mounted unmodified on an exterior surface of a structure, either (1) fully exposed, or (2) exposed behind a clear glass, clear plastic, or similar clear (transparent) protective exterior structural layer (which transmits visual or near-visual light to the face surface of the photoelectric cell in question for modification of the month). An obvious disadvantage to the wider proliferation of photovoltaic cells used in several potentially beneficial operating or application scenarios is that, in many instances, such "required" installations adversely affect the aesthetics of the structure or object on which the photovoltaic cells are to be mounted for use. The presence of the photovoltaic cells in a particular installation is therefore easily visually distinguishable. For this reason alone, the inclusion of photovoltaic cells in a particular installation or the association with certain structures, objects, or products is often avoided. Manufacturers often make these decisions based on the fact that the photovoltaic cells, when installed, become a visual detractor or disruptor of the exterior or decorative design of the structure, object, or product on which the photovoltaic cells could otherwise be advantageously applied and utilized.

[0013] Recent decades have seen an explosion in the proliferation of electronic visual display components of every shape and size to provide information displays, enhanced entertainment, changeable signage, etc. As technology has advanced, particularly in the operating environment of a home or office, many efforts have been made to attempt to render display components, even as they have become more ubiquitous, less obtrusive. As an example, televisions and other home entertainment display components (even as bulky CRT display units have been largely replaced by flat screen display units) are often "hidden" in cabinets or sometimes concealed behind smoked glass curtain walls. Summary of the invention

[0014] The above discussion provides a non-limiting list of examples of several real-world use cases where different techniques are used to provide surface treatments and coverings that effectively "trick" the human eye into seeing a particular presentation from the viewing, observation, or light incident side under certain circumstances, while at the same time providing a filtered transmission of visible or near-visible light through the surface treatments and coverings at a certain granular level in a manner that allows some, but not all, RF energy to penetrate the surface treatments and coverings. Although the above discussion focuses on visual optics, the principles of the present disclosure may be equally applicable to filtering of electromagnetic energy at wavelengths outside the visual spectrum. However, based on their inherent limitations, the specific manufacturing processes (through which objects are formed, including these specialized capabilities), and certain attendant disadvantages in their use, the specific implementations discussed above, as well as other similar implementations, have heretofore all been constrained in their capabilities to be more broadly adaptable to a much larger range of use cases, particularly with respect to the manner in which electromagnetic energy (including light in the visible and near-visible spectrum) is limited, filtered, shielded, or otherwise modified as it passes from the energy or light incident side to the opposite side of a specific structure, structural assembly, structural external layer.

[0015] In view of the limitations identified above with respect to known aesthetic and similar energy and / or lighting control applications (particularly, in the application of selective energy transmission schemes, techniques and / or materials), it would be advantageous to develop advanced switchable appearances or coatings that would be switchable, upon active selection, between a substantially transparent mode and a mode in which at least the energy or light incident side appears opaque to electromagnetic energy of a selectable impinging wavelength.

[0016] It would be further advantageous to format the perceived color, texture, image presentation of the apparently opaque light incident side in a manner that would be adaptable to blend aesthetically with the presentation of the surrounding structure.

[0017] According to exemplary embodiments and systems and methods of the present disclosure, an electrically switchable energy filter and / or shutter assembly having at least two separately selectable operating modes may be provided. In an embodiment, in a first operating mode, the electrically switchable energy filter and / or shutter assembly may be configured to be substantially transparent to electromagnetic energy or light passing through the assembly in either direction. In an embodiment, in a second operating mode, the electrically switchable energy filter and / or shutter assembly may be configured to appear "opaque" from the outside, viewing, observation, or energy / light incident side, and otherwise provide substantially unfiltered energy / light transmission properties, such that the energy filter and / or shutter assembly is substantially energy and / or light transparent, as viewed from the opposite or non-energy / light incident side.

[0018] Exemplary embodiments may provide techniques, processes, and schemes by which one or more electrically switchable energy scattering layers or shutter components may be formed or otherwise incorporated into one or more of a solid object and / or a fabricated system or component of a system (formed or fabricated for a myriad of beneficial purposes) into an object, object portion, panel, structural layer, lens, filter, screen, etc.

[0019] Exemplary embodiments may form a separate laminate, coating, film, or structure where the appearance is altered by changing the electrical potential applied across the laminate, coating, film, or structure, including by modifying the electrical potential applied to electrodes in the laminate, coating, film, or structure, all of which are examples of disclosed electrically switchable filter or shutter components. In embodiments, the goal of such a switchable layer or component may be to allow the appearance of the area behind the laminate, coating, film, or structure to be masked by a wide range of selected colors, textures, and / or designs, while at the same time enhancing the appearance of the area where the laminate, coating, film, or structure is applied, positioned, or placed and allowing transmission of substantially all wavelengths of electromagnetic energy (including energy in the visible or near-visible spectrum) to the area behind the laminate, coating, film, or structure.

[0020] Exemplary embodiments may provide a measure by which the visual appearance of a surface may be switchably adjusted and light may be allowed to pass through the surface to an area behind the surface. In an embodiment, a specific structure of the energy / light scattering layer may be provided that allows the visual appearance of the covered area, implementation, display or structure to be masked so that the covered area, implementation, display or structure may appear to be a predetermined color, color pattern, texture or image to an observer on the energy / light incident side of the energy / light scattering layer.

[0021] In an embodiment, an electrically switchable energy / light directing layer may be provided that, in use, covers an area of ​​interest. The energy / light directing layer may scatter at least part of the impinging energy / light spectrum back to an observer, such that the covered area may be given the appearance of having a particular color, color pattern, texture, or image. The portion of the energy / light spectrum that is scattered back to the observer may be adjustable by application of an electric potential through the energy / light directing layer, including by applying a voltage to a substantially transparent electrode located adjacent to a laminate, coating, film, or structure incorporating such an energy / light directing layer.

[0022] In an embodiment, the laminate, coating film or structure may include an operational layer (alternatively referred to as a light-directing layer, a light-scattering layer or a light-transmitting layer) formed of micron or submicron particles (which may be in the form of spheres) and interstitial voids or a combination of particles, microparticles, nanoparticles and / or micro / nano voids (depending on the desired color, texture, and certain other implementation technology factors), the particles including microparticles and nanoparticles, the voids including microvoids / nanovoids (such as produced by microspheres or evaporation processes). In an embodiment, the micron or subject micron particles may have a diameter in the range of 25 microns or less and may include an electro-optical material having a refractive index that can change value depending on an electric field that is sensed, applied, changed, or removed.

[0023] In embodiments, the disclosed energy filtering and / or shutter assemblies may be incorporated into a variety of structures and / or products, allowing for the inclusion of a myriad of embedded displays, sensor assemblies, imaging devices, photoelectric generators / photocells, etc., without detracting from the visual appearance or aesthetic properties of the structure or product.

[0024] In an embodiment, an actively electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly including an energy / light directing layer may be employed to completely mask portions of a structure or product, up to and including beyond the entirety of the surface area of ​​the structure or product (100% coverage), such that any embedded components may not be visually distinguishable when viewed from the energy / light incident side and may go completely unnoticed by an observer viewing the structure or product from the energy / light incident side.

[0025] In an embodiment, the energy / light directing layer may be switchable between a masking mode and a substantially transparent mode.

[0026] In embodiments, energy / light transmission can be achieved on a variety of surfaces while being completely masked or concealed. As a non-limiting example, the roof of a residential house can be provided with a switchable skylight that, in one mode of operation, maintains the appearance of a typical shingled roof, i.e., in an opaque presentation that substantially matches the color and texture of the surrounding shingles. Separately, portions of a wall can be configured to include energy / light transmissive panels while having the appearance of a colored surface, a textured surface, or even imaged as a work of art.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the amount of energy / light transmission can be adjusted. In the same or other embodiments, when the material system incorporating the disclosed electrically switchable energy filtering or shutter assembly is designed for such light-changing or appearance-changing functionality, the color can also be adjusted.

[0028] In an embodiment, because the energy / light-transmitting layer comprises a substantially transparent component, there are virtually no constraints on a particular environment or particular use, in which an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly comprising such a layer and / or an object (formed by or utilizing such an energy-filter or shutter assembly) may be operably deployed for use.

[0029] In an embodiment, micron or submicron particles (or spheres) including microparticles and / or nanoparticles may include, for example, barium titanate (BaTiO4) and strontium titanate (SrTiO4) in order to utilize a tunable high refractive index.

[0030] In embodiments, the refractive index of part or all of the disclosed energy directing or energy scattering layers can be specifically tuned based on the size of the micron and submicron spheres, the composition of the materials from which the micron and submicron spheres can be formed (including in a layered manner), the composition of the material forming the matrix in which the micron and submicron spheres are dispersed and immobilized, and the size of the interstitial spaces (voids) between the micron and submicron spheres provided in or by the matrix material.

[0031] Exemplary embodiments may provide an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly including an energy / light scattering layer as a constituent component thereof, which may be incorporated into a solid object body structure, a hollow object body structure, or otherwise as an object external layer, wherein the energy / light scattering layer allows incident energy / light of a certain wavelength to pass through the energy / light scattering layer while simultaneously scattering incident energy / light of a determined wavelength to produce a desired visual appearance in the energy / light scattering layer when viewed from a viewing, observation, or energy / light incident side in either a shutter active (non-energy filtering) or shutter closed (energy filtering) operating mode.

[0032] In embodiments, an energy / light scattering layer incorporated into an energy filtering or shutter assembly can be formed or electrically manipulated in a manner that scatters light of the same wavelength across the entirety of a particular energy / light scattering layer, whether comprising complete coverage of the exterior surface of an object or only at discrete portions of the exterior surface of an object. In such embodiments, the sphere or particle size, as well as the material composition of the spheres or particles, and the matrix within which the spheres or particles are fixed, can be substantially uniform across the span of the energy / light scattering layer and subjected to activation by a non-varying electric field.

[0033] In an embodiment, the energy / light scattering layer incorporated into the energy filtering or shutter assembly can be formed or electrically manipulated in a manner that the incident energy / light of a determined wavelength is scattered in a discrete region of the energy / light scattering layer, so that the energy / light scattering layer can reflect / scatter multiple colors and even patterned, texturized and / or polychromatic images, rather than reflecting / scattering a single color. In such an embodiment, by changing spheroid or particle size, and / or the material composition of spheroid and / or particle, and the matrix of the fixed spheroid and / or particle therein, the span across the energy / light scattering layer presents different refractive indices. In other words, the composition of the light scattering layer will be substantially non-uniform. In these embodiments, the variation electric field across the span of the energy / light scattering layer can also cause different / multiple colors and / or textures in the surface presentation.

[0034] In an embodiment, substantially transparent metallic nanoparticles embedded in a dielectric matrix may be used to form an energy / light scattering layer incorporated into an energy filtering or shutter component.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments may form an energy filter or shutter assembly for inclusion in a solid object body structure or an outer layer of an object that may be used to promote the transmissivity of light in one direction so as to facilitate illumination of areas otherwise obscured by structures formed of conventional materials. As non-limiting examples, these normally obscured areas may include areas on the ground floor of a raised corridor or other similar volumes of normally disadvantageously obscured areas.

[0036] Exemplary embodiments may form an energy filtering or shutter assembly for inclusion in a solid object body structure or an outer layer of an object that may house or cover all manner of sensors that light activate, light absorb, light manipulate, or otherwise operationally involve light, including but not limited to cameras, light sensors, photovoltaic cells / photocells, and the like.

[0037] Exemplary embodiments may provide an object formed from or including as an exterior layer at least one electrically switchable energy filtering or shutter component incorporated into a surface energy / light scattering layer, which in some cases allows the visual appearance of embedded components (including electronic data or digital display components) to be masked behind the object surface, which to an observer may appear to have a predetermined surface color or a predetermined surface color pattern, or include a predetermined surface image, which may then be switched to be fully transparent and not obscure the viewing of the electronic data or digital display components when in use.

[0038] Exemplary embodiments may form a wall panel of a typical residential and / or commercial configuration into a solid object body structure, including an active energy filter or shutter assembly with an optional energy / light scattering layer for covering typical electrical switches, sockets, and other residential and commercial installations. In an embodiment, the underlying switch box and / or socket box may be configured to include energy and / or light activated sensors, devices, power generation components, etc. The provision of wall panels according to the disclosed embodiments may facilitate energy transmission to underlying sensors, devices, or components through wall panels having an opaque appearance. In an embodiment, such sensors, devices, or components may be fixed to the box side (non-light incident side) of the wall panel. In an embodiment, an energy hybridization or interchange unit may be provided for applying a constant or variable electric field to activate the energy / light scattering layer between optional operating modes.

[0039] These and other features and advantages of the disclosed systems and methods are described in or are obvious from the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods for forming an electrically activated energy filter layer and / or shutter assembly including an energy / light directing / scattering layer by uniquely implementing energy / light directing / scattering technology in an energy / light transmissive layer, wherein the energy / light directing / scattering layer is actively electrically switchable between a first mode and a second mode, in which the layer, and thus the presentation of the energy filter or shutter assembly, appears substantially transparent (or translucent) to the impinging energy when viewed from the energy / light incident side, and in which the layer, and thus the presentation of the energy filter or shutter assembly, appears opaque to the impinging energy when viewed from the energy / light incident side, as well as objects, object portions, sidings, lenses, filters, screens, etc. formed by or otherwise incorporating such electrically activated energy filter layers and / or shutter assemblies, will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein

[0041] Figure 1A and 1B A schematic diagram of an exemplary physical host assembly according to the present disclosure comprising an electrically switchable energy / light scattering layer disposed on a transparent portion of a 3D host structure, the electrically switchable energy / light scattering layer operating in (1) a transparent first operating mode (see Figure 1A ) and (2) in an opaque second mode of operation (see Figure 1B ) (depending on the influence of external electric field application);

[0042] Figure 1C and 1DSchematic diagram of an exemplary electrically activated energy filter layer or shutter assembly according to the present disclosure comprising an electrically switchable energy / light scattering layer disposed on a transparent portion of a 3D body structure, wherein the electrically switchable energy / light scattering layer operates in (1) a transparent first operating mode (see Figure 1C ) and (2) an opaque second mode of operation (see Figure 1D )middle;

[0043] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly disposed in front of a display surface of a display assembly for operably concealing or exposing the display assembly in use according to the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly disposed in front of a selection of an image collection and / or sensor array device for operatively concealing or exposing the device in use in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary control system for controlling at least one of electronic data display and electrical / electronic / image signal reception and processing in coordination with operation of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0046] Figures 5A-5C illustrates an exemplary depiction of an opaque side presentation of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly including an energy / light scattering layer in accordance with the present disclosure viewed in plan form from the viewing, observation or energy / light incident side;

[0047] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of details of an energy / light scattering layer that may be used in a structured electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly according to the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 7 Schematic diagram illustrating exemplary details of multiple layers of individual micron or submicron spheres that may be used in forming an energy / light scattering layer as part of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 8 A flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for preparing and using an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly according to the present disclosure; and

[0050] Fig. 9 Illustrated are schematic diagrams of exemplary wall panels incorporating at least discrete portions formed as electrically activated energy filtering layers and / or shutter assemblies, including switchable energy / light scattering layers, in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Systems and methods according to the present disclosure include techniques for forming electrically activated filter layers and / or shutter assemblies including energy / light directing / scattering layers that are actively electrically switchable between a first mode in which the layer and thus the presentation of the energy filter or shutter assembly appears substantially transparent (or translucent) to the impinging energy when viewed from the energy / light incident side and a second mode in which the layer and thus the presentation of the energy filter or shutter assembly appears opaque when viewed from the energy / light incident side. The disclosed energy / light directing / scattering layers may be particularly formed to selectively scatter specific wavelengths of impinging electromagnetic energy, including light energy in the visual, near visual, or non-visual ranges, while allowing impinging energy of the remaining wavelengths to pass through when operating in the second mode. These layers may uniquely employ energy / light directing / scattering techniques in energy / light transmissive layers. The disclosed systems and methods may further include techniques for objects, object portions, panels, lenses, filters, screens, etc. that may be integrally formed of such energy filters or light shutter assemblies or otherwise incorporate such energy filters or shutter assemblies. The description of the disclosed systems and methods will reference a range of real-world use cases and applications of such electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assemblies.

[0052] The exemplary embodiments described and depicted in the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being particularly limited to any particular configuration of structures, objects, object portions, articles of manufacture, or component portions thereof that may beneficially include such energy filters or shutter assemblies. The disclosed embodiments should also not be interpreted as being limited to any particular individual material used to form the described light scattering, light directing, or light transmitting layers as an actively operating portion of the disclosed shutter assemblies. This includes, but is not limited to, any particular composition of substantially transparent micron or submicron spheres, including microparticles and / or nanoparticles, and any interstitial voids (including nanogaps) established between such micron or submicron spheres, or any particular composition of a transparent matrix material in which the spheres or particles may be set or fixed during any layer formation process.

[0053] Reference will be made to the use of the disclosed exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly for several real-world beneficial purposes. Discussion of any particular use case for the application of the disclosed scheme should not be construed as limiting the disclosed subject matter to use with any particular class of electrical components, electrical circuits, electronic data display devices, or any particular type of image receiving or energy / light collecting sensor components. Any electrical component mounting or electronic data display device, image receiving device, or other energy / light collecting sensor component can be operatively mounted, installed, or placed behind the disclosed energy filter or shutter assembly during use so as to be selectively hidden from view when an object or structure operating in an opaque mode (including any such energy filter or shutter assembly that hides electrical circuit components, display devices, or sensor elements) is viewed from the viewing, observation, or energy / light incident exterior surface of the object or structure (including, for example, standard wall panels). It should be recognized that, as included within the scope of the disclosed exemplary systems and methods, advantageous uses of the disclosed schemes for employing electrically switchable energy filters or shutter assemblies in accordance with the described embodiments are contemplated in order to achieve an aesthetically consistent or aesthetically pleasing or aesthetically changeable appearance of an object or structure while allowing visible or near-visible energy / light components to pass through the employed systems, methods, techniques, processes and / or schemes, such as those discussed in detail in the present disclosure. In this regard, the disclosed systems and methods will be described as being particularly adaptable to concealing certain electronic data display components in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance when such electronic data display components are not in use as an easily understood and non-limiting example of a particularly advantageous use of the disclosed electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assemblies.

[0054] In embodiments of systems and methods according to the present disclosure, a unique and advantageous energy / light directing / scattering layer, which is at least a portion of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly, scatters a small portion of the impinging energy (including light in the visible or near-visible spectrum) back in the direction of an observer on the viewing, observing or energy / light incident side of the energy / light directing / scattering layer when operating in an opaque presentation mode. In this manner, a particular surface of an energy filter or shutter assembly including the energy / light directing / scattering layer may appear to have a particular color in the visual spectrum, while a large portion of the light or other energy may permissibly pass through the thin energy / light directing / scattering layer and impinge on an area behind the energy filter or shutter assembly or on an operating surface of any underlying energy / light collection sensor assembly.

[0055] Throughout this disclosure reference will generally be made to specific use cases where light scattering effects may be used to render the surface of an energy filter or electrically activated or electrically switchable shutter type component visually opaque when operating in the second mode. These references are not intended to exclude other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum and energy scattering for which certain energy scattering layers may be made to appear opaque to non-visible radiation of specific wavelengths. These references are also not intended to imply making the energy scattering surface 100% opaque in all "second mode" operating scenarios.

[0056] Reference to any specific useful ingredients of materials from which disclosed micron or submicron spheres (particularly, in the range of 25 microns or less, including microparticles and / or nanoparticles) can be formed is also only a description of a broad category of input materials, which can be presented in the form of generally transparent or seemingly transparent micron or submicron spheres, microparticles and / or nanoparticles. Suitable materials for such micron or submicron spheres, microparticles and / or nanoparticles can be discussed in particular according to their composition, or can be more widely cited by certain functional parameters, which should not be considered as limiting the wide range of available input materials from which such micron or submicron spheres, microparticles and / or nanoparticles can be formed. Additionally, typical dielectric matrices in which such submicron spheres can be stabilized will be described. Again here, any reference to a stable specific transparent dielectric material that promotes a specific submicron sphere in a layer form is intended to be illustrative and non-restrictive.

[0057] Exemplary embodiments can advantageously employ electrically switchable energy / light orientation, light reflection and / or light scattering layers that cover at least a portion of a particular 3D object structure or an outer surface of an object, including a 3D object such as can be formed in any molding, processing or AM object formation process. Energy / light orientation, light reflection and / or light scattering layers can be used to scatter at least a portion of the energy and / light spectrum of impact back to an observer. In the case where, for example, visible light is scattered back to an observer, when electrically switchable light orientation, light reflection and / or light scattering layers are activated to provide a specific opaque appearance, the object can give the appearance of having a specific color or a specific pattern or including a specific image on the outer surface of the finished object. Any of a wide array of apparent selected colors, textures or images can be presented to an observer from the viewing, observation or energy / light incident side of the object.

[0058] The apparent color, pattern or image of energy / light scattering layer can be produced by adjusting the refractive index of particle according to the size of substantially transparent particle, the material composition of particle, the physics (stratification) composition of particle, the composition of substantially transparent matrix material of particle, the existence and size of interstitial space between particle, a large amount of independent particles / matrix layers or any combination thereof.Apparent solid color can produce by presenting substantially uniform combination of above parameters across the light incident surface of energy / light scattering layer.Pattern can produce by appropriately changing the adjustment of refractive index by manipulating one or more of above parameters across the energy / light incident surface of energy / light scattering layer.In addition, apparent color, pattern or image can produce similarly by adjusting the parameters of electric field that energy / light scattering layer can withstand.Here again, energy / light scattering layer can be activated by substantially consistent electric field across energy / light scattering layer, so as to produce apparent solid color.Pattern can produce by appropriately changing the electric field that energy / light scattering layer withstands across the energy / light incident surface of energy / light scattering layer.

[0059] In embodiments, virtually any object surface may be modified in the presence of the disclosed filter or shutter assembly or shutter assembly layer so as to completely mask or conceal an area, object, device, sensor, etc., placed behind such shutter assembly or shutter assembly layer. For example, the roof of a structure including a commercial building or a residential home may be covered with photovoltaic cells, but still have the appearance of a typical shingle, metal, asphalt or other surface treatment roof. Separately, a portion of a wall (interior or exterior) of a structure may be embedded with photovoltaic cells while maintaining the appearance of a colored surface, a textured surface, or even a specially selected piece of art. Vehicles including automobiles and / or buses may be provided with electrically switchable exposure panels on various exterior surfaces so that the affected surface is rendered to appear to be formed by only a normal colored surface when the electrically switchable energy / exposure panel may be operated in an opaque display mode.

[0060] An exterior surface layer of a structure, vehicle, or object may incorporate a plurality of different sensors, masked or concealed so as to be visibly undetectable, or in a manner that is aesthetically correct, pleasing, or as required by constraints in an operating environment or use case. In this regard, the desired or desired appearance of an exterior layer of a structure or structural assembly may be retained, for example, in a renovation of a structure that is subject to historical preservation or other appearance (or appearance modification) constraints, while providing an advantageous use of the light-transmissive properties of the object or object surface layer and a switchable capability to convert an aesthetically consistent panel into a transparent panel upon activation to facilitate illumination of an area behind, beyond, below, or around the object or object surface that maintains the desired or desired appearance to the outside.

[0061] The windows and / or skylights can be maintained in a generally light-transparent or light-translucent condition. However, when desired, activation of energy / light-transmitting, light-scattering and / or light-directing layers can cause the windows and / or skylights to be shaded or even blocked (in whole or in part).

[0062] Structures, solid object bodies, hollow object bodies or solid object body structures, hollow object body structures or other object surface layers can be produced that are colorable or visually textureable without the use of pigments, paints, inks or other surface treatments that simply absorb certain wavelengths of light. The disclosed energy / light scattering layer allows energy / light of determined visible, near-visible or non-visible wavelengths to pass through the layer substantially unimpeded, while simultaneously scattering energy / light of other determined visible, near-visible or non-visible wavelengths, thereby, in the case of visible light scattering, for example, producing a colored appearance for the surface of an object that includes or incorporates the energy / light scattering layer.

[0063] Figure 1A and 1B A schematic diagram 100 of an exemplary physical body assembly 100 according to the present disclosure is illustrated, comprising an electrically switchable energy / light scattering layer 110 disposed on a transparent portion 120 of a 3D body structure, the electrically switchable energy / light scattering layer 110 operating in (1) a transparent first mode of operation (see Figure 1A ) and (2) an opaque second mode of operation (see Figure 1B ) (depending on the influence of the application of the external electric field 140). Figure 1A and 1B As shown in FIG. 1 , an exemplary energy / light scattering layer 110 may include a substantially uniform composition of micron or submicron spheres and a matrix material that may be individually manipulated by components of an electric field 140 to direct Figure 1A The transparent surface shown in Figure 1B 1. The energy / light scattering (energy / light opaque appearance) surface configuration shown in FIG. In an embodiment, the exemplary energy / light scattering layer 110 may include a plurality of individually discrete (non-uniform) portions, with each individually discrete portion reacting or responding to the applied electric field 140 in a different manner.

[0064] Figure 1C and 1D 150 illustrates an exemplary electrically activated energy filter layer or shutter assembly 160 according to the present disclosure including an electrically switchable light scattering layer 162 disposed on a transparent portion of a 3D body structure 170, the electrically switchable light scattering layer 162 operating in (1) a transparent first mode of operation (see Figure 1C ) and (2) an opaque second mode of operation (see Figure 1D ). Figure 1C and 1DAs shown in , the exemplary shutter assembly 160 can basically include an energy / light scattering layer 162, which can be associated with one or more transparent electrodes, including sandwiched between at least one pair of transparent electrodes 114, 116. For ease of depiction, the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 160 is shown as including a single energy / light scattering layer 162 sandwiched between a pair of transparent electrodes 164, 166. In embodiments, it should be recognized that the energy / light scattering layer 162 can include multiple individually discrete (non-uniform) portions, so that each individually discrete portion reacts differently to a voltage between a single pair of transparent electrodes 164, 166 or otherwise has a discrete pair of independently controllable transparent electrode portions associated with each individually discrete portion. Respectively, the energy / light scattering layer 162 can have a substantially uniform composition of micron or sub-micron spheres and a matrix material having multiple discrete pairs of independently controllable transparent electrodes or electrode portions associated with the energy / light scattering layer 162. Embodiments may include a substantially uniform composition for the energy / light scattering layer 162, one of the pair of transparent electrodes 164, 166 having a substantially unitary construction, and the other of the pair of transparent electrodes 164, 166 including a plurality of independently controllable transparent electrode portions.

[0065] Embodiments may include one or more of the transparent electrodes 164, 166 pairs having etched portions or raised portions, in which valleys are cut into the electrode surface facing the energy / light scattering layer 162, and in which accumulators are applied to the surface of the electrodes 164, 166 facing the energy / light scattering layer 162. Such etched portions or raised portions may cause the potential between the electrodes 164, 166 having such features to cause locally different electric field components, acting on the energy / light scattering layer 162 in different ways so as to display locally different refractive indices. In this way, the energy / light scattering layer 162 may display different colors or images according to the etched portions or raised portions.

[0066] A transparent protective layer 168 may be disposed on an outer surface of at least one of the pair of transparent electrodes 164 , 166 .

[0067] exist Figure 1A In the transparent first operating mode shown in , the electric field 140 may not be applied, thereby allowing all ambient light or light directed from the light source 130 to impinge on the energy / light incident surface of the energy / light scattering layer 110 so as to pass through at least a portion of the energy / light scattering layer 110 substantially unimpeded and unfiltered, even through a transparent piece of glass.

[0068] exist Figure 1CIn the transparent first operating mode shown in , each pair of transparent electrodes 164, 166 can be energized, differently energized, or de-energized in a manner that makes the energy / light scattering layer 162 substantially transparent at least in the portion (discrete electrodes or electrode portions) associated with each pair of electrodes 164, 166, based on signals from the shutter assembly controller and the power supply 190. Under such conditions, all ambient light or light directed from the light source 180 that impinges on the energy / light incident side electrode 114 (discrete electrodes or electrode portions) can pass through at least a portion of the energy / light scattering 162 and the pair of transparent electrodes 164, 166 substantially unimpeded and unfiltered, even through transparent glass fragments.

[0069] exist Figure 1B In the opaque second operating mode shown in , an electric field 140 can be applied to at least a portion of the energy / light scattering layer 110 so that the energy / light scattering layer 110 allows light of a first determined wavelength WLp to pass through the energy / light scattering layer 110 in the portion on which the electric field 140 acts. The configuration of the energy / light scattering layer 110 simultaneously causes some of the light of a second determined wavelength WLs impinging on the energized portion of the energy / light scattering layer 110 to be scattered back in the incident direction, substantially as shown.

[0070] exist Figure 1D In the opaque second operating mode shown in , each pair of transparent electrodes 164, 166 can be energized, differently energized, or de-energized in a manner that makes the energy / light scattering layer 162 (or any individually controlled discrete portion thereof) substantially opaque based on signals from the shutter assembly controller and the power supply 190. Here, as energized, the energy / light scattering layer 162 is configured to allow light of a first determined wavelength WLp to pass through the energy / light scattering layer 162 in the energized portion. The configuration of the energy / light scattering layer 162 simultaneously scatters some of the light of a second determined wavelength WLs that impinges on the energized portion of the energy / light scattering layer 162 back in the incident direction, substantially as shown.

[0071] As noted above, and as will be described in greater detail below, the energy / light scattering layer 110, 162 can be configured as substantially transparent particles in the form of micron or submicron spheres, having a particle diameter of 24 microns or less, and including microparticles or nanoparticles and interstitial spaces between substantially transparent particles, which may include nanogaps. The substantially transparent particles can be stabilized in a structure or other layer that also includes a substantially transparent dielectric material, either as a single layer or in discrete layer portions. The ability to configure the substantially transparent particles in the opposing electrode structure of the shutter assembly 160 can provide for selectively "tuning" the energy / light scattering surface of the energy / light scattering layer 162, either overall or in discrete portions, to scatter light WLs of a specific second determined wavelength, thereby producing a single color, multiple colors, or a desired visual appearance in an image-based visual presentation provided by the energy / light scattering layer 162, as activated by one or more opposing pairs of transparent electrodes 164, 166. In other words, depending on the specific composition of the components comprising the energy / light scattering layer 162 and the selective energy input to the energy / light scattering layer 162 through the transparent electrodes 164, 166 across the entire surface of the energy / light scattering layer 162 or in discrete portions thereof, one or more colors, textures, color patterns, or color-patterned images can be visually produced by the energy / light scattering layer 162 of the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 160 in the opaque second operating mode.

[0072] The voltage or voltage difference across a pair (or each pair) of transparent electrodes 164, 166 as controlled by the shutter assembly controller and power supply 190 can be adjusted to cause a change in the refractive index of the particles comprising the energy / light scattering layer 162, the binder material fixing the particles in the light scattering layer 162, or both the particles and the binder material constituting the energy / light scattering layer 162, or any discrete and separately energized and / or controlled portion thereof. A pair (or each pair) of transparent electrodes 164, 166 is electrically conductive, but thin enough to allow light to pass through it.

[0073] The light scattering effect of the energy / light scattering layer 160 can be generated in response to illumination from ambient light generally near the surface of the energy / light scattering layer 162 and / or impinging on the surface of the energy / light scattering layer 162, as modified by the voltage imparted by the transparent electrode pair 164, 166. Alternatively, the light scattering effect of the energy / light scattering layer 162 can be generated in response to direct illumination, which is generally generated by the directional light source 180 concentrating illumination on the surface of the energy / light scattering layer 162, again as modified by the voltage imparted by the (or each) pair of transparent electrodes 164, 166.

[0074] exist Figure 1C and 1DIn the general configuration shown in , the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 160 is formed on the transparent 3D body structure 170 in a manner that allows substantially all light in a transparent first operating mode or light of a first determined wavelength WLp in an opaque second operating mode to pass not only through the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 160 including the energy / light scattering layer 162 but also further through the transparent 3D body structure 170 in a substantially unfiltered manner, which allows illumination of area sensors positioned in, below or behind the transparent 3D body structure 170 or behind the energy / light scattering layer 170 and, for example, embedded in the transparent 3D body structure 170 in the following manner: just as substantially all light or those first determined wavelengths of light WLp might have otherwise been allowed to pass through the glass, plastic or other transparent outer covering or protective layer 168 unfiltered. In this way, substantially all light and light of the first determined wavelength WLp that passes through the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 160 and the transparent 3D body structure 170 can provide considerable light energy to simply illuminate areas obscured by the transparent 3D body structure 170, or as appropriate, be utilized in any manner by a light detection assembly, including any light-activated, light-absorbing, light-utilizing, or otherwise optionally light-involved sensor located in or behind all or a portion of the transparent 3D body structure 170.

[0075] The exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 160 can be provided as a freestanding unit as part of a fixed or movable structural assembly, including, but not limited to, a door, a window, a skylight, a portion of a wall, a panel in a piece of furniture, etc. Regardless of the mounting, the ability to render selectively transparent or otherwise selectively opaque (at least in one direction) can present essentially unlimited applications for use. Consider, for example, the ability to adapt such an exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 160 for use in an art museum, where museum artifacts can be selectively exposed for viewing, but otherwise hidden for security and / or preservation purposes. Respectively, such an exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 160 can be adapted for numerous uses in vehicles.

[0076] Figure 2A schematic diagram 200 of an exemplary electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly 210 disposed in front of a display surface 225 of a display assembly 220 for operably concealing or exposing the display assembly 220 in operation is illustrated in accordance with the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the energy filter or shutter assembly 210 may be mounted as a panel on a piece of furniture or as part of a door or wall in a structure that may house, or contain, a display assembly 220 in the form of, for example, a television, another entertainment content display device, or a computer display device. Here again, it should be appreciated that, although depicted as a substantially unitary structure, the energy filter or shutter assembly 210 may include numerous individually discrete light scattering layer portions or individually discrete electrode portions. In operation, the display assembly 220 may be driven by signals from an image source and / or a display driver 230. Such an image source and / or display driver 230 may communicate with the shutter assembly control and power supply 240 such that when the display assembly 220 is driven by the image source and / or display driver 230 to display an image, a signal is provided to the shutter assembly controller and power supply 240 to render the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 210 transparent. Conversely, when the display on the display assembly 220 is removed and / or ended by the image source and / or display driver 230, a signal may be provided to the shutter assembly controller and power supply 240 to render the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 210 opaque, thereby hiding the display assembly 220 behind the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 210.

[0077] Figure 3A schematic diagram 300 of an exemplary electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly 310 disposed in front of an image collection and / or sensor array device for operably concealing or exposing the device in use in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated. In embodiments, the energy filter or shutter assembly 310 may be mounted as a face on a piece of furniture or as part of a door or wall in a structure, which or therein may house one or more sensor arrays 320, 322 (with respective sensing surfaces 325, 327) or one or more active imaging devices 360 (with image collection lenses 365), or any combination thereof. In operation, the sensor arrays 320, 322 and / or active imaging devices 360 may provide signals to an image / data sink 330 (or an energy collector in the case where one or more sensor arrays 320, 322 include a photoelectric generating device). Here again, it should be appreciated that, although depicted as a substantially unitary structure, the energy filter or shutter assembly 310 may include numerous individually discrete light scattering layer portions or individually discrete electrode portions. The signals may be provided via wired communication between components or, for example, via some form of wireless interface 350, or both. Separate signals may be provided between the image / data sink 330 and the shutter assembly control and power source 340 to render the exemplary shutter assembly 310 transparent or even transiently transparent during image collection by the imaging device 360 ​​or other parameter sensing by the sensor arrays 320, 322. Conversely, when the imaging device 360 ​​or sensor arrays 320, 322 are otherwise operated for passive collection and light passing through an opaque operating surface for the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 310 may be acceptable, a signal may be provided from the image / data sink 330 to the shutter assembly controller and light source 340 to render the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 310 opaque, thereby hiding the imaging device 360 ​​and / or sensor arrays 320, 322 behind the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 310.

[0078] When wireless interface 350 is used, any compatible wireless signal processing protocol may be used, including but not limited to Wi-Fi, WiGig, Bluetooth ® , Bluetooth Low Energy (LE)® (also known as Bluetooth Smart ® or Bluetooth ® Specification version 4.0+), ZigBee ® Or other similar wireless signal processing protocols.

[0079] Although depicted as discrete sensor arrays 320 , 322 for ease of illustration and understanding, the sensor arrays 320 , 322 may include a substantially integrated and / or unitary array that is positioned behind the entire surface of the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly 310 .

[0080] In embodiments, any of the exemplary energy filters or shutter assemblies 160, 210, 310 described above may include other laminated layers, including, but not limited to, a protective outer layer over any one or more of the exposed surfaces (including electrodes) of the exemplary shutter assemblies 160, 210, 310. See, e.g. Figure 1C and 1D Element 168 in. Such a laminated protective outer layer can be formed from glass, plastic and / or other optically transparent components.

[0081] Figure 4 A block diagram of an exemplary control system 400 for controlling at least one of electronic data display and electrical / electronic / image signal reception and processing in cooperation with the operation of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The exemplary control system 400 may provide input to an electronic data display device or receive signals from an imaging device or sensor array for cooperative operation of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly with at least the above Figure 2 and 3 The manner shown in FIG. 1 overlays one or more of an electronic data display device, an imaging device, or a sensor array.

[0082] The exemplary control system 400 may include an operator interface 410 through which a user may communicate with the exemplary control system 400. The operator interface 410 may be, for example, a locally accessible user interface associated with a particular display device image capture device. The operator interface 410 may be configured as one or more conventional mechanisms that are common to control devices and / or computing devices that may permit a user to input information to the exemplary control system 400. The operator interface 410 may, for example, include a conventional keyboard, a touch screen with "soft" buttons or with various components for use with a compatible stylus, a microphone through which a user may provide verbal commands to the exemplary control system 400 for "translation" by a voice recognition program, or other similar devices through which a user may convey specific operating instructions to the exemplary control system 400. The operator interface 410 may particularly provide the user with the opportunity to directly or indirectly control the operating mode of the electrically switchable shutter assembly in a manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic manner.

[0083] The exemplary control system 400 may include one or more local processors 420 for operating the exemplary control system 400 individually and for implementing control and operational functions for the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly, and any display device, image capture device, or sensor array with which the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly may be associated. The processor(s) 420 may include at least one conventional processor or microprocessor that interprets and executes instructions to direct switching of the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly between operating modes based on the operation of at least one of the display device, image capture device, or sensor array covered by the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly.

[0084] The exemplary control system 400 may include one or more data storage devices 430. Such data storage device(s) 430 may be used to store data or operating programs to be used by the exemplary control system 400 and in particular the processor(s) 430. The data storage device(s) 430 may be used to store information, for example, about under what circumstances and operations of one or more of the display device, image capture device, and / or sensor array, an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly should be made transparent or opaque.

[0085] The data storage device(s) 430 may include random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device capable of storing updateable database information and for separately storing instructions for execution of system operations, such as by the processor(s) 420. The data storage device(s) 430 may also include read-only memory (ROM), which may include a conventional ROM device or another type of static storage device that stores static information and instructions for the processor(s) 420. Additionally, the data storage device(s) 430 may be integral to the exemplary control system 400, or may be provided external to the exemplary control system 400 and in wired or wireless communication with the exemplary control system 400, including as a cloud-based data storage component.

[0086] The exemplary control system 400 may include at least one data output / display device 440, which may be configured as one or more conventional mechanisms for outputting information to a user, including, but not limited to, a display device controlled by the exemplary control system 400, whose control inputs are coordinated by the exemplary control system 400 to match the operating mode of the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly.

[0087] The exemplary control system 400 may include one or more separate external communication interfaces 450 by which the exemplary control system 400 may provide wireless communications by which it communicates with components external to the exemplary control system 400, including, but not limited to, any associated display device, any associated imaging device, any associated sensor array, and an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly with which the exemplary control system 400 is associated for operation. At least one of the external communication interfaces 450 may be configured as an output port (and power source) to send a signal to a transparent electrode of the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly in response to an operating instruction for the energy / light scattering layer of the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly, thereby causing the energy / light scattering layer to be properly transparent and opaque in coordination with the operation of the system components. It is contemplated that any suitable data connection that provides wired or wireless communications between the exemplary control system 400 and external and / or associated components is encompassed by the depicted external communication interface 450.

[0088] The exemplary control system 400 may include an imaging and data signal processing and control unit 460. The imaging and data signal processing and control unit 460 may be used to (1) provide imaging input and other data signals to a display device, (2) receive imaging input from an imaging device, (3) receive sensor input from a sensor array, and (4) receive and collect generated electrical energy from an array of photovoltaic cells in the case where the sensor array constitutes an array of photovoltaic cells. The imaging and data signal processing and control unit 460 may operate as part of or as a function of a processor 420 coupled to one or more of the data storage devices 430, or may operate as a separate stand-alone component module or circuit in the exemplary control system 400. The processor 420 or the imaging and data signal processing and control unit 460 itself may be specifically programmed to interpret the input and output signals and determine from the composition of those signals which type of operation the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly should operate at any given time with respect to the operation of other associated devices.

[0089] The exemplary control system 400 may include a shutter assembly controller 470 as part or functionality of the processor 420 coupled to one or more of the data storage devices 430 or as a separate stand-alone component, module or circuit in the exemplary control system 400. The shutter assembly controller 470 may be used to control the operation of the energy filter or shutter assembly by determining the appropriate voltage to be sent to one or more of the electrodes in order to properly energize, differentially energize or de-energize the one or more electrodes, thereby providing proper operation of the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly.

[0090] The exemplary control system 400 may include a separate shutter assembly power supply 480, which, under the control of the shutter assembly controller 470, may be caused to generate appropriate messages for energizing, differentially energizing, or de-energizing one or more of the electrodes of the electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly during operation.

[0091] As in Figure 4 All of the various components of the exemplary control system 400 depicted in the drawings may be connected internally and to one or more external components as enumerated above via one or more data / control buses 490. These data / control buses 490 may provide wired or wireless communications between the various components of the exemplary control system 400, whether all of those components are integrally housed within or otherwise external to and connected to the electrically switchable shutter assemblies, display devices, imaging devices, and / or sensor arrays with which the exemplary control system 400 may be associated.

[0092] It should be understood that although Figure 4 400 as an integrated unit, the various disclosed elements of the exemplary control system 400 may be arranged as separate components or combinations of components in any combination of subsystems, integrated with a single unit, or external to a single unit of the exemplary control system 400 and in wired or wireless communication therewith. In other words, Figure 4 The depiction in does not imply a specific configuration as an integrated unit or as a support unit. In addition, although depicted as separate units for ease of understanding the details provided in this disclosure regarding the exemplary control system 400, it should be understood that the described functions of any of the separately depicted components and particularly one of the depicted control units can be undertaken, for example, by one or more processors 420 connected to and in communication with one or more data storage devices 430.

[0093] Figures 5A-5C An exemplary depiction of an energy / light scattering surface layer in an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly in an operatively opaque condition as viewed in planar form from the viewing, observation or energy / light incident side according to the present disclosure is illustrated. Figure 5A As shown in , an exemplary embodiment 500 includes an energy / light scattering surface layer formed to be energized by electrodes of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly or by an electric field so as to scatter light WLs of the same wavelength across the entire light scattering surface layer, thereby producing a single visible color 510. Figure 5BAs shown in FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment 530 includes an energy / light scattering surface layer formed to be energized by electrodes of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly or to be differently energized by discrete combinations of electrodes of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly so as to scatter a first wavelength of light WLs1 as a background color 540 and scatter a plurality of second wavelengths of light WLs2 as other color / texture portions 545. n The plurality of second wavelengths of light WLs that generate the color / texture portion 545 n may be formed in the energy / light scattering surface layer and configured to scatter light of one or more second determined wavelengths WLs only within determined areas of the energy / light scattering surface layer n , thereby creating a multi-colored and / or textured appearance in a similar manner in the light scattering surface layer. Figure 5C As shown in FIG. , an exemplary embodiment 550 includes an energy / light scattering surface layer formed to be energized by electrodes of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly or to be differently energized by discrete combinations of electrodes of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly so as to scatter light of a first wavelength WLs1 as a first background color 560, scatter light of a second (or more) wavelengths WLs2 as (multiple) second intermediate background colors 565, and scatter light of a plurality of third wavelengths WLs as color / texture / image portions 570. n As the color / texture / image portion 570, a plurality of third wavelengths of light WLs are scattered n A light scattering layer may be formed in the energy / light scattering surface layer and configured to scatter one or more third determined wavelengths of light WLs within a determined region of the energy / light scattering surface layer. n , thereby creating a certain multi-colored, multi-textured and / or graphic appearance in the light scattering surface layer.

[0094] In all of the embodiments described above, it should be appreciated that the various energy / light scattering layers can be formed in a manner that allows light of a first determined wavelength WLp to pass through the energy / light scattering layer as a selected wavelength in the visible, near visible or non-visible range, and allows light of a second determined wavelength WLs (x) Scattered as selected wavelengths primarily in the visible range. See generally Figure 1D .

[0095] Figure 6An exemplary embodiment of details of an energy / light scattering layer 600 that may be used in an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The disclosed schemes, processes, techniques, or methods may employ an energy / light scattering layer 600 that may be created using substantially transparent micron or submicron spheres in the form of nanoparticles (including metal nanoparticles 620) embedded in a substantially transparent matrix 610 (which may be configured as a dielectric matrix). As an example, the metal nanoparticles 620 may include barium titanate (BaTiO4) or strontium titanate (SrTiO4) nanoparticles. In addition, the energy / light scattering layer 600 may include random or patterned voids 630 in or through the energy / light scattering layer 600. In an embodiment, the patterned voids 630, such as in Figure 6 Those shown in , can reduce or substantially eliminate any need to otherwise filter the light impinging on a camera lens or other imaging device sensor.

[0096] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of exemplary details of multiple layers of individual micron or submicron spheres 700 that can be used in an energy / light scattering layer of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The substantially transparent particles of the disclosed embodiments can have a layered construction as shown. Each layer 710-750 can exhibit a different refractive index and a different rate of change of refractive index in response to an applied electric field formed by a voltage potential applied to electrodes. The number of layers can vary over a range required by a particular application and / or use case. This allows additional degrees of freedom in adjusting color, transmission and scattering, i.e., in terms of "tuning" the light scattering effects produced by the composition of the energy / light scattering layer, and the manner in which the individual particles respond to an applied electric field or a voltage applied between electrodes.

[0097] The color of a composite containing noble metal inclusions can be tuned based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for the composite in the metal phase. A light scattering layer comprising a film having well-separated embedded metallized nanoparticles can be characterized by a peak in the visible range of the absorption spectrum, where the dimension is significantly smaller than the wavelength of the activating light. The bandwidth, intensity, and ownership of the maximum effect can depend on the composition of the surrounding dielectric matrix, as well as the size, distribution, and shape of the metallized nanoparticles. The ability to control these physical properties of the substantially transparent constituent components allows tuning of the optical properties of a composite material from which a light scattering layer can be formed. Such tuning of the optical properties of the composite material can include one or more of the following: (1) changing the refractive index of the matrix (NH), and (2) modifying the morphology and distribution of the metallized inclusions, thereby changing the aspect ratio of the metallized nanoparticles. By applying a combination of plasmon resonance and scattering of light by particles, the appearance of the color of an object having a light scattering surface layer comprising substantially transparent micron or submicron spheres (including components of the exemplary nanoparticles described above) can be directly and precisely controlled.

[0098] The electric field comprising the potentials from the opposing electrode pairs can be used to change the dielectric constant and refractive index of the binder surrounding the metal particles. This will change the plasmon resonance frequency of the nanostructure, which further increases the variability and longitude with which the energy / light scattering layer can be tuned, thereby greatly enhancing the utilization of the disclosed electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly.

[0099] The final optical properties or characteristics of the energy / light scattering layer can be controlled and / or determined using scattering theory. An example of such scattering theory is the Mie solution or Mie theory to Maxwell's equations, which describes the scattering of electromagnetic plane waves by a uniform sphere. The Mie solution takes an infinite sequence of spherical multipolar partial waves. See generally Stratton, JA, Electromagnetic Theory, McGraw-Hill (1941).

[0100] In an embodiment, one or more apparent colors of the energy / light scattering layer can be created using substantially transparent micron or submicron spheres. One or more orders of multiple layers can be formed by evaporating water from, for example, a polystyrene latex suspension, which can contain monodisperse spherical particles with a diameter less than the wavelength of visible light. See, for example, "Colored Multilayers from Transparent Submicrometer-Spheres" by Dushkin et al., Protein Array Project, ERATO, JRDC, 5-9-1 Tokodai, Tsukuba, 300-26, Japan (May 28, 1993). The color and transmission properties of the energy / light scattering layer in an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly can be changed and / or adjusted by the application of a method potential to a pair of opposing electrodes, thereby forming an electric field between the electrodes. The electric field interacts with substantially transparent micron or submicron particles and a binder matrix in which the micron or submicron particles are fixed.

[0101] Refer to above Figures 1A-1D It will be appreciated that the region of interest may be defined in terms of a support structure comprised of substantially any material that will support at least the energy / light scattering layer or the first electrode layer. Figures 1A-1D The depicted body structures 120, 170 are defined as being substantially transparent because it is intended that energy / light of wavelengths passing through the exemplary energy filter or shutter assembly continue through the substantially transparent body structure to illuminate underlying areas or activate light collecting assembly devices located in the shadow of the body structure.

[0102] However, there will be examples where the underlying body structure is not transparent, as in the above Figure 2 and 3 In the embodiment shown in . Consider the example of an LCD display where the underlying region of interest may be one that needs to be hidden so as not to be viewed until operation. Such an LCD display would constitute a region of interest that is not itself light transmissive. In other words, there may be use cases and applications where the opaque shutter effect may be limited or otherwise modified by the presence of an underlying structure.

[0103] In an embodiment, a conductive layer (such as, for example, graphene) can be deposited in a plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to produce an atomically thin layer. The binder matrix and particle layers can be applied concurrently or sequentially depending on inherent material processing limitations. Techniques for applying these layers can include separate plasma-assisted CVD, sputtering, atomic layer deposition (ALD), ion self-assisted monolayer deposition, and other such methods. Another conductive layer can then be applied in any of the disclosed manners to achieve an electrically switchable shutter assembly structure. The protective layer can be applied separately depending on lamination methods, processes, and techniques.

[0104] Care is taken in the application of the electrodes and the subsequent application of the voltage is easily and reliably achieved, except that the voltage is induced by means other than direct contact of the electrodes of the assembly with the light scattering layer, essentially as described above with respect to Figure 1A and 1B The way it is described and depicted, this does not include transparent electrodes as part of the switchable structure.

[0105] The disclosed embodiments may include methods for making and using electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assemblies. Figure 8 A flow chart of such an exemplary method is shown. Figure 8 As shown in , the operation of the method starts at step S8000 and proceeds to step S8100.

[0106] In step S8100, at least one first transparent laminate electrode may be deposited on the surface as a unitary structure or in discrete and independently energizable parts. Operation of the method proceeds to step S8200.

[0107] In step S8200, a plurality of substantially transparent micron or submicron spheres of electrically active layer-forming material may be sequentially deposited or mixed with a substantially transparent matrix material on a first transparent laminate electrode as a substantially uniform mixture or otherwise in discrete mixing sections. Operation of the method proceeds to step S8300.

[0108] In step S8300, a second transparent laminate electrode may be deposited on the mixture of the plurality of substantially transparent micron or submicron spheres and the substantially transparent matrix material as a unitary structure in separate and independently energizable portions to form an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly. Operation of the method proceeds to step S8400.

[0109] In step S8400, a protective layer may be provided on at least one of the facing surfaces of the electrically activated energy filter or the shutter assembly. Operation of the method proceeds to step S8500.

[0110] In step S8500, the formed electrically activated energy filter or shutter assembly may be positioned as a structural member of an object, a display assembly of a sign, a visually changeable wall panel, or a facing structure of one or more image collector / sensor elements in a display assembly. Operation of the method proceeds to step S8600.

[0111] In step S8600, the electrically activated energy filter or shutter assembly may be operated according to a first mode, wherein the electrically activated energy filter or shutter assembly appears substantially transparent across the entire surface or in discrete portions when viewed from the energy / light incident side. Operation of the method proceeds to step S8700.

[0112] In step 8700, the electrically activated energy filter or shutter assembly may be operated according to a second mode, wherein the electrically activated energy filter or shutter assembly appears substantially opaque in one color, multiple colors, textured, or image-like presentation across the entire surface or in discrete portions when viewed from the energy / light incident side. Operation of the method proceeds to step S8800.

[0113] In step S8800, the switching of the electrically activated energy filter or shutter assembly between the first mode and the second mode may be coordinated based on one of the image data displayed on the image display device and the sensor data collection from the image collector / sensor element with respect to the electrically activated energy filter or shutter assembly being positioned on the side opposite to the energy / light incident side. The operation of the method proceeds to step S8900, where the operation of the method stops.

[0114] The disclosed embodiments may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, may cause the processor to perform at least some or all of the steps of the method outlined above, particularly with respect to coordinated control of electrically activated shutter assemblies.

[0115] As described above in some detail, systems and methods according to the present disclosure can be directed to forming a common object from electrically switchable substantially transparent component materials in a unique manner so as to have specific energy / light scattering properties that cause the combination of substantially transparent component materials to appear, for example, opaque when exposed to incident energy having a wavelength in the visible spectrum, and as can be modified by an applied electric field. Fig. 9A schematic diagram of an exemplary wall plate 900 incorporating at least a discrete portion formed of an electrically switchable energy filter or shutter assembly including an energy / light scattering layer in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated. Such a wall plate 900 may be used in a typical residential and / or commercial configuration having a wall plate surface 910 with openings 920, 922, 924 to accommodate one or more of a mechanically movable switch and / or container assembly such as may be typically found in a basement tool box.

[0116] In an embodiment, the wall panel surface 910 can be an example of a solid object body structure formed entirely by an energy filter or shutter assembly including an energy / light scattering layer according to the above description. In a separate embodiment, the wall panel surface 910 can be substantially formed by a conventional material of a specified color, while accommodating certain discrete portions 930, 932, 934 formed by one or more energy filters or shutter assemblies including an energy / light scattering layer in its planar form. In either configuration, the energy filter or shutter assembly including an energy / light scattering layer of the exemplary wall panel 900 can cover typical electrical switches, sockets, and other residential and commercial installations. In an embodiment, the underlying switch box and / or socket box can be configured to include energy and / or light-activated sensors, devices, power generation components, etc. The provision of the wall panel 900 according to the disclosed embodiments can promote the transmission of energy through the wall panel 900, either entirely or in discrete portions, while maintaining an opaque appearance to the underlying sensors, devices, or components. In embodiments, such underlying sensors, devices or components may be affixed to the box side (non-light incident side) of the wall plate 900, or may otherwise be affixed to one or more of the underlying components or to the side of the tool box itself. Fig. 9 The exemplary depiction in is intended to limit the specific limiting configuration of the disclosed wall panel 900.

[0117] In an embodiment, the wall panel 900 may not be patterned to switch back and forth between a transparent presentation and an opaque presentation, but may be patterned to switch between a first opaque presentation in a first (de-energized) operating mode and a second opaque presentation in a second (energized) operating mode. For example, the wall panel 900 may have discrete portions that "light up" or otherwise display a particular message when energized.

[0118] The exemplary systems and methods described above refer to certain conventional components, sensors, materials, and real-world use cases in order to provide a brief, general description of the appropriate operation, product processing, energy / light scattering layer assembly formation, and electrically activated shutter assembly operation in which the subject matter of the present disclosure can be implemented for familiarity and ease of understanding. Although not required, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided at least in part in the form of hardware circuits, firmware, or software computer executable instructions to control or implement the specific energy / light scattering layer formation and electrically activated energy filtering or shutter functions described. These may include separate program modules executed by a processor.

[0119] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be practiced in many disparate film formations, layer formations, laminate layer formations, shutter assembly formations, wall plate formations, and / or shutter assembly operating systems and / or devices in many different configurations.

[0120] As indicated above, embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may include a computer-readable medium having stored computer-executable instructions or data structures that can be accessed, read, and executed by one or more processors for controlling the disclosed energy filter or shutter assembly formation and shutter assembly operation schemes. Such computer-readable media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a processor, a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. As an example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, flash drive, data memory card, or other analog or digital data storage device, which can be used to carry or store desired program elements or steps in the form of accessible computer-executable instructions or data structures for, for example, putting into practice any molding or manufacturing technology (including, for example, computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)) of a specific object, object structure, layer, layer assembly, and / or wall panel (as a specific example of a real-world use case).

[0121] Computer executable instructions include, for example, non-transitory instructions and data that can be executed and accessed to cause a processor to implement some of the functions specified above, either alone or in various combinations. Computer executable instructions may also include program modules that are remotely stored for access and execution by a processor.

[0122] The exemplary depicted sequence of executable instructions or associated data structures for putting those executable instructions into practice represents one example of a corresponding sequence of actions for implementing the functions described in the steps of the exemplary method outlined above. The exemplary depicted steps may be performed in any reasonable order to put the objectives of the disclosed embodiments into practice. Figure 8The depictions in the accompanying drawings do not necessarily imply a specific order of disclosed method steps, unless a particular method step is a prerequisite for the performance of any other method step.

[0123] Although the above description may contain specific details, they should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way.Other configurations of the described embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods are part of the scope of the present disclosure.

[0124] It will be appreciated that various above disclosed and other features and functions or their alternative forms may be combined in many other different systems or applications as desired. Moreover, various substitutions, modifications, changes or improvements herein may be made subsequently by those skilled in the art, which are also intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. An electrically activated object body structure, comprising: a structural body member having an energy incident surface, the energy incident surface comprising at least a first portion and a second portion; as well as An energy scattering layer is formed on the at least first portion of the energy incident surface of the structural main body member, the energy scattering layer having an energy incident surface and a main body side surface opposite to the energy incident surface, the energy scattering layer comprising: a plurality of substantially transparent particles; as well as a substantially transparent matrix material which fixes the particles in a layer arrangement to form an energy scattering layer, the particles are fixed in a matrix material in such a way that the layer arrangement has a first refractive index in a first mode at rest and has a second refractive index different from the first refractive index in a second mode when subjected to the effect from an externally applied electric field, wherein the energy scattering layer comprises one or more voids and the refractive index of the energy scattering layer can be tuned depending on the size of the voids; Wherein a device selected from the group consisting of a visual display, an optical sensor, an imaging device and a photocell is disposed on a body side surface of the structural body member, in the shadow of the energy scattering layer, such that light energy striking the subject body structure must pass through the energy scattering layer to reach the device.

2. The object body structure of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of at least a portion of the substantially transparent matrix material and at least some of the plurality of substantially transparent particles is modified by an externally applied electric field between the first mode and the second mode.

3. The object main body structure of claim 1, further comprising: at least one transparent electrode positioned on one of the energy incident surface or the opposite surface of the energy scattering layer and in contact with the energy scattering layer; as well as A power source generates an electric field via the at least one first transparent electrode.

4. The object main body structure of claim 3, further comprising a controller for controlling the power supply, The controller is configured to receive a control input from one of the subject body structure and its associated electrically activated component or electronic device, the controller commanding the power supply to generate an electric field to switch the layer arrangement between the first mode and the second mode according to the control input.

5. The object main body structure according to claim 4, the first refractive index in the first mode renders the energy scattering layer substantially transparent over the at least first portion of the energy incident surface of the structural body member, and The second refractive index in the second mode causes the energy incident surface of the energy scattering layer to present an opaque appearance in response to incident energy in the form of light energy in the visual range upon the at least first portion of the energy incident face of the structural body member.

6. The object body structure of claim 5, the second refractive index in the second mode being adjusted to reflect incident light energy of one or more selectable wavelengths from the at least first portion of the energy incident surface of the structure body member, and Incident light energy of other wavelengths is allowed to pass through the energy scattering layer substantially unfiltered and unmodified to impinge on the at least first portion of the energy incident face of the first body member.

7. The object body structure of claim 6, wherein the second refractive index in the second mode is adjusted based on (1) an applied electric field and (2) one or more of: the refractive index of the particles, the size of the particles, the material from which the particles are formed, the structural composition of the particles including a multilayer structure in which each of the multiple layers exhibits a different refractive index, and the composition of the matrix material.

8. The object body structure of claim 7, wherein the at least one transparent electrode is formed to have a plurality of discrete electrode portions for inducing a plurality of separate electric fields acting on the energy scattering layer, Discrete portions of the energy scattering layer exhibit different responses in the second mode.

9. The object body structure of claim 8, wherein the discrete portion of the at least one transparent electrode comprises a pattern formed by one or more of: (1) valleys formed in the energy scattering layer on the side facing the at least one transparent electrode and (2) protrusions formed on the energy scattering layer on the side facing the at least one transparent electrode, wherein the different responses cause the pattern to appear in the energy incident surface of the energy scattering layer in the second mode.

10. The subject body structure of claim 4, receiving control input from one of a light activated sensor or a video display device that the subject body structure is configured to block, A control input causes the energy scattering layer to switch between a first mode and a second mode in coordination with one of a video display device and a light activated sensor.

11. A method for filtering energy passing through a structure, comprising: providing a structural body member with an energy incident surface comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein at least the first portion is transparent; as well as An energy scattering layer is formed on the at least first portion of the energy incident surface of the structural main body member, the energy scattering layer having an energy incident surface and a main body side surface opposite to the energy incident surface, the energy scattering layer comprising: a plurality of substantially transparent particles; as well as a substantially transparent matrix material that holds the particles in a layer arrangement to form an energy scattering layer, immobilizing particles in a matrix material in such a way that the layer arrangement has a first refractive index in a first mode at rest and has a second refractive index different from the first refractive index in a second mode when subjected to the effect of an externally applied electric field, wherein the energy scattering layer comprises one or more voids and the refractive index of the energy scattering layer can be tuned depending on the size of the voids, Wherein a device selected from the group consisting of a visual display, an optical sensor, an imaging device and a photocell is disposed on a body side surface of a structural body member, in the shadow of the energy scattering layer, such that light energy striking the structure must pass through the energy scattering layer to reach the device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: positioning at least one transparent electrode on one of the body-side surface and the energy incident surface of the energy scattering layer; connecting the at least one transparent electrode to a power source controlled to induce an electric field in the energy scattering layer; as well as The controller controls the power supply to switch the energy scattering layer between the first mode and the second mode.

13. The method of claim 12 further includes receiving a control input from one of the electronic devices or electrically activated components associated with the main structure of the object using a controller, the controller commanding a power supply to generate an electric field to switch the layer arrangement between the first mode and the second mode based on the control input.

14. The method of claim 13, the first refractive index in the first mode renders the energy scattering layer substantially transparent over the at least first portion of the energy incident surface of the structural body member, and The second refractive index in the second mode causes the energy incident surface of the energy scattering layer to present an opaque appearance in response to incident energy in the form of light energy in the visual range upon the at least first portion of the energy incident face of the structural body member.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising adjusting the second refractive index in the second mode to reflect incident light energy of one or more selectable wavelengths from the at least first portion of the energy incident surface of the structural body member, and to allow incident light energy of other wavelengths to pass through the energy scattering layer substantially unfiltered and unmodified to impinge on the at least first portion of the energy incident surface of the first body member.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second refractive index in the second mode is adjusted based on (1) an applied electric field and (2) one or more of: a refractive index of the particles, a size of the particles, a material from which the particles are formed, a structural composition of the particles comprising a multilayer structure in which each of the multiple layers exhibits a different refractive index, and a composition of the matrix material.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising forming the at least one transparent electrode to have a plurality of discrete electrode portions for inducing a plurality of separate electric fields acting on the energy scattering layer, the discrete portions of the energy scattering layer exhibiting different responses in the second mode.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising patterning discrete portions of the at least one transparent electrode, including forming one or more of: (1) valleys in the energy scattering layer facing the side of the at least one transparent electrode and (2) protrusions on the energy scattering layer facing the side of the at least one transparent electrode, the different responses causing a pattern to appear in an energy incident surface of the energy scattering layer in a second mode.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving a control input from one of a light activated sensor or a video display device that the subject's body structure is configured to block, A control input causes the energy scattering layer to switch between a first mode and a second mode in coordination with operation of one of a video display device and a light activated sensor.

20. An electromagnetic energy filtering structure, comprising: Energy scattering layer, including a plurality of substantially transparent particles; as well as a substantially transparent matrix material in which the particles are fixed in a layer arrangement to form an energy scattering layer having an energy incident surface and an opposing surface, an energy scattering layer configured to have a first refractive index in a first mode when at rest and a second refractive index different from the first refractive index in a second mode when subjected to the effect of an externally applied electric field, wherein the energy scattering layer includes one or more voids and the refractive index of the energy scattering layer can be tuned according to the size of the voids, Wherein a device selected from the group consisting of a visual display, an optical sensor, an imaging device, and a photocell is disposed in the shadow of the energy scattering layer such that light energy impinging on the structure must pass through the energy scattering layer to reach the device.

21. The structure of claim 20, the refractive index of at least a portion of the substantially transparent matrix material and at least some of the plurality of substantially transparent particles being modified by an externally applied electric field between the first mode and the second mode.

22. The structure of claim 20, further comprising: at least one first transparent electrode positioned on one of the energy incident surface or the opposite surface of the energy scattering layer and in contact with the energy scattering layer, and A power source generates an electric field via the at least one first transparent electrode.

23. The structure of claim 22, further comprising at least one second transparent electrode positioned on the other of the energy incident surface or the opposite surface of the energy scattering layer and in contact with the energy scattering layer, A power source generates an electric field between the at least one first transparent electrode and the at least one second transparent electrode, and a refractive index of at least some of the plurality of substantially transparent particles and at least a portion of the substantially transparent matrix is ​​modified by the electric field generated between the at least one first transparent electrode and the at least one second transparent electrode.

24. The structure of claim 20, the first refractive index rendering the energy scattering layer substantially transparent in at least discrete portions in the first mode.

25. The structure of claim 20, the second refractive index causing at least discrete portions of the energy incident surface of the energy scattering layer to appear opaque in response to incident energy in the form of light energy in the visual range in the second mode.

26. The structure of claim 25, wherein the at least discrete portion of the energy scattering layer in the second mode reflects incident light of selectable wavelengths impinging on an energy incident surface of the energy scattering layer to present an opaque appearance, and allows incident light of other wavelengths to pass through the energy scattering layer at least one of substantially unfiltered and unmodified.

27. A method for forming an optical filtering structure, comprising: depositing a substantially transparent matrix material on the surface; depositing a plurality of substantially transparent particles in a matrix material, and fixing a plurality of particles in a matrix material in a layer arrangement to form an energy scattering layer having an energy incident surface and an opposing surface, an energy scattering layer configured to have a first refractive index in a first mode when at rest and a second refractive index different from the first refractive index in a second mode when subjected to the effect of an externally applied electric field, wherein the energy scattering layer includes one or more voids and the refractive index of the energy scattering layer can be tuned according to the size of the voids, Wherein a device selected from the group consisting of a visual display, an optical sensor, an imaging device, and a photocell is disposed in the shadow of the energy scattering layer such that light energy impinging on the structure must pass through the energy scattering layer to reach the device.

28. The method of claim 27, the layer arrangement being configured such that a refractive index of at least some of the plurality of substantially transparent particles and at least a portion of the substantially transparent matrix material is modified by an externally applied electric field between the first mode and the second mode.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising: positioning at least one first transparent electrode on one of an energy incident surface or an opposing surface of the energy scattering layer and in contact with the energy scattering layer; as well as The at least one first transparent electrode is connected to a power source that generates an electric field via the at least one first transparent electrode.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising positioning at least one second transparent electrode on the other of the energy incident surface or the opposing surface of the energy scattering layer and in contact with the energy scattering layer; and connecting a power source to the at least one second transparent electrode to generate an electric field between the at least one first transparent electrode and the at least one second transparent electrode, The refractive index of at least some of the plurality of substantially transparent particles and at least a portion of the substantially transparent matrix is ​​modified by an electric field generated between the at least one first transparent electrode and the at least one second transparent electrode.

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