Low total energy transmitting multilayer device

Abstract

Multilayer devices that are capable of allowing the substantial transmission of visible light wavelengths and select infrared wavelengths while substantially blocking thermal irradiation wavelengths are described. Such multilayer devices may be useful in a multilayer system comprising a camera system, and may aid in protecting a camera from negative effects of heating while allowing both infrared and visible vision by the camera.

Description

LOW TOTAL ENERGY TRANSMITTING MULTILAYER DEVICECLAIM FOR PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 574,698, filed April 4, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to multilayer devices and systems, and methods of fabrication thereof. In particular, the provided multilayer device is substantially transparent or opaque to select wavelengths of light.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0003] Many advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) include visible light cameras positioned behind laminated windshields and infrared cameras positioned behind monolithic transparent glass substrates. However, traditional monolithic transparent glass substrates are not able to adequately protect the camera system from irradiative heating from the sun. Many prior solutions to reduce irradiative heating (e.g., green glass) also prevent adequate transmission of select infrared wavelengths detected by infrared cameras, thus reducing their effectiveness. Furthermore, traditional coatings that allow transmission of select infrared wavelengths of light while reducing irradiative heating may also prevent adequate transmission of visible light such that visible light cameras must be positioned separately from infrared cameras.SUMMARY

[0004] For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention are described herein. Not all such objects or advantages may be achieved in any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages astaught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0005] In one aspect, a multilayer device is described. The multilayer device includes: a multilayer material comprising a plurality of high refractive index layers and a plurality of low refractive index layers, and further comprising an alternating sequence of each of the high refractive index layers and each of the low refractive index layers, wherein each of the high refractive index layers has at least about a 0.01 greater index of refraction than each of the low refractive index layers; and a first substrate disposed over the multilayer material.

[0006] In some embodiments, the D65 visible light transmittance is at least about 70%. In some embodiments, the 1200-1500 nm light transmittance is at least about 50%. In some embodiments, the total transmitted solar energy (TTS) is at most about 70%. In some embodiments, each of the high and low refractive index layers are independently selected from the group consisting of a glass Material, a polymer Material, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, each of the high and low refractive index layers are independently selected from the group consisting of SiO2, Si3N4, PVDF, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the difference in the index of refraction between the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer is at least about 0.1.

[0007] In some embodiments, the multilayer material further comprises a material interlayer. In some embodiments, the multilayer device further comprises a second substrate, wherein the multilayer material is positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate. In some embodiments, the multilayer device further comprises a device interlayer positioned between the first substrate and the multilayer material. In some embodiments, the multilayer device further comprises at least one of a heating element and a decoration.

[0008] In another aspect, a multilayer system is described. The multilayer system includes: a multilayer device; and a camera system positioned to view through the multilayer system.

[0009] In some embodiments, the camera system is configured to detect light ranges selected from the group consisting of about 380-750 nm, about 1200-1500 nm, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the camera system comprises a plurality of cameras. In some embodiments, the camera system is positioned to at a viewing angle of about 60-80°.

[0010] In another aspect, a method of fabricating a multilayer device is described. The method includes: depositing an alternating sequence of high refractive index layers and low refractive index layers over a substrate.

[0011] In some embodiments, depositing is selected from the group consisting of vapor deposition, sputter deposition, solvent coating, lamination, and combinations thereof.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a multilayer system comprising a multilayer device and a camera system, according to some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 2A is an illustration of a multilayer device comprising a substrate and a multilayer material, according to some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 2B is an illustration of a multilayer device comprising a first and second substrate, a multilayer material and a device interlayer, according to some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 2C is an illustration of a multilayer device comprising a first and second substrate, a multilayer material and a first and second device interlayer, according to some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 3 A is an illustration of a portion of a multilayer material comprising high and low refractive index layers, according to some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 3B is an illustration of a portion of a multilayer material comprising high and low refractive index layers and a material interlayer, according to some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 3C is an illustration of a portion of a multilayer material comprising high and low refractive index layers and a material interlayer, according to some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 4A is a graph of the transmission and reflection of wavelengths demonstrated by a first multilayer device, according to some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 4B is a graph of the transmission and reflection of wavelengths demonstrated by a second multilayer device, according to some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 4C is a graph of the transmission and reflection of wavelengths demonstrated by a third multilayer device, according to some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 5A is a graph of the transmission and reflection of wavelengths demonstrated by a fourth multilayer device comprising a conductive interlayer, according to some embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 5B is a graph of the transmission and reflection of wavelengths demonstrated by a fifth multilayer device comprising a conductive interlayer, according to some embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 5C is a graph of the transmission and reflection of wavelengths demonstrated by a sixth multilayer device comprising a conductive interlayer, according to some embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 5D is a graph of the transmission and reflection of wavelengths demonstrated by a seventh multilayer device comprising a conductive interlayer, according to some embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 6A is a graph of the transmission and reflection of wavelengths demonstrated by an eighth multilayer device comprising a plurality of conductive interlayers, according to some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 6B is a graph of the transmission and reflection of wavelengths demonstrated by a ninth multilayer device comprising a plurality of conductive interlayers, according to some embodiments.

[0028] It will be clearly understood though, that the examples and figures are for illustrative purpose only, and are not necessarily restrictive of the scope of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Although certain preferred embodiments and examples are disclosed below, the inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and / or uses and tomodifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. For example, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the method or process may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding certain embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order-dependent. Additionally, the structures, systems, and / or Devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components. For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.

[0030] Multilayer devices that are capable of allowing the substantial transmission of visible light wavelengths and select infrared wavelengths, while substantially blocking particular wavelengths of light which cause heating (termed herein “thermal irradiation wavelengths”) are described. In some embodiments, the multilayer device reduces or aids in reducing transmission of the thermal irradiation wavelengths by reflection and / or absorption of the thermal irradiation wavelengths of light. Such multilayer devices may be useful in a multilayer system comprising a camera system, and may aid in protecting a camera from the negative effects of heating while allowing both infrared and visible vision by the camera. The negative effects of heating a camera may include decreased reliability and / or decreased framerates. Such multilayer devices may also be useful as, or within, windows, such as windshields of vehicles, and may aid in preventing the heating of a cabin within a vehicle. The multilayer device may include a substrate and a multilayer material disposed thereover. In some embodiments, the multilayer material includes a plurality of high refractive index layers and a plurality of low refractive index layers, wherein each ofthe high refractive index layers and each of the low refractive index layers alternate in sequence. In some embodiments, a vehicle (e.g., electric vehicle) includes the multilayer system.

[0031] In some embodiments, visible wavelengths which may be or be substantially transmitted by the multilayer device may be selected from light with wavelengths of, or of about, 350 nm, 375 nm, 380 nm, 400 nm, 425 nm, 450 nm, 475 nm, 500 nm, 525 nm, 550 nm, 575 nm, 600 nm, 600 nm, 625 nm, 650 nm, 700 nm, 725 nm, 750 nm or 800 nm, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the visible wavelengths may be selected from a sunlight illuminant, an International Commission on Illumination (CEI) standard illuminant D65, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the total visible wavelength transmittance (e.g., D65 visible light transmittance) is, is about, is at least, or is at least about, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%, or any range of values therebetween.

[0032] In some embodiments, select infrared wavelengths which may be or be substantially transmitted through the multilayer device may be selected from light with wavelengths of, or of about, 1100 nm, 1150 nm, 1200 nm, 1250 nm, 1300 nm, 1330 nm, 1350 nm, 1400 nm, 1450 nm, 1500 nm orl600 nm, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the total select infrared wavelength transmittance (e.g., 1200-1500 nm transmittance) is, is about, it at least, or is at least about, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75% or 80%, or any range of values therebetween.

[0033] In some embodiments, thermal irradiation wavelengths which may be or be substantially blocked from being transmitted through the multilayer device may be selected from light with wavelengths of, or of about, 725 nm, 750 nm, 775 nm, 800 nm, 825 nm, 850 nm, 875 nm, 900 nm, 950 nm, 900 nm, 950 nm, 1000 nm, 1050 nm, 1100 nm, 1150 nm, 1200 nm, 1250 nm or 1300 nm, or any range of values thereof. In some embodiments, the multilayer device reduces or aids in reducing transmission of the thermal irradiation wavelengths, thereby reducing or aiding in reducing total transmitted solar energy (TTS). In some embodiments, TTS measurements may be performed according to the standard procedures of ISO13837. Insome embodiments, the TTS of the multilayer device is, is about, is at most, or is at most about, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%, or any range of values therebetween.

[0034] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a multilayer system 100. The multilayer system 100 includes a multilayer device 102 positioned distally to a camera system 104. The camera system 104 includes a camera viewing angle 106 to view the environment distal to the multilayer device 102. The camera system 104 is also shown positioned at an incidence angle 108 greater than normal (i.e., 90°) relative to the multilayer device 102.

[0035] In some embodiments, a multilayer system 100 includes a multilayer device 102 and a camera system 104. In some embodiments, the camera system 104 is configured or positioned to view through the multilayer system 100. In some embodiments, the size of the multilayer device 102 is, is about, is at least, or is at least about, the size of the viewing area of the camera. In some embodiments, a window comprises the multilayer device 102. In some embodiments, the size of the multilayer device 102 is, is about, is at least, or is at least about, 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98% or 99% of the area of the window, or any range of values therebetween.

[0036] In some embodiments, the camera system 104 is configured to detect visible wavelengths and / or select infrared wavelengths. For example, in some embodiments, the camera system 104 is configured to detect wavelengths of about 380-750 nm and / or 1200-1500 nm. In some embodiments, the camera system 104 includes a plurality of cameras. In some embodiments, the camera system 104 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 cameras, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the camera system 104 is positioned at a viewing angle of, of about, or at least, or of at least about, 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, 90° or 100°, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the camera system 104 is in electrical communication with an advanced driverassistance system (ADAS).

[0037] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C depict illustrations of example multilayer device 102 architectures. FIG. 2A is an illustration of an example multilayerdevice 200A. The multilayer device 200A includes a substrate 202 and a multilayer material 204 disposed under and adjacent to the substrate 202. FIG. 2B is an illustration of another example of a multilayer device 200B. The multilayer device 200B includes a first substrate 202A, a device interlayer 206, a multilayer material 204, and a second substrate 202B. The device interlayer 206 is disposed under and adjacent to the substrate 202A, the multilayer material 204 disposed under and adjacent to the device interlayer 206, and the second substrate 202B is disposed under and adjacent to the multilayer material 204. FIG. 2C is an illustration of a further example of a multilayer device 200C. The multilayer device 200C includes a first substrate 202A, a first device interlayer 206A, a multilayer material 204, a second device interlayer 206B, and a second substrate 202B. The first device interlayer 206A is disposed under and adjacent to the substrate 202A, the multilayer material 204 disposed under and adjacent to the first device interlayer 206A, the second device interlayer 206B is disposed under and adjacent to the multilayer material 204, and the second substrate 202B disposed under and adjacent to the second device interlayer 206B.

[0038] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C depict illustrations of portions of multilayer material architectures. FIG. 3A is an illustration of a portion of an example multilayer material 300 A. The multilayer material 300 A includes a first high refractive index layer 302 A, a first low refractive index layer 304 A, a second high refractive index layer 302B and a second low refractive index layer 304B, wherein the high and low refractive index layers alternate in sequence. The first low refractive index layer 304A is disposed under and adjacent to the first high refractive index layer 302A, the second high refractive index layer 302B is disposed under and adjacent to the first low refractive index layer 304 A, and the second low refractive index layer 304B is disposed under and adjacent to the second high refractive index layer 302B. FIG. 3B is an illustration of a portion of another example of a multilayer material 300B. The multilayer material 300B includes a first high refractive index layer 302 A, a first low refractive index layer 304 A, a second high refractive index layer 302B, a second low refractive index layer 304B and a material interlayer 306, wherein the high and low refractive index layers alternate in sequence. The first low refractive index layer 304A isdisposed under and adjacent to the first high refractive index layer 302A, the second high refractive index layer 302B is disposed under and adjacent to the first low refractive index layer 304 A, the second low refractive index layer 304B is disposed under and adjacent to the second high refractive index layer 302B, and the material interlayer 306 is disposed under and adjacent to the second low refractive index layer 304B and positioned at a distal end of the multilayer material 300B. FIG. 3C is an illustration of a portion of further example of a multilayer material 300C. The multilayer material 300C includes a first high refractive index layer 302 A, a first low refractive index layer 304 A, and material interlayer 306, second high refractive index layer 302B and a second low refractive index layer 304B, wherein the high and low refractive index layers alternate in sequence. The first low refractive index layer 304A is disposed under and adjacent to the first high refractive index layer 302A, the material interlayer 306 is disposed under and adjacent to the first low refractive index layer 304 A, the second high refractive index layer 302B is disposed under and adjacent to the material interlayer 306, and the second low refractive index layer 304B is disposed under and adjacent to the second high refractive index layer 302B.

[0039] The multilayer device 102 includes a multilayer material 204 and a substrate 202 disposed over and / or under the multilayer material 204. In some embodiments, the multilayer device 102 includes a second substrate 202. In some embodiments, a substrate 202 comprises a glass Material (e.g., soda lime glass). In some embodiments, a substrate 202 includes a thickness of, of about, of at least, or of at least about, 0.1 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm and 15 mm, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the multilayer material 204 is positioned between the substrate 202 (e.g., first substrate 202) and the second substrate 202. In some embodiments, the multilayer material 204 includes a device interlayer 206. In some embodiments, the multilayer material 204 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10 device interlayers 206, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, one or more device interlayers 206 are positioned between the substrate 202 and the multilayer material 204. In some embodiments, one or more device interlayers 206 arepositioned between the substrate 202 and the second substrate 202. In some embodiments, the multilayer material 204 is adjacent to the substrate 202, the second substrate 202, one or more device interlayers 206, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a device interlayer 206 is adjacent to the substrate 202, the second substrate 202, the multilayer material 204, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the device interlayer 206 comprises polyvinyl butyral (PVB). In some embodiments, the multilayer device 102 further comprises a heating element (e.g., wires of silver traces), a decoration (e.g., frit), or combinations thereof.

[0040] The multilayer material 204 includes a plurality of high refractive index layers (“H”) and a plurality of low refractive index layers (“L”). In some embodiments, the multilayer material 204 includes an alternating sequence of each of the high refractive index layers (e.g., 302A, 302B) and each of the low refractive index layers (e.g., 304A, 304B) (e.g., H / L / H / L, L / H / L / H). In some embodiments, each of the high (302A, 302B) and low (304 A, 304B) refractive index layers are independently selected from a glass Material, a polymer Material, a dielectric Material, SiO2, Si3N4, PVDF, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, each of the high and low refractive index layers are independently selected from a glass Material, a polymer Material, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, each of the high and low refractive index layers are independently selected from SiO2, Si3N4, PVDF, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, each of the high and low refractive index layers are independently a dielectric Material.

[0041] In some embodiments, the index of refraction of the high refractive index layer(s) is, is about, is at least, or is at least about, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1 or 2.2, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the index of refraction of the low refractive index layer(s) is, is about, is at most, or is at most about, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 or 1.9, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the difference in the index of refraction between the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer is, is about, is at least, or is at least about, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 or 1, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the difference in index ofrefraction between the high and low refractive index layers is due to a different material and / or a difference in thickness. In some embodiments, at least one adjacent pair of high and low refractive index layers has a total thickness (e.g., optical thickness) of, of about, of at least, or of at least about, 300 nm, 325 nm, 350 nm, 375 nm, 380 nm, 400 nm, 425 nm, 450 nm, 475 nm, 500 nm, 525 nm, 550 nm, 575 nm, 600 nm, 600 nm, 625 nm, 650 nm, 700 nm, 725 nm, 750 nm or 800 nm, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, a high or low refractive index layer has a thickness of, of about, of at most, or of at most about, 1 nm, 2 nm, 5 nm, 10 nm, 15 nm, 20 nm, 25 nm, 30 nm, 40 nm, 50 nm, 60 nm, 75 nm, 100 nm, 125 nm, 150 nm, 175 nm, 200 nm, 250 nm or 300 nm, or any range of values therebetween. In some embodiments, the total number of high and low refractive index layers of a multilayer material 204 is, is about, is at least, or is at least about, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500 or 600, or any range of values therebetween.

[0042] In some embodiments, the multilayer material 204 further includes a material interlayer 306 (“I”). In some embodiments, the multilayer material 204 includes, or includes at least, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 material interlayers 306. In some embodiments, a material interlayer 306 is positioned at an end (e.g., proximal end and / or distal end) of the multilayer material 204, and / or positioned between the alternating sequence of high and low refractive index layers (e.g., H / L / H / L / I, H / L / I / H / L, H / I / L / H / L, H / I / L / H / L / I, H / I / L / I / H / L, H / L / I / H / L / I). In some embodiments, the material interlayer comprises a conductive Material. In some embodiments, the conductive Material is selected from a metal (e.g., silver), a conductive oxide (e.g., indium tin oxide (“ITO”)), a carbon Material (e.g., graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon black).

[0043] A multilayer device 102 may be fabricated by depositing an alternating sequence of high refractive index layers and low refractive index layers over and / or under a substrate 202. In some embodiments, depositing is selected from vapor deposition (e.g., physical vapor deposition (“PVD”)), sputter deposition, solvent coating, lamination, and combinations thereof.EXAMPLESExample 1

[0044] Multilayer devices using Multilayer materials 1-3 were prepared with the following architectures: 2.1mm clear glass / clear PVB / multilayer material / 1.6mm clear glass. Table 1 shows the layer architecture, visible light transmission at D65 illumination (“D65 Vis Trans”) and total transmitted solar energy (“TTS”) of Multilayer materials 1-3. FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4C show the percentage 10 transmission (“T”) and reflectance (“Rl” or “R2”) of Multilayer materials 1-3, respectively, for varying wavelengths 12 of light at normal incidence viewing angle (“Odeg”) and a 70° viewing angle (“70deg”): in the figures, transmission at 0 degrees 2 is shown as a solid line; transmission at 70 degrees 4 is shown as a dashed and dotted line; reflectance at 0 degrees 6 is shown as a dashed line, and reflectance at 70 degrees 8 is shown as a dotted line. Table 1Example 2

[0045] Multilayer devices using Multilayer materials 5-8 were prepared with the following architectures: 2.1mm clear glass / clear PVB / multilayermaterial / 1.6mm clear glass. Table 2 shows the layer architecture, visible light transmission at D65 illumination (“D65 Vis Trans”) and total transmitted solar energy (“TTS”) of Multilayer materials 5-8. FIG. 5 A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D show the transmission (“T”) and reflectance (“Rl” or “R2”) of Multilayer materials 5-8, respectively, for varying wavelengths of light at normal incidence viewing angle (“Odeg”) and a 70° viewing angle (“70deg”).Table 2Example 3

[0046] Multilayer devices using Multilayer materials 9 and 10 were prepared with the following architectures: 2.1mm clear glass / clear PVB / multilayer material / 1.6mm clear glass. Table 3 shows the layer architecture, visible light transmission at D65 illumination (“D65 Vis Trans”) and total transmitted solar energy (“TTS”) of Multilayer materials 9 and 10.

[0047] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show the transmission (“T”) and reflectance (“Rl” or “R2”) of Multilayer materials 9 and 10, respectively, for varying wavelengths of light at normal incidence viewing angle (“Odeg”) and a 70° viewing angle (“70deg”).Table 3Comparative Examples

[0048] Comparative examples were prepared and tested, and had the following architectures and performances shown in Table 4.Table 4

[0049] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0050] Features, Materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such featuresand / or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0051] Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0052] Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and / or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that thedescribed components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. For example, any of the components for an energy storage system described herein can be provided separately, or integrated together (e.g., packaged together, or attached together) to form an energy storage system.

[0053] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0054] Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and / or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and / or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0055] Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0056] Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and“substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount, depending on the desired function or desired result.

[0057] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A multilayer device, comprising: a multilayer material comprising a plurality of high refractive index layers and a plurality of low refractive index layers, and further comprising an alternating sequence of each of the high refractive index layers and each of the low refractive index layers, wherein each of the high refractive index layers has at least about a 0.01 greater index of refraction than each of the low refractive index layers; and a first substrate disposed over the multilayer material.

2. The multilayer device of Claim 1, wherein D65 visible light transmittance is at least about 70%.

3. The multilayer device of Claim 1 or 2, wherein 1200-1500 nm light transmittance is at least about 50%.

4. The multilayer device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein total transmitted solar energy (TTS) is at most about 70%.

5. The multilayer device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the high and low refractive index layers are independently selected from the group consisting of a glass Material, a polymer Material, and combinations thereof.

6. The multilayer device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the high and low refractive index layers are independently selected from the group consisting of SiO2, Si3N4, PVDF, and combinations thereof.

7. The multilayer device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a difference in the index of refraction between the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer is at least about 0.1.

8. The multilayer device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the multilayer material further comprises a material interlayer.

9. The multilayer device of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a second substrate, wherein the multilayer material is positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate.

10. The multilayer device of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a device interlayer positioned between the first substrate and the multilayer material.

11. The multilayer device of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising at least one of a heating element and a decoration.

12. A multilayer system, comprising: the multilayer device of any one of claims 1 to 11; and a camera system positioned to view through the multilayer system.

13. The multilayer system of Claim 12, wherein the camera system is configured to detect light ranges selected from the group consisting of about 380-750 nm, about 1200-1500 nm, or combinations thereof.

14. The multilayer system of Claim 12 or 13, wherein the camera system comprises a plurality of cameras.

15. The multilayer system of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the camera system is positioned to at a viewing angle of about 60-80°.

16. A method of fabricating a multilayer device, comprising: depositing an alternating sequence of high refractive index layers and low refractive index layers over a substrate.

17. The method of Claim 16, wherein depositing is selected from the group consisting of vapor deposition, sputter deposition, solvent coating, lamination, and combinations thereof.

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