Electrochromic Thin Film Transistors Using Functionalized Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrochromic devices require separate electrolyte and counter-electrode components, limiting their integration and functionality, especially in creating electrochromic transistors that can switch states rapidly and change color efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The development of functionalized substrates that integrate electrolyte and electrochromic materials within their bulk, allowing for the creation of self-sustaining electrochromic thin film transistors without the need for a counter-electrode, using techniques like ink-jet printing and sol-gel processes to deposit nanoparticles and electrodes, enabling ionic and electronic current control for rapid state switching and color change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate electrolyte and counter-electrode components are used in electrochromic devices, then the device structure is well-defined and stable, but the device complexity increases and integration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrolyte and electrochromic material into a single integrated layer deposited on the substrate. This merging eliminates the need for separate electrolyte components and counter-electrodes, reducing device complexity while maintaining functional stability and enabling new applications such as electrochromic transistors.
2Device complexity
If functionalized substrates integrating electrolyte and electrochromic materials are used, then the device becomes self-sustaining and simpler, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is pre-functionalized with both electrolyte and electrochromic materials deposited in a controlled sequence before device assembly. This preliminary action ensures precise material placement and integration, allowing the final device to be self-sustaining while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through controlled deposition processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If electrochromic materials are deposited onto substrate surface with gate and counter-electrode, then the device structure is conventional and easy to manufacture, but the switching speed and color change efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from conventional planar deposition to a vertical integration approach where the substrate itself becomes the functional layer containing both electrolyte and electrochromic materials. This dimensional reorganization enables direct ionic contact between the gate electrode and electrochromic material, significantly improving switching speed and color change efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the production of active electrochromic matrices with fast color switching times, suitable for large-area applications like smart windows, and eliminates the need for additional electrolyte and counter-electrode components, enhancing the efficiency and functionality of electrochromic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the bulk thereof contains the electrolyte material on the gate side and the electrochromic material on the substrate side where the drain and source electrodes are positioned
Implementation Method 2
the change of state is followed by a change of colour that is reversible... whose redox reaction is activated by the electronic current established between the drain (5) and the source (5)
Implementation Method 3
the operating principle of the invention is based upon the change of the oxidation state of an oxide, such as, for example, the stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric tungsten oxide (WO 3 ), through the action of the induced ionic charges from the electrolyte
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention consists in the creation and manufacture of electrochromic thin film transistors, either self-sustaining or not, with lateral or vertical structure, deposited on any kind of functionalized substrate (1), referred to as electrochromic substrate, or non-functionalized substrate, and wherein the electrolyte material (3) and the presence or not of an ultra-thin membrane (7) act as dielectric elements, the electrochromic material (2) acts as active semiconductor of the channel region, and wherein the gate (4), source (5) and drain (5) electrodes are based on metal materials, such as Titanium, Gold, Aluminium, or degenerate semiconductive oxides, like Indium and Zinc oxide, Gallium-doped Zinc oxide, characterized in that the device operation control process is made by means of electronic and ionic current, and the off-state to on-state switch, or vice-versa, is followed by a changes of colour of the device.