Stretchable Electrochromic Devices with Water-Resistant Metal Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic devices using polymer gels suffer from poor water stability, which affects their performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving stretching polymer gel, coating it with a metal solution, and restoring it to its original state, using specific materials and processes to enhance water resistance and initial transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If polymer gel is used in electrochromic device, then flexibility and stretchability are improved, but water stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible substrate with a thickness of 1-100 micrometers that provides both flexibility and water resistance. This thin film structure allows the device to be bendable and stretchable while maintaining protection against water, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and water stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining polymer gel with water-resistant substrates and protective layers. This composite approach maintains the flexibility needed for stretchable applications while incorporating materials that provide excellent water stability and durability.
2Reliability
If polymer gel is stretched and metal solution is coated, then water resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies metal solution coating to the stretched polymer gel surface before final device assembly. This preliminary coating step creates a water-resistant layer that simplifies subsequent manufacturing steps and reduces the need for complex protective structures later in the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the dynamic stretching and restoring of polymer gel during manufacturing. By stretching the gel before coating and then allowing it to restore, the process creates natural tension that helps adhere the metal solution coating and forms a water-resistant structure without requiring complex additional processing steps.
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
The resulting stretchable electrochromic device exhibits excellent water resistance and maintains performance under deformation, with improved initial transmittance and stability.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism is a phenomenon that a color is reversibly changed by an electric field direction when a voltage is applied, and a material having such properties, whose optical properties can be reversibly changed by an electrochemical redox reaction, is referred to as an electrochromic material.
Implementation Method 2
a stretchable electrochromic device, which is manufactured by stretching color changeable polymer gel, and then coating one surface and/or the other surface thereof with a metal solution
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stretchable electrochromic device and a stretchable electrochromic device manufactured thereby, and more specifically, the present invention is characterized in that a stretchable electrochromic device, which is manufactured by stretching color changeable polymer gel, and then coating one surface and/or the other surface thereof with a metal solution, has excellent water resistance and initial transmittance.