Photoelectrochromic smart windows

Brian A. Gregg; Clemens Bechinger; J. Roland Pitts

doi:10.1117/12.279201

14 October 1997 Photoelectrochromic smart windows

Brian A. Gregg, Clemens Bechinger, J. Roland Pitts

Proceedings Volume 3138, Optical Materials Technology for Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Conversion XV; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.279201
Event: Optical Science, Engineering and Instrumentation '97, 1997, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Electrochromic films have been combined with photoelectrochemical electrodes to make a self-powered smart window. These 'photoelectrochromic' smart windows combine the advantages of photochromic films, namely that they are self- powered by the incident light, with the advantages of electrochromic windows, such as the ability to control the state of coloration externally when desired. When the windows are short-circuited, the observable process is photochromism, but the mechanism is unique and has several potential advantages over conventional photochromic films. The light absorbing process is physically separate from the coloration process, allowing each to be individually optimized. The materials constraints are greatly relaxed compared to single- component photochromic films in which one material must meet all criteria (color change, switching speed, photostability, etc.). Furthermore, since the coloration process in a PEC cell requires an external electrical current between the two electrodes, a particular state (transparent, absorbing, or imaged) can either be stored when the electrodes are at open circuit, or can be changed when the electrodes are connected. The light-absorbing function in the PEC cell is performed by a dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode that produces a photovoltage sufficient to color the electrochromic film deposited on the counterelectrode. We describe the dye sensitization process, its advantages over conventional photovoltaic devices in applications such as smart windows, and recent developments in photoelectrochromic smart windows.

Citation Download Citation

Brian A. Gregg, Clemens Bechinger, and J. Roland Pitts "Photoelectrochromic smart windows", Proc. SPIE 3138, Optical Materials Technology for Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy Conversion XV, (14 October 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.279201

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
10 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Solar cells

Solar energy

Electrodes

Absorption

Dye sensitized solar cells

Semiconductors

Buildings

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years