Alpine Polyvision, Inc.

Occidental Chemical Corporation

Societe Generale De Constructions Electriques Et Mecaniques (alsthom)

Hopkinson Associates, Inc.

Societe Generale De Constructions Electriques Et Mecaniques 'alsthom Et

Bernard Warszawski

Pierre Fauvel

Sylvain Dupre

Jean Arlie

A process for manufacturing a light-modulating device comprising manufacturing (using known techniques, in particular, of extrusion, rolling, calendaring and coating) a film sheet or strip formed of at least one layer of electrolytic material applied to a counter-electrode in the form of a preferably flexible film, sheet, strip, or equivalent; and cutting out elements in the form of dots, segments or strips in this composite sheet or film (by means of known techniques, in particular, punching, stamping and laser cutting).

Technique for manufacturing a light modulating device

A process for manufacturing a light-modulating device comprising picture element, the process comprising steps of applying (by means of the 'thick film' techniques such as silk-screen techniques) a layer of electrolytic material, and then applying a layer of counter-electrode material divided into portions of a layer defined and distributed according to a surface pattern coordinated with a surface pattern of transparent electrodes.

Process for manufacturing a light modulating device

A light-modulating cell comprises at least a first electrode (which is transparent and electronically conducting); a second electrode (separated transversely from the first electrode and electronically conducting); at least one layer or electrolytic material interposed between the two electrodes and in contact with them in the region of a picture element; electrical connection zones for conducting electrical current to the electrodes. The zones are enable application to the working electrode of an electrical voltage negative with respect to that of the second electrode, and, further enable flow between the electrodes of a current whose direction is opposite to that of the electrical current resulting from the application of the previous voltage. This cell enables writing at least one picture element; maintaining such a picture element in the written state; and erasing such a picture element.

Light modulating cell

An elementary light-modulating device comprises a light-modulating cell, and other components. The light modulating cell comprises a first transparent electrode, a second electronically conductive electrode, and at least one layer of electrolytic material interposed between the two electrodes and in contact with them in the region of a picture element. The electrolytic material comprises a homogeneous mixture of solid consistency, of at least a water-soluble salt of at least one metal cathodically deposited from an aqueous solution of one of its simple or complex ions, an initially water-soluble film forming polymer resin, and water. The electrolytic material has ionic conductivity and a deformability, and can be formed in layers. The cell further comprises electrical connection zones for conducting electrical current to the electrodes. In addition to the cell, the device comprises electrical current leads in contact with electrical connection zones, electrical connections extending the current leads, and at least one mechanical substrate supporting the device.

Light modulating device

An electrolytic material intended for a process relating to a light-modulating cell involving electrochromic reflection or transmission. The electrolytic material is a homogeneous mixture of solid consistency, comprising at least (a) a water-soluble salt or salts of one metal which can be cathodically deposited from an aqueous solution of one of its ions; (b) one initially water-soluble film-forming polymer resin; and (c) water. The material has ionic conductivity and deformability, and can be formed in a thin continuous layer. It has at least the functions of participating in the erasure of a picture element earlier written in the light-modulating cell, and of enabling the flow of electrical current between a working electrode and a counter-electrode during writing and erasure steps.

Material for light modulation and manufacturing processes

An electrochromic light-modulating process, by reflection or transmission, in which an electrolytic material comprises a mixture of solid consistency of a (a) water-soluble salt of a metal which can be cathodically deposited from an aqueous solution of one of its ions, (b) an initially water-soluble film-forming polymer resin, and (c) water. A layer of electrolytic material is produced. A first transparent electrode is arranged in contact with a first face of the layer. A second electrode is arranged in contact with a second face of the layer, thus forming an elementary light-modulating cell. During a write phase of a certain duration, there is applied to the working electrode an electrical voltage which is negative with respect to that of the second electrode, such that, during this write phase, there is written at least one picture element. During at least one erase phase, subsequent to a write phase, there is made to flow between the electrodes an electrical current whose direction is opposite to that of the electrical current during the write phase such that, during this erase phase, the previously written picture element is erased. The process may be repetitive, and is able to comprise several pairs of one write phase and one erase phase.

Light modulating process

The fuel cell structure is constituted by a plurality of cells disposed in electrical contact with one another, each cell comprising two porous electrodes, an electrolyte filling the gap between the said electrodes, and two impermeable bipolar current collectors. The bottom and top portions of the collectors (23) are provided on both faces thereof with grooves or hollows enabling the anode face of the collectors to be supplied with fuel and the cathode face to be supplied with oxidant. Elongate ribs (39, 37, 38) constitute distribution channels (35, 36) for the gas flows, the said channels supplying channels which run over the central conductive zones (24) of the collectors substantially vertically.

Fuel cell structures

An electrochromic material containing a hydrosoluble salt or a hydrosoluble mixture of salts of at least one metal cathodically depositable from an aqueous solution of its ions, an initially hydrosoluble film-forming polymer resin and water is developed by cathodic reduction of at least one depositable metal ion present within the electrochromic material at a point where a visible mark is desired.

Electrosensitive media and recording process

A process for manufacturing electrochromic recording materials, useful for recording signals and images, is carried out by coating a suitable substrate with a homogeneous fluid mixture of a hydrosoluble salt of a metal cathodically depositable from an aqueous solution of its ions and an initially hydrosoluble film-forming polymer resin, in water. The recording mediums of the invention are advantageous for generating images whose background and marks remain unaffected by light, heat and humidity.

The fuel cell structure is constituted by a plurality of cells disposed in electrical contact with one another, each cell comprising first and second porous electrodes (1,2), an electrolyte filling the gap between the said electrodes and two impermeable bipolar current collectors. The electrodes are pressed against opposite faces of a frame (3) having a central orifice (4). One face (10) of the frame includes first and second grooves (11) for conveying electrolyte from an inlet orifice (8A) to a distributing manifold (12) which is in communication with the electrolyte chamber, and for conveying electrolyte away from the electrolyte chamber to an exit orifice (8B). The electrolyte distribution network on the frame (3) is sealed by a thin film (15) which extends over said network and which is fixed to the frame, that one of the electrodes (1) which overlaps the said film (15) being fixed thereto.

The fuel cell structure is constituted by a plurality of cells disposed in electrical contact with one another, each cell comprising two porous electrodes, an electrolyte filling the gap between the said electrodes, and two impermeable bipolar current collectors. One of the electrodes (2) is pressed against a frame (3) having a central orifice (4). One face of the said frame (3) includes grooves (11) for conveying electrolyte from an inlet orifice (8A) to a distribution manifold (12) which is in communication with the electrolyte compartment, and also for conveying electrolyte from the central compartment to an outlet orifice (8B). The electrolyte conveying network on the frame (3) is sealed by means of a second frame (55) made of insulating material and pressed over the said network. The frames are fixed together.

A porous electrode for an electric cell, said electrode including a support layer and an active or catalytic layer, the thickness of the electrode (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) lying between about 50 and 600 microns and preferably between 100 and 250 microns, the active or catalytic layer (2) and the support layer (3) each including 60 to 99% by weight of a hydrophobic polymer or binder and 40 to 1% by weight of a carbon-based divided conductive compound the two layers being, in the aggregate, hydrophobic and intimately joined, current being drawn off at points or lines which are spaced apart by a distance of about one millimeter from one another by an electronically conductive collector (4) in contact at the points or lines with the support layer (3).

Electrode for an electric cell

Method and apparatus for electrochemically producing electricity. Ion contivity is established between an oxygen-reducing electrode, and adjacent ion pervious insulating membrane, a paste which has flow characteristics comprising particles of an oxidizable metal and a liquid electrolyte, and an inert electrode in physical contact with said paste. In said paste, the metal particles are in an amount constituting from 60% up to the critical pigment volume composition. The metal paste is moved from a first reservoir through the electrochemical battery wherein it is oxidized to the corresponding metal oxide paste and passed to a second reservoir. The battery may be recharged by reversing the movement and electrolyzing, or by reducing the metal oxide paste in an external circuit.

Air battery and electrochemical method

This invention provides a multi-compartment fuel cell wherein each cell has an anode and a cathode separated by a membrane partly immersed in the electrolyte and contains means for the progressive removal of carbonates formed during operation of the fuel cell.

Novel fuel cell containing novel means for removal of carbonates

This structure is constituted by several cells each comprising, more partlarly, an anode and a cathode separated by a corrugated membrane partly immersed in the electrolyte, as well as a condensor-exchanger device for the water drawn off by the combustive, that water being made to flow back towards the electrolyte by means of a plane part of the membrane coming and bearing against one of the walls of the condensor-exchanger.

Growing community of inventors

Paris, France

Bernard Warszawski