Pleotint, L.l.c.

Paul H Ogburn, Jr

Harlan J Byker

Derick D Winkle

Douglas A Vander Griend

Brad S Veldkamp

Frederick A Millett

Michael D Broekhuis

Frederick C Millett

Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes.

Ligand exchange thermochromic, (LETC), systems

Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, thermochromic systems are disclosed comprising a transition metal ion with particularly useful ligands, such as phosphine compounds, tridentate ligands that coordinate through three nitrogen atoms, bidentate ligands, or ortho hindered pyridine monodentate ligands.

Ligand exchange thermochromic systems and high &#x3b5; ligands for same

Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, a thermochromic system is disclosed comprising a transition metal ion and a ligand wherein the ligand comprises a nitrogen-containing five or six membered heterocyclic compound that coordinates through the nitrogen atom to the transition metal ion in a H&#x3b5;MLC formed between the transition metal ion and the ligand. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, thermochromic systems are disclosed comprising a transition metal ion with particularly useful ligands, such as phosphine compounds, tridentate ligands that coordinate through three nitrogen atoms, bidentate ligands, or ortho hindered pyridine monodentate ligands.

An energy efficient, thermochromic device that may be used to allow sunlight or solar radiation into a building or structure when sunlight is absent or at high sun angles and substantially blocks solar radiation when sunlight is directly on the window.

Thermochromic window structures

Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a thermochromic system is disclosed comprising a first metal ion and a second metal ion and at least one ligand that complexes with the first metal ion to form a L&#x3b5;MLC and complexes with the second metal ion to form a H&#x3b5;MLC wherein an increase in temperature of the system results in a reversible net increase in its ability to absorb light energy in the 400 nm to 1400 nm range due to the ligand transferring from the first metal ion to the second metal ion.

Ligand exchange thermochromic systems containing exchange metals

Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a thermochromic device is disclosed comprising at least two thermochromic layers when each thermochromic layer includes a polymer, at least one transition metal ion, at least one H&#x3b5;L ligand capable of forming a H&#x3b5;MLC with the transition metal ion and at least one L&#x3b5;L ligand capable of forming an L&#x3b5;MLC with the transition metal ion. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the thermochromic device further includes a separator between the first and second thermochromic layers to prevent intermixing of the contents of the layers.

Multi-layer ligand exchange thermochromic systems

Thermally reversible light scattering materials are provided in accordance with the invention including a low melting, polymeric material dispersed in a polymer matrix; a first polymer which upon heating from a temperature below its melting point to a temperature above its melting point changes from a light scattering solid to a liquid, the first polymer being dispersed in a matrix provided by a second polymer to form a light scattering polymer material when cold and a less or non-light scattering material when hot; and thermally reversible light scattering materials which go from light scattering at lower temperatures to less or non-light scattering at higher temperatures. The thermally reversible light scattering materials of the invention can be incorporated in many applications including a window which can reversibly change from a privacy condition to a non-privacy or clear condition; a window which can reversibly change between displaying images or objects to obscuring images or objects; a layer which can reversibly change between being clear and frosted by cycling the temperature of the layer; a reversible display; a temperature indicating material or device.

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Hudsonville, MI, United States of America

Paul H Ogburn, Jr