Reversible Electrochemical Mirror Devices Using Room Temperature Ionic Liquid Electrolyte
Abstract
Devices that utilize reversible electrochemical mirrors (REM) have a number of applications including thermal and light management for terrestrial and space based systems. These systems use the concept of reversible electrodeposition to plate and strip highly reflective metallic films, i.e. mirrors, in the device to facilitate reflection and transmission or absorption of radiation. Figure 1 provides an illustration of a REM device whereby a transparent support, typically glass or plastic contains a transparent conducting layer that functions as the mirror electrode. An electrolyte containing the metal ions available for reduction and oxidation of the optically tailored metallic film is contained between the mirror electrode and the counter electrode, which may or may not be transmissive depending on the technology application. Electrodeposition of species such as silver, copper, tin, aluminum or gold generates a mirror like surface through the transparent electrode that facilitates reflection of radiation that aids in thermal management for satellite applications or light management for smart window applications. The mirror deposit can then be oxidized from the transparent electrode by applying a less negative or positive voltage with respect to the deposition voltage, permitting transmission of radiation. The cell may also be designed such as to cycle between reflective and absorptive states by changing the nature of the counter electrode.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 13, 2018
- Source ID
- 10.1149/ma2018-01/20/1316
Entities
People
- D. Morgan Tench
- Earl Taylor
- Holly Garich
- James H Davis
- Maria Inman
- Richard O'brien
- Thomas Peng
- Timothy D. Hall