BeSpECD - Weather Resistance of the Functionality of an Electrochromic Multilayer Film with further processing by an Injection Compression Molding Process
This is because the main reasons for the limited adoption of this technology to date are the high manufacturing costs and the need to improve durability and performance, for example, for outdoor applications. This project builds on several previous projects. The first focused on the aging behavior of a suitable polymer electrolyte in ECD.
In another project, a process was developed to further process EC films into compact, 3D-shaped components using the injection-molding process by overmolding or encapsulating them with polycarbonate. At the same time, a layer structure suitable for the injection-molding process was identified. Based on this, material aging resulting from exposure to moisture, temperature, and UV radiation—as opposed to electrochemical aging (involving a large number of switching cycles)—will be studied. The goal is to describe the impact on the ECD’s functionality and to analyze the causes, mechanisms, and manifestations of aging within the ECD.
In addition, the study will focus in particular on the effect of encapsulating the ECD with polycarbonate in terms of its protective effect against external influences. This processing method makes it possible, for example, to incorporate additives such as UV stabilizers that could enhance the protective effect.