Accelerated Durability Testing of Electrochromic Windows

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Prototype electrochromic windows made by several different U.S. companies have been tested in our laboratory for their long-term durability. Samples were subjected to alternate coloring and bleaching voltage cycles while exposed to simulated on 1-sun irradiance in a temperature-controlled environmental chamber with low relative humidity. The samples inside the chamber were tested under a matrixof different conditions. These conditions include: cycling at different temperatures (65?C, 85?C, and 107?C) under the irradiance, cycling versus no-cycling under the same irradiance and temperature, testing with different voltage waveforms and duty cycles with the same irradiance and temperature, cycling under various filtered irradiance intensities, and simple thermal exposure with noirradiance or cycling. The electro-optical characteristics of the samples were measured between 350 and 1,100 nm every 4,000 cycles for up to 20,000 cycles. Photographs of the samples were taken periodically with a digital camera to record cosmetic defects, the extent of residual coloration, and overall coloration and bleaching uniformity of the samples. Our results indicate that the mostimportant cause of degradation is the combination of continuous cycling, elevated temperature, and irradiance. The relative importance of these variables, when considered synergistically or separately, depends on the particular device materials and design.
    Original languageAmerican English
    Pages (from-to)3195-3202
    Number of pages8
    JournalElectrochimica Acta
    Volume44
    Issue number18
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1999

    NREL Publication Number

    • NREL/JA-520-35615

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Accelerated Durability Testing of Electrochromic Windows'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this