Electrochromics: Fundamentals and energy-related applications of oxide-based devices

We first introduce electrochromic (EC) device technology, which uses transparent conducting oxides as one of its critical components, and consider how this technology can be employed to obtain urgently needed energy savings for modern buildings. The discussion then focuses on two of the most suitable EC materials, WO3 and NiO; we cover recent advances in basic physics and chemistry as well as the properties of flexible foil-type devices combining the two oxides. The final part of the paper provides a broader, more general overview of chromogenic materials.