Trimable Solid State Electrochromic Flight Visor

Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMDs) prevent the pilot from raising or lowering a tinted visor when moving from a high to low light level condition. Eclipse Energy Systems, Inc., has developed and demonstrated an electrochromic all solid state variable transmittance visor that is: low power; rapidly transitioning; trimable; spectrally neutral; and clear failing. The device can be cut or trimmed with scissors and remains operational. Commercially available vacuum deposition chambers may be used to deposit the device on complex curved polycarbonate substrate. Eclipse devices have a transmission range of 18% to 50% at 550 nm with a transition time of 5 seconds, fails clear, and have cycled over 600,000 times. However, anticipating the need for faster and wider modulation range devices, Eclipse has also developed and a rapid switching large range device that modulates between 20% to 80% in less then 2 seconds with a millisecond response time (although a less mature technology than the 18% to 50% modulation range device). Rockwell Collins, a leading provider of HMDs for the Warfighter, has agreed to provide subcontractor services for operational, engineering, and manufacturing analysis (see attached letter). Eclipse/Partners plan to Fast Track the Phase II effort with non SBIR funds.