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Variable transmittance optical filters capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage are provided. The optical filters comprise a switching material that comprises one or more chr

Variable transmittance optical filters capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage are provided. The optical filters comprise a switching material that comprises one or more chromophores that have electrochromic and photochromic properties.

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1. An optical filter capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage, comprising: a) a first and second substantially transparent substrate;b) a first and second electrode disposed

1. An optical filter capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage, comprising: a) a first and second substantially transparent substrate;b) a first and second electrode disposed on the surface of at least one of said substrates;c) a switching material disposed between said first and second substrates and in contact with said first and second electrodes, said switching material comprising one or more chromophores having both electrochromic and photochromic properties, wherein said one or more chromophores is a diarylethene; andd) an electrical connection means for electrically connecting said first electrode and said second electrode to a source of electric voltage. 2. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein at least one of said substrates is rigid. 3. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein at least one of said substrates is flexible. 4. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein transitioning is controllable by application of the electric voltage. 5. The optical filter of claim 4, wherein the application of said electric voltage lightens said optical filter during UV exposure. 6. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein said optical filter is capable of achieving a visible light transmittance of about 50% or greater in said light state. 7. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein said optical filter is capable of achieving a visible light transmittance of about 30% or less in said dark state. 8. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein said optical filter is capable of achieving a contrast ratio of greater than about 2. 9. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein said optical filter is capable of transitioning between said light state and said dark state at a rate of between about 1 second and 30 minutes. 10. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein said optical filter is capable of transitioning from said dark state to said light state with application of at least 0.1 Volts. 11. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein said transparent substrates have a sheet resistance of up to about 10,000,000 Ohms/square. 12. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein said optical filter is capable of transitioning from said light state to said dark state with exposure to UV radiation at wavelengths above about 365 nm. 13. The optical filter of claim 1, wherein said diarylethene has the general structure of Formula 1: wherein:R1 is independently H or a halogen;R2 is independently H, a halogen, or both R2 when taken together form CH═CH, or when in polymeric form R2 is CH═CH and forms part of the polymer backbone;R3 is independently alkyl, aryl, H, a halogen, or CO2Y (Y═H, Na, alkyl, aryl);R4 is aryl; andR5 is independently H, alkyl or aryl. 14. The optical filter of claim 1, further comprising a UV light blocker capable of blocking UV light at wavelengths of less than 365 nm. 15. A method for preparing an optical filter capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage, comprising the steps of: a) disposing a layer of a switching material comprising a diarylethene, having both electrochromic and photochromic properties, between a first and second substantially transparent substrate wherein a first and second electrode is disposed on a surface of at least one of said substrates such that said switching material is in contact with each electrode; andb) providing an electrical connecting means for connecting said electrodes to a source of electric voltage. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising curing said switching material to increase the viscosity of said switching material. 17. A switching material comprising one or more chromophores having both electrochromic and photochromic properties and a solvent, wherein said switching material is capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage, wherein said one or more chromophores is a diarylethene. 18. A method of using the optical filter of claim 1 in an optical device comprising operatively associating the filter with at least one surface of the device. 19. A variable transmittance window capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage, comprising: a) a first and second substantially transparent substrate;b) a first and second electrode disposed on the surface of at least one of said substrates;c) a switching material disposed between said first and second substrates and in contact with said first and second electrodes, said switching material comprising one or more chromophores having both electrochromic and photochromic properties, wherein said one or more chromophores is a diarylethene; andd) an electrical connection means for electrically connecting said first electrode and said second electrode to a source of electric voltage. 20. A variable transmittance window capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage, comprising: a) a substantially transparent window substrate; andb) at least one optical filter of claim 1 associated with at least one surface of said substrate. 21. An ophthalmic device capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage, comprising: a) a first and second substantially transparent substrate;b) a first and second electrode disposed on the surface of at least one of said substrates;c) a switching material disposed between said first and second substrates and in contact with said first and second electrodes, said switching material comprising one or more chromophores having both electrochromic and photochromic properties, wherein said one or more chromophores is a diarylethene; andd) an electrical connection means for electrically connecting said first electrode and said second electrode to a source of electric voltage. 22. An ophthalmic device capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage, comprising: a) a substantially transparent ophthalmic substrate; andb) an optical filter of claim 1 associated with a surface of said substrate.