Display-on-demand mirror with optional defogging feature, and method of making the same

1. A method of making a coated article comprising a coating supported by a glass substrate to form a semi-transparent mirror, the method comprising:

providing a glass substrate;

forming a reflective metal-inclusive layer, directly or indirectly, on the glass substrate;

forming a silicon oxide inclusive layer, directly or indirectly, on the reflective metallic layer; and

forming a titanium oxide inclusive layer, directly or indirectly, on the silicon oxide inclusive layer,

wherein the metal-inclusive layer is formed so as to reflect incoming light away from the glass substrate such that substantially less incoming light would be reflected away from the glass substrate if lighting were provided on a side of the glass substrate opposite the coating than if no lighting were provided, and so that a percentage of reflectance of incoming light by the mirror is from about 60 to 80% and a percentage of visible transmission through the mirror is from about 20 to 40%,

wherein the coated article has a sheet resistance of at least about 10 ohms/square, wherein

the metal-inclusuve layer comprises aluminum and is provided at a thickness of about 2-7 nm,

wherein the silicon oxide inclusive layer has a thickness of about 80-90 nm, and

wherein the titanium oxide inclusive layer has a thickness of about 50-60 nm.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein

the metal-inclusive layer comprises aluminum or silver.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising connecting the reflective metal-inclusive layer to an external power source so as to make the metal-inclusive layer selectively heatable.

4. The method claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a second substrate; and

laminating the second substrate to the glass substrate via a polymer-based interlayer so that the coating is located therebetween.

5. A method of making an apparatus, the method comprising:

providing first and second substantially parallel spaced apart glass substrates, the first glass substrate supporting semi-transparent coating thereon;

laminating together the first and second glass substrates via a polymer-based interlayer; and

building the laminated first and second substrates into the apparatus,

wherein the coating comprises:

a reflective metal-inclusive layer comprising Al or Ag formed, directly or indirectly, on the first glass substrate;

a silicon oxide inclusive layer formed, directly or indirectly, on the reflective metallic layer; and

a titanium oxide inclusive layer formed, directly or indirectly, on the silicon oxide inclusive layer;

wherein the metal-inclusive layer is formed so as to reflect incoming light away from the first glass substrate such that substantially less incoming light would be reflected away from the first glass substrate if lighting were provided on a side of the first glass substrate opposite the coating than if no lighting were provided, and so that a percentage of reflectance of incoming light by the coating is from about 60 to 80% and a percentage of visible transmission through the coating is from about 20 to 40%,

wherein the coated article has a sheet resistance of at least about 10 ohms/square, wherein

the metal-inclusive layer comprises aluminum and is provided at a thickness of about 2-7 nm,

wherein the silicon oxide inclusive layer has a thickness of about 80-90 nm, and

wherein the titanium oxide inclusive layer has a thickness of about 50-60 nm.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein

each of the metal-inclusive layer, the silicon oxide inclusive layer, and the titanium oxide inclusive layer is formed via sputtering.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising connecting the reflective metal-inclusive layer to an external power source so as to make the metal-inclusive layer selectively heatable.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein

the metal-inclusive layer selectively heatable to reduce the presence of fog on at least a portion of the apparatus.