Abstract: A plastic glazing for use in an automobile. The glazing includes a polycarbonate substrate, a conductive layer located adjacent to the polycarbonate substrate, and a glazing layer located adjacent to the conductive layer. The conductive layer comprises carbon nanotubes, and the glazing layer is made of a material that is different from polycarbonate. The glazing layer includes at least one of an abrasion resistant layer and a weathering layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing low-haze plastic window glazing is claimed where a portion of a panel mold interior is polished with an abrasive material no finer than 600 grit size. Plastic resin is then introduced into the mold under heat and pressure to form a panel. Weatherable coating is then applied to portions of the panel via a wet coating process. An abrasion resistant coating is then applied to portions of the panel via a plasma application technique. This method produces a window glazing with at least one portion having no more than 1% haze.

Abstract: A multifunctional glazing panel for automotive window assembly. The glazing panel includes a plastic film having a functional layer, a base layer of a polymer material, a tie layer between the plastic film and the base layer. An abrasion resistant layer, for protecting the plastic film and base layer from damage caused by abrasion, is provided over the plastic film.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive glazing assembly constructed by a process of film insert molding (FIM). The glazing assembly comprises a transparent plastic substrate having an ink composition that has a blend of polyester and polycarbonate resins such that the ink exhibits uniform opacity and stability during all thermoforming and injection molding operations, and is capable of forming complex 3-D geometries. The glazing assembly comprising the ink composition is further free from surface defects such as pinholes and micro-cracks.

Abstract: A window defrost assembly having a substrate, a polycarbonate film adjacent to the substrate, a heater grid located between the substrate and the polycarbonate film, and a light control layer located between the polycarbonate film and the heater grid. The heater grid includes first and second bus bars and a plurality of grid lines extending between and connecting to the first and second bus bars.

Abstract: A window assembly having photochromatic properties is described. The window assembly includes a substrate being adjacent to a coating. A photochromatic film is located between the substrate and the coating, whereby the photochromatic film darkens when the window assembly is exposed to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a window assembly having a transparent panel and a conductive heater grid formed integrally with the transparent panel. The conductive heater grid has a first group of grid lines and a second group of grid lines, with opposing ends of each group being connected to first and second busbars. Grid lines of the second group are spaced between adjacent grid lines of the first group, with the height of the grid lines themselves in the second group being less than the height of the grid lines in the first group.

Abstract: The present invention involves an ink for transferring a printed image from a membrane to a substrate. The ink comprises a hydrocarbon solvent, a synthetic resin, and a thixotrope for forming a thixotropic network in the ink. The hydrocarbon solvent has a predetermined evaporation rate and the thixotropic network of the ink has a thixotropic network magnitude of between about 3×104 and 6×105 dynes/cm2-sec?1 and a thixotropic network strength of at least about 35.0 gm-cm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a window assembly having a transparent panel and a conductive heater grid formed integrally with the transparent panel. The conductive heater grid has a first group of grid lines and a second group of grid lines, with opposing ends of each group being connected to first and second busbars. Grid lines of the second group are spaced between adjacent grid lines of the first group, with the width of the grid lines themselves in the second group being less than the width of the grid lines in the first group.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of transferring a membrane image to an article. The method comprises providing a printed decoration to be applied onto a low surface energy membrane. The low surface energy membrane has a hardness level of greater than 70 durometer Shore A and a surface energy of up to 25 mJ/m2. The method further includes applying a predetermined pressure with a pressure device to force the printed decoration through a screen onto the low surface energy membrane. The pressure device has a hardness of up to 70 durometer Shore A. The method further includes forming the low surface energy membrane to the geometry of the surface of the article and applying pressure between the membrane and the article to transfer the membrane image from the membrane to the article.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a polycarbonate surface having an ink printed on the surface. The ink adheres to the polycarbonate and is compatible with a hard coat applied to the polycarbonate substrate. The ink comprises a polycarbonate or a polyester resin or an acrylic resin. The ink composition also comprises a blend of polycarbonate ink or an acrylic ink with a polyester ink such that the ink adheres to the polycarbonate substrate on subjecting the substrate to water immersion and cataplasma tests.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a polycarbonate surface having an ink printed on the surface. The ink adheres to the polycarbonate and is compatible with a hard coat applied to the polycarbonate substrate. The ink comprises a polycarbonate or a polyester resin or an acrylic resin. The ink composition also comprises a blend of polycarbonate ink or an acrylic ink with a polyester ink such that the ink adheres to the polycarbonate substrate on subjecting the substrate to water immersion and cataplasma tests.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid that includes a carrier component and a magnetizable particle component wherein the magnetizable particle component is a mixture of at least a first particle group having an average particle diameter and a second particle group having an average particle diameter wherein the average particle diameter of said first particle group is 3 to 15 times larger than the average particle diameter of said second particle group.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid that includes a carrier component and a magnetizable particle component wherein the magnetizable particle component has a fractional packing density of at least 0.50 prior to formulation into the magnetorheological fluid. Use of this magnetorheological fluid can increase the force output of a magnetorheological device without increasing the viscosity of the fluid because the particle volume concentration in a working gap of the device increases when a magnetic field is applied.

Abstract: A magnetorheological material containing a carrier fluid, a particle component and a thixotropic additive to provide stability against particle settling. The thixotropic additive can be a hydrogen-bonding thixotropic agent, a polymer-modified metal oxide, or a mixture thereof. The utilization of a thixotropic additive creates a thixotropic network which is unusually effective at minimizing particle settling in a magnetorheological material.

Abstract: A magnetorheological material containing a particle component and a carrier fluid or mixture of carrier fluids having a change in viscosity per degree temperature (.DELTA..eta./.DELTA.T ratio) less than or equal to about 16.0 centipoise/.degree.C. over the temperature range of about 25.degree. C. to -40.degree. C. The magnetorheological material exhibits a substantial magnetorheological effect and excellent lubricating properties with a minimal variation in mechanical properties with respect to changes in temperature. The magnetorheological material is advantageous in that it provides for the design of devices that are smaller, more efficient and consume less power.

Abstract: A magnetorheological material containing a carrier fluid and a magnetically active particle. The particle has been modified so that the surface of the particle is substantially free of contamination products. The contamination products are removed from the surface of the particle by abrader processing, chemical treatment or a combination thereof. Magnetorheological materials prepared using the particles from which contamination products have been removed exhibit significantly enhanced magnetorheological effects.

Abstract: Controllable composite structure or structural elements enclose magnetotheological fluids as a structural component between opposing containment layers to form at least a portion of any variety of extended mechanical systems, such as plates, panels, beams and bars or structures including these elements. The control of the stiffness and damping properties of the structure or structural elements is accomplished by changing the shear and compression/tension moduli of the magnetorheological fluid by varying the applied magnetic field. The composite structures of the present invention may be incorporated into a wide variety of mechanical systems for control of vibration and other properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a coating on a substrate. The method comprises applying a silane and, optionally, a titanium catalyst, onto the substrate and allowing the silane to hydrolyze and condense with atmospheric moisture to form an insoluble coating.

Abstract: An electrorheological material comprising a carrier fluid and an atomically, polarizable particle component. The atomically polarizable particle component has a crystalline lattice structure which allows atoms to shift position with respect to each other in response to the application of an electric field. The electrorheological materials are subjected to an alternating current electric field at a frequency of at least 500 Hz. The materials exhibit substantial electrorheological activity over a broad temperature range.