Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises a dispersion of photocatalysts having a mean cluster size of less than about 300 nm and an alkali metal silicate binder. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved transparency on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a coating composition. The coating composition comprises photocatalytic particles and an alkali metal silicate binder comprising a boric acid, borate, or combination thereof. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a coated article. The coated article has a photocatalytic coating with improved durability on its external surface that is formed from the aforesaid coating composition.

Abstract: It is desired to find a new class of adhesion promoters to adhere the granules to the asphalt. Generally, the application is directed to an article comprising a substrate and a coating on the substrate, wherein the coating comprises a polyolefin. The substrate may be a roofing granule. In certain embodiments, the polyolefin is a chemically modified polyolefin. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a photocatalytic material.

Abstract: A process comprises (a) providing a substantially inorganic photoreactive composition comprising (1) at least one cationically reactive species, (2) a multi-photon photoinitiator system, and 10 (3) a plurality of precondensed, inorganic nanoparticles; (b) exposing, using a multibeam interference technique involving at least three beams, at least a portion of the photoreactive composition to radiation of appropriate wavelength, spatial distribution, and intensity to produce a two-dimensional or three-dimensional periodic pattern of reacted and non-reacted portions of the photoreactive composition; (c) exposing at least a portion of the non-reacted portion of the photoreactive composition to radiation of appropriate wavelength and intensity to cause multi-photon absorption and photoreaction to form additional reacted portion; (d) removing the non-reacted portion or the reacted portion of the photoreactive composition to form interstitial void space; and (e) at least partially filling the interstitial void space

Abstract: There are several different applications where it is desirable to increase the amount of material that can be introduced to the surface of a microresonator that has whispering gallery modes. The use of a porous surface on the microresonator permits greater amounts of the material to be captured on or near the surface of the microresonator, resulting in an increased optical interaction between the material and the light propagating in the whispering gallery mode(s) of the microresonator.

Abstract: There are several different applications where it is desirable to increase the amount of material that can be introduced to the surface of a microresonator that has whispering gallery modes. The use of a porous surface on the microresonator permits greater amounts of the material to be captured on or near the surface of the microresonator, resulting in an increased optical interaction between the material and the light propagating in the whispering gallery mode(s) of the microresonator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application is directed to a structure. The structure comprises a structural layer having an external surface and a coating on the external surface of the structural layer. The coating comprises a polyurethane binder; and photocatalytic particles within the polyurethane binder. In another embodiment, the present application is directed to a composition. The composition comprises a polyurethane binder and photocatalytic particles within the polyurethane binder.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.

Abstract: The invention provides optical waveguides comprising a glass doped with a rare earth dopant on a surface of the substrate, wherein the glass comprises (a) Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, wherein at least 80 percent by weight of the glass collectively comprises the Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, based on the total weight of the glass; (b) Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, wherein at least 70 percent by weight of the glass collectively comprises the Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, and wherein the glass contains not more than 20 percent by weight SiO2 and not more than 20 percent by weight B2O3, based on the total weight of the glass; or (c) at least 40 percent by weight Al2O3, based on the total weight of the glass, and a first metal oxide other than Al2O3, wherein the Al2O3 and the first metal oxide, collectively comprise at least 80 percent by weight of the gla

Abstract: A pipe system includes first and second pipes having first and second ends welded together forming a girth-weld and a corrosion coating covering the girth-weld. In addition, a flexible sheet is provided to cover the girth-weld. The flexible sheet comprises a first structured layer that mechanically couples to the corrosion coating, where the corrosion coating permeates a substantial portion of the first structured layer. The flexible sheet also includes a second layer comprising a polymer layer adhered to the first layer, the second layer protecting the corrosion coating from mechanical or environmental damage. Alternatively, the protective cover comprises a polymer material and includes a port formed therethrough adapted to receive a delivery mechanism that delivers a corrosion coating to the girth-weld.

Abstract: A pipe includes an outer surface with a polyolefin-based protective coating covering a substantial portion thereof In addition, an end wrap material is disposed on the protective coating proximate to an end of the pipe, where the end wrap material is bondable to a polymer-containing protective material, such as a heat shrink sleeve or cover. The end wrap material can bond a heat shrink cover or sleeve in place over a girth-weld, thus substantially reducing the likelihood of the disbandment or movement of the sleeve from the welded pipe ends over time.

Abstract: A pipe system comprises first and second pipes having first and second ends welded together forming a girth-weld and a heat recoverable polymer material comprising a plurality of holes extending therethrough covering the girth-weld. The heat recoverable polymer material can include a surface having an adhesive coated thereon disposed on the girth-weld. Air trapped underneath the recoverable polymer material can be released through the plurality of holes during shrinking of the heat recoverable polymer material. Also, a portion of the adhesive can flow through the holes during a shrinking of the heat recoverable polymer material.

Abstract: A building element may be formed from a first cementitious mixture and a second cementitious mixture containing a photocatalytic cementitious mixture. The first cementitious mixture and the photocatalytic cementitious mixture may be co-formed into a shaped uncured two layer monolith having a base layer of the first cementitious mixture and a top layer of the photocatalytic cementitious mixture. The shaped uncured two layer monolith is then cured. The resulting building element may be algae-resistant.

Abstract: There are several different applications where it is desirable to increase the amount of material that can be introduced to the surface of a microresonator that has whispering gallery modes. The use of a porous surface on the microresonator permits greater amounts of the material to be captured on or near the surface of the microresonator, resulting in an increased optical interaction between the material and the light propagating in the whispering gallery mode(s) of the microresonator.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.

Abstract: A thulium doped silicate glass composition which contains SiO2, Al2O3, and La2O3 emits visible and UV light when excited by infrared light. The glass composition may also contain GeO2 and Er2O3. When excited by infrared light of about 1060 nm, the glass emits visible light at fluorescent transitions of the Tm3+ ions with major broad features at 365, 455, 472, 651, and 791 nm.

Abstract: The invention provides optical waveguides comprising a glass doped with a rare earth dopant on a surface of the substrate, wherein the glass comprises (a) Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, wherein at least 80 percent by weight of the glass collectively comprises the Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, based on the total weight of the glass; (b) Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, wherein at least 70 percent by weight of the glass collectively comprises the Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, and wherein the glass contains not more than 20 percent by weight SiO2 and not more than 20 percent by weight B2O3, based on the total weight of the glass; or (c) at least 40 percent by weight Al2O3, based on the total weight of the glass, and a first metal oxide other than Al2O3, wherein the Al2O3 and the first metal oxide, collectively comprise at least 80 percent by weight of the gla

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.

Abstract: A co-doped silicate optical waveguide having a core including silica, and oxides of aluminum, germanium, erbium and thulium. The composition concentrations are: Er from 15 ppm to 3000 ppm; Al from 0.5 mol % to 12 mol %; Tm from 15 ppm to 10000 ppm; and Ge from 1 mol % to 20 mol %. In a specific embodiment, the concentration of Er is from 150 ppm to 1500 ppm; Al is from 2 mol % to 8 mol %; and Tm is from 15 ppm to 3000 ppm. A boron-less cladding surrounds the core.