Abstract: An interactive information device for use as a touch panel, touch screen, digitizer panel, or pen-input device, and a method for making such a device includes a first, transparent, electrically conductive layer supported by the rigid substrate, a flexible, transparent substrate at least partially aligned with the rigid substrate and having a second, transparent, electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the second conductive layer being spaced from the first conductive layer. A plurality of transparent insulating spacer members/dots are positioned on one or both of the conductive layers to allow the conductive layers to engage when the flexible substrate is pressed. The spacer members/dots comprise polymeric material including at least some inorganic material, and more preferably, comprise organic-inorganic nanocomposites having an index of refraction optically matched to the transparent, electrically conductive layer on which they are positioned.

Abstract: A foundry binder is obtainable by surface modification of a) colloidal inorganic particles with b) one or more silanes of the general formula (I) Rx—Si—A4−x  (I) where the radicals A are identical or different and are hydroxyl groups or groups which can be removed hydrolytically, except methoxy, the radicals R are identical or different and are groups which cannot be removed hydrolytically and x is 0, 1, 2 or 3, where x≧1 in at least 50 mol % of the silanes; under the conditions of the sol-gel process with a below-stoichiometric amount of water, based on the hydrolysable groups which are present, with formation of a nanocomposite sol, and further hydrolysis and condensation of the nanocomposite sol, if desired, before it is brought into contact with the foundry sand.

Abstract: A composite material is described which is characterized by a substrate based on vegetable materials, in particular vegetable fibers, vegetable fiber raw materials or vegetable fiber semifinished products, and by a nanocomposite which is in functional contact with said substrate and is obtainable by surface modification of a) colloidal inorganic particles with b) one or more silanes of the general formula (I) Rx—Si—A4−x  (I) where the radicals A are identical or different and are hydroxyl groups or groups which can be removed hydrolytically, except methoxy, the radicals R are identical or different and are groups which cannot be removed hydrolytically and x is 0, 1, 2 or 3, where x≧1 in at least 50 mol % of the silanes; under the conditions of the sol-gel process with a below-stoichiometric amount of water, based on the hydrolysable groups which are present, with formation of a nanocomposite sol, and further hydrolysis and condensation of the nanocomposite sol, if desired,

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent organic/inorganic composites with low hydroxyl group content, based on silicic acid heteropolycondensates having extremely low water uptakes. These composites are obtained for example by nonhydrolytic condensation of chlorosilanes with polymerizable groups and optionally fluorinated groups, with the help of a condensation agent (e.g., t-butanol) capable of non-hydrolytic condensation of this chlorosilane, and thermal and/or photochemical polymerization of the obtained condensation product, preferably in the presence of preferably fluorinated organic monomers.

Abstract: Magnetic glass particles are prepared containing a magnetic core coated with a glass layer having a substantially pore-free glass surface. The particles are used for separating biological material such as nucleic acids. A preferred process of preparing the particles is by forming a mixture of magnetic cores with a sol formed from an alcohol and a metal alkoxide, spray-drying the mixture to coat the cores with a layer of gelled sol, and heating the coated cores to obtain the magnetic glass particles. Preferably, the particles have an average particle size of less than 100 &mgr;m and any pores of the glass surface have a diameter of less than 10 nm. The magnetic core may be a composite material containing a mica core and magnetite particles immobilized on the mica core, and the glass layer may contain boron oxide. Magnetic core materials include magnetite (Fe3O4) and Fe2O3.

Abstract: A composite material is described which is characterized by a substrate based on glass fibers, mineral fibers or derived timber products and by a nanocomposite which is in functional contact with said substrate and is obtainable by surface modification of a) colloidal inorganic particles with b) one or more silanes of the general formula (I) Rx—Si—A4-x  (I) where the radicals A are identical or different and are hydroxyl groups or groups which can be removed hydrolytically, except methoxy, the radicals R are identical or different and are groups which cannot be removed hydrolytically and x is 0, 1, 2 or 3, where x≧1 in at least 50 mol % of the silanes; under the conditions of the sol-gel process with a below-stoichiometric amount of water, based on the hydrolysable groups which are present, with formation of a nanocomposite sol, and further hydrolysis and condensation of the nanocomposite sol, if desired, before it is brought into contact with the substrate, followed by curing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for providing a metallic surface with a vitreous layer which is both decorative and scratch resistant and corrosion inhibiting. Said process is characterized in that a coating composition which is obtainable by a process comprising the hydrolysis and polycondensation of one or more silanes of the general formula (I)R.sub.n SiX.sub.4-n (I)wherein the groups X, the same or different from each other, are hydrolyzable groups or hydroxyl groups, the radicals R, the same or different from each other, represent hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups having up to 12 carbon atoms and aryl, aralkyl and alkaryl groups having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and n is 0, 1 or 2, provided that at least one silane with n=1 or 2 is employed, or oligomers derived therefrom, in the presence ofa) nanoscaled SiO.sub.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a substrate coated with a transparent, colored coating stable to high temperature and UV includes coating the substrate with a coating composition including at least one element which is able to form a vitreous, crystalline, or partially crystalline oxide, in the form of a compound which on heat treatment yields the oxide and is present as a sol or solution in an at least predominantly aqueous medium, as the matrix-forming component, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of metal colloids, metal compound colloids, metal alloy colloids, and metal compounds which form metal colloids under reducing conditions, as the coloring component; and heat-curing the resulting coating. Particularly suitable substrates are glass substrates, such as (halogen) lamp bulbs and gas discharge tubes.

Abstract: A description is given of coated inorganic pigments comprising an organic pigment which has a coating, prepared by the sol-gel process from glass-forming components and densified to form a xerogel or glass, having a layer thickness of at least 0.8 .mu.m. These pigments are prepared by spray drying a sol-pigment dispersion, followed if desired by thermal densification of the xerogel layer to form a glass layer. The coated pigments are suitable for producing enamels and moldings.

Abstract: Thin SiO.sub.2 films can be produced by hydrolysis and condensation ofa) 40 to 100% by weight of one or more silanes of general formula (I)R.sub.x --Si--A.sub.4-x (I)in which the groups A are identical or different and stand for hydroxyl groups or hydrolytically separable groups, the groups R are identical or different and stand for hydrolytically non-separable groups, x has the value 0, 1, 2 or 3, x being not less than 1 for 70% by moles of said silanes;b) optionally in the presence of 0 to 50% by weight of colloidal SiO.sub.2 and/orc) 0 to 10% by weight of organic binder.The viscous sol thus obtained is worked into a gel film which is heat-treated.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrically conductive connection between opposite arranged contact areas of two elements that are to be connected, by means of a hot-melt type adhesive formed of electrically conductive particles, which are dispersed in a thermoplastic base material. The hot-melt type adhesive (22) is applied purposely only to the contact areas (16) of at least one of the elements (10, 28, 42, 50) and that these elements are joined under the effects of heat.

Abstract: The composite adhesive for optical and opto-electronic applications contains the following:a) transparent polymers and/or polymerizable oligomers and/or monomers suitable for use as adhesive,b) nanoscale inorganic particles,c) optionally, compounds for the surface modification of said inorganic particles, andd) optionally, a crosslinking initiator.The composite adhesive is suitable for connecting individual components of optical or opto-electronic elements and for constructing such elements.

Abstract: An anisotropically conducting adhesive includes a thermoplastic base material; and particles which include metal particles and metal ions, which are electrically conductive, and which are finely distributed within the thermoplastic base material below a percolation threshold, wherein the particles are enriched in certain regions under the influence of exposure to at least one of light and heat.

Abstract: Structured inorganic layers are produced by optionally mixing a composition which is obtainable by hydrolysis and polycondensation of(A) at least one hydrolyzable silane of general formula (I)SiX.sub.4 (I)wherein the radicals X are identical or different and represent hydrolyzable groups or hydroxyl groups, or an oligomer derived therefrom, and(B) at least one organosilane of general formula (II)R.sup.1.sub.a R.sup.2.sub.b SiX.sub.(4-a-b) (II)wherein R.sup.1 is a non-hydrolyzable group, R.sup.2 represents a radical carrying a functional group, X has the meaning specified above, and a and b are 0, 1, 2 or 3, the sum (a+b) being 1, 2 or 3, or an oligomer derived therefrom,in a ratio of amount of substance (A):(B) of 5-50:50-95, as well as(C) optionally, one or more compounds of glass- or ceramic forming elements,with a fine-scaled filler, applying the resulting composition onto a substrate, structuring the applied composition and thermally densifying the structured coating to form a structured layer.

Abstract: To produce functional vitrous, preferably colored or colloid-dyed layers, a composition produced by hydrolysis and polycondensation of(A) at least on hydrolyzable silane of general formula (I)SiX.sub.4 (I)wherein the radicals X are the same or different and represent hydrolyzable groups or hydroxy groups, or an oligomer derived therefrom, and(B) at least one organosilane of general formula (II)R.sup.1.sub.a R.sup.2.sub.b SiX.sub.(4-a-b) (II)wherein R.sup.1 is a non-hydrolyzable radical, R.sup.

Abstract: Described is a process for the manufacture of glass substrates with improved long-term stability at raised temperatures, in which process a glass substrate is provided with a coating, this coating being prepared from a composition, which was obtained through hydrolysis and condensation of a compound that was dissolved in a solvent and belonged to at least one element from the group Si, Al, Ti and Zr and/or a suitable precondensate, optionally in combination with compounds, which are soluble in the reaction medium, of at least one element from the group of alkali metals, alkali earth metals, and boron. After the coating composition is deposited, the coating obtained thus is heat treated. The process is characterized in that the coating is not completely compacted.