Abstract: A thermally responsive material comprising an ordered periodic array of particles received in a substantially nonaqueous matrix composition. The material diffracts radiation in a first wavelength band when the material is at a first temperature and the material diffracts radiation in a second wavelength band when the material is at a second temperature.

Abstract: Articles are disclosed wherein a color-imparting non-hiding coating layer is deposited on a surface thereof. The coating layer is deposited from a protective coating composition comprising color-imparting particles having a maximum haze of about 10% and a film-forming resin. Methods of using the coatings, and the substrates coated therewith, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective and decorative coating composition including about 2 to 10 different colorants which in combination with a resinous composition produce a desired visible coating. A majority of the colorants has a maximum haze of about 10% and exhibits an absorbance peak in the visible spectrum wherein at least about 50% of the total absorbance in the visible spectrum occurs at wavelengths within about 50 nm of the wavelength of the peak absorbance.

Abstract: Disclosed are dispersions of encapsulated particles and methods for their production and use. These dispersions include encapsulated particles and a liquid medium in which the encapsulated particles are dispersed. The encapsulated particles include a carrier particle and an encapsulant deposited on the carrier particle. The liquid medium and the encapsulant are selected so as to be capable of reacting with each other to form a reaction product having a boiling point of no more than 300° C. at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Articles are disclosed wherein a color-imparting non-hiding coating layer is deposited on a surface thereof. The coating layer is deposited from a protective coating composition comprising color-imparting particles having a maximum haze of about 10% and a film-forming resin. Methods of using the coatings, and the substrates coated therewith, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crystalline colloidal array of particles is disclosed, which includes reactive surfactant covalently bound to the particle surfaces. During formation of the array, the bound surfactant remains in position on the particles resulting in reduced quantity of defects compared to arrays of particles produced with non-reactive surfactants.

Abstract: Ultrafine boron carbide particles with selected sintering aids are disclosed. The sintering aids may be provided inside the ultrafine boron carbide particles or on the surfaces thereof. When the ultrafine boron carbide particles and sintering aids are sintered, the resultant materials possess relatively high densities and relatively small boron carbide grain sizes.

Abstract: A system and method for making ultrafine particles are disclosed. A high temperature plasma is generated at an inlet end of a plasma chamber into which precursor materials are introduced. A converging member is located adjacent an outlet end of the plasma chamber. During operation, a substantially constant pressure and/or material flow pattern is maintained to reduce or eliminate fouling of the system.

Abstract: Coating compositions are disclosed that include corrosion resisting particles such that the coating composition can exhibit corrosion resistance properties. Also disclosed are substrates at least partially coated with a coating deposited from such a composition and multi-component composite coatings, wherein at least one coating later is deposited from such a coating composition. Methods and apparatus for making ultrafine solid particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The production of ultrafine metal carbide powders from polymeric powder and metallic precursor powder starting materials is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the polymeric powder may comprise polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester, polybutylene, nylon, polymethylpentene and the like. The metal precursor powder may comprise pure metals, metal alloys, intermetallics and/or metal-containing compounds such as metal oxides and nitrides. In one embodiment, the metal precursor powder comprises a silicon-containing material, and the ultrafine powders comprise SiC. The polymeric and metal precursor powders are fed together or separately to a plasma system where the feed materials react to form metal carbides in the form of ultrafine particles.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making ultrafine particles, apparatus for making ultrafine particles, and coating compositions comprising ultrafine particles made by such methods and/or apparatus.

Abstract: A protective and decorative coating composition including about 2 to 10 different colorants which in combination with a resinous composition produce a desired visible coating. A majority of the colorants has a maximum haze of about 10% and exhibits an absorbance peak in the visible spectrum wherein at least about 50% of the total absorbance in the visible spectrum occurs at wavelengths within about 50 nm of the wavelength of the peak absorbance.

Abstract: Coatings including pigments comprising substrate particles with ultrafine metal oxide particles deposited on the surfaces thereof and made by a plasma process are disclosed. The substrate particles may comprise an oxide such as SiO2, Al2O3, Bi2O3 and the like. The ultrafine metal oxide particles may be partially oxidized such as Cu2O, Ti3O4 and the like. The pigments may be used in coating compositions in which the substrate particles substantially match the refractive index of the coating composition base, and the ultrafine metal oxide particles provide the desired reflectance characteristics for the coating.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making ultrafine silica particles in a plasma system, apparatus for making ultrafine silica particles, and coating compositions comprising ultrafine silica particles made by such methods and/or apparatus.

Abstract: A protective and decorative coating composition including about 2 to 10 different colorants which in combination with a resinous composition produce a desired visible coating. A majority of the colorants has a maximum haze of about 10% and exhibits an absorbance peak in the visible spectrum wherein at least about 50% of the total absorbance in the visible spectrum occurs at wavelengths within about 50 nm of the wavelength of the peak absorbance.

Abstract: A method for producing ultrafine metal carbide particles and hydrogen is disclosed. The method includes introducing a metal-containing precursor and a carbon-containing precursor into a thermal reaction chamber, heating the precursors in the thermal reaction chamber to form the ultrafine metal carbide particles from the precursors and to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen, collecting the ultrafine doped metal carbide particles, converting at least a portion of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and generating additional hydrogen, and recovering at least a portion of the hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed are infrared reflective coating compositions and cured coatings deposited on a substrate, as well as multi-component composite coating systems. The coating compositions include an infrared transparent pigment and an infrared reflective pigment.

Abstract: The production of ultrafine boron carbide powders from liquid boron-containing precursors and/or liquid carbon-containing precursors is disclosed. The liquid precursors are fed together or separately to a plasma system where the precursor materials react to form boron carbide in the form of ultrafine particles.

Abstract: Disclosed are composite transparencies and methods for their production. The colored composite transparencies include a surface at least partially coated with a transparent tinted coating deposited from a coating composition comprising polymer-enclosed color-imparting particles.

Abstract: The production of ultrafine boron carbide powders from liquid boron-containing precursors and/or liquid carbon-containing precursors is disclosed. The liquid precursors are fed together or separately to a plasma system where the precursor materials react to form boron carbide in the form of ultrafine particles.