Abstract: Provided herein are multilayer polymeric interlayers comprising ionomers and acoustic damping compositions, and glass laminates made from them, which provide an improved combination of hurricane resistance, acoustic damping properties and, optionally, solar barrier performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a feature on a surface. A mesh comprising a plurality of mesh elements is generated using surface data generated for a surface region. The plurality of normal vectors is computed for the plurality of mesh elements. A distribution for the plurality of normal vectors is generated. A dominant subset of the plurality of mesh elements is identified in which a Z component of a corresponding normal vector for each mesh element of the dominant subset is in substantially a first direction. Z components of a portion of the plurality of normal vectors corresponding to a remaining subset of the plurality of mesh elements are analyzed to determine whether the feature is present within the surface region.

Abstract: An automated rivet measurement system comprises a number of end effectors, a number of cameras, a processor, and a comparator. The number of end effectors is configured to perform drilling and riveting on a structure. The number of cameras is connected to the number of end effectors. The number of cameras is configured to take a first image of a hole in the structure and a second image of a rivet in the hole. The processor is configured to process the first image and the second image to identify a number of reference points in the first image and the second image. The comparator is configured to determine a rivet concentricity using the hole in the first image and the rivet in the second image, in which the first image and the second image are aligned using the number of reference points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a feature on a surface. A mesh comprising a plurality of mesh elements is generated using surface data generated for a surface region. The plurality of normal vectors is computed for the plurality of mesh elements. A distribution for the plurality of normal vectors is generated. A dominant subset of the plurality of mesh elements is identified in which a Z component of a corresponding normal vector for each mesh element of the dominant subset is in substantially a first direction. Z components of a portion of the plurality of normal vectors corresponding to a remaining subset of the plurality of mesh elements are analyzed to determine whether the feature is present within the surface region.

Abstract: An automated rivet measurement system comprises a number of end effectors, a number of cameras, a processor, and a comparator. The number of end effectors is configured to perform drilling and riveting on a structure. The number of cameras is connected to the number of end effectors. The number of cameras is configured to take a first image of a hole in the structure and a second image of a rivet in the hole. The processor is configured to process the first image and the second image to identify a number of reference points in the first image and the second image. The comparator is configured to determine a rivet concentricity using the hole in the first image and the rivet in the second image, in which the first image and the second image are aligned using the number of reference points.

Abstract: A multilayer polymeric sheet comprising three layers is provided. The two outer layers of the multilayer polymeric sheet comprise an ionomeric composition and are positioned on either side of the inner layer of the multilayer polymeric sheet, which comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) composition. Further provided is a laminate comprising the multilayer polymeric sheet, for example, a glass laminate. Preferred laminates exhibit a sound transmission class of greater than 25, as measured by ASTM E314, or an effective stiffness by bending of about 3.0 mm to about 5.0 mm, as measured by ASTM C158. Also preferably, the laminate has an areal density that is lower than that of a glass monolith of comparable thickness.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of designing a strong lightweight laminate. This method uses effective thickness principles to calculate the structure of a laminate that has strength equal to that of a monolith of equal thickness. In a preferred application of the method, safety glass laminates are designed. The safety glass laminates have lower areal weight at equal strength, compared to a monolithic glass sheet of thickness equal to that of the safety glass laminate.

Abstract: Provided herein are glass laminates having at least one glass layer and a nanofilled ionomeric interlayers comprising a nanofiller in a blend of a first ionomer and a second ionomer that is different from the first ionomer. The second ionomer is a water dispersable ionomer that allows for excellent dispersion of the nanofiller in the ionomer matrix. The laminates retain favorable performance properties such as high transparency while exhibiting lower creep or heat deflection.

Abstract: Provided herein are interlayer sheets formed of an acid copolymer composition, which comprises an acid copolymer resin or an ionomer that is the neutralized product of the acid copolymer resin. The acid copolymer resin comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms; about 10 to about 25 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and about 15 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a derivative of a second ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. In addition, the acid copolymer resin has a melt flow rate of about 1 to about 400 g/10 min. Light weight safety laminates comprising these interlayer sheets are characterized by good strength and superior acoustic damping, due to the properties of the acid copolymer composition.

Abstract: A laminate comprises an ionomeric interlayer sheet which, in turn, comprises or is prepared from a sodium/zinc mixed ionomer that comprises carboxylate groups and a combination of counterions that consists essentially of sodium cations and zinc cations. The sodium/zinc mixed ionomer is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and it has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min. In addition, the precursor acid copolymer, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90%, and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, produces a sodium ionomer that has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry.

Abstract: A safety laminate comprises an interlayer that comprises an ionomer that is the neutralized product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of a first ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; and has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min. When neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. The ionomer composition may further comprise a second ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 g/10 min or less.

Abstract: The invention describes a polymeric sheet that has at least one layer that comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend that incorporates a partially neutralized alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid component and is useful in glass laminate applications. The ionomer or ionomer blend contains one or more monovalent metal ions in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 60%, preferably about 10 to about 55%, and more preferably about 15 to about 50%, and one or more polyvalent metal ions in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 99%, preferably about 45 to about 90%, and more preferably about 50 to about 85%. This ratio range of monovalent and polyvalent metal neutralization ions provides synergistically greater adhesion to glass than found for either the monovalent or the polyvalent metal neutralization ions alone.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved polymeric resin composition comprising or consisting essentially of from about 70 wt % to about 79 wt % units derived from ethylene and from about 21 wt % to about 30 wt % units derived from an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbons. Resins of the present invention are particularly suitable for preparing transparent laminates useful as glazing elements that provide a greater measure of safety than non-laminated glazing elements. Laminates of the present invention have 3% haze or less without the addition of amines.

Abstract: Provided is a transparent and light-weight ballistic resistant safety glazing comprising an ionomer sheet. The ionomer sheet comprises an ionomer derived from a parent acid copolymer that comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and, based on the total weight of the acid copolymer, about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. The ionomer is neutralized to a level of about 5% to about 90%, based on the total carboxylic acid content of the acid copolymer, and further comprises at least one cation. Further provided are articles comprising the light-weight ballistic resistant safety glazing.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved polymeric resin composition comprising or consisting essentially of from about 70 wt % to about 79 wt % units derived from ethylene and from about 21 wt % to about 30 wt % units derived from an ?, ?-unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3 to 8 carbons. Resins of the present invention are particularly suitable for preparing transparent laminates useful as glazing elements that provide a greater measure of safety than non-laminated glazing elements. Laminates of the present invention have 3% haze or less without the addition of amines.

Abstract: A laminate comprises an ionomeric interlayer sheet which, in turn, comprises or is prepared from a sodium/zinc mixed ionomer that comprises carboxylate groups and a combination of counterions that consists essentially of sodium cations and zinc cations. The sodium/zinc mixed ionomer is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin and an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and it has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min. In addition, the precursor acid copolymer, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90%, and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, produces a sodium ionomer that has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry.

Abstract: A thin film solar cell module comprising thin film solar cells deposited on a first float glass sheet, an ionomer encapsulant sheet and a float glass protective sheet.

Abstract: A safety laminate comprises an interlayer that comprises an ionomer that is the neutralized product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of a first ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a first ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; and has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min. When neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. The ionomer composition may further comprise a second ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 g/10 min or less.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dry, re-applicable, fibrillar adhesive apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a transparent and light-weight ballistic resistant safety glazing comprising an ionomer sheet. The ionomer sheet comprises an ionomer derived from a parent acid copolymer that comprises copolymerized units of an ?-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and, based on the total weight of the acid copolymer, about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. The ionomer is neutralized to a level of about 5% to about 90%, based on the total carboxylic acid content of the acid copolymer, and further comprises at least one cation. Further provided are articles comprising the light-weight ballistic resistant safety glazing.