Abstract: Polymer composites comprising a thermoset polymeric phase and an inorganic particulate phase and a method for preparing the composites are disclosed.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing polyurethane comprising the reaction product of: (a) material chosen from polyisocyanate, polyisothiocyanate or mixtures thereof; (b) material chosen from trifunctional or higher-functional polyol having molecular weight of less than or equal to 200 grams/mole, trifunctional or higher-functional polythiol having molecular weight of less than or equal to 700 grams/mole, trifunctional or higher-functional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups having molecular weight of less than or equal to 700 grams/mole, and mixtures thereof; and (c) material chosen from diol having molecular weight of less than or equal to 200 grams/mole, dithiol having molecular weight of less than or equal to 600 grams/mole, difunctional material containing both hydroxyl and SH groups having molecular weight of less than or equal to 600 grams/mole, and mixtures thereof, wherein at least one of (a), (b) or (c) is sulfur-containing.

Abstract: A method for forming an interlayer having improved solar control properties is disclosed. The method includes: a) forming a polymer material from a reaction mixture; b) adding one or more solar control components to the reaction mixture while the polymer material is being formed; and c) curing the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for forming a laminated window. The method includes: a) assembling a mold between two plies that make up a laminated window; b) filling the mold with a reaction mixture having: (1) at least one chain extender; (2) at least one polyether polyol having a molecular weight of approximately 1,000; and (3) at least one aliphatic polyisocyanate; and c) curing the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method for forming a laminated window having one or more interlayers that can exhibit a variable level of adhesion is disclosed. The method includes: a) assembling a cast between two plies that make up the laminated window; b) filling the cast with a reaction mixture for forming a polymer material; c) adding at least one first silane comprising an isocyanate functional silane and at least one second silane comprising an epoxy silane to the reaction mixture; and d) curing the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for forming a laminated window. The method includes: a) assembling a mold between two plies that make up a laminated window; b) filling the mold with a reaction mixture including: (1) at least one organic polyfunctional active hydrogen moiety having a molecular weight ranging from 500 to 2,000; (2) at least one cross-linking agent having hydroxyl functional groups or isocyanate functional groups; (3) at least one aliphatic polyisocyanate; and (4) at least one chain extender including at least one short chain diol; and c) curing the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A transparent composite article comprising a polyurethane matrix and incorporated within the matrix nanofibers having a diameter up to 5000 nanometers.

Abstract: Polymer composites comprising a thermoset polymeric phase and an inorganic particulate phase and a method for preparing the composites are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochromic window includes a first transparent, e.g., plastic, substrate having a first primer over at least a portion thereof and a first electrically conductive coating over at least a portion of the first primer. A second transparent plastic substrate has a second primer over at least a portion thereof and a second electrically conductive coating over at least a portion of the second primer. The first primer has a coefficient of expansion less than the coefficient of expansion of the first plastic substrate, and the second primer has a coefficient of expansion less than the coefficient of expansion of the second plastic substrate. An electrochromic medium is located between the first and second electrically conductive coatings. At least one of the first and second electrically conductive coatings has a metal layer located between first and second metal oxide layers.

Abstract: An electrochromic window includes a first transparent substrate having a first electrically-conductive coating and a second transparent plastic substrate having a second electrically-conductive coating. An electrochromic medium is located between the first and second electrically-conductive coatings. At least one of the first and second electrically-conductive coatings comprises a metal layer located between first and second metal oxide layers. A plurality of first spaced facilities contact the first electrically-conductive coating and a plurality of second spaced facilities contact the second electrically-conductive coating.

Abstract: A method for providing preferential coloring to a portion of an electrochromic window assembly, includes the steps of providing an electrochromic window assembly comprising first and second spaced apart transparent substrates defining a chamber therebetween, the first transparent substrate having a first conductive coating and the second transparent substrate having a second conductive coating, the chamber containing an electrochromic medium capable of coloring upon application of electrical potential thereto to provide reduced luminous transmittance; electrically connecting a plurality of first spaced facilities to the first conductive coating for providing the electrical potential to the first conductive coating; electrically connecting a plurality of second spaced facilities to the second conductive coating for providing the electrical potential to the second conductive coating; and applying an electrical current to selected ones of the plurality of first spaced facilities and to selected ones of the plura

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first substrate having at least one polymeric surface; a primer layer along the polymeric surface; a first electrically conductive transparent coating along the primer of the first substrate, wherein the primer layer adheres the first electrically conductive coating to the polymeric surface of the first substrate; a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate to define a chamber therebetween; a second electrically conductive transparent coating on a surface of the second substrate such that the first coating is in facing relation to the second coating, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is transparent; and an electrochromic medium contained in the chamber, the electrochromic medium having reduced luminous transmittance upon application of electrical power to the first and second conductive coatings and establishing an electrical potential through the electrochromic medium, and wherein the electrochromic medium and the primer layer are compati

Abstract: Thin film photovoltaic cells having a protective coating as an encapsulant are disclosed. The protective coating is one that imparts durability, moisture resistance and/or abrasion resistance to the photovoltaic layer of the cell. One or more coating layers, either alone or in combination with one or more primer or adhesive layers, can be used. Powder, liquid and electrodeposited coatings can all be used according to the present invention. Methods of making such cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochromic aircraft window assembly includes: a) an outboard pane assembly; and b) a fog preventing electrochromic pane assembly spaced from the outboard pane assembly and defining a chamber therebetween, the fog preventing electrochromic pane assembly having: i) a first substrate having a first surface including a first conductive coating and a second surface including a second conductive coating; ii) a second substrate spaced from the first substrate, the second substrate having a first surface including a third conductive coating, the second surface of the first substrate and the first surface of the second substrate facing each other in spaced-apart relation to define a chamber therebetween; iii) an electrochromic medium contained in the chamber and in contact with the second and the third conductive coatings, the electrochromic medium having a luminous transmittance that varies upon application of an electrical potential through the electrochromic medium; iv) facilities for applying electrical cur

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic window assembly having coloration associated therewith. The assembly includes an electrochromic device defined by two transparent substrates defining a chamber therebetween, and an electrochromic medium including at least one dye contained within the chamber. At least one of the two substrates has a color. The at least one dye also has a color, which either coordinates with the color of the at least one substrate to produce a window assembly of a desired color, or which complements the color of the at least one substrate.

Abstract: An electrochromic aircraft window assembly includes: a) an outboard pane assembly; and b) a fog preventing electrochromic pane assembly spaced from the outboard pane assembly and defining a chamber therebetween, the fog preventing electrochromic pane assembly having: i) a first substrate having a first surface including a first conductive coating and a second surface including a second conductive coating; ii) a second substrate spaced from the first substrate, the second substrate having a first surface including a third conductive coating, the second surface of the first substrate and the first surface of the second substrate facing each other in spaced-apart relation to define a chamber therebetween; iii) an electrochromic medium contained in the chamber and in contact with the second and the third conductive coatings, the electrochromic medium having a luminous transmittance that varies upon application of an electrical potential through the electrochromic medium; iv) facilities for applying electrical cur

Abstract: An electrochromic aircraft window assembly includes: a) an outboard pane assembly; and b) a fog preventing electrochromic pane assembly spaced from the outboard pane assembly and defining a chamber therebetween, the fog preventing electrochromic pane assembly having: i) a first substrate having a first surface including a first conductive coating and a second surface including a second conductive coating; ii) a second substrate spaced from the first substrate, the second substrate having a first surface including a third conductive coating, the second surface of the first substrate and the first surface of the second substrate facing each other in spaced-apart relation to define a chamber therebetween; iii) an electrochromic medium contained in the chamber and in contact with the second and the third conductive coatings, the electrochromic medium having a luminous transmittance that varies upon application of an electrical potential through the electrochromic medium; iv) facilities for applying electrical cur

Abstract: An electrochromic window assembly includes a security system for monitoring breakage of the electrochromic window assembly. Control circuitry is connected to the electrochromic window assembly for monitoring an electrical characteristic of one or more conductive coatings within the electrochromic window assembly, such as electrical resistance. Upon detecting a change in the electrical resistance, such as that caused by a break in one or more conductive coating, an alarm signal is generated and is sent to an alarm trigger circuit for activating an alarm. A method for monitoring penetration or breakage of an electrochromic window assembly is also provided, which method involves applying electrical activation to an electrochromic assembly and monitoring for a change in an electrical characteristic based on the applied electrical potential. Electrochromic window assemblies incorporating security alarm features in accordance with the present invention are particularly useful in automobile applications.

Abstract: A method for providing preferential coloring to a portion of an electrochromic window assembly, includes the steps of providing an electrochromic window assembly comprising first and second spaced apart transparent substrates defining a chamber therebetween, the first transparent substrate having a first conductive coating and the second transparent substrate having a second conductive coating, the chamber containing an electrochromic medium capable of coloring upon application of electrical potential thereto to provide reduced luminous transmittance; electrically connecting a plurality of first spaced facilities to the first conductive coating for providing the electrical potential to the first conductive coating; electrically connecting a plurality of second spaced facilities to the second conductive coating for providing the electrical potential to the second conductive coating; and applying an electrical current to selected ones of the plurality of first spaced facilities and to selected ones of the plura

Abstract: An electrochromic window assembly includes: a first transparent substrate having a first conductive coating on a surface thereof; a second transparent substrate having a second conductive coating on a surface thereof, the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate being spaced from each other to define a chamber therebetween; an electrochromic medium contained in the chamber, the electrochromic medium having a luminous transmittance that varies upon application of an electrical potential through the electrochromic medium; a plurality of first spaced facilities contacting the first conductive coating and capable of delivering electrical current to the first conductive coating; and a plurality of second spaced facilities contacting the second conductive coating and capable of delivering electrical current to the second conductive coating to establish the electrical potential through the electrochromic medium.