Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula I, in which R1-R6 can each independently be selected from hydrogen or hydrocarbyl (e.g., methyl); L1 is a divalent linking group, such as a bond or —OC(O)—R8—C(O)O—, where R8 can be divalent hydrocarbyl (e.g., —CH2CH2—); each L2 independently represents a flexible segment, such as divalent linear or branched C1-C25 alkyl; each L3 independently represents a rigid segment including, for example, optionally substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl groups; t is from 1 to 4; m and p are each independently from 0 to 4 for each t, provided that the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t; and E can be hydrogen or hydrocarbyl. The present invention also relates to compositions, such as liquid crystal compositions, and articles, such as optical elements, that include the compound represented by Formula I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic materials that include certain indeno-fused naphthopyrans. The indeno-fused naphthopyrans have an amino group (e.g., a piperidino or morpholino group) bonded to the 6-position and an optional halo group (e.g., fluoro) bonded to the 11-position thereof. The photochromic materials of the present invention may have a closed-form electromagnetic radiation absorption spectrum that is shifted to longer wavelengths (e.g., wavelengths of greater than 390 nm), relative to comparable photochromic materials. The present invention also relates to optical elements, such as eyeglasses, that include the photochromic materials of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photochromic material which is an indeno-fused naphthopyran having a pi-conjugation extending group bonded to the 11-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran, the pi-conjugation extending group having at least one pendent halo-substituted group bonded thereto. The pi-conjugation extending group extends the pi-conjugation system of said indeno-fused naphthopyran. The 13-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran is substantially free of spiro-substituents. The invention further provides photochromic materials of specified structure, photochromic compositions, photochromic articles and optical elements that include the photochromic material.

Abstract: Described herein is microporous precipitated silica having the following physico-chemical parameters: a CTAB surface area of 50 to 300 square meters/gram, a BET/CTAB ratio of ?1.3, and a relative breadth ? of pore size distribution of ?3.5. The precipitated silica can also have a Sears number of from 10 to 28 and a Sears number/CTAB ratio of ?0.16. Also described herein are vulcanizable and vulcanized elastomer compositions, e.g., tires, containing the microporous precipitated silica.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical elements comprising a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer that circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element comprises a substrate and either: (1) a coating comprising an aligned, thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound having an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in an activated state, and being operable for switching from a first absorption state to a second absorption state in response to actinic radiation, to revert back to the first absorption state in response to thermal energy, and to linearly polarize transmitted radiation in at least one of the two states; or (2) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet connected to the substrate; and a thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in the activated state.

Abstract: Provided are curable film-forming compositions are provided including: (a) a binder of an alkoxysilane; (b) a metal oxide compound containing titanium, zirconium, cerium, niobium, tantalum, and/or tin; and (c) a polyglycidyl ether. Also provided are optical articles including a substrate and the curable film-forming composition superposed on a surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite optical elements including a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer such that composite optical element circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element is formed from (i) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet; and (ii) a reversible photochromic-dichroic material that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in the activated state. The birefringent layer includes a polymeric coating or a polymeric sheet connected to the photochromic linear polarizing element.

Abstract: The present invention provides polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of at least two or more different dienes and at least one or more dithiol wherein stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to form the polythiol oligomer is greater than 1.0:1.0; and wherein the two or more different dienes comprise (a) at least one non-cyclic diene and at least one cyclic diene; or (b) at least one aromatic ring-containing diene and at least one non-aromatic cyclic diene; or (c) at least one non-aromatic monocyclic diene and at least one non-aromatic polycyclic diene; Sulfur-containing polyurethane of the present invention can be prepared by combining polyisocyanate, polyisothiocyanate, or mixture thereof; the polythiol oligomer described above; and active hydrogen-containing material.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell including a first substrate having a first surface; a second substrate having a second surface, wherein the second surface of the second substrate is opposite and spaced apart from the first surface of the first substrate so as to define a region; and within the region defined by the first surface and the second surface, a liquid crystal material adapted to be at least partially ordered and at least one thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound adapted to be at least partially aligned and having an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in an activated state.

Abstract: Provided is a photochromic optical articleincluding: (a) an optical substrate; (b) a thermally reversible photochromic material; and (c) reversible thermochromic material capable of at least partially filtering UV/visible light at or below room temperature and becoming less capable of filtering UV/visible light at temperatures greater than room temperature.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions comprising compounds including at least one mesogenic substructure and at least one long flexible segment and a compound selected from a photochromic compound, a dichroic compound and a photochromic-dichroic compound and methods of synthesizing the same and their use in articles of manufacture and ophthalmic devices are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds including at least one mesogenic substructure and at least one long flexible segment and methods of synthesizing the same are disclosed. Formulations which include various embodiments of the mesogen containing compounds and their use in articles of manufacture and ophthalmic devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements, such as ophthalmic elements, including a substrate, a compatiblizing coating that optionally includes a dendritic polymer on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate and a functional organic coating, such as, but not limited to, an alignment coating, a photochromic coating, or an aligned liquid crystal coating, in contact with at least a portion of the compatiblizing coating opposite the substrate. The present invention also relates to compatiblizing coating compositions of dendritic polymers that may be used to form compatiblizing coatings on the surface of an optical element, and methods of making optical elements using the compatiblizing coatings.

Abstract: Photochromic materials and photochromic compositions and articles including the photochromic materials are disclosed. The photochromic materials may be the reaction product of a hyperbranched polyester polyol having, on average, at least two reactive hydroxyl groups, and at least one photochromic indeno-fused naphthopyran.

Abstract: A recirculation spin coater system includes a spin coating bowl with a having a recirculation drain and a wetting fluid chamber associated with the upper end of the inner side walls wherein the wetting fluid chamber is configured to dispense a side wall wetting fluid to inner side walls of the spin coating bowl. A vision system configured to capture images of the work piece within the spin coating bowl for quality control and work piece positioning. An annular array of light sources are surrounding sides of the spin coating bowl and are configured to illuminate the interior of the spin coating bowl for optical controls. The vision system may be utilized for both quality control and work piece positioning. The coating nozzle is configured to move between a first coating position vertically aligned with the work piece, and a second purge position vertically aligned with the recirculation drain.

Abstract: Provided is an optical element including: a substrate; at least one at least partially ordered orientation facility connected to at least a portion of the substrate; and an at least partial coating connected to at least a portion of the at least partially ordered orientation facility. The at least partial coating includes at least one at least partially ordered anisotropic material. At least one photochromic-dichroic compound is at least partially aligned with at least a portion of the at least partially ordered anisotropic material.

Abstract: Describes a photochromic article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic plastic article, such as a lens, in which the article includes (1) a rigid substrate, e.g., polymeric substrate, such as a thermoset or thermoplastic substrate, (2) a photochromic polymeric coating appended to at least one surface of the substrate, the photochromic polymeric coating containing a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic material, e.g., spirooxazine, naphthopyran and/or fulgide, and (3) a film comprising a maleimide derivative coherently appended to the photochromic coating. Describes also the aforedescribed photochromic article having an abrasion-resistant coating affixed to the maleimide derivative-containing film, e.g., an abrasion-resistant coating comprising an organo silane; and describes further a photochromic article having an antireflective coating affixed to the abrasion-resistant coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a non-gelled, curable composition including at least one compound having a plurality of imide functional groups. The compound in particular contains a reaction product of a) at least one hydroxyalkylamino functional succinimide; b) at least one polyisocyanate; and optionally c) at least one capping agent. The composition is suitable for use in coatings and castings.

Abstract: Provided is a composition including a reaction product of: (A) a reactive compound that includes a material having functional groups that are reactive with active hydrogens; (B) a thioether-functional, oligomeric polythiol prepared by reacting together: (1) a compound having at least two thiol functional groups; (2) a compound having triple bond functionality; and optionally (3) a compound having at least two double bonds; and, optionally, (C) a compound different from (B) containing active hydrogens. Coating compositions, articles of manufacture and related processes also are provided.

Abstract: A circuit board includes an electrically conductive sheet having an insulative coating surrounding the conductive sheet, with a surface of the insulative coating around an edge of the conductive sheet having an arcuate or rounded shape. At least one electrical conductor is conformally deposited on at least the rounded insulative coating around the edge of the conductive sheet and defined via photolithographic and metallization techniques. Each electrical conductor on the insulative coating thereon around the edge of the conductive sheet conforms to the arcuate or rounded shape of the insulative coating and, therefore, has an arcuate or rounded shape.