Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to techniques for laser ablating/scribing peripheral edges of a coating (e.g., a low-emissivity, mirror, or other coating) on a glass or other substrate in a pre- or post-laminated assembly, pre- or post-assembled insulated glass unit, and/or other product, in order to slow or prevent corrosion of the coating. For example, a 1064 nm or other wavelength laser may be used to scribe lines into the metal and/or metallic layer(s) in a low-emissivity or other coating provided in an already-laminated or already-assembled insulated glass unit or other product, e.g., around its periphery. The scribe lines decrease electron mobility from the center of the coating to the environment and, thus, slow and sometimes even prevent the onset of electrochemical corrosion. Associated products, methods, and kits relating to same also are contemplated herein.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. Those holes may be sized, shaped, and arranged to promote summertime solar energy reflection and wintertime solar energy transmission. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulated glass (VIG) units, and/or methods of making the same. A composite spacer system design helps improve VIG unit thermal performance by replacing high thermal conductivity spacers with composite designs. Decreasing the thermal conductivity of the spacer system can dramatically increase the center of glass R-value of the VIG unit. Certain example embodiments incorporate as spacers in a spacer system a low thermal conductivity metal-polymer-metal sandwich composite that benefits from a low thermal conductivity polymer (such as, for example, polyimide, polyamide, polyether ether keytone, or the like) in combination with the mechanical strength of metal or metallic top and bottom layers (e.g., formed from stainless steel, titanium, or the like).

Abstract: In certain example embodiments, moisture sensors, defoggers, etc., and/or related methods, are provided. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to moisture sensors and/or defoggers that may be used in various applications such as, for example, refrigerator/freezer merchandisers, vehicle windows, building windows, etc. When condensation or moisture is detected, an appropriate action may be taken (e.g., actuating windshield wipers, turning on a defroster, triggering the heating of a merchandiser door or window, etc.). Bayesian approaches optionally may be implemented in certain example embodiments in an attempt to improve moisture detection accuracy. For instance, models of various types of disturbances may be developed and, based on live data and a priori information known about the model, a probability of the model being accurate is calculated. If a threshold value is met, the model may be considered a match and, optionally, a corresponding appropriate action may be taken.

Abstract: A method and/or system is provided for detecting inclusions (e.g., nickel sulfide based inclusions/defects) in soda-lime-silica based glass, such as float glass. In certain example instances, during and/or after the glass-making process, following the stage in the float process where the glass sheet is formed and floated on a molten material (e.g., tin bath) and cooled or allowed to cool such as via an annealing lehr, light is directed at the resulting glass and reflection of various wavelengths (e.g., red and blue wavelengths) is analyzed to detect inclusions.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances. The polymer may be surface modified, e.g., to promote diffuse reflection, total internal reflection, etc.

Abstract: A switchable window includes an electro-optical layer of or including an anisotropic gel of polymer stabilized highly chiral liquid crystal, for example, blue phase liquid crystal, encapsulated in, for example, a mesogenic polymer inclusive shell, that forms a self-assembled, three-dimensional photonic crystal that remains electro-optically switchable under a moderate applied voltage (e.g., electric field). The liquid crystal (LC) arrangement may be achieved via a polymer assembled blue phase liquid crystal system having a substantially continuous polymer structure case surrounding well-defined discrete bodies of liquid crystal material arranged in a cellular manner. These assembled structures globally connect to form a matrix. This provides for reduction of angular birefringence of highly chiral LC systems, which advantageously reduces haze in applications such as switchable windows.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The shutter's conductor may have a modified surface, e.g., to promote diffuse reflection, reduce total internal reflection, etc. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to ultra-fast laser treatment of silver-inclusive (low-emissivity) low-E coatings, coated articles including such coatings, and/or associated methods. The low-E coating is formed on a substrate (e.g., borosilicate or soda lime silica glass), with the low-E coating including at least one sputter-deposited silver-based layer, and with each said silver-based layer being sandwiched between one or more dielectric layers. The low-E coating is exposed to laser pulses having a duration of no more than 1012 seconds, a wavelength of 355-500 nm, and an energy density of more than 30 kW/cm2. The exposing is performed so as to avoid increasing temperature of the low-E coating to more than 300 degrees C. while also reducing (a) grain boundaries with respect to, and vacancies in, each said silver-based layer, (b) each said silver-based layer's refractive index, and (c) emissivity of the low-E coating compared to its as-deposited form.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulated glass (VIG) units, and/or methods of making the same. An integrated pump-out tube is formed in a first substrate such that, when viewed in cross-section, the first glass substrate includes (a) first and second channel portions provided adjacent to opposite sides of a through-hole and (b) first and second sealing wall portions defined therebetween. An edge seal seals together the first and second substrates. A cavity is defined by the first and second substrates. Spacers provided between the first and second substrates in the cavity help maintain the first and second substrates in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation to one another. The cavity is evacuated to a pressure less than atmospheric. The first and second sealing wall portions are preferentially heating to cause them to sag together and form a bridge covering the through-hole, hermetically sealing the VIG unit.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. Those holes may be sized, shaped, and arranged to promote summertime solar energy reflection and wintertime solar energy transmission. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. Those holes may be sized, shaped, and arranged to promote summertime solar energy reflection and wintertime solar energy transmission. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulated glass (VIG) units, and/or methods of making the same. The sealing tube or sealing material is provided within the VIG unit, thereby potentially eliminating the need for a protective cap and allowing for more freedom in handling, frame design, hybrid VIG construction, lamination, and the like. The sealing tube may be relocated to an internal area within a recessed pocket of a substrate at least in certain example embodiments. The VIG unit lacks a protruding pump-out tube or the like.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to making use of the difference in visually perceivable spectra as between humans and birds to create at least pseudo-random and generally non-repeating patterns that help deter birds from colliding with building facades and other transparent barriers, techniques for creating such patterns, articles including such patterns, and methods of making such articles. The patterns include design elements or areas of a UV-reflective material that is visible to birds and may or may not be easily perceivable to humans. The patterns may be created in accordance with a plurality of design rules embodied in a computer-implemented algorithm. Design rules relate to position, rotation, and/or size randomness of the design elements included in the pattern. Execution of the algorithm defines the pattern. Once the pattern is defined, the transparent substrate can have the pattern applied thereto via any suitable manufacturing technique.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances. The shade, when extended, may be used as a solar collector in some instances.

Abstract: A window is designed to prevent or reduce bird collisions therewith. In certain example embodiments, the window may be an insulating glass (IG) window unit, or alternatively a monolithic window. In IG window unit embodiments, the IG window unit includes first and second substrates (e.g., glass substrates) spaced apart from one another, wherein at least one of the substrates supports both a patterned ultraviolet (UV) absorbing coating for absorbing UV radiation, and a UV reflecting coating for reflecting UV radiation, so that a more contrasting UV image is emitted/seen and birds are capable of more easily seeing the window and avoiding collisions therewith. By making the window more visible to birds, bird collisions therewith and bird deaths can be reduced.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to seals for glass articles. Certain example embodiments relate to a composition used for sealing an insulted glass unit. In certain example embodiments the composition includes vanadium oxide, barium oxide, zinc oxide, and at least one additional additive. For instance, another additive that is a different metal oxide or different metal chloride may be provided. In certain example embodiments, a composition may be combined with a binder solution that substantially or completely burns out by the time the composition is melted. In certain example embodiments, a vacuum insulated glass unit includes first and second glass substrates that are sealed together with a seal that included the above-described composition.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances. Material selection and/or processing helps improve coil strength.

Abstract: This invention relates to an insulating glass (IG) window unit designed to prevent or reduce bird collisions therewith. The IG window unit includes at least first, second and third substrates (e.g., glass substrates). At least one of the substrates supports an ultraviolet (UV) reflecting coating for reflecting UV radiation so that birds are capable of more easily seeing the window, and wherein at least two of the substrates are laminated to one another via a polymer-based laminating film (e.g., of or including PVB, EVA, or SGP) that may have a high UV absoprtion. The UV reflecting coating is preferably patterned so that it is not provided across the entirety of the IG window unit. By making the window more visible to birds, bird collisions and bird deaths can be reduced.

Abstract: A coated article is provided for use in a surveillance window or the like. The coated article is a second surface one-way mirror that allows an observer(s) on an observer side to be able to see an object(s)/subject(s) on the opposite side of the coated article, but a viewer on the opposite side cannot reasonably see through the coated article to view things on the observer side of the coated article. The second surface mirror is designed to have a high glass side visible reflectance (RGY), and an extremely low film side visible reflectance (RFY), so that visible transmission (Tvis or TY) of the coated article is lower than the glass side visible reflectance but higher than the film side visible reflectance.