Abstract: Novel multilayer laminates and lamination methods useful for the production of safety glass are disclosed in which an interlayer is provided between substrates and a porous sealant material is provided in a strip around the perimeter of the interlayer and at least partially in-between the substrates adjacent the interlayer. The space between the substrates is evacuated or de-aired through the porous sealant. The porous sealant is then made into a non-porous, continuous perimeter seal by pressing at or near room temperature or at a moderately elevated temperature to remove pores or gaps. The laminate is further processed at higher elevated temperatures either at or near atmospheric pressure or at elevated pressure to increase the bonding between the interlayer and the substrates and to eliminate most or all of the initial texture on the surfaces of the interlayer.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a near infrared (NIR) absorbing interlayer is disclosed. The interlayer includes a NIR-absorbing substance dispersed or dissolved in a polymer matrix and may further include a thermochromic material or system. The interlayer is bonded between first and second sheets of plastic or glass. The first and second sheets may further be bent, strengthened sheets of glass.

Abstract: Novel multilayer laminates and lamination methods useful for the production of safety glass are disclosed in which an interlayer is provided between substrates and a porous sealant material is provided in a strip around the perimeter of the interlayer and at least partially in-between the substrates adjacent the interlayer. The space between the substrates is evacuated or de-aired through the porous sealant. The porous sealant is then made into a non-porous, continuous perimeter seal by pressing at or near room temperature or at a moderately elevated temperature to remove pores or gaps. The laminate is further processed at higher elevated temperatures either at or near atmospheric pressure or at elevated pressure to increase the bonding between the interlayer and the substrates and to eliminate most or all of the initial texture on the surfaces of the interlayer.

Abstract: An improved insulated glass unit is disclosed having an outboard pane with one or more than one dynamic layer, which may be a thermochromic layer, and an inboard pane with one or more than one switchable layer, which may be a liquid crystal containing layer. Between the panes is a gas space that is sealed around the perimeter of the unit. Preferably, at least one low-e coating is placed in contact with the sealed gas space. The simplicity of manufacture of the window unit and durability of the switchable component is dramatically increased by this invention.

Abstract: A thermochromic, near infrared (NIR) absorbing interlayer. The interlayer includes a NIR-absorbing substance dispersed or dissolved in a polymer matrix and a thermochromic material or system. The interlayer has an internal visible light transmission above 50% and an internal solar energy transmission below 55% when the interlayer is at 15° C. and an internal visible light transmission below 20% and an internal solar energy transmission below 20% when the interlayer is at 75° C. The internal haze of the interlayer is below 3.5%.

Abstract: An environmentally durable window glass unit is provided with improved edge sealing to protect the interlayer of one or more laminates that make up the unit. The insulated glass unit includes a first pane comprising an outboard glass sheet, an inboard sheet and an interlayer therebetween. The inboard sheet is smaller in length and/or width than the outboard sheet. The glass unit also includes a second pane spaced away from and sealed to the first pane. A gas space is located between the inboard sheet of the first pane and the second pane. A spacer is positioned between the first pane and the second pane. The spacer is adhered to the inboard sheet of the first pane and to the second pane with a primary seal. A second seal adheres the outboard sheet of the first pane to the second pane.

Abstract: A combination of layers comprised of: 1) a first LETC layer; 2) a second LETC layer and 3) a separator layer between the two LETC layers 4) an additive within at least one of the LETC layers and the separator layer wherein when the layers are laminated between two sheets of clear glass the color coordinate values of the laminate are about ?8.5?a*?about 8.5 and about ?8.5?b*?about 8.5 throughout the temperature range of about 0° C. to about 85° C.

Abstract: A vacuum window unit including two spaced apart and substantially parallel sheets of glass, a spacer having a plurality of walls perpendicular to the sheets of glass, the spacer defining a reticulated or a honeycomb or a cellular structure, and a vacuum, a partial vacuum, or a substantially reduced gas pressure as compared to a normal atmospheric pressure between the sheets of glass and within the cells of the spacer. The spacer is positioned between the two sheets of glass to maintain spacing between the two sheets of glass.

Abstract: Alternating layers of a first moisture sensitive layer are formed with a second desiccant containing layer. The desiccant containing layer removes moisture from the first moisture sensitive layer and maintains the first layer in a relatively dry condition.

Abstract: A window comprising at least one thermochromic layer and a film comprising multiple layers of polymer with alternating refractive index (MLARI). The thermochromic layer has a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation such that the absorbance increases as the temperature of the thermochromic layer increases and the absorbance decreases as the temperature of the thermochromic layer decreases. Particularly useful thermochromic materials are ligand exchange thermochromic materials. In various embodiments, the window may have multiple panes and may incorporate a low-e layer.

Abstract: A directly-coated PVB film or sheet. The film or sheet includes a PVB layer that includes no plasticizer or less than about 5 weight percent plasticizer and a conductive or reflective coating. The conductive or reflective coating directly coats the PVB layer. The PVB film or sheet is includable in a laminate.

Abstract: Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes.

Abstract: A combination of layers comprised of: 1) a first LETC layer; 2) a second LETC layer and 3) a separator layer between the two LETC layers 4) an additive within at least one of the LETC layers and the separator layer wherein when the layers are laminated between two sheets of clear glass the color coordinate values of the laminate are about ?8.5?a*?about 8.5 and about ?8.5?b*?about 8.5 throughout the temperature range of about 0° C. to about 85° C.

Abstract: A stack or roll of alternating layers of films or sheets. The stack or roll includes an interlayer film or sheet with a thermochromic PVB of a polymer, at least one transition metal ion, at least one high epsilon ligand capable of forming a high epsilon metal-ligand complex with the transition metal ion and at least one low epsilon ligand capable of forming an low epsilon metal-ligand complex with the transition metal ion. A desiccant-containing film or sheet is juxtaposed or interleaved with the interlayer film or sheet. The desiccant-containing film or sheet prevents blocking of the interlayer film or sheet and is capable of removing moisture from the interlayer film or sheet. The desiccant-containing film or sheet is releasably attached to the interlayer film or sheet.

Abstract: A multilayer laminate and, more particularly a variable transmission window, which comprises: a) a thermochromic layer b) a photochromic layer wherein the thermochromic layer exhibits a net increase in its ability to absorb UV, visible, and/or near infrared light energy as the temperature of the system increases and a net decrease in its ability to absorb UV, visible and/or near infrared light energy as the temperature of the system decreases within the active range of the thermochromic layer.

Abstract: A window comprising at least one thermochromic layer and a film comprising multiple layers of polymer with alternating refractive index (MLARI). The thermochromic layer has a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation such that the absorbance increases as the temperature of the thermochromic layer increases and the absorbance decreases as the temperature of the thermochromic layer decreases. Particularly useful thermochromic materials are ligand exchange thermochromic materials. In various embodiments, the window may have multiple panes and may incorporate a low-e layer.

Abstract: Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, thermochromic systems are disclosed comprising a transition metal ion with particularly useful ligands, such as phosphine compounds, tridentate ligands that coordinate through three nitrogen atoms, bidentate ligands, or ortho hindered pyridine monodentate ligands.

Abstract: Ligand exchange thermochromic systems comprising a. a transition metal ion, iodide; and at least one material capable of minimizing or eliminating yellow color formation in the system, wherein at 25° C. the color coordinate b* value of the system is less than 30.

Abstract: Ligand exchange of thermochromic, LETC, systems exhibiting a reversible change in absorbance of electromagnetic radiation as the temperature of the system is reversibly changed are described. The described LETC systems include one or more than one transition metal ion, which experiences thermally induced changes in the nature of the complexation or coordination around the transition metal ion(s) and, thereby, the system changes its ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation as the temperature changes. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, a thermochromic system is disclosed comprising a transition metal ion and a ligand wherein the ligand comprises a nitrogen-containing five or six membered heterocyclic compound that coordinates through the nitrogen atom to the transition metal ion in a H?MLC formed between the transition metal ion and the ligand.

Abstract: An energy efficient, thermochromic device that may be used to allow sunlight or solar radiation into a building or structure when sunlight is absent or at high sun angles and substantially blocks solar radiation when sunlight is directly on the window.