Abstract: A coated platelet that includes a robust polymer coating that has substantially uniform structures, a method for producing the coated platelet and a system that includes the coated platelet are described. The disclosed method involves immobilizing initiator molecules onto the surfaces of the platelet by using surface coupling groups and polymerization from initiating sites of the initiator anchored on the surface of the platelet. The disclosed method allows uniform growth of the polymer chains so as to produce robust coated platelets with a smooth coated surface. The disclosed system includes only the disclosed coated platelet and a solvent and eliminates the need to add polymer resins separate from the resins that are covalently attached to the platelet.

Abstract: A coated pigment that includes polymer encapsulations which act as a pigment dispersant and film forming agent, coating systems that include the coated pigment and methods for producing the coated pigment and the coating system are described. The polymer encapsulations of the coated pigments allow the coated pigments that are included in the coating system to be dispersed without the addition of any other dispersants and/or resins. Thus, the disclosed coated pigments simplify the process of making coating systems. The disclosed coated pigments also extend the shelf-life of the coating systems, and provide a final coating with enhanced pigment orientation and aesthetics.

Abstract: A colored system including a coated substrate and a color pigment that adheres to the coated substrate, and a method for producing the colored system are described. The disclosed method adheres effectively the color pigments to the coated substrates. The resulting colored system avoids their separation during coating applications. The colored metallic paints/inks can be prepared by mixing a color pigment solution with a coated substrate solution. The resulting colored system displays vivid color and strong metallic luster.

Abstract: A colored platelet including a substrate, an adhesion layer, a color pigment layer, and a secure layer and a method of producing the colored platelet are described. The disclosed colored platelet can provide a superior bright color effect in a coating composition. The color effect can depend on the material used for the substrate and/or the color pigment layer.

Abstract: Manganese vanadium tantalum oxide that can be represented by the formula MnxVyTazOw, where 1?x?3, 0.001?y?3, 0.001?z?2, and w=7, and alternately, x=1.25?x?2.45, 0.1?y?2.39, 0.2?z?1.9, and w=7, methods of producing MnxVyTazOw, a pigment coated with MnxVyTazOw and a chalcogenide glass layer, and a method of producing the coated pigment are described. The disclosed manganese vanadium tantalum oxide has superior near-infrared reflective properties. The disclosed methods of producing the manganese vanadium tantalum oxide provide products with superior phase purity, appearance and performance and take health and safety into consideration. The construction of the disclosed coated pigment combines the reflective properties of the substrate with the near-infrared reflective properties of MnxVyTazOw, while the chalcogenide glass layer provides aesthetic appeal. The disclosed method of producing the coated pigment involves physical vapor deposition of MnxVyTazOw and the chalcogenide glass layer.

Abstract: A colored system including a coated substrate and a color pigment that adheres to the coated substrate, and a method for producing the colored system are described. The disclosed method adheres effectively the color pigments to the coated substrates. The resulting colored system avoids their separation during coating applications. The colored metallic paints/inks can be prepared by mixing a color pigment solution with a coated substrate solution. The resulting colored system displays vivid color and strong metallic luster.

Abstract: A coated pigment that includes polymer encapsulations which act as a pigment dispersant and film forming agent, coating systems that include the coated pigment and methods for producing the coated pigment and the coating system are described. The polymer encapsulations of the coated pigments allow the coated pigments that are included in the coating system to be dispersed without the addition of any other dispersants and/or resins. Thus, the disclosed coated pigments simplify the process of making coating systems. The disclosed coated pigments also extend the shelf-life of the coating systems, and provide a final coating with enhanced pigment orientation and aesthetics.

Abstract: Manganese vanadium tantalum oxide that can be represented by the formula MnxVyTazOw, where 1?x?3, 0.001?y?3, 0.001?z?2, and w=7, and alternately, x=1.25?x?2.45, 0.1?y?2.39, 0.2?z?1.9, and w=7, methods of producing MnxVyTazOw, a pigment coated with MnxVyTazOw and a chalcogenide glass layer, and a method of producing the coated pigment are described. The disclosed manganese vanadium tantalum oxide has superior near-infrared reflective properties. The disclosed methods of producing the manganese vanadium tantalum oxide provide products with superior phase purity, appearance and performance and take health and safety into consideration. The construction of the disclosed coated pigment combines the reflective properties of the substrate with the near-infrared reflective properties of MnxVyTazOw, while the chalcogenide glass layer provides aesthetic appeal. The disclosed method of producing the coated pigment involves physical vapor deposition of MnxVyTazOw, and the chalcogenide glass layer.

Abstract: A gold color metallic pigment with coating of manganese oxide nanoparticles and a method to produce the gold color pigment are described. The disclosed coated pigment includes a platelet shaped substrate, a passivation layer applied to the substrate with surface anchoring groups and a manganese oxide nanoparticles layer. The coated pigment further includes an encapsulation layer or a surface property modification layer. The disclosed method provides pigments that exhibit brilliant gold color and a highly desirable appearance of real gold without the environmental issues causing by heavy metals.

Abstract: A pigment having a black metallic effect, such that when the pigment is viewed at a right angle relative to the outer surface, the pigment appears metallic, and such that when the pigment is viewed at shallow angles relative to the outer surface, the pigment appears black. The pigment herein has a high reflective opaque or semi-opaque metal substrate and a layer of high refractive index black material coated on the outer surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A pearlescent effect pigment having an opaque, dark or black color is disclosed. The black pearlescent pigment includes a platelet-shaped non-metal substrate, optionally an oxide layer, a template layer, and a metal layer. The pearlescent luster of the disclosed effect pigment is comparable to those of pure pearlescent effects. The disclosed method provides a cost-effective approach for the manufacturing of the disclosed effect pigment.

Abstract: A coated platelet that includes a robust polymer coating that has substantially uniform structures, a method for producing the coated platelet and a system that includes the coated platelet are described. The disclosed method involves immobilizing initiator molecules onto the surfaces of the platelet by using surface coupling groups and polymerization from initiating sites of the initiator anchored on the surface of the platelet. The disclosed method allows uniform growth of the polymer chains so as to produce robust coated platelets with a smooth coated surface. The disclosed system includes only the disclosed coated platelet and a solvent and eliminates the need to add polymer resins separate from the resins that are covalently attached to the platelet.

Abstract: A product developed for the purpose of cooking food in a microwave oven. A microwave food-container includes metal particles in a matrix. The composition of the present invention is essentially invisible to microwave radiation but is efficient as a reflector of IR radiation. This promotes higher heat to be generated, which is more evenly applied within a container by reflecting IR energy back toward the food product while allowing microwave radiation to penetrate the container to aid in the cooking process. Such packaging for microwave use allows for efficient, thorough cooking of frozen, raw, and raw-frozen foods.

Abstract: A microwaveable food container includes an even mixture of metal particles and insulating particles. The mixture of metal and insulating particles allows higher heat to be generated at the surface and applied more evenly to the food, resulting in better browning of certain foods and better cooking of dough-based products such as pizza. Methods of making food containers, methods of cooking, and compositions useful for making food containers also are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel metal pigment product which is comprised of metal particles, terpene phenol resin and polyethylene resin and the process for making them. The compositions and products made from them, are stable even after storage at room temperature or being subjected to a heat aging test. Films or coatings made from these products have a uniform dispersion of the metal particles.