Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formulas (I) and (II), Ring-A of Formulas I and II can be, for example, an aryl group, and Q? and Q?? can each be independently selected from groups, such as, halogen, —OH, —CN, amine groups, amide groups, carboxylic acid ester groups, carboxylic acid groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, carbonate groups, sulfide groups, and sulfonic acid ester groups. The present invention also relates to photochromic compositions and photochromic articles that include one or more photochromic compounds, such as represented by Formula II.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula I, Ring-A of the Formula I can be, for example an aryl group, and L1 is a chiral or achiral lengthening group. The compound represented by Formula I can be a photochromic compound. The present invention also relates to photochromic compositions and photochromic articles that include one or more photochromic compounds, such as represented by Formula I.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for new photoalignment (co)polymer materials which demonstrate improved adhesion to a substrate. The (co)polymeric structure includes at least one photochemically active chromophore and at least one adhesion promoter group. Articles of manufacture, optical elements, ophthalmic elements and liquid crystal cells which include at least one photoalignment layer made from the photoalignment (co)polymer materials and methods for formation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are phase-separating polymer systems including a cured polymeric liquid crystal matrix phase and a guest phase including at least one photoactive material where the guest phase separates from the matrix phase during the curing process. Optical elements, including ophthalmic elements and other articles of manufacture including the phase-separating polymer systems are also disclosed. Methods of forming a liquid crystal phase-separating photoactive polymer system are also described.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds generally comprising an indeno[2?,3?:3,4]naptho[1,2-b]pyran structure. Such compounds may be useful for their photochromic properties, and be used in certain photochromic compositions. Such compositions may further comprise other photochromic compositions and/or materials. Additionally, such compounds and/or compositions may be suitable for preparing certain photochromic articles. Also described herein are methods for preparing certain photochromic compounds, compositions, and articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic materials that include a photochromic compound that includes a photochromic substituent (e.g., an indeno-fused naphthopyran) and at least one pendent silane group, which is bonded to the photochromic substituent. The pendent silane groups are selected from certain pendent siloxy-silane groups and/or pendent alkoxy-silane groups represented by general formulas (I) and/or (II) as described in further detail herein. The present invention also relates to photochromic articles, such as photochromic optical elements (e.g., photochromic lenses), and photochromic coating compositions (e.g., curable photochromic coating compositions), that include the photochromic materials of the present invention. The photochromic materials of the present invention have improved compatibility with compositions into which they may be incorporated, for example, coating compositions, such as urethane coating compositions.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Provided is a photochromic optical article including: (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. The reversible thermochromic material (c) is operable for filtering light in the range of from 300 to 450 nanometers.

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: 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 invention provides an optical article including a substrate; and a colorant composition connected to at least a portion of the substrate. The colorant composition is a fixed-tint colorant; and a photochromic material. The article exhibits a passive state and an activated state, such that the article can switch from the passive state to the activated state in response to at least actinic radiation and to revert back to the passive state in response to thermal energy. The passive state is characterized by a transmittance ranging from greater than 30% to 70% across a wavelength range of from 460 nanometers to 500 nanometers.

Abstract: Described are various methods of producing non-aqueous dispersions of photosensitive polymeric microparticles, comprising: (a) preparing one or more aqueous dispersions of a polymerizable component, at least one of which contains a photosensitive material and, wherein the polymerizable components comprise at least one hydrophilic functional group and/or at least one hydrophobic functional group; (b) subjecting the dispersion of (a) to conditions sufficient to form microparticles; (c) at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable component; (d) combining the dispersion with an organic continuous phase comprising an organic solvent; (e) removing water from the dispersion such that the final water content of the non-aqueous dispersion is less than 30 percent by weight; wherein e) is performed before or after d); and (f) reacting any acid functional groups on the surface of the microparticles with a reactive material having at least one epoxy functional group, at least one thiocarbonylthio functional group, a

Abstract: Described are non-aqueous dispersions of photosensitive polymeric microparticles, comprising: a) an organic continuous phase comprising an organic solvent; and b) photosensitive polymeric microparticles dispersed in the organic continuous phase. The microparticles comprise an at least partially polymerized component having integral surface and interior domains, wherein the surface domain comprises a polymeric material that is solubilized by the organic solvent, the interior domain comprises a polymeric material that is insoluble in the organic solvent, and the surface domain and/or interior domain is photosensitive. Also described are methods of producing such non-aqueous dispersions, curable film-forming compositions containing them, and photosensitive coated substrates.