Abstract: Zirconia-based particles, sols containing the zirconia-based particles, methods of making the sols and the zirconia-based particles, composites containing the zirconia-based particles in an organic matrix, and sintered bodies prepared from the zirconia-based particles are described. The zirconia-based particles are crystalline, have a primary particles size no greater than 100 nanometers, and are doped with a lanthanide element or with both a lanthanide element and yttrium.

Abstract: Aerogel, calcined articles, and crystalline articles comprising ZrO2. Exemplary uses of the crystalline metal oxide articles include dental articles (e.g., restoratives, replacements, inlays, onlays, veneers, full and partial crowns, bridges, implants, implant abutments, copings, anterior fillings, posterior fillings, and cavity liner, and bridge frameworks) and orthodontic appliances (e.g., brackets, buccal tubes, cleats, and buttons).

Abstract: A splice element for splicing a first and a second optical fiber comprises an alignment mechanism having a base plate and a clamp plate. At least one of the base plate and clamp plate is formed from a silica material and at least one of the base plate and clamp plate includes an alignment groove configured to receive the first and second optical fibers in an end-to-end manner. The splice element also comprises an optical adhesive disposed in at least a portion of the alignment groove, wherein the optical adhesive is curable via actinic radiation.

Abstract: An optical network comprises a fiber distribution cable and a terminal assembly. The terminal assembly receives a plurality of optical fibers from the fiber distribution cable and distributes one or more individual fibers to one or more single fiber bare-fiber holders that hold and protect each single fiber prepared and configured for splicing via an individual splicing element. The splicing element includes an alignment mechanism having a base plate and a clamp plate. At least one of the base plate and clamp plate is formed from a silica material and at least one of the base plate and clamp plate includes an alignment groove or channel configured to receive the first and second optical fibers in an end-to-end manner. The splice element also comprises an optical adhesive disposed in at least a portion of the alignment groove, wherein the optical adhesive is curable via actinic radiation.

Abstract: Reaction mixtures, gel compositions that are a polymerized product of the reaction mixtures, shaped gel articles that are formed within a mold cavity and that retain the size and shape of the mold cavity upon removal from the mold cavity, and sintered articles prepared from the shaped gel articles are provided. The sintered article has a shape identical to the mold cavity (except in regions where the mold cavity was overfilled) and to the shaped articles but reduced in size proportional to the amount of isotropic shrinkage. Methods of forming the sintered articles also are provided.

Abstract: Vacuum insulated glass units having layered pillars. The glass units include two glass panes and an edge seal between the glass panes with a substantial vacuum gap between them. A plurality of pillars are located between the glass panes as spacers to maintain the vacuum gap. The pillars have a sintered ceramic, alpha alumina, or zirconia body with a tapered sidewall and a functional layer on a surface of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to kit of parts comprising a solution, a porous zirconia article, optionally application equipment, the solution comprising cation(s) of non-coloring agent(s) selected from ions of Y, Gd, La, Yb, Tm, Mg, Ca and mixtures thereof, solvent(s) for the ion(s), optionally complexing agent(s), optionally thickening agent(s), optionally organic marker substance(s), optionally additive(s), the porous zirconia article showing a N2 adsorption and/or desorption of isotherm type IV according to IUPAC classification. The invention also relates to a method for enhancing the translucency of a zirconia article comprising the steps of providing a porous zirconia article and a solution, applying the solution to at least a part of the outer surface of the porous zirconia article, optionally drying the porous zirconia article of the preceding step, sintering the porous zirconia article to obtain a zirconia ceramic article.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an article having a substrate having a first nanostructured surface and an opposing second surface; and a conductor micropattern disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the conductor micropattern formed by a plurality of traces. The micropattern may have an open area fraction greater than 80%. The traces of the conductor micropattern may have a specular reflectance in a direction orthogonal to and toward the first surface of the substrate of less than 50%. The nanostructured surface may include nanofeatures having a height from 50 to 750 nanometers, a width from 15 to 200 nanometers, and a lateral spacing from 5 to 500 nanometers. The articles are useful in devices such as displays, in particular, touch screen displays useful for mobile hand held devices, tablets and computers. They also find use in antennas and for EMI shields.

Abstract: A semiconductor package resin composition of the present invention includes an epoxy resin, a curing agent, inorganic particles, nano-particles surface treated with a silane that contains a photopolymerizable functional group, and a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: Hardcoat comprising a binder, and in a range from 15 to 95 volume % nanoparticles, wherein at least a portion of the nanoparticles are functionalized by free radical reactive silane and cyano group containing silane. Hardcoats described herein are useful, for example, on portable and non-portable information display articles (e.g., illuminated and non-illuminated display articles).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an article having (a) a substrate having a first nanostructured surface that is antireflective when exposed to air and an opposing second surface; and (b) a conductor micropattern disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the conductor micropattern formed by a plurality of traces defining a plurality of open area cells. The micropattern has an open area fraction greater than 80% and a uniform distribution of trace orientation. The traces of the conductor micropattern have a specular reflectance in a direction orthogonal to and toward the first surface of the substrate of less than 50%. Each of the traces has a width from 0.5 to 10 micrometer. The articles are useful in devices such as displays, in particular, touch screen displays useful for mobile hand held devices, tablets and computers. They also find use in antennas and for EMI shields.

Abstract: Aerogel, calcined articles, and crystalline articles comprising ZrO2. Exemplary uses of the crystalline metal oxide articles include dental articles (e.g., restoratives, replacements, inlays, onlays, veneers, full and partial crowns, bridges, implants, implant abutments, copings, anterior fillings, posterior fillings, and cavity liner, and bridge frameworks) and orthodontic appliances (e.g., brackets, buccal tubes, cleats, and buttons).

Abstract: Aerogel, calcined articles, and crystalline articles comprising ZrO2. Exemplary uses of the crystalline metal oxide articles include dental articles (e.g., restoratives, replacements, inlays, onlays, veneers, full and partial crowns, bridges, implants, implant abutments, copings, anterior fillings, posterior fillings, and cavity liner, and bridge frameworks) and orthodontic appliances (e.g., brackets, buccal tubes, cleats, and buttons).

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental mill blank comprising a pre-sintered porous zirconia material, the porous pre-sintered zirconia material showing a N2 adsorption of isotherm type IV according to IUPAC classification, the porous pre-sintered zirconia material having a Vickers hardness from about 25 to about 150, the dental mill blank comprising means for reversible attaching it to a machining device. The invention also relates to a process of producing a zirconia dental article comprising the steps of providing a dental mill blank comprising a porous pre-sintered zirconia material, placing the dental mill blank in a machining device, machining the porous zirconia material and to a dental article obtained by such a process.

Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to patterned gradient polymer films and methods for making the same, and more particularly to patterned gradient optical films that have regions that include variations in optical properties such as refractive index, haze, transmission, clarity, or a combination thereof. The variation in optical properties can occur across a transverse plane of the film as well as through a thickness direction of the film.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a nanovoided article, a nanovoided coating, and a low refractive index coating is described. The process includes providing a first solution of a polymerizable material in a solvent; at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable material to form a composition that includes an insoluble polymer matrix and a second solution, wherein the insoluble polymer matrix includes a plurality of nanovoids that are filled with the second solution; and removing a major portion of the solvent from the second solution. An apparatus for the process is also described, and includes a webline, a coating section, a partial polymerization section, and a solvent removal section.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to patterned gradient polymer films and methods for making the same, and more particularly to patterned gradient optical films that have regions that include variations in optical properties such as refractive index, haze, transmission, clarity, or a combination thereof. The variation in optical properties can occur across a transverse plane of the film as well as through a thickness direction of the film.

Abstract: Metal oxide particles, such as molded particles, as well as methods of making and articles containing the same. The particles can contain at least 70 mol percent ZrO2, and can be made by a molding process.

Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.