Abstract: Durable, transparent, inorganic-organic hybrid hydrophobic coating materials for glass, metal or plastic substrates are provided. The coating materials are generally an acid catalyzed condensation reaction product comprised of an organic polymeric silane (e.g., a polyol functionalized with a silane through a urethane linkage or a polyamine functionalized with a silane through a urea linkage, such as isocyanatopropyltrimethoxysilane or isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane), an inorganic metal alkoxide (e.g., silicon alkoxides such as tetraethoxysilane or tetramethoxysilane) and a fluorinated silane (e.g., (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)trimethoxysilane or nonafluorohexyltrimethoxysilane).

Abstract: Durable, transparent, inorganic-organic hybrid hydrophobic coating materials for glass, metal or plastic substrates are provided. The coating materials are generally an acid catalyzed condensation reaction product comprised of an organic polymeric silane (e.g., a polyol functionalized with a silane through a urethane linkage or a polyamine functionalized with a silane through a urea linkage, such as isocyanatopropyltrimethoxysilane or isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane), an inorganic metal alkoxide (e.g., silicon alkoxides such as tetraethoxysilane or tetramethoxysilane) and a fluorinated silane (e.g., (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)trimethoxysilane or nonafluorohexyltrimethoxysilane).

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a self-decontaminating surface coating, which when cured has a partially hydrophobic surface. The coating comprises a polymeric coating resin which, when cured, is hydrophilic. The coating also comprises a biocide, a germinating agent, and a hydrophobic micro/nano particulate material. The coating is suitable for application to ceramics, metals, and polymer substrates. Articles coated with the coating of the present invention are resistant to spores.

Abstract: A coating system is provided having (A) at least on fluorochemical silane compound having a perfluorinated segment and at least one silane group per molecule; (B) at least one non-fluorinated compound having an element M selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti, Zr, B, Al, Ge, V, Pb, Sn and Zn, and having at last two hydrolysable groups per molecule; (C) at least one cross-linking silicon compound having at least one hydrolysable group, and at least one reactive functional group capable of engaging in a crosslinking reaction; (D) ceramic particles; (E) at least one acid catalyst; and (F) at least one ambient cure catalyst capable of ambient temperature polymerization of the at least one reactive functional group of component (C).

Abstract: Synthetic textile articles (e.g., filaments, fibers, yarns, fabrics and the like) and processes of making the same are provided which include flame-retardant SAP particles. The SAP particles are most preferably hydrated with an aqueous flame-retardant solution. In this regard, the flame-retardant solution may consist essentially of water alone or a water solution containing one or more water soluble inorganic flame retardants. When SAP particles are hydrated with an aqueous inorganic flame retardant solution, the SAP particles may thereafter be dried to remove substantially the water component. In such a manner, the inorganic flame retardant will remain as a dried residue physically entrained within the SAP particles. As such, the SAP particles serve as a physical matrix in which the inorganic flame retardant is homogenously dispersed. The SAP particles may then be chemically or physically affixed to the textile article in an amount sufficient to render the article flame-retardant.

Abstract: A method for separating two types of fullerene molecules in a mixture can comprise: contacting a mixture comprising different fullerenes with a reagent that reacts at different rates or to a different extent with different types of fullerenes in the mixture and separating the fullerenes based upon the extent of reaction between the fullerene and the reagent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a self-decontaminating surface coating, which when cured has a partially hydrophobic surface. The coating comprises a polymeric coating resin which, when cured, is hydrophilic. The coating also comprises a biocide, a germinating agent, and a hydrophobic micro/nano particulate material. The coating is suitable for application to ceramics, metals, and polymer substrates. Articles coated with the coating of the present invention are resistant to spores.

Abstract: An exemplary photovoltaic device for conversion of an incident wavelength of electromagnetic radiation to electricity has an absorber of incident wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, a trimetasphere in electron transferring contact with the absorber, an anode in electrical contact with the trimetasphere, and a cathode in electrical contact with the absorber. The absorber and trimetasphere can be arranged as a heterojunction or a blended junction. An exemplary electrical circuit has an absorber of incident electromagnetic radiation, a trimetasphere-containing material in electron transferring contact with the absorber, an anode, a cathode and a current path from the anode to the cathode. An exemplary method of converting incident electromagnetic radiation to an electrical signal using a trimetasphere-containing material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ion selective membrane is provided where the membrane has improved ionic conductivity and mobility at elevated temperatures. The ion selective membrane includes a metallofullerene, where the metallofullerene may be a trimetasphere. The metallofullerene is incorporated into membrane materials that can withstand elevated temperatures, where the metallofullerene improves ionic conductivity and mobility therein.

Abstract: A method for detecting damage to an article caused by exposure to pressure is provided. The article is covered by a pressure sensitive material comprising at least one dye and at least one activator. As the article is exposed to pressure, the pressure sensitive material undergoes a color change in response to exposure to a pressure wherein the article is damaged.

Abstract: Processes and systems are provided whereby continuous polymeric microspheres are made by nebulizing a solventless initiated monomeric liquid (that is a liquid solution comprising a monomer and a polymerization initiator for the monomer) to form an aerosol of polymerization-initiated monomeric liquid droplets within a gas-filled reaction zone. The nebulized droplets of the monomeric liquid are allowed to fall under gravitational force through the reaction zone and to polymerize therewithin. The thus polymerized particles may thereafter be collected and removed from the reaction zone for further processing and/or use as may be desired.

Abstract: Synthetic textile articles (e.g., filaments, fibers, yarns. fabrics and the like) and processes of making the same are provided which include flame-retardant SAP particles. The SAP particles are most preferably hydrated with an aqueous flame-retardant solution. In this regard, the flame-retardant solution may consist essentially of water alone or a water solution containing one or more water soluble inorganic flame retardants. When SAP particles are hydrated with an aqueous inorganic flame retardant solution, the SAP particles may thereafter be dried to remove substantially the water component. In such a manner, the inorganic flame retardant will remain as a dried residue physically entrained within the SAP particles. As such, the SAP particles serve as a physical matrix in which the inorganic flame retardant is homogenously dispersed. The SAP particles may then be chemically or physically affixed to the textile article in an amount sufficient to render the article flame-retardant.

Abstract: Methods of attaching high-temperature electrical components to substrates are provided. The methods involve of attachment of high-temperature components to substrates via a nano-metal film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a tunable dielectric device comprising: a substrate and an endohedral fullerene encapsulating trimetallic nitride template compound disposed on the substrate. The endohedral fullerene encapsulating trimetallic nitride template compound has a dipole moment that is oriented when a voltage of less than about 5 volts is applied thereto causing a change in the orientation of the dipole moment of the compound. The physical dimension of the compound is essentially unchanged.