Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate and a first coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first coating includes a mixture of oxides including oxides of at least two of P, Si, Ti, Al and Zr. A photoactive functional coating is formed over at least a portion of the first coating. In one embodiment, the functional coating includes titania.

Abstract: A coated substrate and methods for making the coated substrate are disclosed. The method entails depositing an undercoating over at least a portion of the substrate; fluidizing a precursor for nanoparticles; and forcing the fluidized precursor toward the substrate to coat the undercoating with a layer of nanoparticles. Coated substrates according to the present invention exhibit improved durability and increased photocatalytic activity.

Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate and a first coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first coating includes a mixture of oxides including oxides of at least two of P, Si, Ti, Al and Zr. A photoactive functional coating is formed over at least a portion of the first coating. In one embodiment, the functional coating includes titanic.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating layer comprising at least one layer selected from a mixture of silica and zirconia; a mixture of silica and alumina; or a mixture of silica, alumina and titania overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. The coated substrates of the invention exhibit improved properties such as increased durability, photocatalytic activity, etc. as a result of the undercoating layer.

Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate and a first coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first coating includes a mixture of oxides including oxides of at least two of P, Si, Ti, Al and Zr. A photoactive functional coating is formed over at least a portion of the first coating. In one embodiment, the functional coating includes titania.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating layer comprising at least one layer selected from a mixture of silica and zirconia; a mixture of silica and alumina; or a mixture of silica, alumina and titania overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. The coated substrates of the invention exhibit improved properties such as increased durability, photocatalytic activity, etc. as a result of the undercoating layer.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first substrate spaced from a second substrate. A first transparent conductive electrode is formed over at least a portion of the first substrate. A polymeric anode is formed over at least a portion of the first conductive electrode. A second transparent conductive electrode is formed over at least a portion of the second substrate. In one aspect of the invention, a multi-layer polymeric cathode is formed over at least a portion of the second conductive electrode. In one non-limiting embodiment, the multi-layer cathode includes a first cathodically coloring polymer formed over at least a portion of the second conductive electrode and a second cathodically coloring polymer formed over at least a portion of the first cathodically coloring polymer. An ionic liquid is positioned between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate and a first coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first coating includes a mixture of oxides including oxides of at least two of P, Si, Ti, Al and Zr. A functional coating is formed over at least a portion of the first coating. In one embodiment, the functional coating includes fluorine doped tin oxide. In another embodiment, the functional coating includes titania.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first substrate spaced from a second substrate. A first conductive member is formed over at least a portion of the first substrate. A first electrochromic material is formed over at least a portion of the first conductive member. The first electrochromic material includes an organic material. A second conductive member is formed over at least a portion of the second substrate. A second electrochromic material is formed over at least a portion of the second conductive member. The second electrochromic material includes an inorganic material. An ionic liquid is positioned between the first electrochromic material and the second electrochromic material.

Abstract: A method is provided for simulating and/or demonstrating and/or enhancing photoactive properties, such as hydrophilicity, of a surface, such as a photoactive surface. One embodiment includes providing a photoactive surface and applying a peroxide-containing material, such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, over at least a portion of the surface. An optional resinous layer, such as an at least partly hydrolyzed polymethoxysiloxane layer, can be applied over the surface. A kit to practice the method and an article made using the method are also provided.

Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate and a first coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first coating includes a mixture of oxides including oxides of at least two of P, Si, Ti, Al and Zr. A functional coating is formed over at least a portion of the first coating. In one embodiment, the functional coating includes fluorine doped tin oxide. In another embodiment, the functional coating includes titania.

Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate and a first coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first coating includes a mixture of oxides including oxides of at least two of P, Si, Ti, Al and Zr. A photoactive functional coating is formed over at least a portion of the first coating. In one embodiment, the functional coating includes titania.

Abstract: A coated article includes a substrate and a first coating formed over at least a portion of the substrate. The first coating includes a mixture of oxides including oxides of at least two of P, Si, Ti, Al and Zr. A conductive functional coating is formed over at least a portion of the first coating. In one embodiment, the functional coating includes fluorine doped tin oxide.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first substrate spaced from a second substrate. A first conductive member is formed over at least a portion of the first substrate. A first electrochromic material is formed over at least a portion of the first conductive member. The first electrochromic material includes an organic material. A second conductive member is formed over at least a portion of the second substrate. A second electrochromic material is formed over at least a portion of the second conductive member. The second electrochromic material includes an inorganic material. An ionic liquid is positioned between the first electrochromic material and the second electrochromic material.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first substrate spaced from a second substrate. A first transparent conductive electrode is formed over at least a portion of the first substrate. A polymeric anode is formed over at least a portion of the first conductive electrode. A second transparent conductive electrode is formed over at least a portion of the second substrate. In one aspect of the invention, a multi-layer polymeric cathode is formed over at least a portion of the second conductive electrode. In one non-limiting embodiment, the multi-layer cathode includes a first cathodically coloring polymer formed over at least a portion of the second conductive electrode and a second cathodically coloring polymer formed over at least a portion of the first cathodically coloring polymer. An ionic liquid is positioned between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: Oleophilic compositions, coatings employing the same, and devices formed therefrom that exhibit one or more improved coating properties. The compositions may comprise a film-forming binder and, when at least partially coated and cured on a substrate, comprise: (a) a contact angle with water ranging from 50 to less than 78; and (b) a contact angle with squalene of less than 25. The coating compositions may include various binder compositions, including, for example, thermosetting acrylic polymers, thermoplastic acrylic polymers, radiation curable coating compositions, and alkoxide compositions. The resultant coatings exhibit one or more improved physical properties, such as improved gloss, improved stain and sebum resistance, and/or improved cleaning ability relative to existing coating systems when deposited over various substrates.

Abstract: A method is provided for simulating and/or demonstrating and/or enhancing photoactive properties, such as hydrophilicity, of a surface, such as a photoactive surface. One embodiment includes providing a photoactive surface and applying a peroxide-containing material, such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, over at least a portion of the surface. An optional resinous layer, such as an at least partly hydrolyzed polymethoxysiloxane layer, can be applied over the surface. A kit to practice the method and an article made using the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a photoactive and/or hydrophilic surface includes contacting the surface with conditioned water and optionally a cleaning agent solution. A device for cleaning a photoactive and/or hydrophilic surface includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a first chamber and an optional second chamber located in the housing, a flow passage extending through the housing between the inlet and the outlet, and a selector valve configured to selectively place the flow passage in flow communication with the first chamber, the optional second chamber, neither chamber, or both chambers. In one embodiment, the first chamber includes an ion exchange bed and the second chamber includes at least one cleaning agent.

Abstract: A method is provided for simulating and/or demonstrating and/or enhancing photoactive properties, such as hydrophilicity, of a surface, such as a photoactive surface. One embodiment includes providing a photoactive surface and applying a peroxide-containing material, such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, over at least a portion of the surface. An optional resinous layer, such as an at least partly hydrolyzed polymethoxysiloxane layer, can be applied over the surface. A kit to practice the method and an article made using the method are also provided.