Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating an ophthalmic lens mold part. The treatment includes formation of ketones on a lens forming surface of the mold part. In some embodiments, the treatment includes exposure of the surface of the lens forming surface to ozone.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compatible polymer blends that can be extruded or injection molded into films or other objects that will generate and release a gas such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, or chlorine dioxide upon contact with moisture.

Abstract: Novel platform mesogens, intermediates, and polymerizable mesogens made therefrom.

Abstract: A method for making platform molecules comprising: reacting 4-alkoxy benzoyl chloride with R2-hydroquinone under first conditions effective to produce bis 1,4[4-alkoxy-benzoyloxy]-R2-phenylene comprising bis terminal alkoxy groups wherein R2 is a bulky organic group; and, subjecting the bis 1,4[4-alkoxy-benzoyloxy]-R2-phenylene to second conditions effective to selectively cleave the bis terminal alkoxy groups to produce a solution comprising complexes comprising diphenolic platform molecules comprising bis terminal hydroxyl groups, the second conditions also being effective to precipitate the complexes out of the solution.

Abstract: A method for producing a blend comprising randomly substituted mesogens comprising: providing one or more platform molecules have the following general structure: wherein at least one member selected from the group consisting of X and Y comprises one or more spacer groups; R2 is a bulky organic group whereby, when both X and Y are reacted with polymerizable groups to produce polymerizable mesogens, R2 provides sufficient steric hindrance to achieve a nematic state at room temperature while suppressing crystallinity of the polymerizable mesogens at room temperature; and, R1 and R3 are selected from groups less bulky than R2; and independently substituting at least one member selected from the group consisting of X and Y with a polymerizable group, thereby producing a blend of randomly substituted mesogens.

Abstract: New, efficient methods for making novel platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens are provided, as well as the novel mesogens and methods of using same.

Abstract: A resin blend and method of producing the resin blend, the resin blend comprising one or more first liquid crystal monomer at a ratio to one or more secondary monomer, said secondary monomer and said ratio being adapted to maintain said resin blend in a nematic liquid crystalline state after addition of an inorganic filler at a temperature of 20° C. for about 30 minutes or more, the resin blend having a polymerization shrinkage of 3 vol. % or less.

Abstract: A method for producing platform molecules comprising: forming a mixture comprising first and second phenylene rings comprising halogenated carboxylic groups, and a third phenylene ring comprising a desired substituent and a first functionality at a para-position to a second funcitonality; and exposing the mixture to conditions effective to react the first halogenated carboxylic group with the first functionality to produce a first ester bond, and the second halogenated carboxylic group with the second functionality to produce a second ester bond; producing platform molecules comprising terminal groups comprising the first functional group at a position para to first ester bond and the second functional group at a position para to the second ester bond.

Abstract: Mesogens having the following general formula: 1

Abstract: Selective ether cleavage for making platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens.

Abstract: New, efficient methods for making novel platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens are provided, as well as the novel mesogens and methods of using same.

Abstract: Novel platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens made therefrom; novel synthetic pathways for making such platform molecules and polymerizable mesogens.

Abstract: Novel methods and blends for controlling rheology and transition temperature of photocurable mesogens while maintaining low polymerization shrinkage and without adversely affecting mechanical strength and stability of the cured resins.

Abstract: Novel platform mesogens, intermediates, and polymerizable mesogens made therefrom.