Abstract: The invention relates to shaping processes for producing moldings with at least one surface which has self-cleaning properties and has elevations formed by microparticles, by thermal shaping of materials comprising organic compounds by means of a mold, and also to the resultant moldings. The process of the invention generates surfaces with self-cleaning properties by, prior to the thermal shaping, applying microparticles to the inner surfaces of the mold and then carrying out the molding process, in which the microparticles are pressed into and anchored into the surface of the molding, where this surface has not yet solidified. The process of the invention may be used in thermal shaping processes selected from blow molding, extrusion blow molding, extrusion stretch blow molding, injection blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, thermoforming, vacuum stretch forming, pressure stretch forming, and rotary thermoforming.

Abstract: The invention relates to calendered web products with surfaces which have self-cleaning properties, and also to a simple process for producing these self-cleaning surfaces. The process of the invention is very simple, since it can utilize existing equipment. Calenders are usually used to produce web products from high-melt-viscosity polymers or web products with a fabric core. The process of the invention utilizes these calenders by applying microparticles on at least one roll of the calender. During passage of the webs, the microparticles are transferred to these via impression of the particles into the surface of the web products. The process of the invention provides access to self-cleaning surfaces which have particles with a fissured structure, without any need to apply an additional embossed layer or carrier layer of foreign material to the web products. Examples of uses of web products of the invention are truck tarpaulins, protective tarpaulins, awnings, sunshade roofs, and tenting.

Abstract: The invention relates to moldings with synthetic polymer surfaces which have self-cleaning properties. Self-cleaning surfaces and their advantages are well known. There are now various processes to obtain these surfaces. Two principal processes have become established, and one process is based on the securing of particles to surfaces, whereupon the particles produce elevations which produce the self-cleaning effect. The manner in which the invention presented here produces the surfaces is that synthetic polymer surfaces are swelled by a swelling agent which comprises suitable particles in suspension, the particles are embedded into the swollen surfaces, and after removal of the swelling agent the particles have been securely anchored within the synthetic polymer surface. Moldings thus produced have the advantage that they can be produced in the usual way and then, whatever the shape, provided with self-cleaning properties.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure containing elevations and depressions, which comprises an at least partially hydrophobic surface formed from structure-forming particles of hydrophobic fumed silica having elevations and depressions ranging in dimensions of 1 to 1000 nm and the particles themselves having an average size of less than 50 ?m adhered to the surface by way of a viscous, curable carrier material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurethane acrylates, silicone acrylates and singly and/or multiply unsaturated (meth)acrylates applied to the surface, which is sufficient to bond the structure forming particles without substantial wetting of the particles by the carrier material while retaining the fissured structure of elevations and depressions of the structure-forming particles in the nanometer range.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure containing elevations and depressions, which comprises a surface having structure-forming particles, which are formed of hydrophobic, fumed silica, adhered thereto by way of fixative particles applied to the surface, whereby the structure-forming particles and the fixative particles have elevations and depressions ranging in dimensions of 1 to 1000 nm and the particles themselves having an average size of less than 50 ?m, the particles providing said surface structure of elevations and depressions, wherein, by incipient melting of the fixative particles, only partial melting of the fixative particles occurs which is sufficient to bond the structure forming particles without substantial wetting of the particles by the fixative particles to said surface while retaining, the fissured structure of the structure-forming particles in the nanometer range.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure made from elevations and depressions, where the elevations and depressions are formed by particles secured to the surface, wherein the particles have a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range; a process for making such a surface; and particles having a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range.

Abstract: Process for producing detachable dirt- and water-repellent surface coatings on articles, wherein during the coating process, hydrophobic particles are applied to the surface of the articles, thus generating a sure structure with elevations on that surface of the articles that has dirt- and water-repellent properties, which comprises suspending the hydrophobic particles in a solution of a silicone wax in a highly volatile siloxane, and applying this suspension to at least one surface of an article, and then removing the highly volatile siloxane.

Abstract: Textile fabrics with self cleaning and water repellent surface

Abstract: A self-cleaning or lotus-effect surface that has antimicrobial properties, commercial products comprising such a surface, and uses thereof. A process for the production of an antimicrobial self-cleaning or lotus-effect surface in which one or more antimicrobial polymer(s) is secured to a surface-coating system for securing structure-formers to generate a self-cleaning surface. This method lastingly binds antimicrobial polymers to the self-cleaning surface. Commercial products comprising an antimicrobial self-cleaning or lotus-effect surface.

Abstract: Diffuse-reflection surfaces which have a matte appearance and which have self-cleaning properties and preferably have antimicrobial properties, are prepared by coating a substrate with a random distribution of the particles to at least one surface of a substrate, thereby providing a surface comprising elevations with a height of from 20 nm to 100 &mgr;m and with a separation of less than 100 &mgr;m between the elevations. Such diffuse-reflection surfaces can be used as protective covers or as protective layers, in particular for providing non-angle-dependent viewing. The diffuse reflection surfaces of the present invention have self-cleaning properties and are resistant to colonization by microorganisms.

Abstract: A process for producing anti-allergic surfaces, and articles which comprise these anti-allergic surfaces. The process of the invention produces anti-allergic surfaces. The basis of the anti-allergic action is that self-cleaning properties make it impossible or very difficult for allergenic substances to deposit on these surfaces, and make it possible for them to be cleaned from the surface by a simple cleaning procedure using water set in motion. The surfaces may be either textile surfaces or polymer surfaces. Structures composed of elevations and depressions, as have been described on many previous occasions, are applied to these surfaces. The coatings of the invention can be applied very simply by applying a dispersion of suitable particles in a solvent to the relevant surface and then removing the solvent. Textiles, mattresses, or covers, for example, can be provided with the anti-allergic surfaces of the invention.

Abstract: A light-scattering material includes a coating with self-cleaning properties on a transparent substrate. Particles randomly distributed in and on the coating roughen the coating and provide a surface structure that scatters light. The light-scattering material is useful in providing indirect illumination, particularly using daylight. The coating can have antimicrobial properties. The light-scattering material can require significantly less maintenance than conventional light-scattering materials.

Abstract: A self-regenerating, self-cleaning hydrophobic surface is formed when particles are secured on a carrier that is itself is a mixture of particles and binder. When particles on the surface are ablated by erosion, newt particles in the carrier are exposed to regenerate the self-cleaning surface, resulting in a long-lasting self-cleaning action. The self-cleaning surface may be used with particular advantage outdoors, e.g. on vehicles, where self-cleaning materials are particularly exposed to the effects of the environment.

Abstract: A surface structure having protuberances with at least one protuberance configured as a three-dimensional rotationally symmetric shape. The surface structure can be included as surfaces on containers, pipettes, films, semifinished products, or reaction vessels.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure of elevations and depressions, where the elevations and depressions are formed by particles secured by a carrier on the surface, wherein the particles have a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range; and a process for making such a surface.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure made from elevations and depressions, where the elevations and depressions are formed by particles secured to the surface, wherein the particles have a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range; a process for making such a surface; and particles having a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range

Abstract: A process for producing self-cleaning surfaces, in which an at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure is formed by securing particles on a polymer surface, which comprises applying, to the polymer surface, at least one solvent which comprises the particles and which solvates the polymer surface, and securing at least part of the particles to the polymer surface by removing the solvent; self-cleaning surfaces obtained by the process; and objects containing self-cleaning surfaces obtained by the process.

Abstract: A condensation apparatus for condensing a gas on a surface, where the surface for condensing the gas has elevations of average height of from 50 nm to 1 mm, and with an average separation of from 50 nm to 1 mm, allows increased condensation efficiency. The apparatus is used for condensing organic or inorganic gases and may be incorporated into distillation systems.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure containing elevations and depressions,

Abstract: A process for embossing hydrophobic polymers with metallic embossing dies or embossing rolls, where the embossing dies or embossing rolls are hydrophobicized prior to the first embossing procedure. An embossing die or embossing roll for embossing hydrophobic polymers is also provided.