Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing a transparent, non-elastomeric optical article including (1) combining to form a reaction mixture free of urethanation catalysts (a) a polyisocyanate component; and (b) an active hydrogen component of polyol and/or polythiol, and at least one compound containing both amine and hydroxyl functional groups; (2) allowing the polyisocyanate component to react with amine functional groups in the active hydrogen component to form an intermediate product including a polyurea prepolymer having hydroxyl functional groups in admixture with the polyol and/or polythiol and, optionally, the compound containing both amine and hydroxyl functional groups; (3) mixing the intermediate product with additional polyisocyanates and optionally a urethanation catalyst to form a second reaction mixture; (4) introducing the second reaction mixture to a mold to form a thermoset polymerizate; and (5) releasing the polymerizate from the mold.

Abstract: Provided is a transparent, non-elastomeric optical article prepared by (1) combining to form a reaction mixture (a) a polyisocyanate component; and (b) an active hydrogen component including (b1) a first component free of amino groups including at least one first polyol; and (b2) a second component containing (i) a second polyol and/or a polythiol and (ii) a compound containing both amine and hydroxyl functional groups; (2) introducing the reaction mixture to a mold at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a thermoset polymerizate; and (3) releasing the polymerizate from the mold to yield a transparent, non-elastomeric optical article. Also provided is a method for preparing a transparent optical film. Optical films and articles prepared by the methods also are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a transparent, non-elastomeric optical article prepared by (1) combining to form a reaction mixture (a) a polyisocyanate component; and (b) an active hydrogen component including (b1) a first component free of amino groups including at least one first polyol; and (b2) a second component containing (i) a second polyol and/or a polythiol and (ii) a compound containing both amine and hydroxyl functional groups; (2) introducing the reaction mixture to a mold at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a thermoset polymerizate; and (3) releasing the polymerizate from the mold to yield a transparent, non-elastomeric optical article. Also provided is a method for preparing a transparent optical film. Optical films and articles prepared by the methods also are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing a transparent, non-elastomeric optical article including (1) combining to form a reaction mixture free of urethanation catalysts (a) a polyisocyanate component; and (b) an active hydrogen component of polyol and/or polythiol, and at least one compound containing both amine and hydroxyl functional groups; (2) allowing the polyisocyanate component to react with amine functional groups in the active hydrogen component to form an intermediate product including a polyurea prepolymer having hydroxyl functional groups in admixture with the polyol and/or polythiol and, optionally, the compound containing both amine and hydroxyl functional groups; (3) mixing the intermediate product with additional polyisocyanates and optionally a urethanation catalyst to form a second reaction mixture; (4) introducing the second reaction mixture to a mold to form a thermoset polymerizate; and (5) releasing the polymerizate from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a customized polymeric article including: providing two mold half-sections, each half-section having an outer surface and an inner surface; assembling the two mold half-sections to form a mold assembly such that the inner surfaces define a cavity there between; applying one or more magnetic fluids to the inner surface of a mold half-section; inserting a fluid polymeric material into the cavity; controllably applying a magnetic field to the magnetic fluids to form a customized reversible surface in accordance with a predetermined specific surface topography; subjecting the mold assembly to conditions sufficient to effect polymerization or hardening of the fluid polymeric material; and separating the two mold half-sections. Articles prepared by the method also are provided.

Abstract: A composition for the preparation of a transparent, non-elastomeric optical article is provided, the composition including: (1) a polyisocyanate component containing one or more different polyisocyanates; and (2) a component that is reactive with isocyanates, including: (a) optionally at least one polyol having a number average molecular weight greater than 500; (b) (i) at least one polyol and/or polythiol and (ii) at least one compound containing both amine and hydroxyl functional groups, wherein the compound (ii) has a number average molecular weight less than 500; and optionally (3) a urethanation catalyst. Multi-step and one-pot methods of preparing a cured, non-elastomeric polyurethane-containing optical article are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a customized polymeric article including: providing two mold half-sections, each half-section having an outer surface and an inner surface; assembling the two mold half-sections to form a mold assembly such that the inner surfaces define a cavity there between; applying one or more magnetic fluids to the inner surface of a mold half-section; inserting a fluid polymeric material into the cavity; controllably applying a magnetic field to the magnetic fluids to form a customized reversible surface in accordance with a predetermined specific surface topography; subjecting the mold assembly to conditions sufficient to effect polymerization or hardening of the fluid polymeric material; and separating the two mold half-sections. Articles prepared by the method also are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a polymerizable composition of (a) a monomer composition including ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a ?-epithiopropyl functional group; (b) optionally, a compound having two or more ?-epithiopropyl functional groups but no polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups; (c) an isourea functional polymerization initiator; and (d) a catalyst for reaction between the ?-epithiopropyl functional groups. Also provided is a method of reducing the yellowness index of a sulfur-containing polymerizate prepared by addition polymerization, the method including reacting in the presence of an isourea functional polymerization initiator and a catalyst for reaction between ?-epithiopropyl functional groups, a polymerizable composition of: (a) a monomer composition including ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a ?-epithiopropyl functional group; and, optionally, (b) a compound having two or more ?-epithiopropyl functional groups but no polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups.

Abstract: A polarized optical element comprising: an optical part made of polyurethane-based optical material; and a polarizing film integrally bonded to the optical part, wherein the polyurethane-based optical material comprises the reaction product of a liquid-phase material comprising: a) a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer having a content of —NCO functional groups comprised between 5 and 50% by weight and an average functionality of 2 to 3, b) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least one organic compound containing at least two aromatic amine groups, and c) at least one organometallic catalyst.

Abstract: A composition for the preparation of a transparent, non-elastomeric optical article is provided, the composition including: (1) a polyisocyanate component containing one or more different polyisocyanates; and (2) a component that is reactive with isocyanates, including: (a) optionally at least one polyol having a number average molecular weight greater than 500; (b) (i) at least one polyol and/or polythiol and (ii) at least one compound containing both amine and hydroxyl functional groups, wherein the compound (ii) has a number average molecular weight less than 500; and optionally (3) a urethanation catalyst. Multi-step and one-pot methods of preparing a cured, non-elastomeric polyurethane-containing optical article are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a polymerizable composition of (a) a monomer composition including ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a ?-epithiopropyl functional group; (b) optionally, a compound having two or more ?-epithiopropyl functional groups but no polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups; (c) an isourea functional polymerization initiator; and (d) a catalyst for reaction between the ?-epithiopropyl functional groups. Also provided is a method of reducing the yellowness index of a sulfur-containing polymerizate prepared by addition polymerization, the method including reacting in the presence of an isourea functional polymerization initiator and a catalyst for reaction between ?-epithiopropyl functional groups, a polymerizable composition of: (a) a monomer composition including ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a ?-epithiopropyl functional group; and, optionally, (b) a compound having two or more ?-epithiopropyl functional groups but no polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups.

Abstract: A polarized optical element comprising: an optical part made of polyurethane-based optical material; and a polarizing film integrally bonded to the optical part, wherein the polyurethane-based optical material comprises the reaction product of a liquid-phase material comprising: a) a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer having a content of —NCO functional groups comprised between 5 and 50% by weight and an average functionality of 2 to 3, b) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least one organic compound containing at least two aromatic amine groups, and c) at least one organometallic catalyst.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polarized optical element comprises the steps of: providing a polarizing film comprising free hydroxyl groups; placing the polarizing film within a mold cavity: admitting into the mold cavity a liquid-phase polyurethane-based optical material containing —NCO functional groups reactive with said hydroxyl groups and comprising the following components: A) a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer having a content of —NCO functional groups comprised between 5 and 50% by weight and an average functionality of 2 to 3, B) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least one organic compound containing at least two aromatic amine groups, and C) at least one organometallic catalyst; curing the liquid-phase polyurethane-based optical material to form a polarized optical element.

Abstract: A method is described for manufacturing an optical element (13) made of thermosetting plastic material comprising the steps of: a) positioning in a mould a first self-supporting layer (6) made of partially cross-linked thermosetting plastic material including reactive functional groups; b) forming, on at least one surface of the self-supporting layer (6), a second layer (12) including: i) a polymerisable material in liquid phase including: prepolymers and/or monomers including reactive functional groups capable of chemically reacting with the reactive functional groups of the self-supporting layer made of partially cross-linked thermosetting plastic material, a reactive component including functional groups capable of chemically reacting with the reactive functional groups of the prepolymers and/or of the monomers and optionally with the reactive functional groups of the self-supporting layer (6) made of partially cross-linked thermosetting plastic material; ii) at least one element adapted to modify the spec

Abstract: A multi-layer thin film is provided preferably for use with photochromic lenses, wherein the thin film comprises a plurality of layers, preferably including dielectric layers, selected and arranged so as to reflect less than about 6 percent of the UVA rays in a range of about 315 to 400 nm, more preferably about 350 to 380 nm. The thin film preferably has an activation value greater than 25%.

Abstract: A polarized optical element is disclosed comprising an upper portion and a lower portion defined at opposite parts with respect to a median line passing through the geometric center of the optical element, wherein: a) in the upper portion and at a distance of at least 10 mm from the median line the factor of luminous transmittance is between 3% and 20%; b) in the lower portion and at a distance of at least 10 mm from the median line the factor of luminous transmittance is between 15% and 65%; c) the ratio of the luminous transmittance measured in the lower portion at a distance of at least 10 mm below the median line and the luminous transmittance measured in the upper portion at a distance of at least 10 mm above the median line is not lower than 1.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polarized optical element comprises the steps of: providing a polarizing film comprising free hydroxyl groups; placing the polarizing film within a mold cavity: admitting into the mold cavity a liquid-phase polyurethane-based optical material containing —NCO functional groups reactive with said hydroxyl groups and comprising the following components: A) a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer having a content of —NCO functional groups comprised between 5 and 50% by weight and an average functionality of 2 to 3, B) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least one organic compound containing at least two aromatic amine groups, and C) at least one organometallic catalyst; curing the liquid-phase polyurethane-based optical material to form a polarized optical element.

Abstract: A polarized optical element is disclosed comprising an upper portion and a lower portion defined at opposite parts with respect to a median line passing through the geometric center of the optical element, wherein: a) in the upper portion and at a distance of at least 10 mm from the median line the factor of luminous transmittance is between 3% and 20%; b) in the lower portion and at a distance of at least 10 mm from the median line the factor of luminous transmittance is between 15% and 65%; c) the ratio of the luminous transmittance measured in the lower portion at a distance of at least 10 mm below the median line and the luminous transmittance measured in the upper portion at a distance of at least 10 mm above the median line is not lower than 1.

Abstract: A lens including a polarizing film within a polyurethanic material which comprises a photochromic dye therein.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed comprising at least one transparent eye-protecting portion comprising a plastic material, preferably having a hardness within a range of about 40 Shore A to about 77 Shore D, as measured according to ASTM Standard D2240, and an elongation at break within a range of about 200% to about 700%, as measured according to ASTM Standard D638.