Abstract: The present invention relates to laminated solar concentration devices and to the production thereof from polymeric materials. The inventive solar concentration devices can be employed in photovoltaic systems or in solar thermal energy systems. The inventive solar concentration devices comprise Fresnel lenses and enable the efficient concentration of solar radiation onto objects such as solar cells or absorber units, irrespective of the geometry thereof. This relates, for example, to the area of a high-performance solar cell as used in concentrated photovoltaics (CPV), and equally to absorbers which are used in concentrated solar thermal energy systems (CSP). The invention in particular relates to the use of an UV- and weathering-stabilizer package for said laminated solar concentration devices, for improving optical lifetime and weathering resistance, and for preventing delamination.

Abstract: A plastic sheet product having a matte finish comprises a core layer of a thermoplastic polymer and at least one layer of a capstock composition which overlies, and is bonded to, at least one face of the core layer. The capstock composition comprises the same or different thermoplastic polymer and contains a plurality of discrete particles immiscible with and dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer of the capstock composition. The sheet product may be prepared by the co-extrusion of the thermoplastic polymer and the capstock composition, and in a particular embodiment, such co-extrusion may be conducted by means of a feedblock. In a particular embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer of the core layer and that of the capstock composition may be the same, such as in the instance of a methylmethacrylate-methylacrylate copolymer.

Abstract: A plastic sheet product having a matte finish comprises a core layer of a thermoplastic polymer and at least one layer of a capstock composition which overlies, and is bonded to, at least one face of the core layer. The capstock composition comprises the same or different thermoplastic polymer and contains a plurality of discrete particles immiscible with and dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer of the capstock composition. The sheet product may be prepared by the co-extrusion of the thermoplastic polymer and the capstock composition, and in a particular embodiment, such co-extrusion may be conducted by means of a feedblock. In a particular embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer of the core layer and that of the capstock composition may be the same, such as in the instance of a methylmethacrylate-methylacrylate copolymer.

Abstract: A method for producing a polymer mirror by continuously manufacturing a polymeric substrate, applying a reflective layer or layers which may be a polymer whose surface has been metallized so as to make it reflective or a multilayer film wherein the combined refractive indices of the layers give the quality of a mirror surface. An optional coating may be applied to a surface of the reflective layer to promote adhesion to the underlying substrate. A composite is the formed by heat lamination using a calendar roll assembly to fuse the layers into a rigid final article having a reflective surface having the character of a silver mirror, a highly reflective mirror, or a colored mirror.

Abstract: A plastic sheet product having a matte finish comprises a core layer of a thermoplastic polymer and at least one layer of a capstock composition which overlies, and is bonded to, at least one face of the core layer. The capstock composition comprises the same or different thermoplastic polymer and contains a plurality of discrete particles immiscible with and dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer of the capstock composition. The sheet product may be prepared by the co-extrusion of the thermoplastic polymer and the capstock composition, and in a particular embodiment, such co-extrusion may be conducted by means of a feedblock. In a particular embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer of the core layer and that of the capstock composition may be the same, such as in the instance of a methylmethacrylate-methylacrylate copolymer.