Abstract: A method of forming a porous three-dimensional (3D) silicone article is disclosed. The method comprises I) printing a first composition with a 3D printer to form a first layer from the first composition. The method further comprises II) printing a second composition on the first layer with the 3D printer to form a second layer from the second composition on the first layer. At least one of the first and second compositions comprises a silicone composition. In the method, step II) may optionally be repeated with independently selected composition(s) for any additional layer(s). At least one of the first and second layers does not consist of linear filaments. Finally, the method comprises III) exposing the layers to a solidification condition. The porous three-dimensional (3D) silicone article defines a plurality of voids.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous three-dimensional (3D) is disclosed. The method comprises (I) printing a first composition on a substrate (16) with the nozzle (12) of the apparatus (10) to form at least one first filament (14) comprising the first composition, (II) selectively controlling the distance and/or the speed such that the at least one first filament coils on the substrate to give a first layer on the substrate, the first layer comprising a coiled filament, optionally repeating steps I) and II) with independently selected composition(s) for any additional layer(s), and (III) exposing the layer(s) to a solidification condition. A porous three-dimensional (3D) article formed in accordance with the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous three-dimensional (3D) silicone article is disclosed. The method comprises I) printing a first composition with a 3D printer to form a first layer from the first composition. The method further comprises II) printing a second composition on the first layer with the 3D printer to form a second layer from the second composition on the first layer. At least one of the first and second compositions comprises a silicone composition. In the method, step II) may optionally be repeated with independently selected composition(s) for any additional layer(s). At least one of the first and second layers does not consist of linear filaments. Finally, the method comprises III) exposing the layers to a solidification condition. The porous three-dimensional (3D) silicone article defines a plurality of voids.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous three-dimensional (3D) is disclosed. The method comprises (I) printing a first composition on a substrate (16) with the nozzle (12) of the apparatus (10) to form at least one first filament (14) comprising the first composition, (II) selectively controlling the distance and/or the speed such that the at least one first filament coils on the substrate to give a first layer on the substrate, the first layer comprising a coiled filament, optionally repeating steps I) and II) with independently selected composition(s) for any additional layer(s), and (III) exposing the layer(s) to a solidification condition. A porous three-dimensional (3D) article formed in accordance with the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising (i) at least one glass substrate and (ii) a coating layer on at least a portion of at least one side of the glass substrate wherein the coating layer comprises a cured silicone resin composition selected from a hydrosilylation cured silicone resin composition, a condensation cured silicone resin composition, or a tree radical cured silicone resin composition; the glass being preferably a thin glass (5-500 micrometers).

Abstract: In an embodiment, one reinforced substrate for use in a photovoltaic device includes a polymer base material and a reinforcing structure bonded with the base material. The reinforced substrate presents a surface in a condition that is made-ready for deposition of thin film layers of the photovoltaic device. A thin film photovoltaic device includes the reinforced substrate, a back contact layer formed on the surface of the reinforced substrate, and a solar absorber layer formed on the back contact layer. A plurality of thin film photovoltaic devices may be formed on a common reinforced substrate. A process of producing a reinforced substrate includes combining a fluid base material and a fiber reinforcing structure to form an impregnated fiber reinforcement. The impregnated fiber reinforcement is cured to form the reinforced substrate, and the reinforced substrate is annealed.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising (i) at least one glass substrate and (ii) a coating layer on at least a portion of at least one side of the glass substrate wherein the coating layer comprises a cured silicone resin composition selected from a hydrosilylation cured silicone resin composition, a condensation cured silicone resin composition, or a tree radical cured silicone resin composition; the glass being preferably a thin glass (5-500 micrometers)

Abstract: Branched polysilane copolymers are prepared via a Wurtz-type coupling reaction by reacting a mixture of two different dihalosilanes and a single trihalosilane with an alkali metal coupling agent in an organic liquid medium. The branched polysilane copolymers are recovered from the reaction mixture. Capped branched polysilane copolymers are prepared via the same Wurtz-type coupling reaction with addition of a capping agent to the reaction mixture. The capping agent is a monohalosilane, monoalkoxysilane, dialkoxysilane, or trialkoxysilane. The branched polysilane copolymers and the capped branched polysilane copolymers are soluble in organic liquid medium.

Abstract: A copper indium diselenide (CIS)-based photovoltaic device includes a CIS-based solar absorber layer including copper, indium, and selenium. The CIS-based photovoltaic device further includes a substrate formed from a silicone composition. The substrate, because it is formed from the silicone composition, is both flexible and sufficiently able to withstand annealing temperatures in excess of 500° C. to obtain maximum efficiency of the device.

Abstract: In an embodiment, one reinforced substrate for use in a photovoltaic device includes a polymer base material and a reinforcing structure bonded with the base material. The reinforced substrate presents a surface in a condition that is made-ready for deposition of thin film layers of the photovoltaic device. A thin film photovoltaic device includes the reinforced substrate, a back contact layer formed on the surface of the reinforced substrate, and a solar absorber layer formed on the back contact layer. A plurality of thin film photovoltaic devices may be formed on a common reinforced substrate. A process of producing a reinforced substrate includes combining a fluid base material and a fiber reinforcing structure to form an impregnated fiber reinforcement. The impregnated fiber reinforcement is cured to form the reinforced substrate, and the reinforced substrate is annealed.

Abstract: A process for making a flowable powdered base suitable for use in the formulation of liquid silicone rubber compositions that can be cured to form silicone elastomers. The process comprises (A) fluidizing a reinforcing silica filler in a high-shear mixer, (B) maintaining the content of the mixer at a temperature below about 60.degree. C. while adding to the mixer a silylating agent, a nitrogen containing compound to facilitate the silylation reaction, and water thereby forming an essentially homogeneous mixture comprising a treated reinforcing silica filler; (C) adding a polydiorganosiloxane having a viscosity of about 0.03 to 300 Pa.s at 25.degree. C. to the mixer and forming a flowable powdered base having an average particle size of from about 1 to 1000 microns, and (D) heating the flowable powdered base under conditions sufficient to remove volatiles.