Abstract: A high Tg acrylic copolymer includes methyl methacrylate with one or more high Tg hydrophobic monomers. The copolymer includes: a) at least one of tert-butyl cyclohexyl methacrylate, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl(meth)acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, or a mixture thereof; and b) (meth)acrylate monomer. The copolymer has the following properties: i) Tg of from 116° C. to 140° C.; ii) Mw of at least 110,000; and iii) a residual monomer level of less than 1.0 weight percent. The copolymer exhibits high heat resistance, high light transmission, low haze, low moisture uptake, excellent environmental stability, excellent high temperature thermal stability, and excellent mechanical properties, along with excellent UV resistance. The high molecular weight hydrophobic copolymer of the invention has the excellent environmental stability required for electronic components in automotive, displays, smartphones, photovoltaics, and others.

Abstract: Films having high light transmission values, low haze and high glass transition temperatures and useful, for example, as optical protection films and zero-zero optical retardation films, are prepared using one or more copolymers of methyl methacrylate having certain characteristics.

Abstract: Acrylic copolymers incorporating high Tg, hydrophobic (meth)acrylate monomers that have high thermal stability, especially under hot, humid conditions are provided. The acrylic copolymer includes, as polymerized monomers, a combination of monomer a) and monomer b). Monomer a) includes at least one of tert-butyl cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, 3,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, or a mixture thereof. This monomer or monomer blend a) is present in the acrylic copolymer at from 0.2 to 20 weight percent and includes at least 80 weight % trans isomer. Monomer b) is (meth)acrylate and is present in the acrylic copolymer at from 80 to 99.8 weight percent of the acrylic copolymer. The acrylic copolymer has a Tg of from 116° C. to 145° C. and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 65,000 g/mole.

Abstract: A high Tg acrylic copolymer includes methyl methacrylate with one or more high Tg hydrophobic monomers. The copolymer includes: a) at least one of tert-butyl cyclohexyl methacrylate, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl(meth)acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, or a mixture thereof; and b) (meth)acrylate monomer. The copolymer has the following properties: i) Tg of from 116° C. to 140° C.; ii) Mw of at least 110,000; and iii) a residual monomer level of less than 1.0 weight percent. The copolymer exhibits high heat resistance, high light transmission, low haze, low moisture uptake, excellent environmental stability, excellent high temperature thermal stability, and excellent mechanical properties, along with excellent UV resistance. The high molecular weight hydrophobic copolymer of the invention has the excellent environmental stability required for electronic components in automotive, displays, smartphones, photovoltaics, and others.

Abstract: The invention relates to high efficiency diffusion lighting coverings useful in LED lighting applications. The diffusing lighting coverings are made of organic diffusing particles homogeneously dispersed in a transparent polymer matrix. The primary organic diffusing particles are refractive index mis-matched to the matrix polymer. The refractive index contrast between the polymer matrix and diffusion particles, and particle size are selected to provide a high efficiency (minimized particle loading). The high efficiency diffusion coverings provides excellent light diffusion, high hiding properties and high light transmission. The secondary diffusion particles may optionally be added to further improve selected target properties of the covering. Nano-sized ZnO inorganic particles may also function as diffusion particles and optical brighteners as well UV stabilizers.

Abstract: Acid-functionalized copolymers of methyl methacrylate having relatively high glass transition temperatures and molecular weights may be employed to manufacture articles having high light transmission values, low haze, high heat resistance, and high environmental stability, which are useful as optical protection films, zero-zero optical retardation films, and compensation films as well as lighting pipes and optical imaging lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to high efficiency diffusion lighting coverings useful in LED lighting applications. The diffusing lighting coverings are made of organic diffusing particles homogeneously dispersed in a transparent polymer matrix. The primary organic diffusing particles are refractive index mis-matched to the matrix polymer. The refractive index contrast between the polymer matrix and diffusion particles, and particle size are selected to provide a high efficiency (minimized particle loading). The high efficiency diffusion coverings provides excellent light diffusion, high hiding properties and high light transmission. The secondary diffusion particles may optionally be added to further improve selected target properties of the covering. Nano-sized ZnO inorganic particles may also function as diffusion particles and optical brighteners as well UV stabilizers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thin, nano-structured coating that provides optical light efficiency enhancement. The dried coating contains nano-structures that provide a very low haze level of less than 2 percent, and a light transmission improvement of at least 1% over the non-coated substrate. For the nano-structured coating on an acrylic substrate the transmission is greater than 93 percent, and preferably greater than 94 percent. The coatings of the invention are especially useful for optical electronic displays and photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: The invention relates to high efficiency diffusion lighting coverings useful in LED lighting applications. The diffusing lighting coverings are made of organic diffusing particles homogeneously dispersed in a transparent polymer matrix. The primary organic diffusing particles are refractive index mis-matched to the matrix polymer. The refractive index contrast between the polymer matrix and diffusion particles, and particle size are selected to provide a high efficiency (minimized particle loading). The high efficiency diffusion coverings provides excellent light diffusion, high hiding properties and high light transmission. The secondary diffusion particles may optionally be added to further improve selected target properties of the covering. Nano-sized ZnO inorganic particles may also function as diffusion particles and optical brighteners as well UV stabilizers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic layer (in the form of a coating, film or sheet) useful as part of a photovoltaic module backsheet. The acrylic layer contains at least 40 percent of one or more acrylic polymers, including an acrylic polymer matrix and optionally acrylic impact modifiers. The acrylic polymer is preferably a polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer containing at least 50 weight percent of methylmethacrylate monomer units. The acrylic layer is flexible and optionally contains high levels of white pigment. It may also contain fluoropolymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride to improve weathering, processibility and film formation. The acrylic layer adheres to a polymer support layer such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A preferred substrate is PET that is pre-treated to improve adhesion, but unprimed PET can also be used. The backsheet provides excellent weatherability, environmental stability and reflectivity as part of a photovoltaic module.

Abstract: Films useful as optical reflectors are prepared by coating a sheet of polyethylene terephthalate or other thermoplastic with acrylic polymer, white pigment, and optionally other additives such as impact modifiers, matting agents and UV stabilizers.

Abstract: Films having high light transmission values, low haze and high glass transition temperatures and useful, for example, as optical protection films and zero-zero optical retardation films, are prepared using one or more copolymers of methyl methacrylate having certain characteristics.

Abstract: Acid-functionalized copolymers of methyl methacrylate having relatively high glass transition temperatures and molecular weights may be employed to manufacture articles having high light transmission values, low haze, high heat resistance, and high environmental stability, which are useful as optical protection films, zero-zero optical retardation films, and compensation films as well as lighting pipes and optical imaging lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic module for capturing and using solar radiation having as a backsheet a composition containing polyvinylidene fluoride. The polyvinylidene fluoride backsheet layer is exposed to the environment and provides chemical resistance, low water vapor transmission, electrical insulation, and UV light protection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic sheet having a high Tg, and especially for the use of the high Tg acrylic sheet as a front sheet of a photovoltaic module. The high Tg acrylic polymer is a copolymer of polymethylmethacrylate and one or more higher Tg monomers.

Abstract: The invention relates to flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules, and in particular to those having a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) glazing layer. The PVDF layer may be a monolayer or a multi-layer structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to high efficiency diffusion lighting coverings useful in LED lighting applications. The diffusing lighting coverings are made of organic diffusing particles homogeneously dispersed in a transparent polymer matrix. The primary organic diffusing particles are refractive index mis-matched to the matrix polymer. The refractive index contrast between the polymer matrix and diffusion particles, and particle size are selected to provide a high efficiency (minimized particle loading). The high efficiency diffusion coverings provides excellent light diffusion, high hiding properties and high light transmission. The secondary diffusion particles may optionally be added to further improve selected target properties of the covering. Nano-sized ZnO inorganic particles may also function as diffusion particles and optical brighteners as well UV stabilizers.

Abstract: Films useful as optical reflectors are prepared by coating a sheet of polyethylene terephthalate or other thermoplastic with acrylic polymer, white pigment, and optionally other additives such as impact modifiers, matting agents and UV stabilizers.

Abstract: The invention relates to high Tg monolithic and multi-layer thermoformable film or sheet useful as a backsheet on a photovoltaic module (PV). A methacrylic-based material is preferred. The film or sheet is formed of a composition having a Tg greater than 110° C. The methacrylic composition may be a blend of a polymethyl methacrylate polymer and a miscible or semi-miscible high Tg polymer, or may be a copolymer containing primarily methyl methacrylate monomer units. The backsheet is optionally covered with a fluoropolymer or acrylic/fiuoropolymer covering on the outside (side facing the environment). The back-sheet can be clear, white, and/or pigmented. The film or sheet is especially useful in concentrating photovoltaic modules (CPV), and is also useful in thin film photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acrylic layer (in the form of a coating, film or sheet) useful as part of a photovoltaic module backsheet. The acrylic layer contains at least 40 percent of one or more acrylic polymers, including an acrylic polymer matrix and optionally acrylic impact modifiers. The acrylic polymer is preferably a polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer containing at least 50 weight percent of methylmethacrylate monomer units. The acrylic layer is flexible and optionally contains high levels of white pigment. It may also contain fluoropolymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride to improve weathering, processibility and film formation. The acrylic layer adheres to a polymer support layer such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A preferred substrate is PET that is pre-treated to improve adhesion, but unprimed PET can also be used. The backsheet provides excellent weatherability, environmental stability and reflectivity as part of a photovoltaic module.