Abstract: A hybrid diffuser, including: a diffuser polymer having a planar side opposite a side with a surface profile, and including, within a volume of the diffuser polymer and/or on the surface profile of the diffuser polymer, at least one optical material is disclosed. A method of making the hybrid diffuser is also disclosed. A system can include a light source; and the hybrid diffuser. A method of using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layered article including a substrate; a release layer including polyvinyl alcohol and at least one cross-linking agent; and a first selective light modulator layer; wherein the release layer crosslinks and is water insoluble is disclosed. Also, disclosed is a multi-layered article including a substrate; a waterborne release layer; and a first selective light modulator layer including a cross-linking agent. Methods of making the multi-layered articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article including a substrate; a diffuser polymer; and a thin layer of optical material 14 that conforms to a surface of the diffuser polymer is disclosed. A method of making the article is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article, includes a layer including at least one color-rendering portion and at least one light valve; and a metal reflector portion, wherein the at least one light valve is positioned in the layer to provide reflection of incident light through the at least one light valve. A method of making an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A die including a substrate; and a plurality of optical elements on a portion of a surface of the substrate; in which each optical element, of the plurality of optical elements, includes at least one optical function; and in which each optical element, of the plurality of optical elements, is separated one from another by a barrier material is disclosed. A wafer including a plurality of dies; a method of making a wafer; and a method of making a die are also disclosed.

Abstract: A soft mold tool including an elastomeric material; and a photomask; wherein the photomask is positioned within the elastomeric material is disclosed. Additionally, a soft mold tool, including an elastomeric material; and an opaque material on a portion of a surface of the elastomeric material is disclosed. A method of making the soft mold tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article, includes a layer including at least one color-rendering portion and at least one light valve; and a metal reflector portion, wherein the at least one light valve is positioned in the layer to provide reflection of incident light through the at least one light valve. A method of making an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making pigments, such as special effect pigment includes forming a first slurry including a substrate, a polymer precursor, and a radical initiator; forming a solution including an emulsifier; and combining the first slurry and the solution so that the substrate is encapsulated by a first coating. Special effect pigments formed by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making pigments, such as special effect pigment includes forming a first slurry including a substrate, a polymer precursor, and a radical initiator; forming a solution including an emulsifier; and combining the first slurry and the solution so that the substrate is encapsulated by a first coating. Special effect pigments formed by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article including a coating including a plurality of particles dispersed in a host material; and a plurality of optical elements embedded on a surface of the coating is disclosed. A method of making the coating, and the article is disclosed.

Abstract: In some implementations, a diffusive optical device includes a glass substrate; a first polymer layer disposed on a first surface of the glass substrate; and a second polymer layer disposed on the first polymer layer. A refractive index of the first polymer layer may be different than a refractive index of the second polymer layer. The first surface of the glass substrate may comprise a central region and a margin region, wherein the first polymer layer is disposed on the central region and not the margin region. The first polymer layer may include a plurality of adhesion promoter molecules that causes the second polymer layer to bond to the glass substrate, wherein at least one adhesion promoter molecule, of the plurality of adhesion promoter molecules, comprises a molecularly flexible spacer.

Abstract: An optical device, including a first selective light modulator layer comprising infrared transparent particles; and at least one infrared reflective material chosen from an infrared reflective layer and a plurality of infrared reflective particles is disclosed. A method of making the optical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coating including an ordered spatial distribution of a plurality of nanoparticles; and a polymer medium is disclosed. Also disclosed is an article, such as an optical device, can include the coating, on a substrate. A multilayer structure can include the coating with a high refractive index layer adjacent to the coating. A method of making the coating, the article, and the multilayer structures is disclosed.

Abstract: A diffractive pigment includes diffractive pigment, includes a stack including alternating layers of a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer, in which the high refractive index layer is a composition including an organic material and high refractive index inorganic nanoparticles; in which at least one layer of the stack is embossed. A method of making a diffractive pigment is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article including a reflector having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first selective light modulator layer external to the first surface of the reflector; a second selective light modulator layer external to the second surface of the reflector; a first absorber layer external to the first selective light modulator layer; and a second absorber layer external to the second selective light modulator layer; wherein each of the first and second selective light modulator layers include a host material is disclosed herein. Methods of making the article are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article including a reflector having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first selective light modulator layer external to the first surface of the reflector; a second selective light modulator layer external to the second surface of the reflector; a first absorber layer external to the first selective light modulator layer; and a second absorber layer external to the second selective light modulator layer; wherein each of the first and second selective light modulator layers include a host material is disclosed herein. Methods of making the article are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article including a stack of layers of low refractive index layers and high refractive index layers, wherein the stack includes at least one low refractive index layer and at least two high refractive index layers; wherein at least one layer of the stack includes a composition comprising a carrier and at least one nanoparticle chosen from organic nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles is disclosed. Additionally, there is disclosed a method of making the article.

Abstract: An article including two external layers of absorbing nanoparticles; and at least one refractive index layer chosen from a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer, in which the at least one refractive index layer is between the two external layers of absorbing nanoparticles is disclosed. Additionally, there is disclosed a method of making the article.

Abstract: An article includes at least one layer including a transparent portion and at least one metal portion; and a color-rendering layer; wherein the at least one metal portion is positioned in the article to provide reflection of incident light; and wherein the transparent portion is dimensioned to allow at least some incident light to pass through. A method of making an article is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article, includes a selective light modulator layer including a phthalocyanine dye having substituents that provide a bathochromic shift or a hypsochromic shift in the absorption spectrum. A method of making an article is also disclosed.