Abstract: A method for forming an inorganic or hybrid organic/inorganic layer on a substrate, which method comprises vaporizing a metal alkoxide, condensing the metal alkoxide to form a layer atop the substrate, and contacting the condensed metal alkoxide layer with water to cure the layer is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features ionomer compositions containing nanozirconia fillers. The compositions can be used in a variety of dental and orthodontic applications, for example, as adhesives, cements, restoratives, coatings and sealants.

Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g., polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g., glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g., polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g., glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g., polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g., glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g. polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g. glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).

Abstract: A method of marking a pavement surface is described comprising applying a pavement marking on the pavement surface. The pavement marking comprises transparent microspheres partially embedded in a binder wherein the micropheres comprise a lanthanide series oxide or yttrium oxide and aluminum oxide, in cobination with zirconia, titania, or mixtures thereof. Retroreflective articles including pavement marking tapes and reflective elements are also described.

Abstract: An LED extractor has an input surface adapted to optically couple to an emitting surface of an LED die, and is composed of a glass (including a glass-ceramic) material whose refractive index is at least 2, or at least 2.2.

Abstract: The invention provides optical waveguides comprising a glass doped with a rare earth dopant on a surface of the substrate, wherein the glass comprises (a) Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, wherein at least 80 percent by weight of the glass collectively comprises the Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, based on the total weight of the glass; (b) Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, wherein at least 70 percent by weight of the glass collectively comprises the Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, and wherein the glass contains not more than 20 percent by weight SiO2 and not more than 20 percent by weight B2O3, based on the total weight of the glass; or (c) at least 40 percent by weight Al2O3, based on the total weight of the glass, and a first metal oxide other than Al2O3, wherein the Al2O3 and the first metal oxide, collectively comprise at least 80 percent by weight of the gla

Abstract: Acid-reactive dental fillers, and methods of making and using such fillers, are disclosed. The acid-reactive dental fillers include a trivalent metal, oxygen, fluorine, an alkaline earth metal, and, optionally, silicon. The acid-reactive dental fillers are preferably nanostructured, for example, in the form of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Retrochromic articles have a retrochromic pattern comprising first and second viewable retroreflective regions, wherein at least one viewable retroreflective region comprises a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads. Methods for making such articles are also provided. Articles according to the present invention have covert security features, and may be used, for example, to authenticate security articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads. The present invention further provides a kit comprising intrinsically retrochromic beads having different retroreflective colors.

Abstract: The invention provides optical waveguides comprising a glass doped with a rare earth dopant on a surface of the substrate, wherein the glass comprises (a) Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, wherein at least 80 percent by weight of the glass collectively comprises the Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, based on the total weight of the glass; (b) Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, wherein at least 70 percent by weight of the glass collectively comprises the Al2O3, at least one of REO or Y2O3, and at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2, and wherein the glass contains not more than 20 percent by weight SiO2 and not more than 20 percent by weight B2O3, based on the total weight of the glass; or (c) at least 40 percent by weight Al2O3, based on the total weight of the glass, and a first metal oxide other than Al2O3, wherein the Al2O3 and the first metal oxide, collectively comprise at least 80 percent by weight of the gla

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.

Abstract: A co-doped silicate optical waveguide having a core including silica, and oxides of aluminum, germanium, erbium and thulium. The composition concentrations are: Er from 15 ppm to 3000 ppm; Al from 0.5 mol % to 12 mol %; Tm from 15 ppm to 10000 ppm; and Ge from 1 mol % to 20 mol %. In a specific embodiment, the concentration of Er is from 150 ppm to 1500 ppm; Al is from 2 mol % to 8 mol %; and Tm is from 15 ppm to 3000 ppm. A boron-less cladding surrounds the core.

Abstract: An optical waveguide including a core having silica, Al, a non-fluorescent rare-earth ion, Ge, Er, and Tm. The non-fluorescent rare-earth ion may be La. Exemplary compositions concentrations are Er is from 15 ppm to 3000 ppm, Al is from 0.5 mol % to 12 mol %, La is less than or equal to 2 mol %, Tm is from 15 ppm to 10,000 ppm; and the Ge is less than or equal to 15 mol %. The core may further include F. An exemplary concentration of F is less than or equal to 6 anion mol %.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads. The present invention further provides a kit comprising intrinsically retrochromic beads having different retroreflective colors.

Abstract: Retrochromic articles have a retrochromic pattern comprising first and second viewable retroreflective regions, wherein at least one viewable retroreflective region comprises a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads. Methods for making such articles are also provided. Articles according to the present invention have covert security features, and may be used, for example, to authenticate security articles.

Abstract: An optical waveguide including a core having silica, Al, a non-fluorescent rare-earth ion, Ge, Er, and Tm. The non-fluorescent rare-earth ion may be La. Exemplary compositions concentrations are Er is from 15 ppm to 3000 ppm, Al is from 0.5 mol % to 12 mol %, La is less than or equal to 2 mol %, Tm is from 15 ppm to 10,000 ppm; and the Ge is less than or equal to 15 mol %. The core may further include F. An exemplary concentration of F is less than or equal to 6 anion mol %.

Abstract: A germanium-free co-doped silicate optical waveguide in accordance with the present invention includes a core material comprising silica, and oxides of aluminum, lanthanum, erbium and thulium, wherein the concentration of Er is from 15 ppm to 3000 ppm; Al is from 0.5 mol % to 15 mol %; La is less than 2 mol %; and Tm is from 150 ppm to 10000 ppm. In an exemplary specific embodiment the concentration of Al is from 4 mol % to 10 mol %; and the concentration of Tm is from 150 ppm to 3000 ppm. The core may further include F. In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration of F is less than or equal to 6 mol %. The waveguide may be an optical fiber, a shaped fiber or other light-guiding waveguides. An amplifier according to the present invention includes the optical fiber described above.