Abstract: A process for providing a substrate having a metal, glass or ceramic surface with a vitreous layer comprising an interference pigment. The process comprises comminuting an interference pigment having at least one dielectric interference layer by a wet grinding process; dispersing the comminuted interference pigment into a silicate-containing suspension to obtain a coating composition; applying the coating composition to the surface by a wet coating process; and densifying the coating composition at a temperature of not more than 650° C.

Abstract: A process for producing encapsulated metal colloids useful as inorganic colored pigments, including, reacting one or more glass-forming components according to the sol-gel process to obtain a sol dispersing a metal salt in the resulting sol in the presence of an additional reducing agent to form metal colloids, converting the resulting dispersion into xerogel-encapsulated metal colloids by spray drying, heating the resulting xerogel-encapsulated metal colloids to density them. The present invention relates, furthermore, to inorganic colored pigments, in particular producible by the process of the invention, including metal colloids produced from metal salts and encapsulated in an encapsulation, the encapsulation being produced from glass-forming components according to the sol-gel process and being densified to a xerogel or glass, the proportion of metal colloid in the capsules being at least 80%.

Abstract: Metallic substrates having a deformable vitreous coating, obtainable by applying an alkali metal silicate-containing coating sol to the substrate and thermally densifying the layer thus obtained in a two-stage heat treatment process, the heat treatment being carried out, in the first stage, either (A) in an oxygen-containing atmosphere or (B) in a vacuum at a residual pressure of ?15 mbar and, in the second stage, in a low-oxygen atmosphere up to full densification with formation of a vitreous layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate with an abrasion resistant and scratch-resistant coating that has a low index of refraction and comprises magnesium fluoride and at least one metal oxide or semimetal oxide. The coating can be obtained by applying a coating composition containing magnesium fluoride or a precursor thereof and at least one metal oxide or semimetal oxide, or a precursor thereof onto a substrate and then subjecting the same to a thermal treatment.

Abstract: A process for producing encapsulated metal colloids useful as inorganic coloured pigments, including, reacting one or more glass-forming components according to the sol-gel process to obtain a sol dispersing a metal salt in the resulting sol in the presence of an additional reducing agent to form metal colloids, converting the resulting dispersion into xerogel-encapsulated metal colloids by spray drying, heating the resulting xerogel-encapsulated metal colloids to density them. The present invention relates, furthermore, to inorganic coloured pigments, in particular producible by the process of the invention, including metal colloids produced from metal salts and encapsulated in an encapsulation, the encapsulation being produced from glass-forming components according to the sol-gel process and being densified to a xerogel or glass, the proportion of metal colloid in the capsules being at least 80%.

Abstract: A process for producing a diffractive light guiding element by a continuous, single-stage reel-to-reel method, an apparatus suitable for carrying out the process and a light guiding element obtainable by the process.

Abstract: An organic-inorganic hybrid material comprising (a) at least one soluble organic polymer and (b) at least one mono- or polynuclear metal complex having at least one ligand which comprises at least one photochemically and/or thermally polymerizable functional group. Also disclosed is an optical component which is made by using the hybrid material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal substrate comprising an ultra-hard composite layer consisting of an inorganic, vitreous matrix containing one or more abrasive fillers. According to the invention, the diameter of the filler particles or, if the filler particles have a platelet-type form, the thickness of the filler particles is less than the layer thickness of the composite layer.

Abstract: A process for producing a crystalline substrate with an optical multi-layer system thereon and the crystalline substrate obtainable thereby. The process comprises the successive application of at least two free-flowing compositions which comprise nanoscale inorganic solid particles comprising at least one of a polymerizable and a polycondensable organic group to a surface of the crystalline substrate and the polymerization and/or polycondensation of the organic groups of the solid particles to form organically crosslinked layers on the substrate and a single-stage thermal consolidation of these layers with a burnout of organic constituents thereof. The at least two compositions give rise to layers with different refractive indices.

Abstract: A composition with non-Newtonian behaviour which comprises a matrix former and nanoscale solid particles whose surface charge has been increased by reaction with an acid or base, and a process for the preparation thereof. The process is suitable for adjusting the rheology of materials.

Abstract: Magnetic particles with an outer glass surface being essentially poreless or having pores of a diameter of less then 10 nm as well as ferromagnetic particles with a glass surface are preferentially useful for the isolation of biological material from samples. They provide a quick and reliable purification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic film with an interference multilayer system applied thereon that comprises at least two layers. Said layers can be obtained by hardening and/or applying thermal treatment to a coating composition containing nanoscale inorganic solid particles having polymerizable and/or polycondensable organic surface groups, thereby forming a layer that is crosslinked by means of the polymerizable and/or polycondensable organic surface groups. The films can be used as an optical laminating film.

Abstract: An organic-inorganic hybrid material comprising (a) at least one soluble organic polymer, (b) at least one mono- or polynuclear metal complex having at least one ligand which comprises at least one photochemically and/or thermally polymerizable functional group and (c) surface-modified nanoscale particles. Also disclosed is an optical component which is made by using the hybrid material.

Abstract: Magnetic particles with an outer glass surface being essentially poreless or having pores of a diameter of less then 10 nm as well as ferromagnetic particles with a glass surface are preferentially useful for the isolation of biological material from samples. They provide a quick and reliable purification.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a flexible, gas-tight, and transparent composite film, comprising a transparent carrier layer made of plastic and a glass-like layer. The method comprises the following steps: a) a temperature-resistant substrate is coated with a lacquer comprising glass or glass-forming pre-stages by a wet chemical process, b) the coating is thermally compressed to form the glass-like layer, c) the transparent carrier layer made of plastic is applied onto the glass-like layer and bonded thereto, and d) the composite of the carrier layer and the glass-like layer is separated from the substrate. The composite films obtained in this way are suitable as encapsulation material or packing material, particularly for the use in displays, illumination and photovoltaics, for example for light-emitting diodes, solar cells, displays, or electronic circuits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal substrate comprising an ultra-hard composite layer consisting of an inorganic, vitreous matrix containing one or more abrasive fillers. According to the invention, the diameter of the filler particles or, if the filler particles have a platelet-type form, the thickness of the filler particles is less than the layer thickness of the composite layer.

Abstract: A process for providing a substrate having a metal, glass or ceramic surface with a vitreous layer comprising an interference pigment. The process comprises comminuting an interference pigment having at least one dielectric interference layer by a wet grinding process; dispersing the comminuted interference pigment into a silicate-containing suspension to obtain a coating composition; applying the coating composition to the surface by a wet coating process; and densifying the coating composition at a temperature of not more than 650° C.

Abstract: A polymer film with an optical interference system. The optical interference system comprises at least two layers of different refractive index, which layers comprise nanoscale inorganic particles having organic surface groups that are polymerizable and/or polycondensable. The layers are at least partially crosslinked through the organic surface groups.

Abstract: A process for producing a diffractive light guiding element by a continuous, single-stage reel-to-reel method, an apparatus suitable for carrying out the process and a light guiding element obtainable by the process.

Abstract: A regeneratable plate having a structured surface comprising hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. The plate comprises a substrate, a first layer comprising a hydrophilic oxidation catalyst arranged on the substrate, and a second layer which is hydrophobic and is imagewise arranged on the first layer to thereby afford the structured surface comprising hydrophobic regions and hydrophilic regions. A process for making the plate by imagewise exposure is also described.