Abstract: A process for producing an optical element having a gradient structure, wherein a potential difference is generated in a nanocomposite material comprising nanoscale particles in a matrix material to cause a directed diffusion of the nanoscale particles in the matrix material and a concentration gradient of the nanoscale particles in the matrix material.

Abstract: Processes and compositions for printing substrates. A printing paste containing a matrix-forming precondensate containing polyorganosiloxanes obtained by a sol-gel process and at least one coloring, luminescent, conductive and/or catalytically active filler is applied imagewise to the substrate and is densified by heat treatment at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the matrix being formed. The processes and printing pastes are suitable, for example, for the production of conductor tracks and decorative patterns.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a microstructured surface relief by applying to a substrate a coating composition which is thixotropic or which acquires thixotropic properties by pretreatment on the substrate, embossing the surface relief into the applied thixotropic coating composition with an embossing device, and curing the coating composition following removal of the embossing device. The substrates obtainable by this method, provided with a microstructured surface relief, are particularly suitable for optical, electronic, micromechanical and/or dirt repellency applications.

Abstract: A substrate has an abrasion-resistant diffusion barrier layer system having: a hard base layer including a coating composition based on a polymer containing reactive surface groups; and a nanostructured topcoat obtained by applying a nanoscale composition comprising sol particles and/or particulate solids to the basecoat and then curing it. The system features good abrasion resistance and diffusion barrier effect, and is particularly suitable as a protective coat for plastic substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alternative composite mask that is substantially composed of a transparent support film coated with a transparent polymer matrix that contains light-absorbing pigment particles or metal particles having an average particle size d50 ranging between 0.5 and 10 ?m.

Abstract: A coating composition comprises a polycondensate obtained by reacting a prehydrolysate based on at least on epoxide-containing hydrolysable silane; at least one amine component selected from a prehydrolysate based on at least one amino-containing hydrolysable silane and an amine compound containing at least two amino groups; and an amino group protective reagent. The coating composition is particulary suitable for coating glass, glass ceramic, ceramic, and plastic, and permits an increase in strength and protection against damage.

Abstract: An interactive information device for use as a touch panel, touch screen, digitizer panel, or pen-input device, and a method for making such a device includes a first, transparent, electrically conductive layer supported by the rigid substrate, a flexible, transparent substrate at least partially aligned with the rigid substrate and having a second, transparent, electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the second conductive layer being spaced from the first conductive layer. A plurality of transparent insulating spacer members/dots are positioned on one or both of the conductive layers to allow the conductive layers to engage when the flexible substrate is pressed. The spacer members/dots comprise polymeric material including at least some inorganic material, and more preferably, comprise organic-inorganic nanocomposites having an index of refraction optically matched to the transparent, electrically conductive layer on which they are positioned.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a microstructured surface relief by applying to a substrate a coating composition which is thixotropic or which acquires thixotropic properties by pretreatment on the substrate, embossing the surface relief into the applied thixotropic coating composition with an embossing device, and curing the coating composition following removal of the embossing device. The substrates obtainable by this method, provided with a microstructured surface relief, are particularly suitable for optical, electronic, micromechanical and/or dirt repellency applications.

Abstract: Substrates provided with a microstructured surface have a surface layer which (a) comprises a composition comprising condensates of one or more hydrolysable compounds of at least one element M from main groups III to V and/or transition groups II to IV of the Periodic Table of the Elements, at least some of these compounds containing not only hydrolysable groups A but also non-hydrolysable, carbon-containing groups B and the total molar ratio of groups A to groups B in the parent monomeric starting compounds being from 10:1 to 1:2, from 0.1 to 100 mol % of the groups B being groups B′ containing on average from 5 to 30 fluorine atoms which are attached to one or more aliphatic carbon atoms distanced from M by at least two atoms, and (b) has a microstructuring of such kind that the contact angle with respect to water or hexadecane is at least 5° higher than the contact angle of a corresponding smooth surface.

Abstract: An interactive information device for use as a touch panel, touch screen, digitizer panel, or pen-input device, and a method for making such a device includes a first, transparent, electrically conductive layer supported by the rigid substrate, a flexible, transparent substrate at least partially aligned with the rigid substrate and having a second, transparent, electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the second conductive layer being spaced from the first conductive layer. A plurality of transparent insulating spacer members/dots are positioned on one or both of the conductive layers to allow the conductive layers to engage when the flexible substrate is pressed. The spacer members/dots comprise polymeric material including at least some inorganic material, and more preferably, comprise organic-inorganic nanocomposites having an index of refraction optically matched to the transparent, electrically conductive layer on which they are positioned.

Abstract: A photochromic coating composition contains a silicon-containing precondensate derived from a hydrolysable silane containing a polymerizable functional group on a hydrolysis-stable radical, a photochromic dye, a stabilizer, and nanoscale particles. The coating composition, when applied to transparent plastic and glass substrates and cured, gives a coating having high light stability and good scratch resistance.

Abstract: An interactive information device for use as a touch panel, touch screen, digitizer panel, or pen-input device, and a method for making such a device includes a first, transparent, electrically conductive layer supported by the rigid substrate, a flexible, transparent substrate at least partially aligned with the rigid substrate and having a second, transparent, electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the second conductive layer being spaced from the first conductive layer. A plurality of transparent insulating spacer members/dots are positioned on one or both of the conductive layers to allow the conductive layers to engage when the flexible substrate is pressed. The spacer members/dots comprise polymeric material including at least some inorganic material, and more preferably, comprise organic-inorganic nanocomposites having an index of refraction optically matched to the transparent, electrically conductive layer on which they are positioned.

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: Preparations of particles having a glass surface, wherein more than 75% by weight of these particles have a particle size between 0.5 &mgr;m and 15 &mgr;m and a glass surface which contains between 2 and 6 mole % zinc oxide, have proven to be particularly advantageous in processes for the purification of nucleic acids. This in particular results in an increased nucleic acid yield.

Abstract: Preparations of particles having a glass surface, wherein more than 75% by weight of these particles have a particle size between 0.5 &mgr;m and 15 &mgr;m and a glass surface which contains between 2 and 6 mole % zinc oxide, have proven to be particularly advantageous in processes for the purification of nucleic acids. This in particular results in an increased nucleic acid yield.

Abstract: Process for producing substrates with a layer comprising an inorganic gel, glass, glass-ceramic or ceramic material, in which a coating composition comprising nanosize particles and water soluble organic flexibilizers is applied to the substrate and heat treated. Crack-free and transparent thick films can be obtained by means of the process. The coated substrates are particularly suitable for optical, optoelectronic, electronic, micromechanical or dirt-repellent components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanocomposite for thermal insulation especially for fireproofing purposes, which can be obtained by combining (A) at least 35 wt. % of nanoscaled, optionally surface-modified particles of an inorganic compound; (B) 10-60 wt. % of a compound with at least two functional groups which can react and/or interact with the surface groups of nanoscaled particles (A), (C) 1-40 wt. % of water and/or an organic solvent which has no functional groups or only one which is defined in (B), wherein the above-mentioned percentages relate to the sum of components (A), (B) and (C), and (D)=0-10 wt. % (based on the nanocomposite) of additives.

Abstract: The wet film thickness during spraying of the coating composition onto the substrate is preferably adjusted such that it is greater by a factor of at least 8 than the target dry film thickness.

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: Inorganic multilayered optical systems are produced by applying to a glass substrate a flowable composition containing nanoscale solid inorganic particles containing polymerizable or polycondensable organic surface groups, polymerizing and/or polycondensing those surface groups to form an organically crosslinked layer, applying to the organically crosslinked layer and polymerizing/polycondensing a flowable composition producing a different refractive index from the first layer (optionally repeated one or more times), and one-step thermal densifying and removing the organic components. The systems so produced are suitable as interference filters and antireflection systems.