Abstract: Compositions include a water-soluble polymer, silica nanoparticles, and a combination of a nonionic and anionic dispersed in an aqueous liquid phase. The polymer is a water-soluble copolymer of acrylic acid and an acrylamide, or a salt of the same. Methods of using the compositions to clean and coat a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition comprises: fluorinated homopolymer particles dispersed in water, fluorinated copolymer particles dispersed in water, non-fluorinated polymer particles dispersed in water; and at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups. The composition is especially useful in low friction coating for telecommunication cables.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to durable solar mirror films, methods of making durable solar mirror films, and constructions including durable solar mirror films. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a solar mirror film comprising: a multilayer optical film layer including having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion of less than about 30 ppm per percent relative humidity; and a reflective layer having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer coating composition is described comprising an aqueous liquid medium, fluoropolymer particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium, and at least one aziridine compound. The aziridine compound comprises at least two aziridine groups (i.e. polyaziridine) or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. In another embodiment, an article is described comprising a substrate wherein a surface of the substrate comprises a coating comprising fluoropolymer particles; and a reaction product of at least one aziridine compound comprising at least two aziridine groups or at least one aziridine group and at least one alkoxy silane group. The coating can be utilized as a primer for bonding a non-fluorinated substrate to a fluoropolymer film and/or the coating can be used as an (e.g. outer exposed) surface layer. In some embodiments, the article may be the (e.g. backside) film of a photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A method of removing an unwanted constituent from a siliceous surface in which the method includes contacting the siliceous surface and the unwanted constituent with a multi-functional composition that includes water, a hydrophilic silane, and a surfactant, and drying the surface.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of making an article. The method comprises coating a composition to a surface of a substrate. The coating composition comprises an aqueous continuous liquid phase, a silica nano-particle dispersed in the aqueous continuous liquid phase, and a polymer latex dispersion. The coated substrate is then heated to at least 300° C.

Abstract: Compositions include a water-soluble polymer, silica nanoparticles, and a combination of a nonionic and anionic dispersed in an aqueous liquid phase. The polymer is a water-soluble copolymer of acrylic acid and an acrylamide, or a salt of the same. Methods of using the compositions to clean and coat a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Articles having crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings are provided. More specifically, articles including a substrate, and a multilayer coating attached to the substrate are provided. The multilayer coating includes a first crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) layer and a first silica layer. The first crosslinked PVA layer is an outermost layer of the multilayer coating. The first silica layer comprises a plurality of acid-sintered interconnected silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The PVA and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings can be used on a large variety of substrates and tend to be resistant to wet and dry abrasions, scratches, and impacts.

Abstract: Articles having poly(vinyl alcohol)-containing (PVA-containing) and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings are provided. More specifically, articles include a substrate and a multilayer coating attached to the substrate. The multilayer coating includes a first silica layer and a first PVA-containing layer. The first silica layer is a primer layer of the multilayer coating, and the silica layer comprises a plurality of acid-sintered interconnected silica nanoparticles arranged to form a continuous three-dimensional porous network. The PVA-containing and silica nanoparticle multilayer coatings can be used on a large variety of substrates and tend to be resistant to wet and dry abrasions, scratches, and impacts.

Abstract: Methods for bonding a polymer surface (e.g., a fluoropolymer surface) to a substrate, including foam tape substrates, and articles produced thereby. The methods can include using a primer composition having an amidine catalyst in combination with an amino-substituted organosilane ester.

Abstract: Surface-structured, cross-linked silicone-based material and method for making the same. Embodiments of silicone-based materials described herein are useful, for example, in applications of light capture, anti-reflection, light redirection, light diffusion, hydrophobic surfaces, hydrophilic surfaces, light guiding, light collimation, light concentration, Fresnel lens, retro-reflection, drag reduction, air bleed adhesives, release liner, abrasion resistance, and anti-fouling.

Abstract: A method of removing an unwanted constituent from a siliceous surface in which the method includes contacting the siliceous surface and the unwanted constituent with a multi-functional composition that includes water, a hydrophilic silane, and a surfactant, and drying the surface.

Abstract: The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.

Abstract: Articles comprising a coating of hydrophilic silane. Also, methods for making such articles and methods for using such articles.

Abstract: The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.

Abstract: The disclosure provides polymers having antimicrobial activity and articles with the polymers coated thereon. The polymers include a first pendant group comprising a first cationic component, a second pendant group comprising a nonpolar component, and a third pendant group comprising an organosilane component. The disclosure also includes methods of coating medical device articles and body fluid-receiving substrates with the antimicrobial polymers. The methods further include the use of adhesion-promoting components.

Abstract: Method of making an article are described comprising providing a substrate and forming a surface treated porous layer on a surface of the substrate. The porous layer comprises sintered inorganic oxide particles. A surface of the porous layer comprises a hydrophobic layer. The method further comprises impregnating a lubricant into pores of the surface treated porous layer. Also described are articles, comprising (a) a substrate; (b) a surface treated porous layer disposed on a surface of the substrate, wherein the surface treated porous layer comprises a plurality of sintered inorganic oxide particles arranged to form a porous three-dimensional network, and a hydrophobic layer disposed on a surface of the porous three-dimensional network, and (c) a lubricant impregnated in pores of the surface treated porous layer.

Abstract: The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.

Abstract: Presently described are components of a spray application system. At least one component comprises a liquid repellent surface layer. The liquid repellent surface (e.g. layer) may comprise a porous layer and a lubricant impregnated into pores of the porous layer; a fluoropolymer; a fluorochemical material and an organic polymeric binder; or a fluorochemical material melt additive and a thermoplastic polymeric material component. The component is typically a liquid reservoir, a liquid reservoir liner, a lid for a liquid reservoir or liner, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the component comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material. In some favored embodiments, the component is a removable liquid reservoir or liner. In some favored embodiments, the component is a collapsible liquid reservoir or liner. The spray application system typically further comprises a gravity-fed spray gun.

Abstract: Spore carriers suitable for use in biological indicators are described. The spore carriers include a substrate such as polymeric film or non-woven web with a hydrophilic nanostructured layer bonded to it. Spores are bonded to the nanostructured layer. Nanostructured layers including nanoparticles, such as acid-sintered silica nanoparticles are described. Biological indicators including such spore carriers are also described.