Abstract: A process for producing an article having modified optical, chemical, and/or physical properties is disclosed. The process includes (a) fluidizing a starting material; (b) forcing the fluidized starting material toward the article; and (c) passing the fluidized starting material through a high energy zone. The passing step can occur before the forcing step; after the forcing step but before the fluidizing material comes in contact with the surface of the article; and/or after the forcing step and after the fluidized material comes in contact with the surface of the article. The properties of the article are modified because the article has nano-scaled structures distributed on the surface of the article and/or at least partially embedded in the article.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating layer comprising at least one layer selected from a mixture of silica and zirconia; a mixture of silica and alumina; or a mixture of silica, alumina and titania overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. The coated substrates of the invention exhibit improved properties such as increased durability, photocatalytic activity, etc. as a result of the undercoating layer.

Abstract: A coated substrate and methods for making the coated substrate are disclosed. The method entails depositing an undercoating over at least a portion of the substrate; fluidizing a precursor for nanoparticles; and forcing the fluidized precursor toward the substrate to coat the undercoating with a layer of nanoparticles. Coated substrates according to the present invention exhibit improved durability and increased photocatalytic activity.

Abstract: A colorant for a high redox glass composition comprising: total iron (Fe2O3) 0 to 1.1 weight percent; and from 0.0001 to 0.15 weight percent of at least one of the following: Cu nanostructures, Au nanostructures, or Ag nanostructures, wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the glass composition. The colorant of the invention can be used to make glass compositions having various colors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for making a polymer that has nanostructures incorporated into the matrix of the polymer. The method of the invention involves the following steps: mixing a precursor solution for the polymer with a precursor for the nanostructures to form a mixture; forming nanostructures in the mixture from the precursor of the nanostructures; and forming a polymer from the precursor solution of the polymer so that the nanostructures are incorporated into the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A coated substrate is disclosed. The coated substrate includes a substrate; an undercoating having one or more materials selected from tin oxide, silica, titania, alumina, zirconia, zinc oxide and alloys and mixtures thereof nitrides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, silicon, aluminum and mixtures thereof, and oxy-nitrides of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, silicon, aluminum and mixtures thereof overlaying at least a portion of the substrate; and a functional coating overlaying at least a portion of the undercoating. As a result of the undercoating, the coated substrate can exhibit improved properties such as improved aesthetic properties, increased durability, photocatalytic activity, mechanical durability, etc.

Abstract: A coated substrate and methods for making the coated substrate are disclosed. The method entails depositing an undercoating over at least a portion of the substrate; fluidizing a precursor for nanostructures; and forcing the fluidized precursor toward the substrate to coat the undercoating with a layer of nanostructures. Coated substrates according to the present invention exhibit improved durability and increased photocatalytic activity.

Abstract: A process for producing an article having modified optical, chemical, and/or physical properties is disclosed. The process comprises (a) fluidizing a starting material; (b) forcing the fluidized starting material toward the article, the article having a certain temperature; and (c) passing the fluidized starting material through a high energy zone, the passing step can occur before the forcing step; after the forcing step but before the fluidizing material comes in contact with the surface of the article; and/or after the forcing step and after the fluidized material comes in contact with the surface of the article. The properties of the article are modified because the article has nano-scaled structures distributed on the surface of the article and/or at least partially embedded in the article.