Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising (i) at least one metal foil substrate; (ii) a coating layer on at least a portion of at least one side of the metal foil substrate wherein the coating layer comprises (a) a condensation cured silicone resin composition and (b) silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: In an embodiment, one reinforced substrate for use in a photovoltaic device includes a polymer base material and a reinforcing structure bonded with the base material. The reinforced substrate presents a surface in a condition that is made-ready for deposition of thin film layers of the photovoltaic device. A thin film photovoltaic device includes the reinforced substrate, a back contact layer formed on the surface of the reinforced substrate, and a solar absorber layer formed on the back contact layer. A plurality of thin film photovoltaic devices may be formed on a common reinforced substrate. A process of producing a reinforced substrate includes combining a fluid base material and a fiber reinforcing structure to form an impregnated fiber reinforcement. The impregnated fiber reinforcement is cured to form the reinforced substrate, and the reinforced substrate is annealed.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising (i) at least one metal foil substrate; (ii) a coating layer on at least a portion of at least one side of the metal foil substrate wherein the coating layer comprises (a) a condensation cured silicone resin composition and (b) silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: A copper indium diselenide (CIS)-based photovoltaic device includes a CIS-based solar absorber layer including copper, indium, and selenium. The CIS-based photovoltaic device further includes a substrate including a silicone layer formed from a silicone composition and a metal foil layer. The substrate, due to the presence of the silicone layer and the metal foil layer, is both flexible and sufficiently able to withstand annealing temperatures in excess of 500° C. to obtain maximum efficiency of the device.

Abstract: In an embodiment, one reinforced substrate for use in a photovoltaic device includes a polymer base material and a reinforcing structure bonded with the base material. The reinforced substrate presents a surface in a condition that is made-ready for deposition of thin film layers of the photovoltaic device. A thin film photovoltaic device includes the reinforced substrate, a back contact layer formed on the surface of the reinforced substrate, and a solar absorber layer formed on the back contact layer. A plurality of thin film photovoltaic devices may be formed on a common reinforced substrate. A process of producing a reinforced substrate includes combining a fluid base material and a fiber reinforcing structure to form an impregnated fiber reinforcement. The impregnated fiber reinforcement is cured to form the reinforced substrate, and the reinforced substrate is annealed.

Abstract: A process for producing polycrystalline silicon carbide by heating an amorphous ceramic fiber that contains silicon and carbon in an environment containing boron oxide vapor. The boron oxide vapor is produced in situ by the reaction of a boron containing material such as boron carbide and an oxidizing agent such as carbon dioxide, and the amount of boron oxide vapor can be controlled by varying the amount and rate of addition of the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A process for producing polycrystalline silicon carbide includes heating an amorphous ceramic fiber that contains silicon and carbon in an environment containing boron oxide vapor. The boron oxide vapor is produced in situ by the reaction of a boron containing material such as boron carbide and an oxidizing agent such as carbon dioxide, and the amount of boron oxide vapor can be controlled by varying the amount and rate of addition of the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for production of polycrystalline ceramic fibers from silicon oxycarbide (SiCO) ceramic fibers wherein the method comprises heating an amorphous ceramic fiber containing silicon and carbon in an inert environment comprising a boron oxide and carbon monoxide at a temperature sufficient to convert the amorphous ceramic fiber to a polycrystalline ceramic fiber. By having carbon monoxide present during the heating of the ceramic fiber, it is possible to achieve higher production rates on a continuous process.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of thermally stable, substantially polycrystalline silicon carbide ceramic fibers using borosilazane resins. The method comprises spinning fibers from the resin, infusibilizing the spun fibers and pyrolyzing the spun fibers at a temperature greater than about 1700.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention pertains to polycarbosilane hydroxides which contain units of the formula ##STR1## where R is a hydrocarbon having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and to methods for their manufacture. The polycarbosilane hydroxides may be prepared by the oxidation of a polycarbosilane.

Abstract: A method of crosslinking a silazane polymer having Si--H bonds in which the polymer is mixed with a crosslinker selected from alkenyl functional cyclosiloxanes and alkenyl functional cyclosilazanes and a crosslinking promoter and then heated to a temperature sufficient to crosslink the silazane polymer. The mixture of the silazane polymer, crosslinker and promoter is useful in the formation of ceramic matrix composites.

Abstract: A method of crosslinking a silazane polymer having Si--H bonds in which the polymer is mixed with a crosslinker selected from alkenyl functional cyclosiloxanes and alkenyl functional cyclosilazanes and a crosslinking promoter and then heated to a temperature sufficient to crosslink the silazane polymer. The mixture of the silazane polymer, crosslinker and promoter is useful in the formation of ceramic matrix composites.