Abstract: The present invention relates to a curtain which is suitable as shatter protection and has optical and thermal functionality. Curtains of this type are required in particular in order to protect buildings for example during terrorist attacks. This fundamentally relates to any type of building, in particular however, office buildings with large areas of glass. The fundamental concept of the present invention is to provide curtains which absorb the huge amount of energy, for example of an explosion, however also irreversible damage of the curtain being able to be accepted. It is thereby essential that the curtain absorbs the acting energy and inter alia prevents any possibly occurring fragments of a glass façade being thrown into the room and being able to injure people there. The curtain is configured for this purpose as an internally situated or externally situated curtain, advantageously as a slatted curtain/shutter or even as a roller blind.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sun protection device that has a plurality of segments that are spaced apart from one another parallel to their longitudinal direction and that are received so as to be rotatable about their longitudinal axis. The segments have respective segment top surfaces on which a plurality of optical concentrator structure elements from an at least partially transparent dielectric material, so-called CPCs (Compound Parabolic Concentrators) are provided. Said concentrators have a surface of incidence and one planar or curved receiving surface and are oriented with their receiving surface toward the segment top surface. The invention is characterized in that the segment top surface, at an angle to its longitudinal direction, is at least partially curved or edged, the segment top surface is reflecting or opaque, and the CPCs adjoin the segment top surface with their receiving surface directly or across at least one coupling layer or are spaced apart and disposed opposite the segment top surface.

Abstract: Described is a device for guiding light consisting of at least one partially translucent surface material, with a surface upper side, which has optically active surface structures for guiding and/or scattering light, as well as an optically switchable coating provided at least in partial areas of the surface structures, or at least two directly or indirectly opposing surface upper sides, of which one exhibits optically active surface structures for guiding and/or scattering light, and the other provides an optically switchable coating that covers at least parts of the surface upper side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glazing element for facing building facades or window systems, in particular for motor vehicles, trains or aircraft, having at least two panes, which enclose an intermediate space, and on one pane surface facing said intermediate space a coating buildup is provided, having an electrically conductive layer applied to one pane surface, thereupon an electrochromic, and thereupon an ion-conducting and thereupon an electrocatalytic layer. The invention is distinguished by the fact that, in addition to the coating buildup in the intermediate space, which is free of water, solely a reducing or oxidizing gas or gas mixture comprising a reducing or an oxidizing gas or a gas mixture comprising a reducing or an oxidizing gas and an inert gas is provided and that an electric voltage of less than 1.2 volts between the electrically conductive and the electrocatalytic layer is applied.

Abstract: Disclosed are mixtures of two or more polymers of which at least one is cross-linked. Interpenetrating polymer networks are on hand. The polymers mix below a certain temperature and demix above this temperature (LCST behavior). Below the demixing temperature, such interpenetrating polymer networks are optically clear, above the demixing temperature they are milky, turbid and have reduced light transmission due to the light scattering of the phaseseparated system' if the refractive indices of the components do not coincide. The demixing process is fully reversible below the demixing temperature.

Abstract: A glazing element, in particular, for facing building facades, having two nes enclosing a gaseous atmospheric intermediate space and having a predetermined layer on at least one pane surface facing the intermediate space. The glazing element is distinguished by the fact that the predetermined layer has a reactive layer applied on one pane and a catalytic layer applied on the reactive layer. The catalytic layer, depending on the composition of the gas atmosphere contained between the panes, activates in the reactive layer. The reaction changes the optical and/or electrical properties of the reactive layer, and varies the composition of the gas atmosphere in the intermediate space, thereby making the electrical and/or optical properties of the reactive layer variable.

Abstract: An indicating device having an electro-optical light valve unit such as in a liquid crystal cell arranged behind a plate containing fluorescent particles characterized by a contrast filter disposed behind the plate and unit in the direction of viewing and a reflector disposed behind the contrast filter. The contrast filter will pass light of the spectrum which excites the fluorescent particles of the fluorescent plate but absorbs the emitted fluorescent light and a majority of the other light so that a background is either dark or of a specific color. The energized light valves cause a bright image on the dark or colored background.