Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the thermal comfort in passenger planes by means of a heat-reflecting coating with a low thermal emission coefficient, and airplanes and airplane parts bearing this coating. According to the invention, the coating is applied to the existing interior surfaces of the airplane cabin wall such that a passenger of the airplane may be in direct radiation exchange with this coating.

Abstract: A vehicle window includes a pane of self-darkening or laminated glass and a function layer made of a low-emission material disposed on an inside surface of the pane. The function layer reflects a first infrared radiation into the vehicle and reduces an emission of a second infrared radiation from the glass pane into an interior of the vehicle. In addition, a method for regulating a thermal comfort of a passenger in an interior of a vehicle includes the steps of providing a self-darkening glazing as protection against glare and heat, disposing an IR-reflecting transparent layer on the glazing in form of a coating or film, reflecting an infrared radiation emitted from the vehicle interior back into the vehicle interior using the IR-reflecting transparent layer, and reducing a heat radiated by the glazing into the vehicle interior.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-guiding system for improving the lighting conditions of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, including a light-generating unit (3) which can be switched on and off electrically and a light guide (5) which is used for guiding the light and which is coupled to the light-generating unit (3) for coupling in the light. According to the present invention, the light guide (5) is arranged in the area of the interior lining of the vehicle roof (1) and designed as a flat light guide, the light being coupled in at one or more lateral surfaces (7, 8) of the light guide (5); and the flat light guide (5) being prepared such that the light couples out of the light guide (5) into the passenger compartment (2) of the vehicle over a large surface and in a homogeneous manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell consisting of one or more individual cells, wherein an individual cell is comprised of electrolyte-electrodes unit, means for gas distribution of reactants to the electrodes and an electric contacting of the individual cells. The inventive fuel cell has the following characteristics: the electrodes comprise electrically conductive, regularly disposed micro or nanoscale needle-shaped or tubular-shaped electrode elements affixed on a gas-permeable carrier substrate and coated with a catalyst; the electrode elements are fully or partially surrounded on the outside by the material of the electrolytes; the catalytic reaction zones in the electrode elements are connected to the means for gas distribution by the gas-permeable carrier substrate; the electrode elements are connected to one another and to the electric contacting of the individual cells in an electrically conductive manner.

Abstract: A vehicle window includes a pane of self-darkening or laminated glass and a function layer made of a low-emission material disposed on an inside surface of the pane. The function layer reflects a first infrared radiation into the vehicle and reduces an emission of a second infrared radiation from the glass pane into an interior of the vehicle. In addition, a method for regulating a thermal comfort of a passenger in an interior of a vehicle includes the steps of providing a self-darkening glazing as protection against glare and heat, disposing an IR-reflecting transparent layer on the glazing in form of a coating or film, reflecting an infrared radiation emitted from the vehicle interior back into the vehicle interior using the IR-reflecting transparent layer, and reducing a heat radiated by the glazing into the vehicle interior.

Abstract: An infrared camouflaging system comprises a thermorefractive layer system or a thermorefractive material, whose thermal emissivity has a negative temperature coefficient.

Abstract: A vehicle interior trim which has a reduced glare effect at the windshield or the rear window, and comprises the following features: a transparent surface layer (2) whose upper boundary surface (7) has a non-smooth structure, partial areas of the boundary surface (1) being inclined toward the windshield or the rear window; a mat absorber layer (5) which is arranged underneath the surface layer (2); a zone which is situated between the surface layer (2) and the absorber layer (5) and which has a total reflection effect for light beams impinging into the vehicle interior at flat angles from outside; a device (7,8,9) for scattering the light so that a natural lightness appearance ensues for the vehicle passenger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochronic element including the following elements: an electrode (E1), an electrochromic functional layer (FS), an ion-conducting electrolyte (EY) a layer with high electrical charge capacity (SK), a counter-electrode (E2), the electrochromic functional layer (FS) being a nanoporous doped semiconductor layer having structure sizes smaller than 50 nm.

Abstract: An infrared camouflage device has a surface structure having two groups of partial areas. Partial areas in the first group are directed downward and form an angle &agr; of between 5° and 45° with vertical; and partial areas in the second group are directed upward and form an angle &bgr; of between 50° and 65° with vertical; and &agr;+&bgr;<90°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochronic element including the following elements:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-guiding system for improving the lighting conditions of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, including a light-generating unit (3) which can be switched on and off electrically and a light guide (5) which is used for guiding the light and which is coupled to the light-generating unit (3) for coupling in the light. According to the present invention, the light guide (5) is arranged in the area of the interior lining of the vehicle roof (1) and designed as a flat light guide, the light being coupled in at one or more lateral surfaces (7, 8) of the light guide (5); and the flat light guide (5) being prepared such that the light couples out of the light guide (5) into the passenger compartment (2) of the vehicle over a large surface and in a homogeneous manner.

Abstract: A vehicle interior trim which has a reduced glare effect at the windshield or the rear window, and comprises the following features:

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle lighting unit with an optical conductor system, having a light source and means for concentrating the beams of this source onto the entrance end of a transparent rod, the rod extending along a longitudinal axis A and having obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis a plurality of reflecting facets at which light emerges at a specific intensity, the facets cooperating with optical lenses which are arranged at the exit of an optical conductor in the path of the elementary light bundles reflected by the facets. According to the invention, it is provided that light-controlling elements are present which permit the deflection or passage of light by changing thereflection at the facet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative plastic film for the surface treatment, in particular, of vehicle bodies and building facades. It has a micro- or nano-scale structure, in which micro-or nano-scale particles (4) are introduced in uniform shape, size, and orientation into a transparent polymer substrate (3), so that the optically perceptible effect is produced exclusively or largely by optical effects in the collective arrangement of the particles (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the thermal comfort in passenger planes by means of a heat-reflecting coating with a low thermal emission coefficient, and airplanes and airplane parts bearing this coating. According to the invention, the coating is applied to the existing interior surfaces of the airplane cabin wall such that a passenger of the airplane may be in direct radiation exchange with this coating.

Abstract: An element having an electrically adjustable thermal emissivity for infrared radiation has the following layer structure: forward IR-transparent substrate; function layer whose reflectivity for IR radiation can be changed by the embedding of hydrogen; anhydrous IR-absorptive proton conductor layer;hydrogen storage layer; and electrode layer. The surface whose emissivity is to be controlled, is covered with one or more elements according to the invention, which are electrically connected with one another and can be wired in the form of strings or arrays.

Abstract: A laminated glass pane assembly with electrically controllable reflectivity, especially for controlling the entry of sunlight and solar heat into vehicles or buildings. The laminated glass pane comprises a first glass pane, an electroreflective functional layer made of an alloy of the hydride of a rare earth metal and magnesium, an antioxidation layer made of a proton-conducting transparent oxide or fluoride, an anhydrous proton-conducting solid electrolyte, a proton storage layer, a transparent conducting coating, and a second glass pane.

Abstract: The invention provides an IR modulator for synchronized interruption of an IR beam path in a thermal imaging device. A layer made of thermorefractive material is arranged in the beam path, and means are provided for changing the temperature of the thermorefractive layer.

Abstract: A pane made of glass or plastic, whose optical degree of reflection can be controlled by switching between two different interference conditions. As a result, the transmissibility with respect to sun radiation can be reduced very efficiently and an excessive heating of glazed objects can be prevented. Preferred applications of the invention are the climate control of motor vehicles, rail vehicles, airplanes and buildings.

Abstract: A microelectronic thin-film device having a thin superconducting layer in contact with a thin quasi-insulating conversion layer. The critical current of the superconducting layer is controlled by application of a voltage to the conversion layer by means of a gate electrode, causing the conversion layer to undergo an insulator-metal transition.