Abstract: A motor-vehicle window comprises a glass pane having an outer edge and a peripheral black obscuration band extending around the pane edge and leaving a central portion of the pane clear and unobstructed. This band is at least partially formed of a coating-deposited black conductor capable of generating heat when an electric current is passed through it. Thus an electrical current can be passed through the conductor to heat at least a portion of the pane at the obscuration band. The conductor may be positioned side-by-side with the band, disposed in a recess in the band or overlie the band. The conductor may define a heated wiper rest zone on the window.

Abstract: The drying of a hydrated alkali metal silicate aqueous solution on a substrate to produce a light-transmissive fire-resistant layer is carried out at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. in a drying chamber which is initially filled with water vapor. An operation of the water vapor is condensed and the atmosphere is replenished with helium, oxygen, nitrogen or a mixture thereof so that during the drying, the atmosphere consists at least 90% by volume of water vapor and one or more of these gases, the balance being nitrogen and/or argon and/or sulfur hexafluoride.

Abstract: A device for generating a high level electron current pulse includes a housing whose interior can be evacuated from outside the housing, a cathode electrode located in the housing and arranged to be connected to a high voltage generator, an anode electrode disposed in the housing in facing relation to the cathode electrode, the anode electrode having an opening aligned with the electron emission portion of the cathode electrode and being provided with a grid which covers this opening and which presents a high electron transmission level, the grid defining a plane with one face of the anode electrode, and the walls of the housing defining an annular space filled with a solution whose resistivity is a function of its concentration to give these walls a variable electrical resistance which can be adjusted to match the impedance of the cathode electrode - anode electrode system to that of the high voltage generator.