Abstract: A crosslinked rubber composition includes: a rubber component containing a first polymer which is an ethylene-?-olefin elastomer having an ethylene content of less than 60% by mass and a second polymer which is an ethylene-?-olefin elastomer having an ethylene content of 60% by mass or more; and short fibers dispersed in the rubber component. The rubber component is crosslinked by using organic peroxide as a crosslinking agent. The content of the organic peroxide in a not-yet crosslinked rubber composition is 1 part by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less relative to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a fluoropolymer composition, comprising bringing a fluoropolymer raw material into contact with an oxidizing agent, wherein the fluoropolymer raw material is obtained by polymerizing a fluoromonomer in an aqueous medium in the presence of a polymer (I) containing a polymerization unit (I) derived from a monomer (I) represented by the general formula (I). CX1X3?CX2R(—CZ1Z2-A0)m??(I) wherein X1 and X3 are each independently F, Cl, H, or CF3; X2 is H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; A0 is an anionic group; R is a linking group; Z1 and Z2 are each independently H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; and m is an integer of 1 or more.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to functionalized polymers and compositions comprising such where the functionalized polymers comprise amide, imide, and/or ester functionalized partially or fully saturated polymer comprising C4-5 olefins having: i) an Mw/Mn of less than 2, ii) a Functionality Distribution (Fd) value of 3.5 or less, and iii) an Mn of 10,000 g/mol or more (GPC-PS) of the polymer prior to functionalization, provided that, if the polymer prior to functionalization is a copolymer of isoprene and butadiene, then the Mn of the copolymer is greater than 25,000 g/mol (GPC-PS).

Abstract: A block copolymer composition contains a block copolymer having a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer unit and a conjugated diene monomer unit. The block copolymer composition satisfies: when a total of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer unit and the conjugated diene monomer unit in the composition is taken as 100 mass %, a content of the conjugated diene monomer unit is 10-20 mass %; the composition contains 60-100 mass % of the block copolymer having a structure represented by (S)-[(S/B)]2 where (S) is a polymer chain of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer unit, and (S/B) is a copolymer chain having the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer unit and the conjugated diene monomer unit; Mn of the block copolymer contained in the composition is 100,000-200,000; and when storage moduli measured at 70° C. and 100° C. in dynamic viscoelasticity measurement are defined as E?70 and E?100, V in V=E?70×(E?70?E?100)/30 is 0.5×1016-2.0×1016.

Abstract: Herein described is an epoxy system comprising an epoxy resin and a phenolic polymer having a number average molar mass Mn of from 200 to 1,500 g/mol. Use of the phenolic polymer in epoxy resins provides for accelerated curing of the epoxy resins.

Abstract: This invention describes a polymer composition having reduced torque during processing comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and an internal additive, where the internal additive is a polyglycerol fatty acid ester having a degree of esterification of at least 70% and where the concentration of the internal additive is below 5 wt %. This invention further describes a use of said composition for packaging materials and a use of an internal additive in the processing of the polymer composition as a lubricant and/or an anti-blocker during processing of the polymer, where said internal additive is a polyglycerol fatty acid ester having a degree of esterification of at least 70% and 2-10 glycerol repeating units.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition includes: a polyester component; from 10 wt % to 50 wt % of a glass fiber filler; and up to 15 wt % of a flame retardant component. The composition includes less than 1 wt % of a component including nitrogen. The composition is sustainable in some aspects with a recycle content of at least 30%.

Abstract: Provided are a biodegradable resin aqueous dispersion from which a transparent film with an excellent biodegradability can be obtained without impairing the properties inherent to resins, and without performing a special heating treatment; a film forming agent using such dispersion; and a method for forming a film. The biodegradable resin aqueous dispersion of the present invention is an aqueous dispersion with a biodegradable resin being dispersed in an aqueous solvent under the presence of a non-ionic dispersant, comprising, as the biodegradable resin, a polycaprolactone having a weight-average molecular weight of 20,000 to 90,000, wherein a mass ratio of the non-ionic dispersant to the biodegradable resin is 0.03 to 0.23.

Abstract: A preform for a biodegradable container wherein the preform includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group, wherein the polymer comprises from about 20 to about 99 wt. % of the preform and wherein the monomeric units wherein R1=CH3 comprise 75 to 99 mol percent of the polymer and wherein the preform has a body having a uniform wall thickness throughout the body of the preform. A resin adapted for forming the preform is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable preform, biodegradable containers and a method for making the plastic containers. The biodegradable container wherein the body of the container includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group. The monomeric units wherein R1 is CH3 is about 75 to about 99 mol percent of the polymer. A resin adapted for forming the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an aqueous dispersion comprising water and a mixture of: A) an aqueous dispersion comprising water and a polyurethane polymer A-1) obtained by reacting at least the following components: (a) a polyisocyanate compound; (b) a polyol compound comprising: (c) an emulsifier; B) an aqueous dispersion other than A) comprising water and a polyurethane polymer B-1) obtained by reacting at least the following components: (i) a diisocyanate; (ii) at least one polyether polyol having a number average molecular weight (Mn) ranging from 500 to 10 000 g/mol; (iii) an amino compound having an amino functionality higher or equal to 1; (iv) a compound comprising at least one isocyanate-reactive group and at least one ionic or potentially ionic group; wherein said polyurethane B-1) is amorphous.

Abstract: Provided is a polyamide resin composition that has a high electrical resistance in a high temperature region (around 130° C.) while having a high heat resistance. This polyamide resin composition comprises polyamide resin that contains a component unit (a) deriving from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or alicyclic dicarboxylic acid and a component unit (b2) deriving from 1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane. The polyamide resin composition further comprises at least one flame retardant (X) selected from the group consisting of polybrominated styrenes, brominated polystyrenes, and brominated polyphenylenes, or a flame retardant (Y) comprising a prescribed phosphinate salt compound or bisphosphinate salt compound or a polymer thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a phenalkamine represented by formula (I), wherein, X is H or OH; R1 is an aliphatic chain with more than 8 carbon atoms, R2 is H, a C1-C10 alkyl, phenyl, or a C5-C6 cycloaliphatic group; R3 and R4 are independently CH2CH2, CH2CH2CH2, or CH2CH2CH2CH2; and P and Q are, independent of each other, an integer. Also provided is a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: Plasteline, including a binder and a filler, and at least one surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the incorporation of recycled bituminous products by using at least one surfactant as an alternative to the known rejuvenating oils, for the preparation of asphalt mixes containing recycled bituminous products. The use of such alternative surfactant(s) results in better mechanical properties of the asphalt mix, while using smaller amounts of fresh bitumen and greater amounts of recycled bituminous products.

Abstract: Disclosed are binders and methods for making such binders with crude sterols. The crude sterols improve various rheological properties of the binders.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of fermented molasses as an emulsifier in an emulsion. The invention also relates to an emulsion comprising a bitumen and fermented molasses.

Abstract: In a stack of composite wood boards, the wood boards comprise wood particles and an organic binder.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition are described. In some embodiments, the method comprises: (a) preparing a mixture of solids comprising lignocellulosic biomass, a meltable solvent and a polyester; and (b) melt-compounding said mixture of solids; thereby preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition. Fibers produced by the methods are also described, as are yarns and fabrics comprising the fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to spray-dried, washfast dye compositions (preferably in the form of pigment powders) having a bleeding rate of ?0.5% and consisting of water-soluble functional dyes, preferably food dyes, which are firmly incorporated in a silica matrix. Apart from low bleeding of dye, these compositions are remarkable for their high stability to pH changes and/or ascorbic acid. The invention is also directed to the production of the dye compositions and the use thereof. The dye compositions are preferably employed in coloring foods, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, but also in other uses.

Abstract: Water solvated polymeric dyes having a deep ultraviolet excitation spectrum are provided. The subject polymeric dyes include a light harvesting multichromophore having conjugation-modifying repeat units incorporated into the polymer backbone to provide segments of ?-conjugated co-monomers having limited ?-conjugation between segments. Polymeric tandem dyes are also provided that further include a signaling chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. Also provided are labelled specific binding members that include the subject water solvated polymeric dyes. Methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labelling a target molecule in which the subject polymeric dyes find use are also provided. Systems and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A light-shielding film comprising a resin, an inorganic particle and an organic particle, wherein the organic particle is a core-shell particle which has a surface layer portion and a center portion, and an elastic modulus of the surface layer portion is higher than an elastic modulus of the center portion.

Abstract: Described herein is a building panel comprising a first major exposed surface opposite a second major exposed surface, the building panel comprising: a body having a first major surface opposite a second major surface and a plurality of perforations extending from the first major surface toward the second major surface; a flame-retardant coating atop the first major surface of the body and extending into the plurality of perforations, the coating comprising a silicate compound and an amphoteric surfactant; and wherein the building panel has an airflow resistance of less than about 12,000 rayls as measured between the first major exposed surface and the second major exposed surface.

Abstract: There are provided indeno-fused naphthopyran compound particles having a degree of crystallization of 10.00% or less and a maximum primary particle size of 200 ?m or less.

Abstract: A space vehicle including a structural component defining a carbon-carbon composite substrate. A high temperature coating on a surface of the carbon-carbon composite substrate. The high temperature coating includes a crystallized metal carbide undercoat on and an overcoat on a surface of the undercoat. The overcoat includes a high emissivity layer. The high emissivity layer has a higher emissivity than the crystallized metal carbide undercoat, and the high emissivity layer includes a complex oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pigmented aqueous coating composition including at least one binder, at least one mono-, di- and/or triglyceride, and at least one silica compound. Further disclosed herein is a method for producing a multicoat paint system by producing a basecoat or two or more directly consecutive basecoats directly on a substrate optionally coated with a first coat, producing a clearcoat directly on the basecoat or on the topmost of the two or more basecoats, and then jointly curing the one or more basecoats and the clearcoat. At least one of the basecoat materials includes the aqueous coating composition disclosed herein. Additionally disclosed herein is a multicoat paint system obtainable by the disclosed method.

Abstract: The presently disclosed claimed inventive concepts(s) relates generally to a fluidized polymer suspension-based rheology-modifier composition comprising 0.05 wt. % to 70.0 wt. % of an acrylamide polymer, and 30.0 wt. % to 99.95 wt. % of a least one cellulose ether. Further, the presently disclosed claimed inventive concept(s) also relates to a method of making the fluidized polymer suspension-based rheology modifier composition and an aqueous coating composition comprising the same.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layer coating film having at least a clear coating film and a base coating film and having good chipping resistance, and preferably to provide a multi-layer coating film further having good designability. The multi-layer coating film of the present invention is a multi-layer coating film comprising a substrate, a base layer formed thereon, and a clear layer formed on the base layer, wherein the base layer comprises a luster pigment, wherein the base layer has an erosion index of 45 ?m2/g or less where the erosion index is a value obtained by multiplying an erosion rate of the base layer by a thickness of the base layer, and wherein the erosion rate of the base layer is measured using a micro slurry jet erosion method at a projection power at which an erosion rate with respect to a silicon wafer is 0.635 ?m/g.

Abstract: Provided is a coating agent preparation kit with which a coating agent layer having a desired thickness can be satisfactorily obtained and a coating film can be easily formed. A coating agent preparation kit according to the present invention is a coating agent preparation kit for obtaining a coating agent by mixing, the coating agent preparation kit including a first composition and a second composition, the first composition including a curable compound curable with ultraviolet rays, heat, or moisture, and the second composition including hollow particles.

Abstract: One aspect described herein is a polyurethane, texture coating composition, sprayable on a substrate by means of conventional spray equipment and at conventional pressures and ambient temperatures, in one or more layers to a film thickness of up to about 30 mils, comprises a resin component having hydroxyl functionality, an isocyanate functional curing component, an organotin catalyst, a polyethylene wax particle and a silica particle. The composition may optionally include an extender pigment and a colorant. Advantageously, the coating compositions of the present invention provide polyurethane films with texture, having excellent physical properties, slip properties with abrasion resistance, solvent and UV resistance and adhesion to prepared substrates. The compositions are particularly useful to repair textured substrates, add desired textures to substrates and form sprayable vehicle bedliners.

Abstract: A defoamer composition contains I) an oil phase, II) a water phase, III) at least one O/W emulsifier, and IV) at least one W/O emulsifier as co-emulsifier. In the defoamer composition, the amount of the water phase is 20-90 wt. %, preferably 60-85 wt. % based on the total weight of the composition. The oil phase is an oil-in-oil emulsion containing A) at least one or more vegetable oil as component A, B) at least one or more polyether ester as component B, C) at least one or more polyether-modified polysiloxane, and optionally D) at least one or more hydrophobic particle as component D.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ink compositions for digital printing on an external surface of a plastic article. The ink compositions comprise an ink removal-promoting additive. In some aspects, the ink removal-promoting additive can facilitate the separation or loosening of the image from the external surface of the article when the image is exposed to a liquid-based solution at an elevated temperature. Also disclosed are recyclable plastic articles having an external surface with an image printed thereon using the disclosed ink composition and methods for removing cured ink from a plastic container. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: Inkjet ink contains a pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, water, and a surfactant. The water-soluble organic solvent contains both a glycol ether and a glycol compound. The inkjet ink has an Ohnesorge number Oh of 0.180 or more but 0.188 or less.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a preparation method of high refractive index ink and a display panel. The method for preparing high refractive index ink, comprising: providing a nano-metal oxide dispersion; performing ozone treatment on the nano-metal oxide dispersion to obtain the ozone treated nano-metal oxide dispersion; mixing the ozone-treated nano-metal oxide dispersion with a plurality of preset solutions according to a predetermined weight ratio to form a mixed solution; performing ball milling treatment on the mixed solution to obtain the ball-milled mixed solution; and heating the ball-milled mixed solution to obtain the high refractive index ink. According to the present disclosure, the nano-metal oxide dispersion is subjected to ozone and ball milling treatment, thereby improving the dispersibility of the nano-metal oxide particles in the high refractive index ink.

Abstract: A dispersion liquid includes water, a coloring material, and a dispersion resin that disperses the coloring material, and the dispersion resin has a constituent unit A containing a hydrophobic monomer, a constituent unit B containing an unsaturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acid monomer, and a constituent unit C containing an acrylamide monomer having a sulfonic acid group. The weight-average molecular weight of the dispersion resin is from 10,000 to 100,000, the content of the constituent unit A is 40 mol % or more relative to the total amount of the dispersion resin, and the content of the constituent unit B is 4 mol % or more relative to the total amount of the dispersion resin.

Abstract: An ink jet ink composition is provided which contains water, a (meth)acrylic resin, and a wax emulsion and which is a water-based clear ink, and the (meth)acrylic resin described above satisfies predetermined requirements.

Abstract: An inkjet ink contains a pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, water, and a surfactant. The water-soluble organic solvent includes a glycol ether compound. A difference between a dynamic surface tension ?10 of the inkjet ink at a surface age of 10 milliseconds and a dynamic surface tension ?10000 of the inkjet ink at a surface age of 10000 milliseconds is no greater than 3.4 mN/m. An inkjet recording method is an inkjet recording method for forming an image on a recording medium with the above-mentioned inkjet ink and includes forming the image by ejecting the inkjet ink toward the recording medium. The recording medium is a poorly absorbent recording medium.

Abstract: An active energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition contains a pigment which contains Pigment Orange 71 and Pigment Violet 19 which is 30.0 to 85.0% by mass relative to a total mass of Pigment Violet 19 and Pigment Orange 71, and a photopolymerizable compound which contains, in a total amount of all polymerizable components,(A) 0.20 to 15.0% by mass of a multifunctional amine-modified oligomer; (B) 50.0% by mass or more of a monofunctional monomer; (C) 35.0% by mass or more of a monofunctional monomer whose glass transition temperature is 20° C. or more; (D) 35.0% by mass or more of a monofunctional monomer whose glass transition temperature is 10° C. or less; (E) 2.0 to 11.0% by mass of a multifunctional monomer whose glass transition temperature is 10° C. or less; and (F) 10.0 to 25.0% by mass of a nitrogen-containing monofunctional monomer.

Abstract: An inkjet ink includes a self-dispersing pigment, specific particles and an aqueous medium. The specific particles include a pigment and a resin. In the specific particles, the mass ratio of the resin to the pigment is equal to or greater than 1.2 and equal to or less than 2.0. The resin includes a styrene-(meth)acrylic resin. The volume median diameter of the specific particles is equal to or greater than 100 nm and equal to or less than 170 nm.

Abstract: Provided is an aqueous ink for ink jet, which enables the recording of an image having satisfactory abrasion resistance and has satisfactory storage stability. The aqueous ink for ink jet includes: a wax; a dispersant for dispersing the wax; an ester compound; and a water-soluble organic solvent, wherein the wax is a wax represented by the following general formula (1), and the ester compound is an ester compound represented by the following general formula (2), wherein in the general formula (1), “n” represents an integer of 20 or more to 80 or less, and in the general formula (2), “a” and “b” each independently represent an integer of 1 or more, the integers satisfying 20<a+b+1580, and “c” represents an integer of 10 or more to 40 or less.

Abstract: A powder coating material composition including a tetrafluoroethylene-based copolymer, wherein the tetrafluoroethylene-based copolymer is a copolymer of 9.0 to 13.0 mass % of hexafluoropropylene, 0.8 to 3.0 mass % of a perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether, and tetrafluoroethylene, having a melt flow rate of 13 to 26 g/10-min, a melting point of 240 to 270° C., an average particle size of 5 to 500 ?m and an apparent density of 0.5 to 1.1 g/ml. Also disclosed is a film that is formed from the powder coating material composition, a laminate including the film, a coated article wherein the film of the powder coating material composition is provided on a metal substrate, and a film-forming method which includes forming a primer film on an object to be coated, and forming a film on a surface of the primer film using the powder coating material composition.

Abstract: Acrylic coating compositions for beverage can ends, particularly easy open beverage can ends, beverage cans, and methods of coating. The beverage cans include a metal substrate that is at least partially coated with a coating prepared from the acrylic coating composition. The composition includes an acrylic latex, a crosslinker, and optionally a lubricant.

Abstract: Coating compositions, methods of producing a cured coating, and articles coated with a cured coating are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a coating composition includes a crosslinking agent, an acrylic resin, a catalyst, and a catalyst blocker that blocks the catalyst. The crosslinking agent includes an alkylated melamine, and the acrylic resin has a hydroxyl value of from about 5 to about 110 milligrams potassium hydroxide per gram of acrylic resin. The catalyst includes a sulfonic acid, and the catalyst blocker includes an amine with a boiling point of about 300 degrees Celsius or higher.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating based on a fluoro acrylate polymer latex comprising inorganic particles, said coating exhibiting a very good compromise between, on the one hand, dry adhesion and adhesion in the wet state, and, on the other hand, between adhesion and ionic conductivity. This coating is intended for a separator application, in particular for Li-ion batteries. The invention also relates to a Li-ion battery comprising a separator covered with such a coating.

Abstract: A compound having formula (1) has excellent heat resistance. In formula (1), X represents a divalent polycyclic condensed ring group having two or more thiophene rings and having an sp3 carbon atom as a constituent element. R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group, R3 represents an alkyl group, k represents an integer of 0 to 4, and A represents a group having formula (a1), (a2), or (b1): R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 each represent an alkyl group, E1 and E2 each represent —C(R10)(R11)—, —C(O)—, —O—, or —NR12—. R10 and R11 each represent an alkyl group, R12 represents an alkyl group, m and n each represent 0 or 1, where m+n=1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition comprising a blend of polyesters, said blend comprising:—from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight of one or more saturated polyesters (A) and—from 99.9 to 0.1% by weight of one or more unsaturated polyesters (B), based on the total weight of polyesters (A) and (B); said one or more (A) and one or more (B) having a Weight Average Molecular Weight (Mw) of at least 15,000 g/mole, as measured by Gel Permeation Chromatograph using tetrahydrofuran as solvent, and a glass transition temperature, as measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, according to DIN EN 61006, method A, of at least 60° C. The present invention also relates to a high molecular weight polyester as such, the method for producing a coated substrate, the coated substrate as such, and use of the coating composition.

Abstract: A preparation method for a salt-spray-resistant polyaspartic acid ester includes mixing polyaspartic acid ester, cardanol resin and a catalyst together for transesterification reaction, and controlling a temperature at 100-130° C. and a relative vacuum degree at ?0.095 MPa-?0.1 MPa, and stirring for reaction for 2-5 h to obtain the salt-spray-resistant polyaspartic acid ester; in particular, a molar ratio of the polyaspartic acid ester to the cardanol resin to the catalyst is polyaspartic acid ester:the cardanol resin:the catalyst=1:0.1-0.3:0.001-0.003, and the catalyst is tetraisopropyl titanate or dibutyltin oxide.

Abstract: A siloxane-modified polyurethane resin coating agent composition which includes: (A) a siloxane-modified polyurethane resin; and (B) a solvent, wherein component (A) is a cured product of a composition including: (a) a hydroxyl group-containing organosilicon compound having the formula (1): (R13SiO1/2)k(R12SiO2/2)p(R1SiO3/2)q(SiO4/2)r ??(1) wherein R1 is a group selected from the following formulas (2) and (3) or the like, k, p, q, and r are predetermined integers, wherein R2 to R4 are each hydrogen or the like, and x, y, z, s, t, and u are predetermined numbers; (b) a diisocyanate compound; and (c) an organic compound such as polyols, wherein (c) is m moles, (b) is (l+m)×(0.9 to 1.2) moles each per 1 mole of (a), and m is 0.2 moles or more and less than 1.6 moles, and wherein a content of component (B) is 50 to 98% by weight.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes multi-fluid kits for three-dimensional printing, three-dimensional printing kits, and systems for three-dimensional printing. In one example, a multi-fluid kit for three-dimensional printing can include a fusing agent, a solubilizing agent, and a detailing agent. The fusing agent can include water and an electromagnetic radiation absorber. The electromagnetic radiation absorber can absorb radiation energy and convert the radiation energy to heat. The solubilizing agent can include benzyl alcohol, an organic cosolvent, and water. The detailing agent can include a detailing compound.

Abstract: A coating composition for imparting water repellency from an elastomeric hydrophobic applicator of a wiper blade squeegee to a windshield is provided that includes a quaternary ammonium silane salt, a quaternary silicone polymer, a particulate dispersion; and a solvent. A wiper blade is also provided that includes a hydrophobic elastomeric wiper blade squeegee adapted to couple to a windshield wiper arm and to engage a glass windshield. A coating formed by the evaporation of the solvent from the aforementioned composition is present on the squeegee. A process of activating a windshield includes windshield being contacted by the wiper blade squeegee coated with the evaporated coating created from the aforementioned composition. The windshield is wiped under wet, dry, or a combination of wet and dry conditions with the wiper blade to impart a hydrophobicity of more than 60 degrees of water contact angle to activate the windshield.