Abstract: A method of fabricating a reflecting sheet includes: providing a base sheet including a reflecting layer, an upper surface layer over the reflecting layer and a lower surface layer under the reflecting layer, the reflecting layer including a fine foam; dividing the base sheet into upper and lower division sheets; and forming a reinforcing layer on each of the upper and lower division sheets to constitute the reflecting sheet.

Abstract: An improved method for forming inexpensive, lightweight, closed-back, silicon carbide mirrors, via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or chemical vapor composites (CVC), is achieved by using a two dimensional corrugated core with sloped walls. All layers in this design are chemical vapor deposited optical grade silicon carbide. Seamless cohesion between layers is achieved by depositing the material on the sloped walls of, and through holes in, the mandrel. The resulting structure is cohered and monolithic. The mandrels are matched in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) to the deposited material. Mandrels that support the layers are later removed by a separate process.

Abstract: An adaptive mirror that includes a substrate layer, on the first surface of which a reflecting layer and on the second surface of which at least one actuator is disposed. The substrate layer has a thickness of less than or equal to 1,000 ?m and the mirror having at least one further metallization for thermal compensation, as a result of which a thermal deformation of the mirror is avoided or preadjusted such that the desired curvature is set as a function of the reflected power.

Abstract: In certain examples, heat treatable coated articles, e.g., suitable for concentrating solar power (CSP) and/or other applications, may be provided. For instance, the heat treatable coated article may be a secondary reflector panel, primary reflector, etc., where a reflective coating is disposed on a glass substrate. A portion of the reflective coating may be removed and a frit material is disposed over the reflective coating. An elevated temperature may be applied to the glass substrate, the coating, and the frit material where the frit is cured. The coated article may be left flat, or optionally cold- or hot-bent into a desired shape suitable for a desired application.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate having a surface arranged to receive radiation. A thermal barrier coating system is disposed on the surface and includes a ceramic-based coating. A dielectric mirror coating system is disposed on the ceramic-based coating such that the ceramic-based coating is located between the dielectric mirror coating system and the substrate. The dielectric mirror coating system includes a plurality of higher refractive index layers interleaved in an alternating stacked arrangement with a plurality of lower refractive index layers. Each of the plurality of higher refractive index layers and the plurality of lower refractive index layers has a thickness that is about ¼ of a preselected wavelength of the radiation.

Abstract: Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes front and rear substrates with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween. An electrical connector has an attachment portion and a wire receiving portion for receiving an electrical wire therein. A flange of the attachment portion is configured to be disposed at a fourth surface of the rear substrate and a tab is configured to extend at least partially across a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. An electrically conductive material is disposed in an uncured state and uncured electrically conductive material flows at least partially through the aperture and is cured to secure the electrical connector at the rear substrate. The wire receiving portion of the electrical connector is configured to receive the electrical wire therein and includes at least one tang that engages the electrical wire when the electrical wire is inserted into the wire receiving portion.

Abstract: Provided is a back plate component having reflective sheet reinforcing structure. The back plate component includes: a frame, a reflective sheet and a plurality of supporting film sheets. The frame includes a plurality of lateral beams and vertical beams, and at least one hollow part is included between the lateral beams and the vertical beams. The reflective sheet is attached to the frame, and includes a reflective surface and a back surface corresponding to the reflective surface. A portion of the back surface covers the whole hollow part. The plurality of supporting film sheets is attached to the back surface at a region corresponding to the hollow part, and includes a material the same as that of the reflective sheet. A liquid crystal display device is further disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a mirror support comprising a composite, the composite comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein at least two of the plurality of carbon nanotubes are bonded to each other through a bridging moiety bound to each of the two carbon nanotubes, and a laminate comprising the composite.

Abstract: An improved method for forming inexpensive, lightweight, closed-back, silicon carbide mirrors, via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or chemical vapor composites (CVC), is achieved by using a two dimensional corrugated core with sloped walls. All layers in this design are chemical vapor deposited optical grade silicon carbide. Seamless cohesion between layers is achieved by depositing the material on the sloped walls of, and through holes in, the mandrel. The resulting structure is cohered and monolithic. The mandrels are matched in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) to the deposited material. Mandrels that support the layers are later removed by a separate process.

Abstract: A formed article is made from a resin composition containing a thermoplastic resin, first inorganic particles having a mean volume diameter of primary-particle of 10 nm to 100 nm, both inclusive, and second inorganic particles having a mean volume diameter of primary-particle of 120 nm to 10000 nm, both inclusive. One hundred (100) parts by mass of the resin composition contains 9.0 to 40.5 parts by mass of the first inorganic particles and 4.5 to 36.0 parts by mass of the second inorganic particles.

Abstract: A reflector (e.g., mirror) for use in a solar collector or the like is provided. In certain example embodiments of this invention, a reflector is made by (a) forming reflective coating on a thin substantially flat glass substrate (the thin glass substrate may or may not be pre-bent prior to the coating being applied thereto), (b) optionally, if the glass substrate in (a) was not prebent, then cold-bending the glass substrate with the reflective coating thereon; and (c) applying a plate or frame member to the thin bent glass substrate with the coating thereon from (a) and/or (b), the plate or frame member (which may be another thicker pre-bent glass sheet, for example) for maintaining the thin glass substrate and coating thereon in a desired bent orientation in a final product which may be used as parabolic trough or dish type reflector in a concentrating solar power apparatus or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reflective mirror for solar thermal power generation comprising a metal film and provided thereon, a substrate, the reflective mirror reflecting sunlight entering from a substrate side, featured in that the substrate is a film composed of a resin containing microfibrillated cellulose. The reflective mirror maintains a light collecting ability, particularly a specular reflectance highly and stably against variation of weather conditions, when sunlight is collected outdoors, is usable over a long period of time, and has high durability.

Abstract: A reflective film structure is provided for being adhered and shaped on multiple processing surfaces of a preformed structural element, in which the processing surfaces form a three-dimensional shape. The reflective film structure includes a thermoplastic adhesive film and a reflective layer. The thermoplastic adhesive film has a thickness ranging from 0.01 mm to 1 mm, and has an internal surface and an external surface. The internal surface is adhered to the processing surfaces. The reflective layer is laminated on the external surface, and massive beads are distributed on an outer surface of the reflective layer. The reflective film structure has a normal direction vertical to the reflective layer. Furthermore, the reflective layer has at least a first and a second reflective region in different directions, which are respectively towards different directions other than the normal direction. The first and the second reflective region are respectively disposed with beads.

Abstract: A variable reflectance mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior mirror assembly includes a heater pad disposed at the fourth surface of the rear substrate. The heater pad includes a first connector that electrically connects with the transparent electrically conductive coating disposed at the second surface of the front substrate, and a second connector that electrically connects with the metallic electrically conductive coating disposed at the third surface of the rear substrate. The heater pad includes third and fourth connectors that provide, at least in part, electrical conductive connection with a heating element. The connectors are part of a unitary multi-pin connector that is configured to connect with a corresponding wire harness connector to provide electrical power to the heating element and to the transparent electrically conductive coating and the metallic electrically conductive coating of the reflective element when the exterior minor assembly is mounted at the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided is a mounting structure for an optical component, including: an optical component having at least one of a reflective surface which reflects light, and a transmissive surface which transmits light; a base member having a placement surface configured to place the optical component thereon; and an adhesive layer interposed between the optical component and the placement surface of the base member to fixedly bond the optical component and the placement surface together. The adhesive layer includes a filler, and the filler is present substantially as a monolayer between the optical component and the placement surface.

Abstract: Mirror consisting of a glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface carrying, in order, a silver coating layer and at least one base paint layer. The glass substrate, the silver coating layer, and the at least one base paint layer each have an edge portion having a rear facing surface arranged at an acute angle to the front surface of the mirror. An additional paint layer covers the entire surface of the base paint layer and the rear facing surfaces of the glass substrate and the silver coating layer.

Abstract: A holder attached mirror for a vehicle is provided, in which a mirror plate is fixed to a plate-shaped mirror holder by an adhesive sheet, including a plurality of first grooves parallel to each other, which are formed on the surface of the mirror holder attached with the adhesive sheet on the surface of the mirror holder side to which the adhesive sheet is attached.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicular mirror assembly includes a front substrate, a rear substrate, an electro-optic medium disposed between the front and rear substrates and a transmission-reducing thin film coating established at the fourth surface of the rear substrate. A window is established through the transmission-reducing thin film coating and is substantially devoid of the thin film coating at a location where a sensor is disposed behind the reflective element and having a field of view through the reflective element and through the window. A portion of the transmission-reducing thin film coating at and around the window locally varies in physical thickness, with a minimum physical thickness of the thin film coating being closest to the window and with the physical thickness of the thin film coating generally increasing to a generally maximum physical thickness of the thin film coating at a distance from the window.

Abstract: Disclosed is a film mirror used for reflection of sunlight, which includes, in the following order from the side where sunlight is entered, an ultraviolet ray reflection film which reflects ultraviolet ray and transmits visible and infrared light, a plastic film layer, a metal reflection-layer which reflects visible and infrared light, and a protective layer.

Abstract: Tube and float systems for analyzing target materials of a suspension include in which at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective are described. The target material particles can be conjugated with fluorophores. In order to identify the target material, the material between the float and tube is illuminated with one or more channels of excitation radiation, which causes the fluorophores to become excited and emit radiation at longer wavelengths. The reflective surface of the float reflects the excitation radiation and the emitted radiation.

Abstract: Provided is a film mirror for solar thermal power generation including a reflective layer over a base and a hard coat layer at an outermost surface, in which the outermost hard coat layer contains a fluorine atom-containing leveling agent in 0.1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less relative to the solid resin content thereof.

Abstract: A mirror includes a first layer including reflective material to reflect incident light, an adhesive backing disposed at a rear of the first layer, a second layer connected to the adhesive backing and including one or more layers of a cloth or a non woven fiber matrix and polymer composite to encompass the cloth other non woven fiber matrix and a third layer disposed at a rear of the second layer and including polystyrene foam spheres encompassed within a polymer matrix.

Abstract: A solar mirror panel (10) has a first sheet-like stiffening member (12) having a reflective surface, a second sheet-like stiffening member (18), and a spacer member (16) of resin bonded wood composite located between the first and second members (12, 16).

Abstract: A window insulator includes a coupling layer, a reflective layer, and a layer of dielectric material disposed between the coupling layer and the reflective layer. The combination of the coupling layer, the reflective layer, and the layer of dielectric material forms a capacitor that facilitates the release of electrons from the reflective layer and the transfer of the free electrons from the reflective layer to the coupling layer when the window insulator is exposed to radiant energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflector plate, which includes a substrate layer and a reflection layer formed on the substrate layer, the substrate layer having a surface that is away from the reflection layer and includes an ink layer printed thereon. The present invention also provides a backlight system, which includes a reflector plate and a back frame that carries the reflector plate, wherein the back frame includes at least two primary assembling pieces, the at least two primary assembling pieces being joined to form a main frame structure of the back frame; and the reflector plate comprises a substrate layer and a reflection layer formed on the substrate layer, the substrate layer having a surface that is away from the reflection layer and comprises an ink layer printed thereon.

Abstract: An optical device has a reflecting mirror using a particle-dispersed silicon material including silicon carbide and silicon. The reflecting mirror includes a plurality of segments joined to each other by reaction sintering. Producing the segments is easy in comparison with that of a reflecting mirror of one piece. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce probability of breakage of the segments and to shorten process time of production of a reflecting mirror.

Abstract: A mirror for terrestrial or aerospace application has a substrate, which is preferably of a laminate of a plurality of Graphite Fiber Reinforced Composite (GFRC) uni-directional fiber plies applied in a laminate with layers oriented to achieve appropriate stable properties. The substrate is cured to form the desired shape with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A front buffering layer is immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the substrate on the first surface. The front buffer layer is of a material that buffers the surface morphology of the first surface of the substrate. A front specularizing layer is immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the front buffer layer. The specularizing layer is of a material for providing a smooth, low scatter optical surface. The specularizing layer can use an integral aluminized surface or an added vacuum deposited optical thin film coating for enhanced optical properties and durability.

Abstract: A method involves forming a first surface on a substrate, applying to the first surface a layer of a material having a thickness less than approximately 10 microns, and precision polishing the layer of material to form a precision optical second surface on a side of the layer opposite from the substrate. A different aspect involves an apparatus that includes a substrate having a first surface, and a layer provided on the surface and having a thickness less than approximately 10 microns, the layer having on a side thereof opposite from the substrate a polished second surface with an RMS surface roughness less than approximately 10 Angstroms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-supporting reflector for a parabolic trough, the parabolic trough itself, a process for preparing the reflector, a process for preparing the parabolic trough, and the use of the reflector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light-transmitting member that not only exhibits high antiglare properties but also shows a transmission image with a sharp outline. A reflecting surface of a light-transmitting member formed of an optically transparent material, for example, a glass plate, has minute hubbly surface profile formed therein by blasting the reflecting surface with an abrasive or the like to mill the surface. The minute hubbly surface profile in the reflecting surface are formed so that, when the reflecting surface is divided into minute compartments of a prescribed size and a histogram is constructed on the basis of measurement values obtained by measuring the height in each compartment, the probability density of the mode in the histogram is 10 to 30%, and the variance (?2) in the histogram, calculated on the basis of the heights, is less than 0.4 (?m2).

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for capturing and measuring surface topography. This disclosure provides a high resolution retrographic sensor comprising a volume of elastomer and a thin, opaque reflective membrane. The reflective membrane is arranged to conform to a specimen that contacts it. The disclosure provides a high resolution visualization system comprising the retrographic sensor and an illumination source. Also provided are high resolution measurement systems comprising the retrographic sensor, an illumination source, an imaging device, and a processing component.

Abstract: Coatings configured to change between a relatively higher reflectivity state and a relatively lower reflectivity state depending at least partially upon a hydration state of at least a portion of the coating are generally disclosed. Some example coatings may include a selectively reflective layer comprising superabsorbent particles. The superabsorbent particles may have a relatively higher reflectively when substantially dry and a relatively lower reflectivity when substantially hydrated. When substantially dry, the selectively reflective layer may reflect a first fraction of incident light. When substantially hydrated, the selectively reflective layer may reflect a second fraction of the incident light. The first fraction of the incident light may be greater than the second fraction of the incident light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reflective articles, such as solar mirrors, that include a sacrificial cathodic layer. The reflective article, more particularly includes a substrate, such as glass, having a multi-layered coating thereon that includes a lead-free sacrificial cathodic layer. The sacrificial cathodic layer includes at least one transition metal, such as a particulate transition metal, which can be in the form of flakes (e.g., zinc flakes). The sacrificial cathodic layer can include an inorganic matrix formed from one or more organo-titanates. Alternatively, the sacrificial cathodic layer can include an organic polymer matrix (e.g., a crosslinked organic polymer matrix formed from an organic polymer and an aminoplast crosslinking agent). The reflective article also includes an outer organic polymer coating, that can be electrodeposited over the sacrificial cathodic layer.

Abstract: A mirror module may include a front plate, a rear plate and a support structure between the front plate and the rear plate. The support structure includes a carrier mesh and multiple tile elements secured to the carrier mesh. The carrier mesh is prefabricated to mount tile elements. During the fabrication of the mirror module, the carrier mesh with tile elements is secured onto the front or rear plate and then secured to the other remaining plate. The mirror module is shaped by assembling the plates and the carrier mesh on a shaping tool or placing the assembled mirror module on a shaping tool. The tile elements may be made of the same material as the front plate or the rear plate to reduce stress on the front plate or rear plate due to temperature fluctuation.

Abstract: In one example, a metal reflector includes a silver layer and an underlying metal layer in galvanic communication with the silver layer.

Abstract: A mirror assembly may include a middle portion having a first side, a second side, and a perimeter, where the first side comprises a reflective portion. A front portion may be substantially transparent and may be formed by injecting a first thermoplastic material into a mold on the first side of the middle portion. A back portion may be substantially opaque and may be formed by injecting a second thermoplastic material into the mold on the second side of the middle portion. The front portion and the back portion together may substantially encompass the perimeter of the middle portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a film for a solar cell back sheet including: a substrate film; a white layer on at least one surface of the substrate film; and an adhesive protective layer, the white layer being formed by applying an aqueous composition for the white layer including a white pigment, a first aqueous binder and an inorganic oxide filler to at least one surface of the substrate film, and the adhesive protective layer being formed by applying an aqueous composition for the adhesive protective layer including a second aqueous binder, and which has excellent production efficiency, a white pigment uniformly present in the layers, and excellent adhesiveness between the respective layers, and a producing method of the film for a solar cell back sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a backsheet for a solar cell including a polymer base material and a reflection layer, the backsheet being light weight and having a large light reflectance, the polymer base material including first white inorganic particles in an amount of from 10% by mass to 30% by mass with respect to a total mass of the polymer base material, the reflection layer being formed by being coated on at least one side of the polymer base material, and the reflection layer including a binder, and second white inorganic particles in a content of from 30% by mass to 90% by mass with respect to a total mass of the binder and the second white inorganic particles; and a solar cell module which has adequate power generation efficiency.

Abstract: An optical system, an optical module and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The optical module includes a top membrane and a bottom electrode. The top membrane includes a supporting layer, a first metal layer and an isolating layer with an opening. The first metal layer is disposed on lower surface of the supporting layer. The isolating layer is disposed on lower surface of the first metal layer. The bottom electrode, disposed below the top membrane, includes a second metal layer and a plurality of pillars. The pillars are disposed on upper surface of the second metal layer and below the isolating layer, wherein some of the pillars support the isolating layer. Wherein the pillars are used for preventing the top membrane from being pulled down to touch the second metal layer through the opening when a voltage is applied between the first and the second metal layers.

Abstract: A film mirror has high bruise resistance and weather resistance and can be produced with high productivity, and a sunlight reflecting mirror is provided using the film mirror. The film mirror has a resin substrate, a silver reflective layer provided on the substrate, and an outermost layer that is made of a material having a metalloxane skeleton and that is provided on the outermost side on the side closer to a light source than the silver reflective layer. The outermost layer, which is made of the material having a metalloxane skeleton, has a contact angle with water of 80° or above and below 170° and has a coefficient of dynamic friction of 0.10 to 0.35 inclusive.

Abstract: Low density minors for optical assemblies and methods of manufacture thereof. In one example, a reflective mirror is formed of a magnesium or magnesium alloy substrate that is single point diamond turned to provide a reflective surface. The magnesium or magnesium alloy substrate is compatible with thin-film finishing processes and/or magnetorheological finishing which may be applied to improve a surface finish of the mirror.

Abstract: A reflector (e.g., mirror) for use in a solar collector or the like is provided. In certain example embodiments of this invention, a reflector is made by (a) forming a reflective coating on a thin substantially flat glass substrate (the thin glass substrate may or may not be pre-bent prior to the coating being applied thereto), (b) optionally, if the glass substrate in (a) was not prebent, then cold-bending the glass substrate with the reflective coating thereon; and (c) applying a plate or frame member to the thin bent glass substrate with the coating thereon from (a) and/or (b), the plate or frame member (which may be another thicker pre-bent glass sheet, for example) for maintaining the thin glass substrate and coating thereon in a desired bent orientation in a final product which may be used as parabolic trough or dish type reflector in a concentrating solar power apparatus or the like.

Abstract: A reflective sheet includes a first reflective layer and a second reflective layer. The first reflective layer has a first index of refraction, and the second reflective layer has a second index of refraction. The first reflective layer and the second reflective layer are in contact with each other to form a contact interface, and the first index of refraction is different from the second index of refraction so as to make the contact interface be a reflective surface. A top surface of the first reflective layer opposite the contact interface serves as a light incident surface for the reflective sheet, the reflectance of the first reflective layer is larger than the reflectance of the second reflective layer, and the mechanical strength of the second reflective layer is larger than the mechanical strength of the first reflective layer.

Abstract: To provide a mirror structure capable of reflecting incident light with good efficiency and is excellent in reliability. In a mirror structure which is used under an environment that the maximum irradiance of incident light is 5 kW/m2 or more and has an area of 0.2 m2 or more, the mirror structure is characterized in that the mirror comprises a mirror, a supporting member and a resin-made adhesive sheet to glue the mirror to the supporting member, and is structured such that a dielectric multilayer is formed at least on an incident light side surface of a plate-shaped substrate and the mirror has an average reflectance ratio 95% or more for incident light having a wavelength in a range of 400 to 1000 nm.

Abstract: There are disclosed a film mirror, which can be prevented from decrease in specular reflectance when a silver layer that serves as a reflective layer is deteriorated, is lightweight and flexible, can be produced at low cost, can have an enlarged surface area, can be produced on a large scale, exhibits excellent light stability and weather resistance, and exhibits good specular reflectance to solar light; a process for producing the film mirror; and a reflection device for solar power generation, which is equipped with such a film mirror. The film mirror comprises at least an adhesive layer, a silver reflection layer and an upper adjacent layer as constituent layers provided on the resin substrate sequentially in this order, in which at least the upper adjacent layer contains a binder and a corrosion inhibitor for silver.

Abstract: The hybrid cool roof has a near horizontal solar reflecting surface, and a second esthetic surface, which is angled to the street view. The esthetic surface gives the hybrid cool roof the appearance of a conventional roof when viewed from street level, giving the roof a decorative appearance while having the cooling cost functionality of a conventional cool roof. At times when the sun angle is low in the sky, such as wintertime, the hybrid cool roof is able to absorb solar radiation, lowering heating costs. Thus, the hybrid cool roof has an ideal combination of the function and appearance of conventional cool roofs and traditional roofs, while mitigating the disadvantages of both.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing and a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate. The housing includes an element that protrudes beyond a rear surface of the glass substrate and towards the front surface of the glass substrate when the reflective element is at least partially received at the housing. The glass substrate includes a slanted rear perimeter edge-portion along a perimeter circumference of the rear surface of the glass substrate to at least partially accommodate the element of the housing when the reflective element is at least partially received at the housing. The glass substrate includes a beveled front perimeter along a perimeter circumference of the front surface of the glass substrate. The beveled front perimeter of the glass substrate is exposed and viewable by the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes an electro-optic reflective element, a photo sensor and a light concentrator. The electro-optic reflective element has a front substrate with a first surface and a transparent second surface electrically conductive coating disposed on a second surface, and the electro-optic reflective element has a rear substrate with a third surface transflective metallic reflector disposed at a third surface thereof. The photo sensor is disposed behind a fourth surface of the rear substrate and operable to detect light passing through the transflective metallic reflector and the electro-optic reflective medium disposed between the second and third surfaces. The light concentrator is disposed between the photo sensor and the fourth surface of the rear substrate, and the light concentrator receives light passing through the transflective metallic reflector of the electro-optic reflective element and concentrates light onto a light sensing surface of the photo sensor.

Abstract: A fundamental limit to the sensitivity of optical interferometry is thermal noise that drives fluctuations in the positions of the surfaces of the interferometer's mirrors, and thereby in the phase of the intracavity field. A scheme for substantially reducing this thermally driven phase noise is provided in which the strain-induced phase shift from a mirror's optical coating cancels that due to the concomitant motion of the substrate's surface. As such, although the position of the physical surface may fluctuate, the optical phase upon reflection can be largely insensitive to this motion.