Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition for a light-scattering liquid crystal device shown in FIG. 1 containing a polymerizable compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formula (1) as a first component and containing a compound having a negative dielectric anisotropy as a second component, a light-scattering liquid crystal device using the liquid crystal composition, and a smart window using the light-scattering liquid crystal device. A reverse mode type light-scattering liquid crystal device can have excellent transparency when no voltage is applied and a reduced driving voltage by the liquid crystal composition of the present invention.

Abstract: An anti-glare film is attached on a surface of a display, and includes an anti-glare layer. The anti-glare layer is set to have a sparkle value of 10 or less, which is defined based on a value of a standard deviation of luminance distribution of the display under a state in which the anti-glare film is attached on the surface of the display, a value of specular gloss of 40% or less, which is measured with 60-degree specular gloss, and a value of transmission image clarity of 40% or less, which has an optical comb of 0.5 mm. Consequently, satisfactory anti-glare property can be provided while appropriately suppressing sparkle on the display.

Abstract: An anti-glare film is attached on a surface of a display, and includes an anti-glare layer. The anti-glare layer is set to have a sparkle value falling within a range from 6 to 10, which is defined based on a value of a standard deviation of luminance distribution of the display under a state in which the anti-glare film is attached on the surface of the display, a value of specular gloss of 30% or less, which is measured with 60-degree specular gloss, a value of transmission image clarity of 60% or less, which has an optical comb of 0.5 mm, and a haze value of 50% or less. Consequently, satisfactory anti-glare property can be provided while appropriately suppressing sparkle on the display.

Abstract: A retroreflective composite bead for highway marking having high retroreflectivity both when initially installed and over the bead lifetime, allowing vehicle drivers to see highway marking lines at night and in adverse conditions during nighttime. When installed the retroreflective beads essentially retroreflect the base color of the highway marking material in which the retroreflective beads are embedded. The beads comprise a larger bead with a coating of smaller particles heat bonded to its surface.

Abstract: Provided is an anti-fogging coated transparent article including an anti-fog film, the anti-fog film being a single-layer film containing a water-absorbent resin, a hydrophobic group, and a metal oxide component. The hydrophobic group is a chain or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably a linear alkyl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, in which at least one hydrogen atom is optionally substituted by a fluorine atom. The hydrophobic group is bonded directly to a metal atom of the metal oxide component. The anti-fog film contains, for example, the metal oxide component in an amount of 0.01 to 60 parts by mass and the hydrophobic group in an amount of 0.05 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the water-absorbent resin. The water-absorbent resin is, for example, polyvinyl acetal.

Abstract: Provided is an anti-fogging coated transparent article including an anti-fog film, the anti-fog film being a single-layer film containing a water-absorbent resin, a hydrophobic group, and a metal oxide component. The hydrophobic group is a chain or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably a linear alkyl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, in which at least one hydrogen atom is optionally substituted by a fluorine atom. The hydrophobic group is bonded directly to a metal atom of the metal oxide component. The anti-fog film contains, for example, the metal oxide component in an amount of 0.01 to 60 parts by mass and the hydrophobic group in an amount of 0.05 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the water-absorbent resin. The water-absorbent resin is, for example, polyvinyl acetal.

Abstract: A display element for viewing a display such as, for example, a display on an electronic device. The display element comprises a transparent substrate and a scattering anti-glare layer located between a front surface and back surface of the display element, wherein the scattering anti-glare layer comprises a plurality of scattering elements. The scattering anti-glare layer has low reflectivity and provides an anti-glare effect for light reflected by interfaces within the display element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanocones and nanomaterials. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of fabricating an array of nanostructures on a flexible film, comprising self-assembling a layer of particles on a film, and fabricating an array of nanostructures by etching and/or modifying the film. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a microarray comprising a nanomaterial comprising a film configured for an array of one or more nanocones.

Abstract: A textured reflector for a solar cell of thin film type is produced by deposition of a metal film on a support through openings of a mask. The mask is formed by a thin film formed by coplanar and preferably joined balls, the gaps between the balls forming the openings of the mask. The thin film is further advantageously formed by balls made from silica or from polymer material.

Abstract: Camouflage articles are formed of arrangements of portions of different colors. The lighter colored portions or parts thereof are formed of reflective ink in that particular color. This arrangement provides the article with a camouflage appearance, altering depth perception by animals in daylight, and reflectivity at night for safety.

Abstract: An exposed lens retroreflective article that includes a binder layer; a layer of spaced apart optical elements that are partially embedded in the binder layer; a penetrated colored layer that is located between the spaced apart optical elements; and a reflective layer that is located functionally behind the layer of optical elements and the penetrated colored layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles, such as retroreflective sheeting articles that comprise a release coating. Also described are release coatings and hydrophilic components suitable for use in release coatings. The release coatings comprise a polyorganosiloxane polymer and at least 10 or 15 wt-% of hydrophilic units.

Abstract: A conversion element (10) is specified, comprising a scattering layer (12), a reflection layer (14), and a conversion layer (16) arranged between the scattering layer (12) and the reflection layer (14). The scattering layer (12) is designed to transmit a first portion (20) of a primary radiation (18) impinging on it from a side facing away from the conversion layer (16) into the conversion layer (16), and to scatter a second portion (22) of the primary radiation (18) impinging on it towards that side of the scattering layer (12) which faces away from the conversion layer (16). The conversion layer (16) comprises at least one conversion means (25) which is designed to convert at least part of the first portion of the primary radiation (18) into a second radiation (19) having a higher wavelength different from the primary radiation (18). The reflection layer (14) has a reflective effect at least with regard to the second radiation (19).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a reflector and a reflective LCD manufactured with the method. The method for forming reflector includes (1) providing metal powder and gold varnish, the metal powder being one or more than one selected from aluminum powder, copper powder, zinc powder; (2) mixing the metal powder and the gold varnish to form slurry; (3) providing a substrate and coating or printing the slurry on the substrate; and (4) baking the substrate on which the slurry coated or printed at a temperature of 60-80° C. for a period of 3-5 minutes to have the slurry forming a reflector on the substrate. The present invention forms a reflector on a substrate by mixing metal powder and gold varnish together to form slurry so as to improve homogeneity of scattered reflection of light by the reflector so formed.

Abstract: An optical body includes a first optical layer having a concave-convex surface, a wavelength selective reflecting layer formed on the concave-convex surface, and a second optical layer formed on the wavelength selective reflecting layer and embedding the concave-convex surface. The wavelength selective reflecting layer selectively directionally reflects light in a particular wavelength band while transmitting light other than the particular wavelength band therethrough. The concave-convex surface is made up of a plurality of triangular pillars arrayed in a one-dimensional pattern, and the triangular pillar has an apex angle ? and a slope angle ?, the apex angle ? and the slope angle ? satisfying a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to retroreflective sheeting and the tools and methods used to make retroreflective sheeting. Microreplication tools and sheeting include controlled surface structure or haze. The surface structure or haze can be introduced, for example, by chemical etching of the tool surface and/or electroplating.

Abstract: A quantity of retroreflective granules includes glass members each having a refractive index of at least about 1.5. The quantity of retroreflective granules can be partially embedded into a binder material applied on the surface of a structure to provide a visual aid. A structure includes a retroreflective surface having an inclined face defined on at least a portion of the structure. The retroreflective surface also includes a binder material applied to at least a portion of the inclined face of the structure. The binder material has a thickness dimension of at least about 10 mil. The retroreflective surface further includes a plurality of retroreflective granules partially embedded in the binder material. The plurality of retroreflective granules have a density of at least about 0.06 pounds/square foot as embedded in the binder material. Each retroreflective granule includes a glass member having a refractive index of at least about 1.5.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention involves coating a substrate or material with both a polymeric powder coating material and a retro-reflective material and finally applying a surface treatment of hydrophobic nano-molecular particles. The polymeric powder coating material provides a tough, corrosion resistant protective layer on the substrate and also acts as a binder in which the retro-reflective material is subsequently embedded.

Abstract: A composition includes polymer and dispersed infrared-reflective clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles. The titanium dioxide primary particles are cemented together with precipitated silica and/or alumina to form clusters. The titanium dioxide primary particles have an average particle diameter in the range of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 micron, while the clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles have an average cluster diameter in the range of from about 0.38 to about 5 microns and a geometric standard deviation (GSD) in the range of from about 1.55 to about 2.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-reflective coating composition that can be used to form at least two layers by a single coating process and is allowed to provide an anti-reflective coating film having more improved interface adhesion between the formed layers and scratch resistance, and an anti-reflective coating film manufactured using the same.

Abstract: A process for making inorganic, metal oxide spheres that includes exposing solidified, molded microparticles that include a glass precursor composition to a temperature sufficient to transform the molded microparticles into molten glass and cooling the molten glass to form inorganic, metal oxide spheres.

Abstract: An information handling system display frame disposed at the periphery of a display blends display and ambient light to provide a transitional zone for viewing of the display in ambient lighting conditions. A semi-scattering material absorbs light from the display and the ambient environment and scatters the light through the frame. A semi-reflective material directs at least some of the scattered light out of the frame so provide an appearance of the frame that transitions between displayed visual images of the display and the ambient light environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an article and a method of forming a microstructure. The method includes providing a substrate having a structured surface region comprising one or more recessed features with recessed surfaces. The structured surface region is substantially free of plateaus. The method includes disposing a fluid composition comprising a functional material and a liquid onto the structured surface region. The method includes evaporating liquid from the fluid composition. The functional material collects on the recessed surfaces such that a remainder of the structured surface region is substantially free of the functional material.

Abstract: An optical module manufacturing method includes: forming a first waveguide layer and a second waveguide layer on a first substrate and a second substrate respectively, or forming a first waveguide layer and a second waveguide layer on a first surface of a first substrate and a second surface of the first substrate respectively; disposing the first substrate on the second substrate; disposing a filter at an end of the first waveguide layer and the second waveguide layer, so that the filter is aligned with the second waveguide layer; and disposing a prism on the filter, so that a first reflective surface of the prism is aligned with the first waveguide layer, and a second reflective surface is aligned with the second waveguide layer. Embodiments of the present application further disclose an optical module.

Abstract: Light scattering inorganic substrates comprising monolayers and methods for making light scattering inorganic substrates comprising monolayers useful for, for example, photovoltaic cells are described herein. The method comprises providing an inorganic substrate comprising at least one surface, applying an adhesive to the at least one surface of the inorganic substrate, applying inorganic particles to the adhesive to form a coated substrate, and heating the coated substrate to form the light scattering inorganic substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for spraying particulate solids onto a substrate, comprising the steps of: coating the substrate with a wet and/or adhesive synthetic resin layer, building up a gas pressure in a line, generating a pressure differential in the line, swirling and carrying along particulate solids in the line, ejecting swirled, particulate solids from the line onto the surface of the wet and/or adhesive synthetic resin layer of the substrate. The invention also relates to a substrate, in particular a wood-based panel or decorative paper, at least partially coated with a particulate solid, characterized in that the particulate solid is applied to the substrate with an accuracy of up to ±0.8 g/m2, preferably of up to ±0.5 g/m2, particularly preferably of up to ±0.3 g/m2, preferably of up to 0.1 g/m2.

Abstract: A security element for manufacturing value documents, such as bank notes, checks or the like, has an upper side on which there is formed a microcavity structure that has a multiplicity of adjacent microcavities configured as retroreflectors, wherein on the microcavities there is formed a structure causing a color effect. The microcavities are respectively configured such that they have a first region in which radiation incident on the upper side is singly reflected, and a second region in which radiation incident on the upper side is multiply reflected. The structure causing the color effect has a dispersion dependent on the angle of incidence, so that radiation singly reflected at the first region shows a different color effect, when viewed from the upper side, than radiation multiply reflected at the second region.

Abstract: A retroreflective device securable to a highway by bonding thereto preferably with a viscous strip applied to the highway prior to solidifying cure of the strip includes a generally globular glass central member, a desirably pigmented adhesive layer over the central member and a plurality of peripheral globular glass members connected to the central member by the pigmented adhesive layer. A method for fabricating the retroreflective device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A colorized retroreflective materials for use on clothing are colorized by including a substantially transparent colorizing overlayer composition applied to a retroreflective layer, the overlayer further comprising an amount of a suitable pigmented ink; an amount of at least one species of polyurethane material; and an amount of a silane material.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.

Abstract: A colorized retroreflective materials for use on clothing are colorized by including a substantially transparent colorizing overlayer composition applied to a retroreflective layer, the overlayer further comprising an amount of a suitable pigmented ink; an amount of at least one species of polyurethane material; and an amount of a silane material.

Abstract: A composition includes polymer and dispersed infrared-reflective clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles. The titanium dioxide primary particles are cemented together with precipitated silica and/or alumina to form clusters. The titanium dioxide primary particles have an average particle diameter in the range of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 micron, while the clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles have an average cluster diameter in the range of from about 0.38 to about 5 microns and a geometric standard deviation (GSD) in the range of from about 1.55 to about 2.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treating of reflective surfaces to prevent fouling. The present invention also relates to reflective materials treated to prevent fouling, as well as methods of using such reflective materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a programmable and latching retro-reflective construct suitable for use as an optical label in an optical labeling system. The invention contains retro-reflective structures such as lens beads, corner cubes or other retro-reflecting type structures. The retro-reflective construct further comprises a wavelength selective, programmable and latching reflecting structure located at the reflecting surfaces of the retro-reflective structures. The optical construct can optionally contain additional optical filtering structures. Methods for fabricating the invention are also described.

Abstract: A polarization-sensitive beaded retro-reflective sheeting having cholesteric liquid crystal material as the specular reflective coating and methods of making the same are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparation method of an optical member, comprising the following steps: coating a a mixture of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and a light diffuser on one surface of a substrate comprising poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) by a predetermined pattern; polymerizing the coated methyl methacrylate into poly methyl methacrylate to form semi-cured polymethyl methacrylate; and completely curing the semi-cured polymethyl methacrylate, and an optical member prepared thereby.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a refractive index distribution structure having a plurality of microparticles, suppressing density unevenness between the plurality of microparticles, capable of obtaining uniform in-plane characteristics, and capable of maintaining stability and high reproducibility. The method of manufacturing a refractive index distribution structure includes manufacturing a plurality of core-shell microparticles including a shell and a core microparticle contained in the shell, the core microparticle being made of a material having a refractive index higher than the material forming the shell and having the same core diameter, and the shell having a different shell thickness; and forming a refractive index distribution structure by arranging the plurality of core-shell microparticles on a substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides for compositions and process for fabricating an optical reflector constructed from biocompatible and bioresorbable silk fibroin proteins. For example, the silk retroreflectors may be built based on millimeter size microprism arrays to rotate the image plane of imaged cortical layers, thus enhancing the amount of photons that are detectable in the reflected direction when inserted in a sample to be analyzed, and ultimately increasing in contrast ratio in multiphoton microscopy. Such device can be used as a label-free, biocompatible, bioresorbable, implantable device for various applications ranging from medical imaging/diagnostics, drug/therapeutic delivery, to food chain safety and environmental monitoring.

Abstract: A flexible abrasion resistant water shedding omnidirectionally reflective rope has a central low-density polymeric closed cell foam core comprising EPDM, Neoprene, SBR, NBR, EVA, PVC, PVC/NBR foam surrounded by cylindrically braided sleeve of reflective strips composed of narrow width reflective strips that comprise a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sewn thereon and covered with abrasion resistant water shedding coating. The flexible retroreflective sheet is formed by thermally bonding corner cube, microsphere retroreflectors, or wide angle exposed retroreflective lenses to a flexible polymeric sheet. Due to its low-density foam core construction, the reflective rope floats on water and sheds water from the surface preserving omnidirectional reflectivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retroreflective sheet with a discernable image. The retroreflective sheet comprises a transparent polymeric spacing layer having a first surface and a second surface; a layer of transparent microsphere lenses embedded into the first surface of the spacing layer at varying depths forming an image, wherein the spacing layer adheres to and conforms to the microspheres; and a reflective layer adhered to the second surface of the spacing layer. The present invention also provides methods for preparing such retroreflective sheet.

Abstract: An exposed lens retroreflective article that includes a binder layer; a layer of spaced apart optical elements that are partially embedded in the binder layer; a penetrated colored layer that is located between the spaced apart optical elements; and a reflective layer that is located functionally behind the layer of optical elements and the penetrated colored layer.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to retroreflective sheeting and the tools and methods used to make retroreflective sheeting. Microreplication tools and sheeting include controlled surface structure or haze. The surface structure or haze can be introduced, for example, by chemical etching of the tool surface and/or electroplating.

Abstract: An optical retroreflective apparatus and method thereof are described. The optical retroreflective apparatus includes a substrate, a first material layer, a first taper pattern layer, a reflecting layer, and a second material layer. The first material layer is formed on the substrate. The first taper pattern layer is formed on the first material layer wherein the first taper pattern layer has a plurality of first pyramidal units. The reflecting layer is formed on the first taper pattern layer wherein the reflecting layer has a plurality of reflecting patterns and each of the reflecting patterns is covered with each of first pyramidal units. The second material layer is formed on the reflecting layer wherein the second material layer has a second taper pattern layer having a plurality of second pyramidal units. The second taper pattern layer is covered with the reflecting layer and the second pyramidal units are filled with the spacing region between the reflecting patterns of the reflecting layer.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting (10) comprising a cube layer (20) having a front light-receiving surface (30) and a rear retroreflecting surface (32), and a metallic layer (22) covering the rear retroreflecting surface (32). The rear surface (32) comprises an array of retroreflective elements (34) and diffusing patches (36) within such array (without retroreflective elements (34)). The metallic layer (22) covers the retroreflective elements (34) and the diffusing patches (36), whereby diffusing patches (36) scatter incoming light increasing daytime brightness to a desired level.

Abstract: A marker-tracking system includes an object, a marker illuminating device, a marker sensing device, and a computing device. The object includes a first retroreflective marker having a shape that is substantially defined by two spherical caps of different radii that are disposed substantially concentric in relation to one another. The marker illuminating device substantially illuminates the first retroreflective marker, the marker sensing device detects the illuminated first retroreflective marker and generates first data indicative of the location of the illuminated first retroreflective marker in space, and the computing device processes the first data generated by the marker sensing device to determine a position and/or orientation of the object in space.

Abstract: A colorized retroreflective materials for use on clothing are colorized by including a substantially transparent colorizing overlayer composition applied to a retroreflective layer, the overlayer further comprising an amount of a suitable pigmented ink; an amount of at least one species of polyurethane material; and an amount of a silane material.

Abstract: A reflecting screen 10 comprises a base portion 11, light transmitting portions 12 provided on the base portion 11, and light absorbing portions 14. Each of the light transmitting portions 12 comprises a unit prism shape 12 which has a generally wedge-like shape with a larger width on the image source side than its width on the rear face side and is arranged along a screen face 10a. A reflecting layer 13 adapted to reflect the image light, which has been transmitted through the unit prism shapes 12, is provided on the rear face side of each unit prism shape 12. Each unit prism shape 12 extends linearly, and each light absorbing portion 14 is arranged between each adjacent pair of the unit prism shapes 12.

Abstract: A fabric-backed retroreflective article has improved visual appearance by combining the fabric and retroreflective layers. An article, comprises a retroreflective layer formed of a resin that partially interpenetrates a fabric layer. Manufacturing a retroreflective article includes a retroreflective layer partially interpenetrating a fabric layer. The method includes disposing a layer of curable resin on a fabric layer; causing the layer of curable resin to partially penetrate the fabric layer; and curing the layer of curable resin, thereby forming the retroreflective layer partially interpenetrating the fabric layer.

Abstract: A transparent support and plural types of particle groups having different particle size distributions each other that are to be contained in a light diffusing layer are provided. a blending ratio of the plural types of particle groups is computed such that a space packing ratio of respective particles in the light diffusing layer becomes a specified space packing ratio and the plural types of particle groups having been blended in the computed blending ratio are dispersed on the transparent support, whereby the light diffusing layer is formed on the transparent support. Thus, a diffusion film can be produced simply and at low cost.

Abstract: A waveguide retroreflector consists of an end cap with curved output surface attached to a waveguide such as optical fiber. The radius of curvature of the output surface of the end cap matches the length of the end cap so as to retro-reflect a substantial portion of radiation exiting the waveguide, back into the waveguide. A method of fabricating the waveguide retroreflector includes steps of splicing an end cap to a waveguide, heating the free flat surface of the end cap, so that surface tension changes the shape of the end cap to a convex shape due to surface tension, monitoring amount of light reflected off the surface being heated, and stopping applying the heat when the amount of the reflected light approaches a maximum value.