Abstract: Embodiments provided herein provide anti-reflective coatings with porosity gradients and methods for forming such anti-reflective coatings. A transparent substrate is provided. A primary material and a sacrificial material are simultaneously deposited above the transparent substrate to form a coating above the transparent substrate. At least some of the sacrificial material is removed from the coating to form a plurality of pores in the coating.

Abstract: A pigment is disclosed wherein the pigment includes a platy substrate or uniform platy substrate coated with an odd number of layers of alternating layers of high or low refractive index material, wherein each layer has a refractive index that differs from adjacent layers by at least 0.2; and the pigment has from about 40 to about 100% reflectance of light having a wavelength of 280 nm to 400 nm. Processes for making and using the pigments are also disclosed. These pigments can find application in paints, plastics, cosmetics, glass, printing inks, and glazes.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe optical coatings, panels having optical coatings thereon, and methods for forming optical coatings and panels. A transparent substrate is provided. An optical coating is formed on the transparent substrate. The optical coating includes a plurality of plate-shaped silicon dioxide particles.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe low-e panels and methods for forming low-e panels. A transparent substrate is provided. A reflective layer is formed above the transparent substrate. A barrier layer is formed above the reflective layer. A nitride-containing layer is formed above the barrier layer. The nitride-containing layer has a thickness that is 1 nm or less. A over-coating layer is formed above the nitride-containing layer. The over-coating layer includes a different material than that of the nitride-containing layer.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe optical coatings, panels having optical coatings thereon, and methods for forming optical coatings and panels. A substrate is provided. A coating formulation is applied to the substrate. The coating formulation includes an aqueous-based suspension of particles. The particles have a sheet-like morphology and a thickness of less than about 100 nanometers (nm). The coating formulation is cured to form an anti-glare coating above the substrate. The anti-glare coating has a thickness of between 1 micrometer (?m) and 100 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contact lens including at least one clay and at last one silicone component, wherein the at least one clay is applied to the surface of the contact lens and the contact lens does not include any diffusible material whose release from the contact lens is inhibited by the at least one clay.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a film including: a coating step of coating, on a substrate, a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, an alignment controlling agent capable of controlling alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a polymerization initiator and coated film a solvent; and a drying step of drying, wherein the alignment controlling agent is a compound represented by formula (1) below, and the alignment controlling agent is added in 0.005 to 0.2 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound: In general formula (1), each of L1 and L2 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms that may be substituted with a fluorine atom or the like, and n1 and n2 represents integers of 3 or more.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of processing a workpiece. The workpiece includes a first surface region having a first wettability coefficient, and a second surface region having a second wettability coefficient that differs from the first wettability coefficient. A liquid, which corresponds to an optical structure, is dispensed on the first and second surface regions of the workpiece, wherein the liquid self-aligns to the second surface region due to the difference between the first and second wettability coefficients. The self-aligned liquid is hardened to form the optical structure.

Abstract: A layer system that can be annealed comprises a transparent substrate, preferably a glass substrate, and a first layer sequence which is applied directly to the substrate or to one or more bottom layers that are deposited onto the substrate. The layer sequence includes a substrate-proximal blocking layer, a selective layer and a substrate-distal blocking layer. Also provided is a method for producing a layer system that can be annealed and has a sufficient quality even under critical climatic conditions and/or undefined conditions of the substrate. During the heat treatment (annealing, bending), the color location of the layer system is maintained substantially stable and the color location can be widely varied at a low emissivity of the layer system. For this purpose, a first dielectric intermediate layer is interposed between the substrate-proximal blocking layer and the selective layer and is configured as a substoichiometric gradient layer.

Abstract: A resizable polymer-stabilized, thermotropic liquid crystal device formulation is used in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films, materials and devices, including construction materials. Implementations of the device may be composed of five basic elements: one or more transparent substrates, a transparent surface treatment, a liquid crystal mixture, a stabilizing polymer, and spacer beads. The polymer-stabilized liquid crystal is coated and cured on at least one substrate. The transparent surface treatment and the stabilizing polymer network are selected to provide phase separation, curing, and adhesion within the LC mixture. The substrate or substrates may be polarizing or nonpolarizing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an image display device includes the step of forming a cured resin layer by interposing a photo-curable resin composition between a protection member and a display-side panel including an image display unit and a frame member and then photo-curing the photo-curable resin composition, with the photo-curable resin composition being disposed across between the image display unit and the frame member. In the manufacturing method, a high-viscosity resin composition having a viscosity of 3000 mPa·s or more and 12000 mPa·s or less is used as the photo-curable resin composition. Alternatively, after a gap between the image display unit and the frame member is sealed with a sealing film, a photo-curable resin composition is interposed between the display-side panel and the protection member.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To provide: an antifog optical article wherein a suitable water-repellent layer is formed in the process of application of antifog coating having a water-absorbing layer consisting primarily of urethane or acrylic resin having a polyoxyethylene chain on a base material; and a manufacturing method of the antifog optical article. [Solution] A water-absorbing layer consisting primarily of urethane or acrylic resin having a polyoxyethylene chain represented as —(CH2CH2O)n- is formed on a surface of a glass or plastic base material, a water-repellent layer consisting primarily of at least one of amino-modified silicone and mercapto-modified silicone is formed on a surface of the water-absorbing layer, and a contact angle with respect to water on a surface of the water-repellent layer is set equal to or larger than 100 degrees.

Abstract: A method for mechanical and/or optical functionalization of a transparent timepiece component, including: forming a body of methyl polymethacrylate, including a bottom surface and a mechanical and/or optically functionalized intermediate surface; coating the body with a layer made by injecting a second transparent polymerizable material into a cavity between a mold and the body or an intermediate body delimited by a complementary intermediate surface of a contact surface of a preceding mold, the last mold being the negative of the top surface of the component; polymerizing the second material therein; removing the component from the flexible mold by deformation of the mold. Hardness can be improved by UV irradiation of a component.

Abstract: Polymer-based optically-variable devices (OVDs) for security applications and methods for producing the same. The uniformity of thickness of the structure of such devices is optimized by controlling previously neglected process parameters such as the temperature distribution of the deposition nozzle, the substrate and the deposition drum, their emissivities, the micro-roughness of the substrate, and the rate of monomer re-evaporation. Re-evaporation is minimized by initiating radiation-curing within two seconds of monomer deposition. A method includes equipment reducing all sources of emissivity non-homogeneities, such as surface blemishes in the surface areas exposed to the substrate to preferentially fabricate substrates with haziness less than 5% and gloss greater than 90%. Controlling, a maximum variation of thickness of the transmissive layer of an OVD ensures that no appreciable color-shift variation is visible to the naked eye.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for coating a surface. The method comprises providing a towelette moistened with a mixture of constituents to form a silicon-based coating composition comprising silane, siloxane, and an organic solvent. The mixture is transferred from the towelette to form a coating on a surface. The coating is cured ambiently with or without additional heat. Also provided herein is a moistened towelette for coating a surface. The towelette comprises (a) a substrate and (b) a mixture of constituents to form a silicon-based coating composition comprising silane. The mixture is contained within the substrate until applied to a surface, and, after application, the coating of the mixture onto the surface cures ambiently with or without additional heat.

Abstract: A transparent dielectric composition comprising tin, oxygen and one of aluminum or magnesium with preferably higher than 15% by weight of aluminum or magnesium offers improved thermal stability over tin oxide with respect to appearance and optical properties under high temperature processes. For example, upon a heat treatment at temperatures higher than 500 C, changes in color and index of refraction of the present transparent dielectric composition are noticeably less than those of tin oxide films of comparable thickness. The transparent dielectric composition can be used in high transmittance, low emissivity coated panels, providing thermal stability so that there are no significant changes in the coating optical and structural properties, such as visible transmission, IR reflectance, microscopic morphological properties, color appearance, and haze characteristics, of the as-coated and heated treated products.

Abstract: A device, in particular a cover panel for a display device or a monitor auxiliary panel or a surface for input devices, includes a substrate and a coating applied onto the substrate. The coating has a surface having a coefficient of friction in the range between approximately 0.01 and 0.12, in particular between approximately 0.02 and 0.1, or between approximately 0.03 and 0.09.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device having an elastic modulus of 100 kPa or more and 2,000 kPa or less, a water content of 10% by mass or less, a tensile elongation of 50% or more and 3,000% or less, and a dynamic contact angle (advancing angle) relative to a borate buffer of 80° or less. The present invention can significantly reduce or avoid a phenomenon of adhesion to a surface when contacted with a surface outside or inside the body, which has hitherto been regarded as a problem in a conventional medical device.

Abstract: A flow cell for differential refractive index detection. The flow cell includes a transparent body that extends from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis. The transparent body defines a sample prism chamber and reference prism chamber. The sample prism chamber is configured to allow fluid flow between the first and second ends of the transparent body along the longitudinal axis. The reference prism chamber is configured to receive a reference fluid. The sample and reference prism chambers each include a grating comprising a plurality of grooves extending along the longitudinal axis in the direction of fluid flow.

Abstract: Low emissivity coated panels can be fabricated using a base layer having a low refractive index layer on a high refractive index layer. The low refractive index layer can have refractive index less than 1.5, and can include Mg F2, CaF2, SiO2, or BO. The high refractive index layer can have refractive index greater than 2.3, and can include TiOx, NbOx, or BiOx. The multilayer base structure can allow color tuning with enhanced transmission, for example, as compared to similar structures having single layer base layer.

Abstract: Transparent displays enable many useful applications, including heads-up displays for cars and aircraft as well as displays on eyeglasses and glass windows. Unfortunately, transparent displays made of organic light-emitting diodes are typically expensive and opaque. Heads-up displays often require fixed light sources and have limited viewing angles. And transparent displays that use frequency conversion are typically energy inefficient. Conversely, the present transparent displays operate by scattering visible light from resonant nanoparticles with narrowband scattering cross sections and small absorption cross sections. More specifically, projecting an image onto a transparent screen doped with nanoparticles that selectively scatter light at the image wavelength(s) yields an image on the screen visible to an observer. Because the nanoparticles scatter light at only certain wavelengths, the screen is practically transparent under ambient light.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing of an optical article which comprises: making available an organic substrate based on an organic polymer having a degree of water uptake of greater than or equal to 0.6% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the substrate, the degree of water uptake being equal to the weight of water absorbed by the material after drying and then storing for 800 hours in a chamber at 50° C. under a relative humidity of 100% and at atmospheric pressure; forming a hard abrasion-resistant coating on the substrate by heating the substrate at a temperature of greater than or equal to 90° C. for a period of time of at least 20 minutes; exposing the substrate covered with the hard abrasion-resistant coating to a humid atmosphere, so as to restore, to the organic substrate, the water evaporated during stage; and depositing of a water-impermeable inorganic coating by vacuum evaporation.

Abstract: The novel method can produce a grooved profile metalized polymeric film capable of generating a rainbow iridescent effect without mechanically embossing the film. The method calls for applying a thin uniform thickness coating layer of thermally deformable polymer composition on a thermally stable base layer. Process operating conditions are controlled to heat the composite coating layer surface effectively such that light diffraction-scale grooves of about 5,000-10,000 grooves/cm develop in the coating layer. The grooves are created by shocking the coating layer surface with a sudden burst of heat supplied by film metalization after coating layer application.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to achieve a video display device antiglare sheet having excellent black glossiness, darkness in dark places, and antiglare properties in video applications, and suited to realizing high image quality. An antiglare layer including a transparent resin and diffusion particles is provided on at least one surface of a transparent substrate. The antiglare layer is uneven on the surface opposite of the transparent substrate, said unevenness being formed mainly by convexities resulting from the diffusion particles which have an impregnation layer in which all or a part of the component constituting the transparent resin is impregnated.

Abstract: A method for making low emissivity panels, including control the composition of a barrier layer formed on a thin conductive silver layer. The barrier structure can include an alloy of a first element having high oxygen affinity with a second element having low oxygen affinity. The first element can include Ta, Nb, Zr, Hf, Mn, Y, Si, and Ti, and the second element can include Ru, Ni, Co, Mo, and W, which can have low oxygen affinity property. The alloy barrier layer can reduce optical absorption in the visible range, can provide color-neutral product, and can improve adhesion to the silver layer.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe low-e panels and methods for forming low-e panels. A transparent substrate is provided. A reflective layer is formed above the transparent substrate. A titanium-yttrium oxide layer is deposited above the transparent substrate, or above the transparent substrate and the reflective layer, which may enhance optical performance.

Abstract: Two layer silver process comprising a silver layer deposited on a doped silver layer can improve the adhesion of the silver layer on a substrate, minimizing agglomeration to provide a high quality silver layer. The doped silver layer can comprise silver and a doping element that has lower enthalpy of formation with oxide than that of silver, leading to better bonding with oxygen in the substrate.

Abstract: A coating and associated method for coating is disclosed. The coating provides a hard, transparent, UV blocking coating for a substrate. A UV blocking layer is first deposited upon the substrate, and a hard coating is deposited above the UV blocking layer. A soft coating layer may be deposited between the UV blocking layer and the hard coating. The soft and hard coating layers may both have the general composition SiOxCy. the soft and hard coating layers may be deposited by a plasma vapor deposition process.

Abstract: A method for fabricating millimeter and sub-millimeter size lenses using a high viscosity curable liquid, such as epoxy. The method comprises dispensing a predetermined volume of the curable liquid onto a substrate. The curable liquid preferably has a viscosity higher than 100 cps. Additionally, to reduce spherical aberration, the curable liquid can be cured upside down to leverage the effects of gravity.

Abstract: A transparent porous SiO2-coating for a transparent substrate material has improved optical properties. These properties can be obtained, in particular, by plasma treatment.

Abstract: An optical mechanism for a camera having a camera aperture includes an indexing stage movable between at least two distinct positions. At least a first fixed diameter apodized aperture is mounted on the stage and configured to be aligned with the camera aperture in one of the distinct positions of the indexing stage, and wherein the first fixed diameter apodized aperture is not aligned with the camera aperture in the other of the distinct positions of the indexing stage. The stage can include multiple fixed diameter apodized apertures of distinct effective diameters each of which can be selectively aligned with the camera aperture. The mechanism includes an actuator for moving the stage between each of said distinct positions. Methods for mass producing the fixed diameter apodized aperture are disclosed using dye diffusion into optical elements via various methods, and various casting and molding formation techniques.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element disclosed in the present application includes: a base which is made of a first optical material containing a first resin and which has a diffraction grating in its surface; and an optical adjustment layer which is made of a second optical material containing a second resin and inorganic particles and which is provided on the base so as to cover the diffraction grating, wherein ?SP which is defined by a formula shown below is not less than ?0.7 and not more than +0.7 [cal/cm3]1/2: ?SP=[a solubility parameter of the second resin]?[a solubility parameter of the first resin], and a design order of diffraction caused by the diffraction grating is nth order, and unwanted order diffracted light of n+1th order in a wavelength range of not less than 400 nm and not more than 700 nm is not more than 7%.

Abstract: Provided is a fabrication method for a functional surface that has self-cleaning ability and superhydrophilic anti-reflective property, which includes a) arranging a plurality of beads having a sphere shape on a surface of a transparent substrate; b) forming a predetermined inter-bead gap by etching the plurality of beads; c) forming a surface unevenness on the surface of the substrate by etching the substrate using the plurality of the beads having the predetermined gap as an etching mask; d) removing the plurality of the beads from the surface of the substrate; and e) forming a photocatalytic layer or a compound layer having a surface tension of 18 to 28 N/m on the surface of the substrate formed with the surface unevenness.

Abstract: A bulk barium copper sulfur fluoride (BCSF) material can be made by combining Cu2S, BaS and BaF2, heating the ampoule between 400 and 550° C. for at least two hours, and then heating the ampoule at a temperature between 550 and 950° C. for at least two hours. The BCSF material may be doped with potassium, rubidium, or sodium. Additionally, a p-type transparent conductive material can comprise a thin film of BCSF on a substrate where the film has a conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. The substrate may be a plastic substrate, such as a polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, or some other suitable plastic or polymeric substrate.

Abstract: A transparent luminescent solar concentrator is provided. In another aspect, a luminescent solar concentrator absorbs outside of visible light and emits outside of visible light. A further aspect of a luminescent solar concentrator employs nanocrystal clusters embedded in a polymeric matrix. In still another aspect, a unique ligand and luminophore host pairing is used for a solar concentrator.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive optical film of the invention comprises an optical film and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the optical film, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has a thickness (?m) standard deviation of 0.12 ?m or less. The pressure-sensitive adhesive optical film makes it possible to reduce the problem of visible unevenness caused by a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a transparent article comprised of a transparent base substrate and having a thickness of at least 100 microns and a surface costing of a transparent resin wherein the resin is applied to the base substrate by means of a jet printer, preferably an ink jet printer. The transparent article may be a window for a display device, e.g. incorporated in a mobile telephone.

Abstract: A precursor sol of aluminum oxide includes a solvent and particles containing a hydrolysate of an aluminum compound and/or a condensate of the hydrolysate, in which the particles have an average particle size of 2.5 nm to 7 nm. A method for producing an optical member includes the steps of feeding the precursor sol of aluminum oxide described above onto a base to form an aluminum oxide film and immersing the aluminum oxide film in hot water with a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C. to form a textured structure comprising aluminum oxide boehmite.

Abstract: A method comprises depositing an optical filter layer on a glass wafer, then cutting the wafer into dice. The dice are positioned on a carrier and encapsulated in a molding compound to form a reconstituted wafer, and the wafer is back-ground and polished. Lens faces are positioned on opposing surfaces of the glass dice and spacers are positioned on one side of the wafer. The wafer is then cut into lens modules, each having two side-by-side lenses with an opaque molding compound barrier between. The individual modules are attached to devices that require dual lenses, such as, e.g., proximity sensors that use a light source and a light receiver or detector.

Abstract: A light diffusion member includes a light transmissive substrate, a plurality of light diffusion sections formed on one surface of the substrate, a light shielding layer formed in a region other than formation regions of the light diffusion sections on the one surface of the substrate, and light scattering bodies. The light diffusion sections have a light emitting end surface on the substrate side and a light incident end surface having an area greater than an area of the light emitting end surface on a side opposite to the substrate side. A height from the light incident end surface to the light emitting end surface of each of the light diffusion sections is greater than a thickness of the light shielding layer. The light scattering bodies are disposed further on a light emitting side than the light diffusion sections.

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: The disclosure relates to an optically transparent superhydrophobic surface. Methods of fabrication are disclosed including laminating an optically transparent polymer sheet with hydrophobic nanoparticles such that the nanoparticles are partially embedded and partially exposed. The resulting assembly remains optically transparent.

Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle having an essentially chlorine-free modified polyolefin primer disposed onto a transparent pane and a two-shot encapsulant applied onto the primer is provided. The two-shot encapsulant includes a first encapsulation layer disposed on the primer and a second encapsulation layer disposed on the first encapsulation layer. The first encapsulation layer has a Shore D hardness of at least 39 and a Flexural modulus of at least 100 MPa, while the second encapsulation layer has a Shore A hardness of less than 90.

Abstract: A antistatic hard coat layer-forming composition having the following (a), (b), (c) and (d): (a) an ion-conducting compound, (b) a polyethylene oxide compound having one or more photopolymerizable groups, having no hydroxyl group, and having a —(CH2CH2O)k— structure (wherein k represents a number of 1 to 50), (c) a compound having an unsaturated double bond, and (d) a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical lens includes: forming a mark outside a lens region set in a lens substrate, the mark being adapted to perform position alignment; pattern-forming a masking layer above one principal surface of the lens substrate while controlling formation position of the masking layer with the mark as a reference, the masking layer having an aperture at a predetermined position in the lens region; performing a selective process with respect to a surface exposed from the bottom of the aperture of the masking layer by performing a process from above the masking layer; and removing the masking layer from above the lens substrate to form a processed pattern by the selective process on the side of the one principal surface of the lens substrate.

Abstract: An optical film having a transparent support having thereon at least a hardcoat layer and an antistatic layer in this order, wherein the hardcoat layer and the antistatic layer are formed by simultaneously coating compositions for forming respective layers, the antistatic layer comprises at least (A) an electrically conductive organic compound and (B) a polyfunctional monomer having three or more polymerizable groups, a content of an inorganic oxide fine particle in the antistatic layer is less than 10 weight % based on an entire solid content of the antistatic layer, and a common logarithmic value (LogSR) of surface resistivity SR (?/sq) on the antistatic layer side with respect to the transparent support is 13 or less.

Abstract: A hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating system having a reversibly reduced hydrophobicity. A hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating is applied to and is bonded or otherwise strongly adhered to a substrate, such as an optical lens. The coating has sufficient thickness to provide a weakly adhered, excess portion that is mechanically removable. The excess portion of the hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating has a surface that is modified to reduce hydrophobicity, such as by ion bombardment. The hydrophobicity of the coating is restored by mechanical removal of the excess portion of the coating.

Abstract: A silver conductive coating possessing infrared absorbing properties is disclosed. The coating is made from a blend of one or more micron size silver powders and/or flakes together with carbon black, inorganic pigment, glass frit, and powdered selenium or bismuth metal. The foregoing dry ingredients are pasted with an organic vehicle, applied to a substrate, and fired at a temperature of up to 1400° F. The coating absorbs infrared radiation beyond the decomposition of carbon black, thus allowing higher firing temperatures and hence shorter firing times.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that comprises providing a solution containing a dye or a dye mixture, ultrasonicating the solution to reduce the average size of aggregates of the dye or dye mixture contained in the solution, and incorporating the dye or the dye mixture in the optical path of a device that transmits light.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an optical article comprising: (a) a transparent optical polymer substrate, (b) a transparent intermediate abrasion-resistant coating obtained from at least one epoxysilane by a sol-gel process, and (c) a transparent outer coating comprising a polythiol-ene matrix obtained by curing a liquid monomer mixture comprising at least one polyfunctional thiol and at least one polyfunctional allyl monomer, said cured polythiol-ene matrix having a glass transition temperature comprised in the range from 40° C. to 70° C. and a thickness from 3.5 ?m to less than 10 ?m. It is also drawn to a method for preparing such an optical article and to a method for repairing scratches in such an optical article by heating.