Abstract: An electrically conductive and optically transparent coating comprising a very thin, noble metal oxide film applied to a nonconductive, transparent substrate, said noble metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, osmium and iridium. These coatings are useful as resistance heaters for windows, as optically transparent electrodes for electro-optic and electro-chemical applications, for radio frequency shieldings and a wide variety of other applications.

Abstract: Novel copper-silver metallic films are prepared on transparent articles by chemical replacement of silver for copper according to the method of the present invention. A transparent article is coated with a metallic copper film by a conventional method of deposition. The copper coated article is then contacted by a solution comprising a silver salt, ammonia and a complexing agent which promotes replacement but which does not accelerate the oxidation of residual metallic copper in the film. Replacement of copper by silver occurs with the film retaining its reflective metallic character.

Abstract: Thin films containing metallic silver and nickel are deposited on transparent articles according to the method of the present invention. A nickel-coated glass article having a reflective gray appearance is contacted with a solution comprising water, a silver salt and a complexing agent. The resultant article has a low reflectance surface, the color of which appears brown-gray to gray in fluorescent lighting.

Abstract: The inner surfaces of a pair of substrates of a liquid crystal display are treated with a solution of a surfactant to provide a uniform stable alignment of the liquid crystal material confined between the inner surfaces. The inner surfaces are first wetted by the soluton of the surfactant, a silane derivative, and the solution is then heated, while the inner surfaces are in contact with the solution, to a temperature between about 75.degree.C and a temperature just below the boiling point of the solution.

Abstract: A method of coating a continuous glass fiber filament with plastic, in which plastic is charged into a vertical closed cylinder having a die opening at its lower end and an axial core tube terminating in the die opening to form an annular orifice. The plastic in liquid form is forced through the orifice by pressurized gas introduced into the upper portion of the cylinder while the glass filament is drawn continuously through the core tube.