Abstract: A method for manufacturing a digital display device which includes an optically active medium disposed between at least one electrode and a corresponding counter-electrode, the optical properties of the optically active medium being modifiable by applying an electric current or voltage between the at least one electrode and the at least one corresponding counter-electrode, the digital display device including a transparent display surface through which at least one piece of information displayed by this digital display device is perceptible, the manufacturing method including the step of providing the transparent display surface of the digital display device with at least one first and one second decorative and/or functional pattern, the first pattern having a thickness different from that of the second pattern. A digital display device provided with at least one first and one second decorative and/or functional patterns whose thicknesses are not the same.

Abstract: Discussed is an aluminum foil for ultraviolet light reflecting materials, wherein a ratio of a total surface area of aluminum particles pressed into or adhering to a region having a predetermined surface area to the surface area of the region is less than or equal to 0.05%, the total surface area of crystallized products present in the region having a predetermined surface area is less than or equal to 2% with respect to the surface area of the region, an average surface area per crystallized product is less than or equal to 2 ?m2, and arithmetic surface roughness Ra of the region is less than 20 nm.

Abstract: A bag includes one or more suction cups attached to, or integrated into, a major surface of the bag. The suction cups are configured to allow the bag to be selectively attached to, or detached from, the surface of an object. Examples of such objects include coolers, boats, and refrigerator sidewalls.

Abstract: A device and the method of use thereof to easily collect unwanted discarded hair in a shower or bath that provides a means for preventing the collection of unwanted hair on shower walls or in shower drains. The device aesthetically blends in to the environment and easily adheres to a shower wall. The device includes a base sheet, which contains a double sided adhesive with one side that adheres to the shower wall, i.e., the wall side. The other side allows for the adherence thereto of a plurality of individual adhesive disposable sheets which have two sides, but with pressure sensitive adhesive found only on the front side, onto which discarded hair can easily be adhered to, trapped and discarded later. Each individual adhesive, disposable sheet contains the pressure sensitive adhesive across the majority of the front face, but leaves a reserved area on each sheet without adhesive.

Abstract: A repositionable frame system includes a repositionable wall mount configured for being repositionably secured to a support surface. The repositionable wall mount includes a first magnetic element. The system further includes a frame having a rear face that includes a second magnetic element that is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic element resulting in a magnetic coupling between the frame and the repositionable wall mount.

Abstract: A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a glass substrate having a first side and an opposing second side. The mirror reflective element has a principal reflector portion and an auxiliary reflector portion. The auxiliary reflector portion includes a curved recess established at the second side of the glass substrate. An auxiliary mirror metallic reflector is coated at the curved recess at the second side of the glass substrate and a principal mirror metallic reflector is coated at the principal reflector portion. The mirror reflective element is configured so that, when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with the mirror reflective element is normally mounted at a side of a vehicle, the curved recess is disposed at an outboard upper region of the mirror reflective element relative to the side of the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyester film suitable for a back sheet for solar cells, which requires a high reflectance not only in the visible light region but also in the near-infrared region, and also requires a low reflection directivity. The polyester film is a cavity-containing polyester film having an average reflectance of 70-95% in a wavelength range of 400-1200 nm and an average transmittance of 5-30% in a wavelength range of 700-1200 nm.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyester film suitable for a back sheet for solar cells, which requires a high reflectance not only in the visible light region but also in the near-infrared region, and also requires a low reflection directivity. The polyester film is a cavity-containing polyester film having an average reflectance of 70-95% in a wavelength range of 400-1200 nm and an average transmittance of 5-30% in a wavelength range of 700-1200 nm.

Abstract: A decorative metal finish for a part with a non-conductive surface where the non-conductive surface is lightly roughened to improve its adherence capabilities. A thin metal layer is electrolessly deposited on the lightly roughened surface to provide a bright durable metal finish on the non-conductive surface. An translucent finish is deposited over the thin metal layer to provide protection for the metal finish.

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 plasmonic coating for reflecting electromagnetic energy is disclosed. The coating includes a plurality of layers, at least one of which is a dielectric layer; and a patterned dielectric layer in structural communication with the plurality of layers and having a pattern configured to plasmonically reflect electromagnetic energy incident thereon.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a metal multi-layered film structure that includes two types of metal films including first metal films and second metal films alternately formed on a resin substrate. The first metal films can be composed of an aluminum-based material having a film thickness between 0.7 nm and 20 nm. The second metal films can be composed of a metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel-based materials, nickel-based materials, cobalt-based materials, titanium-based materials and chromium-based materials, having a film thickness ranging from 1 nm to 20 nm. This metal multi-layered film structure can be manufactured through a method of sputtering. The metal multi-layered film structure is suitable for an extension reflector for vehicular lamps.

Abstract: A mirror with no copper layer comprises a glass substrate; a silver coating layer provided at a surface of the glass substrate; at least one material selected from the group consisting of Pd, Ni, Eu, Pt, Ru, Na, Zr, Y and Rh, provided at a surface of the silver coating layer which is adjacent to a paint layer; and at least one paint layer covering the silver coating layer.

Abstract: A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. In certain example embodiments, a silicon metal oxide (e.g., silicon aluminum oxide) inclusive nucleation layer(s) is provided above and/or below the reflective layer in order to improve durability of the first surface mirror.

Abstract: There is provided an optical component. The optical component includes a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion ?, where the coefficient of thermal expansion is dependent on location. The following applies to the location-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion: ?= ?±??, with ?? being the maximum deviation of the coefficient of thermal expansion from the mean value of the coefficient of thermal expansion ? of the material. The following homogeneity condition applies to the material: ? ?? ? ? ( 0.14 + 0.1 · x + 390 x ) · ? _ Q . ?with the progress of the lacation-dependent progress of the coefficient of thermal expansion being periodical with a wavelength x given in mm, and the thermal output which is absorbed by the optical component being designated by Q given in watts (W), the resulting emissivity being designated by ?, and |??|in units of ppb K .

Abstract: A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. A metal oxide (e.g., aluminum oxide) nucleation layer(s) is provided above and/or below the reflective layer in order to improve durability of the first surface mirror.

Abstract: A mirror having low density, low CTE, high thermal conductivity, high elastic modulus, and a reflective, polishable surface. The instant mirror features a silicon-based metal coating as the reflective surface, and a composite body as a support or substrate for the reflecting surface. The composite body features carbon fibers reinforcing a matrix containing silicon metal and optionally some silicon carbide. The metal coating can be elemental silicon metal, possibly in amorphous form, and can be applied by a vapor deposition process such as chemical vapor deposition (e.g., plasma enhanced CVD) or physical vapor deposition such as evaporation or electron beam PVD.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a parabolic dish-shaped electromagnetic wave front concentrator composed of a plurality of petal like identical interchangeable segments. The segment are comprised of an anterior concave layer made of a reflective material, an anterior skin made of ferrous material, an inner core made of a low density foam material and a posterior skin made of ferrous material covered by a protective coating such as zinc. The present invention further discloses a method of manufacturing the segments, by means of sandwich construction, of the parabolic dish-shaped electromagnetic wave front concentrator. The manufacturing method applies predetermined amount of uniformly distributed pressure by means of a vacuum membrane placed on the posterior surface of the segment which is positioned on an exact male mold surface. The components constituting the sandwich construction are mutually affixed by means of adhesive coats.

Abstract: The present invention adopts a particle dispersed silicon material, comprising silicon carbide as dispersion particles, as a mirror substrate, subjects the mirror substrate to mirror finish polishing to form a mirror body, forms a reflecting film on the mirror body to form a mirror, and uses the mirror to form a large aperture optical system.

Abstract: Thermostructural composite structure having a compositional gradient, formed from a porous core (5) made of a refractory having a pore volume content of greater than or equal to 80%. The core (5) lies between two intermediate layers (6a, 6b) comprising the carbon fiber reinforcement, densified by a matrix composed of the carbon phase and of a ceramic phase, and a refractory solid filler. Two monolithic ceramic shells (7a, 7b) cover the intermediate layers in order to give stiffness to the entire structure.

Abstract: According to various embodiments and aspects of the present invention, there is provided a dynamically tunable thin film interference coating including one or more layers with thermo-optically tunable refractive index. Tunable layers within thin film interference coatings enable a new family of thin film active devices for the filtering, control, modulation of light. Active thin film structures can be used directly or integrated into a variety of photonic subsystems to make tunable lasers, tunable add-drop filters for fiber optic telecommunications, tunable polarizers, tunable dispersion compensation filters, and many other devices.

Abstract: A process for forming a silver coating on a surface of a vitreous substrate is described. The process comprises an activating step in which said surface is contacted with an activating solution, a sensitising step in which said surface is contacted with a sensitising solution, and a subsequent silvering step in which said surface is contacted with a silvering solution comprising a source of silver to form the silver coating. The process is characterised in that said activating solution comprises ions of at least one of bismuth (III), chromium (II), gold (III), indium (III), nickel (II), palladium (II), platinum (II), rhodium (III), ruthenium (III), titanium (III), vanadium (III) and zinc (II).

Abstract: A bright composite sheet product including a roll cast core and a clad material bonded to the core. The core is an aluminum alloy of the AA series 1XXX, 3XXX, 5XXX, or 8XXX, and the clad material contains at least 99.5 wt. % aluminum. The composite sheet products is particularly suited for use in lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A method of partially imaging an imaging surface of a substrate (50) with a plurality of layers of marking material (10) which have at least one common boundary within a print pattern that covers only certain portions of the substrate and not other portions of the substrate. The method includes applying initial superimposed layer of marking material (10) to a base layer (23) and removing portions of the initial superimposed layers of marking material and leaving the desired residual layer portions in the desired print pattern directly applied to the imaging surface of the substrate. The method typically includes the transfer of marking material onto the imaging surface of the substrate. The method has many variants, which can be used to make one-way or other vision control panels, typically using a ceramic ink decal carrier to image a glass sheet with ceramic ink that is then fused onto the glass, which is optionally tempered, in a suitable furnace.

Abstract: An antifogging article includes a substrate and an antifogging film covering the substrate. This antifogging film contains a water-absorbing organic polymer and an inorganic substance and has a water repellent finishing on a surface of the antifogging film. Another antifogging article includes (1) a substrate, (2) a water-absorbing, antifogging film covering the substrate, and (3) a water-permeable, protective film covering the antifogging film. This antifogging film contains (a) a polyvinyl acetal resin having a degree of acetalization of not greater than 10 mol % and (b) a hydrolysate or partial hydrolysate of an alkylsilylisocyanate represented by the general formula R2nSiR14−n where R1 is an alkyl group having a carbon atom number of 1 or 2, R2 is an isocyanate group, and n is 1 or 2. These antifogging articles are superior in antifogging property and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A method for constructing a mirror blank, including arranging hollow glass balls, on a front face sheet, and in close proximity to each other to permit fusing upon expansion; restricting the expansion of the hollow glass balls with a bounding structure during expansion of the hollow glass balls to force the hollow glass balls into a densely packed array of cells; applying heat to soften the hollow glass balls and increase the pressure within the hollow glass balls as the hollow glass balls fuse with each other during expansion, forming cells, wherein as a result of fusing, the hollow glass balls contact the front face sheet as a result of the increased pressure within the hollow glass balls; annealing and cooling the mirror blank to below annealing temperature associated with the hollow glass balls; and venting the cells.

Abstract: A domestic or vehicle rearview silvered mirror having a silver coating which is not covered with a protective layer of copper. The silver mirror comprises a glass sheet, tin and preferably palladium at surface of the glass sheet, a silver coating of the surface of the glass sheet and at least one paint layer covering the silver coating. Optionally, tin may be present at the surface of the silver coating adjacent the paint layer and optionally traces of silane may be present at the surface of the silver coating adjacent to the paint layer. Alternate or additional materials may be present at a surface of the glass sheet and alternate or additional materials may be present at the surface of the silver adjacent to the paint layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass-ceramic suitable as a material for forming a reflecting mirror substrate. The glass-ceramic has celsian as a primary crystal phase and contains SiO2, Al2O3, BaO, and TiO2 as primary components and at least Li2O as a modification component, wherein the amount of Li2O is within a range of 0.05 to 1.0 wt. %. The glass-ceramic is substantially formed of a crystal phase of celsian alone, that is, the glass-ceramic is substantially free from hexacelsian crystal phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material, in particular for reflectors, having a metallic support (1) in strip form, an intermediate layer and having a multilayer optical system (3) which is applied to the intermediate layer (2). A non-metallic protective layer (4), which consists of a low-absorption material and has a thickness (D4) of from 5 to 20 nm, preferably from 5 to 10 nm, is applied to the multilayer optical system (3).

Abstract: A mirror composed of a vitreous substrate having a silver coating formed on a surface thereof produced by a process including the steps of sensitizing the vitreous substrate; activating the vitreous substrate by contacting the vitreous substrate with a solution comprised of at least one ion selected from the group consisting of bismuth (III), chromium (II), gold (III), indium (III), nickel (II), palladium (II), platinum (II), rhodium (III), titanium (III), vanadium (III) and zinc (II); contacting the vitreous substrate with a silvering solution so as to form the silver coating; and applying at least one layer of paint over the silvered substrate. Preferably, the silver coating is not covered with a protective layer of copper.

Abstract: The metal alloy based on aluminium and titanium includes an aluminium content between 80 and 90 atomic percent and a titanium content between 10 and 20 atomic percent. The alloy is microcrystalline and outside thermodynamic equilibrium, the alloy is thereby resistant to oxidation and corrosion and has at the same time remarkable adhesion to polymer materials. The metal alloy can be in the form of a reflecting coating of a thickness ranging between 0.01 and 3 &mgr;m, covered with a protective film of a polymer material. A mirror having specular reflectivity not less than about 65%, good resistance to corrosion and oxidation includes a substrate of a polymer material supporting the reflecting coating.

Abstract: A flat flexible and imperforate mirror which is conveniently designed and sized to fit anywhere a credit card can be stored is disclosed. The mirror has a substantially flat rectangular body, a front reflective layer and rounded edges. An indicia bearing layer is applied to the opposite side of the body from the reflective layer.

Abstract: An antifogging article includes a substrate and an antifogging film covering the substrate. This antifogging film contains a water-absorbing organic polymer and an inorganic substance and has a water repellent finishing on a surface of the antifogging film. Another antifogging article includes (1) a substrate, (2) a water-absorbing, antifogging film covering the substrate, and (3) a water-permeable, protective film covering the antifogging film. This antifogging film contains (a) a polyvinyl acetal resin having a degree of acetalization of not greater than 10 mol % and (b) a hydrolysate or partial hydrolysate of an alkylsilylisocyanate. This constituent (b) can be replaced with at least one of a silylisocyanate, its hydrolysate, and its partial condensate. These antifogging articles are superior in antifogging property and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a change in color as a function of viewing angle.

Abstract: A method of producing high quality optical surfaces is disclosed. The invention allows for the production of optical surfaces with complex geometry while retaining the high quality of the optical surface. A top layer is provided on a substrate. In order to adhere the top layer to the substrate, an adhesion layer is applied first. In the preferred embodiment, the substrate is an aluminum substrate, the adhesion layer includes a layer of zinc and a layer of nickel and the top layer is gold. The substrate is generally stress free in order to provide a flat surface with no undulations. This allows a relatively thin layer of gold to be applied which then can be diamond turned in order to achieve a reflective layer.

Abstract: A reflector substrate (1) adapted for use in illumination device (8) comprises an a molded aromatic polyimide film wherein the film has a glass transition temperature from 210 to 290° C. and said polyimide film has structural units of general formula (I) and (II): wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of: wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of: and said polyimide film has the molar ratio X:Y from 100:0 to 20:80.

Abstract: The present invention describes an extrusion process for manufacturing a titanium-containing silicate glass honeycomb structure, having a variety of shapes and sizes depending on its ultimate application. The titanium-containing glass honeycomb has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the CTE can be varied by adjusting the titanium level to match the CTE of members that are bonded to the honeycomb. Furthermore, the inventive honeycomb structure is lightweight, yet able to support heavy loads on its end faces. Therefore, the inventive honeycomb can be advantageously used as a light-weight support for such objects as mirrors. Especially contemplated is using these inventive honeycomb supports for mirrors used in extraterresial environments where temperature extremes are present. These honeycombs can be used singularly or in aggregates to provide such support.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of a hydrophobic/oleophobic agent incorporating a primer of formula: X3SiRSiX3  (I) in which: R represents a carbon chain, and X represents a hydrolysable functional group.

Abstract: An antifogging article includes a substrate and an antifogging film covering the substrate. This antifogging film contains a water-absorbing organic polymer and an inorganic substance and has a water repellent finishing on a surface of the antifogging film. Another antifogging article includes (1) a substrate, (2) a water-absorbing, antifogging film covering the substrate, and (3) a water-permeable, protective film covering the antifogging film. This antifogging film contains (a) a polyvinyl acetal resin having a degree of acetalization of not greater than 10 mol % and (b) a hydrolysate or partial hydrolysate of an alkylsilylisocyanate represented by the general formula R2nSiR14−n where R1 is an alkyl group having a carbon atom number of 1 or 2, R2 is an isocyanate group, and n is 1 or 2. These antifogging articles are superior in antifogging property and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: These glass bodies are light weight porous structures such as a boules of high purity fused silica or ultra-low expansion glass. More specifically, the porous structures are supports for mirror blanks. Porous glass is made utilizing flame deposition of pure silica or doped silica in a manner similar to the production of high purity fused silica. Bubbles or seeds are formed in the glass during laydown. Several means of creating and controlling these seeds are available. The processes use incomplete combustion to create the bubbles. There are a number of different steps to create the incomplete combustion. One such step is a short distance between the hydrolysis flame and the glass precursor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a decorative mirror unit and to a method of fabricating the decorative mirror unit. A decorative mirror unit comprises a mirror and at least one sheet of glass spaced in front of the mirror by spacer means, and a plurality of decorative elements applied to the glass by an adhesive means, characterized in that at least one decorative element has been applied to each surface on opposite sides of the glass by said adhesive means, said decorative elements on opposite sides of the glass aligning to conceal at least partially the adhesive means between at least one of the decorative elements and the glass.

Abstract: Birefringent optical films have a Brewster angle (the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light goes to zero) which is very large or is nonexistent. This allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with angle of incidence, are independent of angle of incidence, or increase with angle of incidence away from the normal. As a result, multilayer films having high reflectivity (for both planes of polarization for any incident direction in the case of mirrors, and for the selected direction in the case of polarizers) over a wide bandwidth, can be achieved.

Abstract: An improved napkin having an integral mirror surface comprising a first sheet of a pliable moisture absorbent sheet material and a second sheet defining a mirror surface. The second sheet is of a lesser portion of the first sheet. The sheet material of the first sheet can be of a cloth or paper material. The second sheet can be either permanently secured or removeably attached onto the first sheet.

Abstract: An electrochromic unit (1) having an electrochemical cell with at least two electrodes (3, 4) applied to a carrier, an electrolyte (2) located between the electrodes (3, 4) and an electrochromic material (7), such as an electrochromic polymer, applied to one of the electrodes (3), is characterized by a proton exchange membrane (2) as a solid electrolyte and carrier for the bilaterally applied electrodes (3, 4), the electrochromic material (7) being positioned on the side of the electrode (3) carrying it remote from the membrane (2).

Abstract: Reflectors, for example, for lamps used for technical lighting purposes, having a surface which is resistant to mechanical and chemical attack and has high total reflectivity. The body (10) of the reflector, which is, for example, a rolled aluminum product such as a foil, a strip of a sheet, has a surface layer in the form of a layer system containing (a) a pretreatment layer (11), onto which is deposited (b) a functional layer (12) with silanes, having organo-functional groups, of a metal compound, and onto which is deposited (c) a metal-containing reflective layer (13). Layer (a) is deposited on the reflector body and increases the strength of bonding to the above lying layers (a) and (b). Layer (b) effects a flattening and increase in the mechanical strength of the above lying layer (c). The pretreatment layer can be a layer produced by anodic oxidation. The functional layer (b) can be a sol-gel layer.