Abstract:
Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.
Abstract:
A variable transmission electrochromic window including: first and second substantially transparent substrates having electrically conductive materials associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic electroactive material, at least one cathodic electroactive material, and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the electrochromic window exhibits an Ev of less than approximately 20, and more preferably less than approximately 5, while in a low transmission state during normal daylight conditions.
Abstract:
An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The electrochromic element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack. The materials utilized to construct the insulator/metal/insulator stack are selected to optimize optical and physical properties of the electrochromic element such as reflectivity, color, electrical switch stability, and environmental durability.
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:
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for ion milling, and more particularly relates to methods and apparatus for smoothing a surface using ion milling.
Abstract:
An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The electrochromic element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack. The materials utilized to construct the insulator/metal/insulator stack are selected to optimize optical and physical properties of the electrochromic element such as reflectivity, color, electrical switch stability, and environmental durability.
Abstract:
Liquid coating solutions impart hydrophobicity to substrate surfaces (e.g., glass) and include a silane, preferably octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS), dissolved in a liquid paraffinic solvent. Preferred liquid paraffinic solvents are normal (straight chain) liquid parrafins having between 10 to 20 carbon atoms per molecule exhibiting flash points (ASTM D93) of between about 70° C. to about 160° C., and initial boiling points (ASTM D86) of between about 185° C. to about 300° C. The OTS will be present in the hydrophobic solutions in amounts sufficient to form a hydrophobic coating on surfaces of substrates on which the solutions are applied, and most preferably will be present in amounts ranging between about 0.25 to about 2.5 molar. Applying a coating of the solution onto a substrate surface will allow the OTS for form a self-assembled monolayer thereon imparting hydrophobicity to the substrate as determined by a high contact angle of at least about 100°.
Abstract:
A thin film product having a nanostructured surface, a laminate product including the thin film and a temporary substrate opposite the nanostructured surface, a laminate product including the thin film and a final substrate attached to the nanostructured surface and a method of producing the thin film products. The thin film is particularly useful in the electronics industry for the production of integrated circuits, printed circuit boards and EMF shielding. The nanostructured surface includes surface features that are mostly smaller than one micron, while the dense portion of the thin film is between 10-1000 nm. The thin film is produced by coating a temporary substrate (such as aluminum foil) with a coating material (such as copper) using any process. One such method is concentrated heat deposition or a combustion, chemical vapor deposition process. The resulting thin film provides a high level of adhesion to a final substrate, by embedding the nanostructures with the material of the final substrate (such as an epoxy resin). The surface of the thin film adjacent the temporary substrate substantially conforms to the substrate surface and has a relatively low peel strength. In this manner, the temporary substrate is easily removed from the thin film after attaching the opposite nanostructured side of the thin film to the final substrate with a resulting, higher peel strength.
Abstract:
A magnesium amide for use as a magnesium donor not having any Mg--C bonds. The compound is useful for doping GaN with Mg.sup.+2. The compound of the present invention is a high molecular weight dimer, preferably a diamide containing one or more silicon substituent groups. Alternatively, the compounds of the present invention may contain amino nitrogens weakly bonded to Mg. The compounds must have sufficient volatility to be useful in chemical vapor deposition.
Abstract:
A product includes a substrate that is at least partially transparent to visible light. The substrate includes a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a conductive layer disposed on the opposing second surface. The conductive layer has a first ablated area and a second ablated area entirely disposed within and overlapping a portion of the first ablated area. The second ablated area includes a selectively visible indicia.