A thin-film coating applicator assembly is disclosed for coating substrates in outdoor applications. The innovative thin-film coating applicator assembly is adapted to apply performance enhancement coatings on installed photovoltaic panels and glass windows in outdoor environments. The coating applicator is adapted to move along a solar panel or glass pane while applicator mechanisms deposit a uniform layer of liquid coating solution to the substrate's surface. The applicator assembly comprises a conveyance means disposed on a frame. Further disclosed are innovative applicator heads that comprise a deformable sponge-like core surrounded by a microporous layer. The structure, when in contact with a substrate surface, deposits a uniform layer of coating solution over a large surface.

A coating composition for forming a coating film including particles and a resin binder is so configured that a content of the particles in the coating film is more than 30 vol%, the coating composition includes the particles, a raw resin of the resin binder, and a solvent, and a ratio V/D is 2.5 or less, where V is a volatilization rate (g/m.sup.2.Math.s) of the solvent, and D is a diffusion coefficient (10.sup.−9 m.sup.2/s) of the solvent in the coating composition.

A composition for forming a transparent coating film including hollow silica microparticles and a binder is provided. The hollow silica microparticles have an average particle diameter of 5 to 300 nm when measured by the dynamic light scattering method, a specific surface area of 50 to 1500 m.sup.2/g, and an outer shell in which cavities are formed. The microparticles lose weight by 1.0 W % or more at a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 500° C. when measured by the thermogravimetry (TG). A surface charge (QA) of the hollow silica microparticles contained in the compositions for forming a transparent coating film is in the range from 5 to 20 μeq/g.

A composition for forming a transparent coating film including hollow silica microparticles and a binder is provided. The hollow silica microparticles have an average particle diameter of 5 to 300 nm when measured by the dynamic light scattering method, a specific surface area of 50 to 1500 m.sup.2/g, and an outer shell in which cavities are formed. The microparticles lose weight by 1.0 W % or more at a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 500° C. when measured by the thermogravimetry (TG). A surface charge (QA) of the hollow silica microparticles contained in the compositions for forming a transparent coating film is in the range from 5 to 20 μeq/g.

The invention relates to a detector system suitable for detection of an aromatic hydrocarbon, comprising an organic polymeric sensor material that is permeable to the aromatic hydrocarbon, the sensor material comprising a molecular probe selected from the group of methanatoboron moieties. Further, the invention relates to the use of a detector system according to the invention for the detection of an aromatic hydrocarbon, preferably an aromatic hydrocarbon selected from the group of benzene, toluene and xylene.

The invention relates to a detector system suitable for detection of an aromatic hydrocarbon, comprising an organic polymeric sensor material that is permeable to the aromatic hydrocarbon, the sensor material comprising a molecular probe selected from the group of methanatoboron moieties. Further, the invention relates to the use of a detector system according to the invention for the detection of an aromatic hydrocarbon, preferably an aromatic hydrocarbon selected from the group of benzene, toluene and xylene.

A superhydrophobic coating including a plurality of particles and a resin. The particles covalently bond to the resin and the resin does not fill the pores of the superhydrophobic particles such that the three dimensional surface topology of the superhydrophobic particles is preserved.

A superhydrophobic coating including a plurality of particles and a resin. The particles covalently bond to the resin and the resin does not fill the pores of the superhydrophobic particles such that the three dimensional surface topology of the superhydrophobic particles is preserved.

This invention describes the encapsulation of and self-assembly of meso (nano) porous silica particles from inorganic an inexpensive silica precursor, sodium silicate. The particles have a well defined shape, high surface area, and high uniformity of the pore size, the properties that are typically found for high quality mesoporous material synthesized from organic silica precursors. The disclosure illustrates a synthesis of hard spheres, discoids, and a mixture comprising discoids, gyroids and fibers, termed as origami.

This invention describes the encapsulation of and self-assembly of meso (nano) porous silica particles from inorganic an inexpensive silica precursor, sodium silicate. The particles have a well defined shape, high surface area, and high uniformity of the pore size, the properties that are typically found for high quality mesoporous material synthesized from organic silica precursors. The disclosure illustrates a synthesis of hard spheres, discoids, and a mixture comprising discoids, gyroids and fibers, termed as origami.