Unexpectedly unique and environmentally friendly composite material structures, storage articles fabricated therefrom, and related methods. The composite structure includes at least one or more fiber-containing layers, such as fiberboard or other layers having fibers from natural and/or synthetic sources, and one or more mineral-containing layers. The mineral-containing layer(s) comprises a thermoplastic bonding agent fixing the mineral particles in place. The fiber-containing layer(s) and mineral-containing layer(s) can be shaped, sized, and manufactured such that the composite structure formed therefrom is capable of being machined to form the storage article. The composite structure can be repulped and recycled without the use of dispersions, emulsions, or aqueous solutions. Further, the composite reduces layer mass requirements for heat seal, barrier, and fiber adhesion compared to polymer layers. The composite structure further has tensile strength and other structural characteristics that allow it to be readily machined into desired storage article forms.

The present disclosure relates to silica nanoparticle coatings and articles, such as in particular retro-reflective devices, bearing silica nanoparticle coatings thereon. The present disclosure is also directed to a method for retarding dew formation on the surface of an article, in particular an article comprising a retro-reflective support.

The invention pertains to a multilayer assembly comprising: (L1) a first inner layer [layer (L1)] made from a first composition [composition (C1)], said composition (C1) comprising: at least one polymer comprising recurring units derived from ethylene (E) and from chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), and at least one Ti compound; and (L2) a second outer layer [layer (L2)] made from a second composition [composition (C2)], said composition (C2) being substantially free from TiO.sub.2-containing additives, said second composition comprising at least one semi-crystalline polymer comprising recurring units derived from ethylene and from at least one fluoromonomer selected from chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and mixtures thereof, said semi-crystalline polymer having a heat of fusion of at least 35 J/g [polymer (A)].

The present invention relates to a cycloolefin resin composition, a molded article of the cycloolefin resin composition, and an optical element, and in particular, to a resin composition containing inorganic particles in a resin, a molded article of the resin composition, and an optical element formed of the molded article.

The object of the present invention is to provide a white polyester film for a solar cell that is excellent in transfer-mark concealment properties (properties that transferred irregularities are hard to be seen) while having high whiteness, and exhibiting good light resistance and hydrolysis resistance, a sealing sheet for a back surface of a solar cell and a solar cell module using the same. The white polyester film for a solar cell of the present invention has whiteness of 50 or more, an average reflectance of 50 to 95% in a range of wavelength of 400 to 800 nm, an acid value of 1 to 50 eq/ton, and a thickness of 30 to 380 m, and the film has a multilayer structure in which a polyester resin layer containing inorganic fine particles in an amount of 10 to 38% by mass is disposed as at least one outermost layer, and a half-value width of protrusion distribution on a surface of the polyester resin layer is 200 to 1000 nm, the protrusion distribution being obtained by plotting the number density of protrusions with respect to protrusion height.

Nanoparticle-treated particle packs, such as sand beds, may effectively filter and purify liquids such as waste water. When tiny contaminant particles in waste water flow through the particle pack, the nanoparticles will capture and hold the tiny contaminant particles within the pack due to the nanoparticles' surface forces, including, but not necessarily limited to van der Waals and electrostatic forces. Coating agents may help apply the nanoparticles to the particle surfaces in the filter beds or packs.

A release product including a basic substrate and a siliconized release layer. The basic substrate has a first side and a second side. The siliconized release layer has been applied on the first side of the basic substrate. The release product includes a coating layer which has been applied directly on either the first side of the basic substrate, or the second side of the basic substrate. The coating layer includes silica particles and a binder.

Unexpectedly unique and environmentally friendly composite material structures, storage articles fabricated therefrom, and related methods. The composite structure includes at least one or more fiber-containing layers, such as fiberboard or other layers having fibers from natural and/or synthetic sources, and one or more mineral-containing layers. The mineral-containing layer(s) comprises a thermoplastic bonding agent fixing the mineral particles in place. The fiber-containing layer(s) and mineral-containing layer(s) can be shaped, sized, and manufactured such that the composite structure formed therefrom is capable of being machined to form the storage article. The composite structure can be repulped and recycled without the use of dispersions, emulsions, or aqueous solutions. Further, the composite reduces layer mass requirements for heat seal, barrier, and fiber adhesion compared to polymer layers. The composite structure further has tensile strength and other structural characteristics that allow it to be readily machined into desired storage article forms.

The present invention relates to an intermediate product for joining and coating by brazing comprising a base metal and a blend of boron and silicon, said base metal having a solidus temperature above 1040 C., and the intermediate product has at least partly a surface layer of the blend on the base metal, wherein the boron in the blend is selected from a boron source, and the silicon in the blend is selected from a silicon source, and wherein the blend comprises boron and silicon in a ratio of boron to silicon within a range from about 3:100 wt/wt to about 100:3 wt/wt. The present invention relates also to a stacked intermediate product, to an assembled intermediate product, to a method of brazing, to a brazed product, to a use of an intermediate product, to a pre-brazed product, to a blend and to paint.

A coating and devices using the coating are provided. The coating is applied in liquid form and dried or otherwise cured to form a durable adherent coating resistant to high temperatures and having optional hydrophobic properties. The coating formulation contains an aqueous formulation of silica, one or more fillers, and sufficient base, (e.g., potassium hydroxide), to have a pH exceeding about 10.5 during at least part of the formulation process. The formulation may contain a compound(s) that affects surface free energy, energy to make the cured coating hydrophobic. Such compounds include silanes containing halogens (e.g., fluorine or chlorine) and in particular silanes containing one or more hydrolyzable groups attached to at least one silicon atom and a group containing one or more halogens (e.g., chlorine or fluorine). A medical instrument (e.g., electrosurgical instrument) may be at least partially covered by a coating using the formulation.