Systems and methods for fabricating optical elements in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for fabricating an optical element, the method including providing a first optical substrate, depositing a first layer of a first optical recording material onto the first optical substrate, applying an optical exposure process to the first layer to form a first optical structure, temporarily erasing the first optical structure, depositing a second layer of a second optical recording material, and applying an optical exposure process to the second layer to form a second optical structure, wherein the optical exposure process includes using at least one light beam traversing the first layer.

A method for manufacturing a golf ball having a non-uniform dot pattern is provided. Firstly, a semi-finished product of a golf ball is provided, which includes a ball body and a base layer covering an outer surface of the ball body. After that, the semi-finished product of the golf ball is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed, and a color paint is applied to the semi-finished product of the golf ball in a spraying manner from each of an upper position and a lower position.

An optical device coating assembly is provided. The optical device coating assembly includes a substrate support operable to retain an optical device substrate. The coating assembly further includes a first actuator connected to the substrate support. The first actuator is configured to rotate the substrate support. The coating assembly includes a holder configured to hold a coating applicator against an edge of the optical device substrate when the optical device substrate is rotated on the substrate support and a second actuator operable to apply a force on the holder in a direction towards the substrate support. The second actuator is a constant force actuator.

A viewing lens and method for treating lenses to minimize glare and reflections for birds with tetra-chromatic vision. The anti-reflection lens is treated to with a coating on the surface. The coating is configured to enable the lens surface to be less perceptible to a bird with tetra-chromatic vision by reducing reflections therefrom. The lens treatment includes applying an anti-reflective coating in multiple coats. The coats comprise an adhesion composition, a low index composition (such as SiO.sub.2), a high index composition (such as ZrO.sub.2), and a superhydrophobic composition that are applied in subsequent layers of varying nanometer thicknesses. The treated lens exhibits minimal reflection properties in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum and almost no reflection in the UV-A range. This creates a lens surface that is difficult for birds with tetra-chromatic vision to see a reflection therefrom.

The glass article has a three-dimensional shape. The glass article contains a first surface and at least one second surface opposite to the first surface, and contains a bent part in at least one place of the first surface or the second surface.

Provided is a shoe that includes a sole and an upper extending above the sole. The upper has an outer surface and is made of a base material that is partially covered with a coating material, such that the coating material covers at least 90% but not more than 98% of the outer surface of the upper.

A method for generating antireflective coatings for polymeric substrates using a deposition process and/or a dissolving process can provide a coating onto the outer surface of the substrate. Some embodiments can include a GLAD generated fluoropolymer coating or a co-evaporated fluoropolymer coating on a substrate that may achieve ultralow refractive index as well as improved adhesion and durability properties on polymeric substrates. In some embodiments, the deposition process is performed such that a fluoropolymer can be evaporated to form chain fragments of the fluoropolymer. The chain fragments diffused into the substrate can subsequently re-polymerize, interlocking with the polymer chains of the substrate. In some embodiments, the co-evaporation process can form a nanoporous polymer chain scaffold of the fluoropolymer, from which a sacrificial material can be dissolved out. The formed coating can be a multilayer or continuously-graded antireflective coating that has strong adhesion with the substrate.

Disclosed is a method for treating a grained material. A nonlimiting example of the method includes the operations of providing a workpiece having grains, exasperating a surface of the workpiece to open the grains, applying at least one coat of a base paint to the exasperated surface, applying at least one layer of clear coat on the base paint, applying at least one of a glaze and a paint on the clear coat, and surface treating to reveal grains of the workpiece. Disclosed also are items of furniture and sheet materials treated by the aforementioned process.

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.

Touch screen displays and other coated articles demonstrating antiglare properties are provided. A method of forming an antiglare coating on a substrate is also provided, and may be used to prepare the coated articles. The method comprises: (a) heating the substrate to a temperature of at least 100° F. (37.8° C.) to form a heated substrate; (b) applying a curable film-forming composition on at least one surface of the heated substrate to form a substrate coated with a sol-gel layer; and (c) subjecting the coated substrate to thermal conditions for a time sufficient to effect cure of the sol-gel layer. The curable film-forming composition comprises: (i) a silane; (ii) a mineral acid; and (iii) a solvent;
wherein the weight ratio of mineral acid to silane is greater than 0.008:1 and the curable film-forming composition has a solids content of less than 10 percent by weight.