An optical article that includes an optical element and an anisotropic coating layer formed over at least a portion of the optical element. The anisotropic coating layer can include a first light-influencing zone comprising at least one first anisotropic material and a second light-influencing zone comprising at least one second anisotropic material. The at least one of the first light-influencing zone and the second light-influencing zone further include at least one dichroic material and/or at least one photochromic-dichroic material such that the first light-influencing zone and the second light-influencing zone exhibit a different color property, a different photochromic-dichroic reversible change, a different amount of polarization, or a combination thereof.

A method of making an optical article having multiple light-influencing zones can include: forming an alignment coating layer having a first alignment region and a second alignment region over at least a portion of an optical element; applying at least one anisotropic material over the first alignment region and the second alignment region by an inkjet printing device; and applying at least one dichroic material and/or at least one photochromic-dichroic material over at least one of the first alignment region and the second alignment region to form a first light-influencing zone over the first alignment region and a second light-influencing zone over the second alignment region.

A method of making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. The method includes providing an optical element including a coating having at least one alignment zone. A dye composition is contacted with the coating. The dye composition includes at least one of: a dichroic dye, a photochromic-dichroic dye, or a combination thereof to diffuse at least a portion of the dye composition into the coating at a predetermined concentration gradient along at least a portion of the coating to provide the gradient tint and the gradient polarization. A kit for making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. An optical article prepared from a method for making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization.

A method of making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. The method includes contacting one or more dye compositions including at least one of a dichroic dye, a photochromic-dichroic dye, or any combination thereof, with an optical element having a continuous coating including at least one alignment zone. At least a portion of the dye composition diffuses into the coating at a predetermined concentration gradient along at least a portion of the coating.

A method of making an optical article having a gradient tint and a gradient polarization. The method includes contacting one or more dye compositions including at least one of a dichroic dye, a photochromic-dichroic dye, or any combination thereof, with an optical element having a continuous coating including at least one alignment zone. At least a portion of the dye composition diffuses into the coating at a predetermined concentration gradient along at least a portion of the coating.

There are provided indeno-fused naphthopyran compound particles having a degree of crystallization of 60.00% or more and a maximum melting rate of 25% or less at a temperature of 200? C. or lower in a melting curve.

A method of manufacturing an optical article (10) includes supplying a first coating composition (A) and supplying one or more additional coating compositions (B) to an ultrasonic discharge nozzle (102) of a coating apparatus (100). At least one of the first coating composition (A) and the one or more additional coating compositions (B) is a photochromic coating composition. The method includes mixing the first coating composition and the one or more additional coating compositions at the ultrasonic discharge nozzle (102) of the coating apparatus (100), and applying the mixture (C) of the first coating composition (A) and the one or more additional coating compositions (B) to at least a portion of the optical article (10) so as to provide a pattern (24) on the optical article upon exposure to actinic radiation. The mixture (C) of the first coating composition (A) and the one or more additional coating compositions (B) is applied from the ultrasonic discharge nozzle (102) as a controlled, predetermined pattern of atomized droplets.

A process for producing a photochromic eyewear lens. In one embodiment at least a layer of modified photochromic poly(urea-urethane) is formed by combining photochromic material and the reaction product of a polyurethane pre-polymer and a mixture of diethyltoluene diamine and one or more polyols, plus catalyst. The mixture comprises both NH.sub.2 and OH reactive groups, with at least 0.04 equivalent weights of OH reactive species available for reaction with each 1.0 equivalent weight of excess NCO reactive species available in the pre-polymer. The lens comprising the modified photochromic poly(urea-urethane) can exhibit faster fade-back rates and better photochromic performance than lenses with non-modified poly(urea-urethane).

The invention relates to a process for preparing a dichromatic material, in the form of a translucent film, comprising monodisperse nanoparticles formed of gold and optionally of a noble metal chosen from platinum, palladium, silver and copper, and at least one organic macromolecule chosen from proteins, polysaccharides and synthetic polymers; said dichromatic material; and the uses thereof.

A method of producing a gradient photochromic lens comprises providing a lens and a dyeing trough, with the lens including a front surface and a rear surface; immersing the lens in the dyeing trough to proceed with dyeing, and moving the lens out of the dyeing trough, forming a gradient dyed layer on each of the front surface and the rear surface of the lens after drying and hardening; providing a photochromic optical adhesive including a color changing agent combined with an optical adhesive; providing a film having a bonding face, and disposing the photochromic optical adhesive on the bonding face; and bonding the film to the front surface of the lens via the bonding face. The lens produced from the method provides a gradient photochromic effect while increasing the absorption effect of ultraviolet rays and prolonging the service life.