A self-cleaning transparent conductive surface includes a hydrophobic film and a metal nano-web coupled to the hydrophobic film. The metal nano-web imparts conductive properties to the surface of the film and texturing formed by either the hydrophobic film, substrate or metal nano-web create a super-hydrophobic surface. This super-hydrophobic and conductive surface may be created by etching and layering a metal nano-web over the surface of a hydrophobic film or a rigid substrate, the metal grid may the hydrophobic film or substrate may also be etched in a moth's eye pattern. Both the hydrophobic film or substrate and metal nano-web may be coated in a layer of hydrophobic material to further increase the hydrophobic effect.

A tintable window is described having a tintable coating, e.g., an electrochromic device coating, for regulating light transmitted through the window. In some embodiments, the window has a transparent display in the window's viewable region. Transparent displays may be substantially transparent when not in use, or when the window is viewed in a direction facing away from the transparent display. Windows may have sensors for receiving user commands and/or for monitoring environmental conditions. Transparent displays can display graphical user interfaces to, e.g., control window functions. Windows, as described herein, offer an alternative display to conventional projectors, TVs, and monitors. Windows may also be configured to receive, transmit, or block wireless communications from passing through the window. A window control system may share computational resources between controllers (e.g., at different windows). In some cases, the computational resources of the window control system are utilized by other building systems and devices.

A tintable window is described having a tintable coating, e.g., an electrochromic device coating, for regulating light transmitted through the window. In some embodiments, the window has a transparent display in the window's viewable region. Transparent displays may be substantially transparent when not in use, or when the window is viewed in a direction facing away from the transparent display. Windows may have sensors for receiving user commands and/or for monitoring environmental conditions. Transparent displays can display graphical user interfaces to, e.g., control window functions. Windows, as described herein, offer an alternative display to conventional projectors, TVs, and monitors. Windows may also be configured to receive, transmit, or block wireless communications from passing through the window. A window control system may share computational resources between controllers (e.g., at different windows). In some cases, the computational resources of the window control system are utilized by other building systems and devices.

The present invention provides an optical member excellent in antifouling properties, rubbing resistance, and antifog properties. The optical member of the present invention includes, on a surface thereof, an uneven structure provided with multiple projections at a pitch not longer than a wavelength of visible light, the projections each including a hydrophilic portion at its tip. Preferably, each of the projections is formed from a hydrophobic resin and has its tip covered with a hydrophilic material, the hydrophilic material contains silicon dioxide, and the hydrophilic material has a thickness of 30 nm or smaller.

A perfluoro(poly)ether group containing silane compound represented by the formula (1a) or the formula (1b):

A-RfXSiQ.sub.kY.sub.3-k(1a)

Y.sub.3-kQ.sub.kSiXRfXSiQ.sub.kY.sub.3-k(1b)

as defined herein. Also disclosed is a process for producing the compound, a surface-treating agent containing the compound, a pellet containing the surface-treating agent and an optical member including a base material and a layer formed on a surface of the base material from the compound.

Systems, methods and devices to inhibit sensing reduction in imperfect sensing conditions are described. A multifunctional coating superposing a lens includes a self-cleaning layer and a heating layer. The self-cleaning layer defines an external surface configured to be exposed to an exterior environment. The external surface defines three-dimensional surface features thereon. The three-dimensional surface features are adjacently disposed arcuate features that inhibit adhering of solid particles to the external surface and wetting of the external surface. The heating layer is in thermal communication with the external surface. The heating layer is selectively actuated to provide thermal energy to the external surface through resistive heating. Each of the self-cleaning layer and the heating layer is transparent to a predetermined wavelength of light.

The invention relates to a composite for an acoustic component having at least one carrier layer and an electrospun membrane which is arranged on the at least one carrier layer, wherein the electrospun membrane is formed of superimposed fibers while a pore structure is being designed. The pore structure of the composite is designed such that the composite has a water column of at least 1 m and an air permeability of 5 L/m.sup.2*s. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a composite for an acoustic component, in which a carrier layer is provided and on the carrier layer a membrane is designed according to the electrospinning method, wherein the membrane is produced of superimposed fibers with a defined pore structure.

An enhanced filtration multilayer laminated fabric includes an air permeable, moisture-vapor-transmissive central layer such as polytetra-fluoroethylene (ePTFE) sandwiched between a first pair of nonwoven textile layers and a second pair of woven textile layers. The laminated fabric may also feature a fire resistant application. The top textile layer may also include a permanent, highly breathable and highly durable electro-static discharge feature added to the inside of the layer by laying down a carbon based printed pattern on the inside of the layer. The filtration fabric may be utilized to manufacture a wearable garment that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to wear in all weather conditions and which effectively filters airborne particulates from entering a user's respiratory system by blocking particulates having a size of 0.3 microns and larger from inhaled air for a user's respiratory system with a particle blocking efficiency of at least 90%.

Disclosed are methods of coating a surface of a substrate with a hydrophobic layer based on iterative steps of spin-coating, annealing, and etching of block copolymer thin films into multi-layer nano-meshes. Also disclosed are articles comprising a surface with a polymer coating, and methods of using the same as a self-cleaning surface.

Resources of a system for controlling optically switchable windows may be used for a personal computing unit. The window system resources may include (i) a display associated with an optically switchable window, (ii) one or more processors of one or more controllers on a window network connected to a plurality of optically switchable windows in a building, wherein the one or more controllers are configured to vary tint states of the plurality of optically switchable windows in the building, (iii) memory of one or more controllers on the window network connected to the plurality of optically switchable windows in the building, and/or (iv) at least a part of the window network.