A method for bonding glass components and the resulting glass assemblies produced by the same. A mixture containing a catalyst and a resin is provided that when combined forms an index-matching optical adhesive. At least one of the catalyst or the resin is encapsulated. The mixture is applied to a glass component. A second glass component is placed on the mixture so that the mixture is interposed between the glass components without breaking the encapsulation. The mixture is exposed to ultraviolet light causing the capsules to release the portions contained therein and combine to form an adhesive.

A pre-stressed structure and a method for forming a pre-stressed structure are provided. The pre-stressed structure comprises a panel including a first region pre-stressed into a condition of membrane tension, resulting in the panel having increased transverse stiffness. The pre-stressed structure may further comprise a second region pre-stressed into a condition of membrane compression. The panel may be a plate or a shell and may form part of an insulating glass unit, which in turn may form part of a curtainwall unit.

A method includes providing a first ply having a No. 1 surface and No. 2 surface. The method further includes heating the first ply, bending the first ply into a predetermined shape, providing a second ply having a No. 3 surface and No. 4 surface, and painting at least a portion of the No. 2 surface, No. 3 surface, or No. 4 surface to yield a painted portion. The method further includes applying a burn-off temporary layer over at least a portion of the painted portion, heating the second ply, bending the second ply into the predetermined shape, burning-off the burn-off temporary layer, providing an interlayer in between the first ply and second ply, heating and squeezing the first ply, second ply and interlayer together under a vacuum to remove any air trapped between the first ply and the second ply thereby forming the article, and cooling the article.

In the case of a structural glass element with a plastic-coated glass panel and at least one assembly element attached hereon, the glass panel is coated in particular with a silicone-based elastomer across its entire surface, and the coating at the same time creates an adhesive joint with one section of the assembly element supported on the glass panel.

A polymer film including a first portion and a second portion laminated with the first portion. Each portion independently consists of one or more layers. The first and second layers each independently have a melt index ranging from 3.5 g/10 min to 10.0 g/10 min, and lower than 3.5 g/10 min, respectively. Each layer of the first portion independently has a product of its melt index and a thickness ratio of its thickness to the total thickness of the first and second portions, such that the sum of the product of each layer of the first portion ranges from 0.39 g/10 min to 2.50 g/10 min. Each layer of the second portion independently has a product of its melt index and a thickness ratio of its thickness to the total thickness of the first and second portions, such that the sum of the product of each layer of the second portion ranges from 1.10 g/10 min to 2.95 g/10 min.

A method for bonding glass components using an encapsulated photo-initiated optical adhesive, and the resulting glass assemblies produced by the same. A mixture containing a catalyst and a resin is provided where at least one of either the catalyst or the resin is encapsulated. The mixture is applied to a glass component. The encapsulated catalyst may then be exposed to ultraviolet light causing the capsules to release the portions contained therein and combine to form an adhesive. A second glass component is then placed on the adhesive so that the adhesive is interposed between the glass components and the adhesive is permitted to cure. Alternatively, the mixture may be exposed to UV light after the second glass component is placed. An exemplary method uses a frame with the first glass component to create a uniform thickness of adhesive and provide a low level of optical defects.

The present invention discloses means and methods for manufacturing a multilayer of liquid crystal dispersion film using releasable supporting films and means and methods for manufacturing a haze-free and low-cost multi liquid crystal-layer PDLC, LCDP, PSLC or polymer network using reliable supporting films.

A polymer film including a first portion and a second portion laminated with the first portion. Each portion independently consists of one or more layers. The first and second layers each independently have a melt index ranging from 3.5 g/10 min to 10.0 g/10 min, and lower than 3.5 g/10 min, respectively. Each layer of the first portion independently has a product of its melt index and a thickness ratio of its thickness to the total thickness of the first and second portions, such that the sum of the product of each layer of the first portion ranges from 0.39 g/10 min to 2.50 g/10 min. Each layer of the second portion independently has a product of its melt index and a thickness ratio of its thickness to the total thickness of the first and second portions, such that the sum of the product of each layer of the second portion ranges from 1.10 g/10 min to 2.95 g/10 min.

The invention provides a method of processing glass that involves forming a flexible gel layer on a flexible glass sheet to create a glass-gel sheet; rolling-up the glass-gel sheet into the form of a roll; placing the roll in a dryer; and drying the flexible gel layer so as to form a flexible aerogel layer. Some embodiments provide a glazing unit that includes a glass-aerogel sheet located between first and second panes of the glazing unit, where the glass-aerogel sheet includes a flexible glass sheet and a flexible aerogel layer on the flexible glass sheet. In such embodiments, the first and second panes each have thicknesses that are greater than a thickness of the flexible glass sheet. Other embodiments provide a glass assembly having a flexible aerogel layer on a flexible glass sheet, with the flexible glass sheet being laminated to a glass pane.

A laminated glazing to be used with an information acquisition system includes a first glass sheet; a first interlayer; a photopolymer film; a second interlayer; a second glass sheet; and a first information acquisition system viewing area for transmitting information to be collected by the information acquisition system wherein the photopolymer film provides an evenly patterned area in the first information acquisition system viewing area.