The pattern-forming method includes: applying a silicon-containing film-forming composition directly or indirectly on at least an upper face side of a substrate to form a silicon-containing film; applying a resist film-forming composition directly or indirectly on an upper face side of the silicon-containing film to form a resist film; exposing the resist film to an extreme ultraviolet ray or an electron beam; and developing the resist film exposed to form a resist pattern. The silicon-containing film-forming composition contains a compound having a first structural unit represented by formula (1), and a solvent. In the formula (1), R.sup.1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and X and Y each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom or a monovalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

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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.

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.

A method of forming a thin film coating on sloped outdoor panel surfaces is disclosed. The method uses a thin-film coating applicator assembly for coating substrates in outdoor applications. The innovative method of forming a thin-film coating may be 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.

A method of forming a thin film coating on sloped outdoor panel surfaces is disclosed. The method uses a thin-film coating applicator assembly for coating substrates in outdoor applications. The innovative method of forming a thin-film coating may be 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.

The low-reflection coating of the present invention is adapted to be provided on at least one principal surface of a substrate. The low-reflection coating is a porous film having a thickness of 80 to 800 nm, the porous film including: fine silica particles being solid and spherical and having an average particle diameter of 80 to 600 nm; and a binder containing silica as a main component and containing a hydrophobic group, the fine silica particles being bound by the binder. The low-reflection coating contains 35 to 70 mass % of the fine silica particles, 25 to 64 mass % of the silica of the binder, and 0.2 to 10 mass % of the hydrophobic group of the binder. The low-reflection coating produces a transmittance gain of 1.5% or more when provided on the substrate.

The low-reflection coating of the present invention is adapted to be provided on at least one principal surface of a substrate. The low-reflection coating is a porous film having a thickness of 80 to 800 nm, the porous film including: fine silica particles being solid and spherical and having an average particle diameter of 80 to 600 nm; and a binder containing silica as a main component and containing a hydrophobic group, the fine silica particles being bound by the binder. The low-reflection coating contains 35 to 70 mass % of the fine silica particles, 25 to 64 mass % of the silica of the binder, and 0.2 to 10 mass % of the hydrophobic group of the binder. The low-reflection coating produces a transmittance gain of 1.5% or more when provided on the substrate.

The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition system for the treatment of cellulosic articles, which includes a first aqueous composition having a pH of at least 10 and comprises potassium silicate and a penetration aiding agent, wherein the potassium silicate is present in a range of from 1.5 to 32% by weight, the molar ratio of silicon (Si) to potassium (K) of said potassium silicate is 1.2-2.1; and a second aqueous composition comprising an emulsion of at least one alkoxy silane and/or siloxane compound. The present invention further relates to a method for treating cellulosic articles and uses thereof.

The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition system for the treatment of cellulosic articles, which includes a first aqueous composition having a pH of at least 10 and comprises potassium silicate and a penetration aiding agent, wherein the potassium silicate is present in a range of from 1.5 to 32% by weight, the molar ratio of silicon (Si) to potassium (K) of said potassium silicate is 1.2-2.1; and a second aqueous composition comprising an emulsion of at least one alkoxy silane and/or siloxane compound. The present invention further relates to a method for treating cellulosic articles and uses thereof.

A silicone resin represented by formula (1) and having a Mw of 1,000-8,000 is useful in cosmetics.

[(C.sub.6H.sub.5).sub.3SiO.sub.1/2].sub.a[R.sup.1.sub.3SiO.sub.1/2].sub.b[R.sup.2.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2].sub.c[R.sup.3SiO.sub.3/2].sub.d[SiO.sub.4/2].sub.e(1)

R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl group, C.sub.6-C.sub.12 aryl group (exclusive of phenyl) or C.sub.1-C.sub.8 fluorinated alkyl group, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently a C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl group, C.sub.6-C.sub.12 aryl group or C.sub.1-C.sub.8 fluorinated alkyl group, a=0-0.2, b=0.1-0.5, c=0-0.2, d=0.01-0.5, e=0-0.6, a+b+c+d+e=1.0, at least one phenyl group is included in the molecule. A film of the silicone resin has a refractive index of at least 1.48.