The present invention relates to optical power-limiting devices, and more particularly, to an optical power-limiting passive (self-adaptive) device and to a method for limiting solar power transmission in devices such as windows, using scattering level changes in a novel thermotropic composition that contains salt nano or microparticles embedded in a solid transparent host layer, where temperature change induces change in the refraction index of the matrix as well as of the embedded particles, creating a scattering layer, substantially reflecting the incident light thus limiting the amount of light passing through the window, green house covers, car sun roofs, solar panel windows and protection layers on housing roofs and walls, as a function of ambient temperature.

Methods of continuous fabrication of features in flexible substrates are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating features in a substrate web includes providing the substrate web arranged in a first spool on a first spool assembly, advancing the substrate web from the first spool and through a laser processing assembly comprising a laser, and creating a plurality of defects within the substrate web using the laser. The method further includes advancing the substrate web through an etching assembly and etching the substrate web at the etching assembly to remove glass material at the plurality of defects, thereby forming a plurality of features in the substrate web. The method further includes rolling the substrate web into a final spool.

A hydrophobic coating and a method for applying such a coating to a surface of a substrate. The method includes applying a coating composition to the surface and heating the coated surface at a cure temperature from about 450 C. to about 600 C. for a time from about 8 hours to about 48 hours. The coating composition is applied to the surface by an application method selected from the group consisting of flowing, dipping, and spraying. The coating composition comprises a yttrium compound, an additive selected from the group consisting of a cerium compound and a dispersion of yttrium oxide nanoparticles, a water-soluble polymer, and a solvent solution of de-ionized water and a water-soluble alcohol.

A transparent conductor including a conductive layer coated on a substrate is described. More specifically, the conductive layer comprises a network of nanowires which may be embedded in a matrix. The conductive layer is optically transparent and flexible. It can be coated or laminated onto a variety of substrates, including flexible and rigid substrates.

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.

An infrared-shielding nanoparticle dispersion has a property whereby visible light is adequately transmitted, and light in the near-infrared region is adequately shielded. The infrared-shielding nanoparticles include a plural aggregate of electroconductive particles composed of a tungsten oxide expressed by the general formula WyOz (where W is tungsten, O is oxygen, and 2.2z/y2.999), and/or a composite tungsten oxide expressed by the general formula MxWyOz (where M is one or more elements selected from H, alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, rare earth elements, Mg, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, B, F, P, S, Se, Br, Te, Ti, Nb, V, Mo, Ta, Re, Be, Hf, Os, Bi, and I; W is tungsten; O is oxygen; 0.001x/y1.1; and 2.2z/y3.0).

An article having a nanostructured surface and a method of making the same are described. The article can include a substrate and a nanostructured layer bonded to the substrate. The nanostructured layer can include a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured features comprising a contiguous, protrusive material and the nanostructured features can be sufficiently small that the nanostructured layer is optically transparent. A surface of the nanostructured features can be coated with a continuous hydrophobic coating. The method can include providing a substrate; depositing a film on the substrate; decomposing the film to form a decomposed film; and etching the decomposed film to form the nanostructured layer.

Glass substrate assemblies having low dielectric properties, electronic assemblies incorporating glass substrate assemblies, and methods of fabricating glass substrate assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate assembly includes a glass layer 110 having a first surface and a second surface, and a thickness of less than about 300 m. The substrate assembly further includes a dielectric layer 120 disposed on at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the glass layer. The dielectric layer has a dielectric constant value of less than about 3.0 in response to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency of 10 GHz. In some embodiments, the glass layer is made of annealed glass such that the glass layer has a dielectric constant value of less than about 5.0 and a dissipation factor value of less than about 0.003 in response to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency of 10 GHz. An electrically conductive layer 142 is disposed on a surface of the dielectric layer, within the dielectric layer or under the dielectric layer.

A heating element includes a plurality of matrix particles and a conductive inorganic filler disposed at interfaces between the plurality of matrix particles to provide a conductive network.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a glass with anti-glare, strengthened, anti-microbial and anti-fingerprint capabilities. A glass substrate is provided with a target surface. Plural treatments are carried out, including: performing an anti-glare treatment upon the target surface by using a mixed acid solution; performing a strengthening treatment by using KNO.sub.3; performing an anti-microbial treatment by using a silver-containing fluid; and performing an anti-fingerprint treatment by forming a fluorocarbon siloxane layer on the target surface.