Embodiments of a scratch-resistant and optically transparent material comprising silicon, aluminum, nitrogen, and optionally oxygen are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits an extinction coefficient (k) at a wavelength of 400 nm of less than about 1×10.sup.−3, and an average transmittance of about 80% or greater, over an optical wavelength regime in the range from about 380 nm to about 780 nm, as measured through the material having a thickness of about 0.4 micrometer. In one or more embodiments, the material comprises an intrinsic maximum hardness of about 12 GPa or greater as measured on a major surface of the material having a thickness of about 400 by a Berkovich Indenter Hardness Test along an indentation depth of about 100 nm or greater, low compressive stress and low roughness (Ra). Articles and devices incorporating the material are also disclosed.

Scratch-resistant coatings, especially for cooktops, and substrates or products having said scratch-resistant coatings and methods for the production thereof are described herein. More particularly, scratch-resistant coatings obtained via sol-gel approach and coated substrates having thereon a hard material layer comprising metal nitride(s) and/or metal oxynitride complexes are described, as well as the manufacturing thereof.

A method of manufacturing a scintillator material includes providing a substrate made of a quartz glass and having a recess formed therein; filling the recess with a raw material powder obtained by mixing an iodide raw material and SiO.sub.2 fine particles; after filling the recess, disposing a lid on the substrate to cover the recess; and after disposing the lid, heating the substrate, thereby forming a nanocomposite layer in which an iodide phosphor is introduced into a cristobalite structure.

A process for obtaining a material including a substrate coated on one of its sides with a coating including a functional layer, includes depositing the functional layer on the substrate, then depositing an absorbent layer on top of the functional layer, then performing a heat treatment by radiation, the radiation having at least one treatment wavelength between 200 and 2500 nm, the absorbent layer being in contact with air during the heat treatment, wherein the ab sorb ent layer ab sorbs at least 80% of the radiation used during the heat treatment and transmits less than 10% thereof.

A layered structure having high adhesive properties, and high hardness or excellent transparency, is prepared on a base material such as a resin. A layered structure including: an organic-inorganic hybrid member containing a primary inorganic particle and an organic polymer covalently bound to each other, wherein the primary inorganic particle forms a network containing the polymer; and a particle aggregate layer containing a secondary particle which is deposited on the organic-inorganic hybrid member and is composed of an inorganic material or a metallic material; wherein in the organic-inorganic hybrid member, the primary inorganic particle and the secondary particle have different crystal particle sizes.

A method of manufacturing a glass article comprising: forming a first layer of a first metal on a glass substrate, the glass substrate comprising silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide; subjecting the glass substrate with the first layer of the first metal to a first thermal treatment; forming a second layer of a second metal over the first layer of the first metal; and subjecting the second layer of the second metal to a second thermal treatment, the first thermal treatment and the second thermal treatment inducing intermixing of the first metal, the second metal, and at least one of aluminum, aluminum oxide, silicon, and silicon dioxide of the glass substrate to form a metallic region comprising the first metal, the second metal, aluminum oxide, and silicon dioxide. The first metal can be silver. The second metal can be copper.

An article including a durable, optically transparent, and superhydrophobic coating is described. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an article comprising a substrate, and disposed adjacent the substrate, a layer comprising graphitic carbon, diamond-like carbon, and aerogel. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing a coated substrate, comprising providing a carbon layer disposed on a substrate and having a textured surface; and disposing aerogel adjacent to at least a portion of the textured surface.

A windshield protective coating includes a mixture for positioning on the windshield. The mixture includes silica dioxide, sodium carbonate, dolomite, and cullet and is placed as a coating or a film on the windshield to provide a barrier against damage from small rocks and other objects.

Touch screen displays and other coated articles demonstrating antiglare properties are provided. A method of forming an antiglare coating on a substrate is also provided, and may be used to prepare the coated articles. The method comprises: (a) heating the substrate to a temperature of at least 100° F. (37.8° C.) to form a heated substrate; (b) applying a curable film-forming composition on at least one surface of the heated substrate to form a substrate coated with a sol-gel layer; and (c) subjecting the coated substrate to thermal conditions for a time sufficient to effect cure of the sol-gel layer. The curable film-forming composition comprises: (i) a silane; (ii) a mineral acid; and (iii) a solvent;
wherein the weight ratio of mineral acid to silane is greater than 0.008:1 and the curable film-forming composition has a solids content of less than 10 percent by weight.

Provided is an ultraviolet absorption glass comprising: a glass substrate, and an ultraviolet absorption coating arranged on at least one surface of the glass substrate, wherein the ultraviolet absorption coating comprises silicon dioxide, an ultraviolet absorber, and MOz used for storing and releasing electrons excited by ultraviolet light in the ultraviolet absorber. The ultraviolet absorption glass is low cost and has good resistance to discoloration and devitrification.