Provided is a method for producing an aqueous dispersion of a fluorine-containing elastomer, comprising polymerizing a fluorine-containing monomer in the presence of a polymer (1) containing a polymerization unit (1) based on a monomer (1) represented by general formula (1) and an aqueous medium,

CF.sub.2═CF—R—CZ.sup.1Z.sup.2—COOM  (1)

wherein R is a linking group, Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently F or CF.sub.3, and M is H, a metal atom, NR.sup.7.sub.4, imidazolium optionally having a substituent, pyridinium optionally having a substituent, or phosphonium optionally having a substituent, wherein R.sup.7 is H or an organic group.

Provided is a method for producing an aqueous dispersion of a fluorine-containing elastomer, comprising polymerizing a fluorine-containing monomer in the presence of a polymer (1) containing a polymerization unit (1) based on a monomer (1) represented by general formula (1) and an aqueous medium,

CF.sub.2═CF—R—CZ.sup.1Z.sup.2—COOM  (1)

wherein R is a linking group, Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently F or CF.sub.3, and M is H, a metal atom, NR.sup.7.sub.4, imidazolium optionally having a substituent, pyridinium optionally having a substituent, or phosphonium optionally having a substituent, wherein R.sup.7 is H or an organic group.

Provided is a method for producing an aqueous dispersion of a fluorine-containing elastomer, comprising polymerizing a fluorine-containing monomer in the presence of a polymer (1) containing a polymerization unit (1) based on a monomer (1) represented by general formula (1) and an aqueous medium,

CF.sub.2═CF—R—CZ.sup.1Z.sup.2—COOM  (1)

wherein R is a linking group, Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently F or CF.sub.3, and M is H, a metal atom, NR.sup.7.sub.4, imidazolium optionally having a substituent, pyridinium optionally having a substituent, or phosphonium optionally having a substituent, wherein R.sup.7 is H or an organic group.

Disclosed are curved electrochromic devices comprising an electrochromic apparatus disposed between first and second curved layers of transparent material, and the first and second curved layers have exterior and inner surfaces, wherein the inner surfaces face the electrochromic apparatus. Also disclosed are processes for manufacturing the disclosed bubble visors.

Disclosed are curved electrochromic devices comprising an electrochromic apparatus disposed between first and second curved layers of transparent material, and the first and second curved layers have exterior and inner surfaces, wherein the inner surfaces face the electrochromic apparatus. Also disclosed are processes for manufacturing the disclosed bubble visors.

The invention pertains to a method of making fluoropolymer dispersions using certain polyfunctional perfluoropolyether derivatives including a plurality of ionisable groups selected from the group consisting of —SO.sub.3X.sub.a, —PO.sub.3X.sub.a and —COOX.sub.a, whereas X.sub.a is H, an ammonium group or a monovalent metal, and whereas said groups are comprised as pendant groups in the perfluoropolyether chain, and to fluoropolymer dispersions therefrom.

The invention pertains to a method of making fluoropolymer dispersions using certain polyfunctional perfluoropolyether derivatives including a plurality of ionisable groups selected from the group consisting of —SO.sub.3X.sub.a, —PO.sub.3X.sub.a and —COOX.sub.a, whereas X.sub.a is H, an ammonium group or a monovalent metal, and whereas said groups are comprised as pendant groups in the perfluoropolyether chain, and to fluoropolymer dispersions therefrom.

The invention pertains to a composition (C1) comprising: at least one (meth)acrylic modified VDF polymer [polymer (A)] comprising recurring units derived from comprising recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) monomer and at least one hydrophilic (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) of formula (I), wherein each of R1, R2, R3, equal or different from each other, is independently a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-C.sub.3 hydrocarbon group, and R.sub.OH is a hydrogen or a C.sub.1-C.sub.5 hydrocarbon moiety comprising at least one hydroxyl group; at least one inorganic UV blocker compound in an amount not exceeding 5% wt, with respect to the weight of polymer (A), to multilayer assemblies comprising one layer made from said composition (C1), to a method for manufacturing said multilayer assemblies and to the use of the same in different field of use, including protection of PV modules. ##STR00001##

The invention pertains to a composition (C1) comprising: at least one (meth)acrylic modified VDF polymer [polymer (A)] comprising recurring units derived from comprising recurring units derived from vinylidene fluoride (VDF) monomer and at least one hydrophilic (meth)acrylic monomer (MA) of formula (I), wherein each of R1, R2, R3, equal or different from each other, is independently a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-C.sub.3 hydrocarbon group, and R.sub.OH is a hydrogen or a C.sub.1-C.sub.5 hydrocarbon moiety comprising at least one hydroxyl group; at least one inorganic UV blocker compound in an amount not exceeding 5% wt, with respect to the weight of polymer (A), to multilayer assemblies comprising one layer made from said composition (C1), to a method for manufacturing said multilayer assemblies and to the use of the same in different field of use, including protection of PV modules. ##STR00001##

A graded-index optical element may include a nanovoided material including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The nanovoided material may be transparent between the first surface and the second surface. Additionally, the nanovoided material may have a predefined change in effective refractive index in at least one axis due to a change in at least one of nanovoid size or nanovoid distribution along the at least one axis. Various other elements, devices, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.