Abstract:
A method for forming an inorganic or hybrid organic/inorganic layer on a substrate, which method comprises vaporizing a metal alkoxide, condensing the metal alkoxide to form a layer atop the substrate, and contacting the condensed metal alkoxide layer with water to cure the layer is disclosed.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an optical fiber and the resulting article. The method including the steps of: providing a substrate tube; depositing high purity silica-based cladding layers on the inside of the tube; depositing a germanium-free core comprising a glass including silica, and oxides of Al, La, Er, and Tm; collapsing the substrate tube to form a preform; and drawing the preform to yield an optical fiber. A germanium-free co-doped silicate optical waveguide in accordance with the present invention includes a core material comprising silica, aluminum, lanthanum, erbium and thulium, wherein the concentration of Er is from 15 ppm to 3000 ppm; Al is from 0.5 mol% to 15 mol%; La is less than 2 mol%; and Tm is from 150 ppm to 10000 ppm. In an exemplary specific embodiment the concentration of Al is from 4 mol% to 10 mol%; and the concentration of Tm is from 150 ppm to 3000 ppm. The core may further include F. In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration of F is less than or equal to 6 mol%. The waveguide may be an optical fiber, a shaped fiber or other light-guiding waveguides. An amplifier according to the present invention includes the optical fiber described above.
Abstract:
The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.
Abstract:
A retroreflective article comprising first transparent microspheres and second transparent microspheres having an index of refraction within a range from 1.5 to 2.0, wherein the first and second transparent microspheres are at least partially embedded in a binder and the first microspheres have an index of refraction of at least 2.10 and comprise at least 50 mol-% TiO 2 ; and at least 5 mol-% of one or more metal oxides selected from oxides of lanthanide series elements and yttrium.
Abstract:
There is provided hollow microspheres comprising: at least 45 wt % of recycled glass based on the total weight of a feed composition from which the hollow microspheres are derived, wherein the hollow microspheres have a density of less than 1.25 g/cm3, strength at 20% volume reduction greater than 20 MPa and have a substantially single cell structure. There is also provided hollow microspheres comprising: a blend of recycled glass and glass feed, wherein the hollow microspheres have a density of less than 1.25 g/cm3 and are made from a feed composition that is essentially free of an added effective blowing agent. There is provided a method for making hollow microspheres.
Abstract:
Provided are compositions and materials that have varistor properties and are suitable for use in electrical stress control devices and surge arrestor devices. The compositions and materials include a polymeric material and calcined calcium copper titanate filler material and have a reversible non-linear current-voltage characteristic.