Gentex Corporation

Gentex Optics, Inc.

Michael J. Lubianetsky

Robert a. Sallavanti

Michael J Lubianetsky

Robert A Sallavanti

A method of making photochromic thermoplastic wherein the material is extruded into a length or lengths having at least one relatively small cross-sectional dimension. The length or lengths are treated with a solution of photochromic dye dissolved in a solvent, for example, cyclohexanone, which attacks the material. The length or lengths have a surface area-to-volume ratio sufficiently large to absorb an effective amount of the dye at their surface or surfaces. The length or lengths are dried to evaporate the solvent. The length or lengths are heated during the treating and drying steps. The dried length or lengths are cut into smaller pieces which may be introduced directly into a molding machine to form photochromic articles. Where a plurality of lengths are provided, the surfaces thereof are maintained separated from one another during the treating and drying steps.

Method of making photochromic thermoplastics

An optical filter for absorbing neodymium YAG-doubled laser radiation at 532 nanometers, comprising a polymeric matrix of transparent polycarbonate containing platinum deuteroporphyrin IX dimethyl ester, has an optical density of 1.8 at 532 nm while having a photopic luminous visible transmission of 53.8%. Optionally, the filter may contain other additives for absorption at other laser wavelengths, such as vanadyl tetra-4-tert-butylphthalocyanine for absorption of ruby laser radiation at 694 nanometers and tris(p-diethylaminophenyl)aminium hexafluoroantimonate for absorption of neodymium YAG laser radiation at 1064 nanometers.

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Blakely, PA, United States of America

Michael J Lubianetsky