Masao Misonou

Mechanism of coloration in copper-stained float glass

Abstract Copper staining was applied to a commercial float glass and to a Colburn glass, resulting in green and yellow colors, respectively. Such glass was investigated with optical spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. It was observed that the colors of copper-stained float glass comprised three kinds of extinction structures in the transmittance spectrum located around the wavelengths of 460 nm, 560 nm and 600 ∼ 660 nm. The first two were attributed to the intrinsic absorption of metallic copper colloids while the last was ascribed to the scattering by the metallic copper colloids. Cuprous oxide was considered to be an ineffective colorant. A coloration model for the copper-stained float glass was presented in terms of the variation in size of metallic copper particles.

Advanced window incorporating vacuum glazing

Vacuum glazing product named SPACIATM, being an unique product with very high levels of thermal insulation properties in a very small thickness, is described in detail. The construction and manufacturing process of SPACIATM are reported. Its design, which was originally established by R.E. Collins et al. of the University of Sydney, has been adjusted in order to meet the requirements of the Japanese market and the requirements of mass production process. SPACIATM is found to have several unique features including airborne sound insulation as well as thermal insulation. Energy required for air conditioning was simulated for Japanese houses with various glazings, and it was revealed that SPACIATM could save the energy efficiently. Finally, hybrid IG unit, where vacuum glazing is incorporated into a conventional IG unit, is proposed for further improvement of thermal insulation.