November 2016 - Page 3 of 3

Portland Glass Factory Improves Air Quality

November 10, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

Portland Glass Factory Improves Air Quality

The Portland glass factory that has been at the center of an environmental debate has reduced its heavy metals emissions by 98% compared to this time last year. According to the Oregon Health Authority, the filtration system put in place by Bullseye Glass is working well, and they’ve removed two of the four monitoring systems they installed following the revelation that the glass factory was emitting high concentrations of toxic heavy metals.

Bullseye Glass has installed 12 filters and will install an additional six in the coming months. The filters capture emissions of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, chromium and arsenic, which had been released untreated into the air around the factory.

Oregon state environmental officials first became aware of the toxic emissions when they sampled mosses from trees growing near the factory. The discovery, which was repeated around other local glass factories, touched off a national debate about the safety of small glass factories.

Oregon’s findings also spurred the US Environmental Protection Agency to begin monitoring air quality around other glass furnaces nationwide. Small furnaces have been exempt from filtration requirements that are applied to larger producers. The discovery of high concentrations of toxic metals has resulted in much stricter filtration requirements.

The debate has also produced casualties. Uroboros Glass, another local Portland glass manufacturer, announced last month that it would permanently close its doors because it could not afford to install the required filtration systems.

Bullseye is also working to tweak its filtration system to capture selenium emissions, which tests have shown are still elevated around the factory. Selenium is necessary for good health and occurs naturally in the ground. It does not pose the same dangers that the factory’s other emissions, but regulators want to see selenium levels around the factory reduced. Selenium is safe in small amounts, but excess selenium intake can result in selenium toxicity, the symptoms of which can persist for months.

Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specialized glass coating that bonds permanently to glass surfaces. GlassPrimer also makes a glass surface molecular activator that is designed to work with UV-inkjet glass printing processes. For more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store.

Photo Credit: America’s Power, via Flickr.com

Glass Adds Style to Home

November 9, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

Glass Adds Style to Home

If you’re intent on adding a modern touch to your home, there’s no better material to work with than glass. It delivers a minimalist touch while retaining its oh-so-practical nature. Glass is insanely versatile, and it’s rarely impractical in the modern space.

Glass works so well precisely because it’s so minimal. There’s just something irresistible about being able to see through a space. Glass allows natural light to travel, so it’s definitely high on the list of materials for small spaces, and spaces that have limited access to natural lighting.

Glass comes in a variety of thicknesses, which means it can be used for more than just windows. Glass walls, staircases, floors and countertops can all find a place in the modern home.

If you want to go glass on a staircase, you’ll need to consult with architects, fabricators and contractors that have specific experience with creating glass staircases. While they seem light and airy, there’s a bevy of local code requirements for staircases (made from any material), and you’ll need to plan accordingly for railings and other required safety measures.

Glass countertops are all the rage, and can be made in a number of ways. Thick glass can be used as a counter surface. The advantage of going with straight glass is that you can light it and paint it to your liking. Glass can also be bound with epoxy or cement to make a composite countertop. Composites are strong and can add a delightful visual component to your counters.

You can also use glass as a backsplash or wall covering. Glass and glass tiles are extremely popular right now, and can give your kitchen or bathroom a unique appearance. When used as a wall covering, glass is relatively easy to work with, and can be decorated easily.

Photo Credit: , via Flickr.com

Miro’s Only Glass Mural Restored

November 8, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

Miro’s Only Glass Mural Restored

Spanish artist Joan Miro was most well known for his murals, sculptures and ceramics. Despite his facility with both painting and ceramics, he didn’t combine the two materials, except in one place: Wichita State University. Miro’s only glass and marble mural resides at the Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art.

Miro painted the mural on canvas and turned it over to artisans who used the canvas as a guide to create the finished glass and marble work.

Unlike most museum pieces, the mural isn’t inside the building. It sits on the museum’s south exterior wall. In 2011, the museum undertook a massive restoration of the mural, removing it from the wall to rebuild it. Curators estimate that the mural shed about 400 small glass tiles each year. The original mural glass was created by Ateliers Loire in France.

When it was constructed, the mural was divided into 80 separate panels. It was removed in exactly the way it was constructed, and rebuilt in pieces. Conservators cut thousands of new glass tiles, designed to match the original French tiles. The panels were treated with a new epoxy that allows the mural to flex. This should allow the glass tesserae to adhere to the mural better, and withstand weather and seasonal temperature changes.

After five years of restoration, the mural was returned to its place outside of the museum last month, and is the subject of a celebratory exhibition of Miro’s works in all media.

The use of glass tiles isn’t just being seen in this mural. Many interior designers are turning to glass, glass tile and glass composites to create both interior and exterior designs. The versatility and durability of glass is at the heart of its popularity in design.

Photo Credit: Brent Danley, via Flickr.com

Secret of metallic glasses revealed

November 7, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

Secret of metallic glasses revealed

Researchers at the University of Bristol say they have confirmed a long-standing theory about how metallic glasses form. Metallic glasses are prized substances because they’re harder and stronger than regular glass. They’re also much rarer than some would like, partially because we don’t have a good understanding of how metallic glasses actually form.

Since the 1950’s, a popular theory (developed by a physicist at the University of Bristol) regarding the way metallic glass forms has held among scientists. That theory says that if the metallic components organize in a pentagram shape, they can stop the crystallization of the glass particles, which is the key to metallic glass formation.

Ordinary glass naturally has faults between grains, which permits microfractures and makes it inherently weak. Metallic glass has no naturally occurring faults between grains, which makes it inherently strong. While that sounds good, the theory been impossible to confirm because scientists haven’t been able to prove without a doubt that the prevention of crystallization yields metallic glass formation.

Now, researchers have been able to use a computer simulation to reveal the mechanism by which the 5-sided metallic formation inhibits crystal formation. By changing the energy demands made on microcrystals at the surface, the rate of crystallization is slowed, allowing the metallic components to form a strong, 5-sided structure that allows glass to take on the strength and hardness characteristics of metal.

The confirmation of the theory about how metallic glass forms opens up new opportunities to make new metallic glass mixtures with potentially novel characteristics. It also points to the versatility and the growing importance of glass in a variety of applications.

Photo Credit: Chris Dlugosz, via Flickr.com

Iconic Glass Structures – Lipstick Building

November 6, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

Iconic Glass Structures – Lipstick Building

New York City is known for its skyscrapers, but one of its most iconic buildings really isn’t that tall. Standing in at a relatively modest 34 floors is Manhattan’s 53rd at Third Building, known more informally as the Lipstick Building. Located at 885 3rd Avenue, the building is a steel, granite and glass structure that was completed in 1986.

Designed by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the building earned its nickname based on its stacked, rounded shape and red color, which are reminiscent of a tube of lipstick. The building’s unusual rounded shape takes up less space than a traditional square footprint. Additionally, the rounded base, along with support columns, provide additional pedestrian space in a tightly packed urban landscape.

The building is “stacked” in four sections to allow sunlight to penetrate to the lower floors. Unlike contemporary buildings, that are made predominantly from steel and glass, the building features ribbon windows and bright red, enamelized steel that coils around the building.

One of the building’s most famous tenants was none other than Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, which occupied floors 17, 18 and 19. Although the firm leased three floors, Madoff’s $65 million fraudulent Ponzi scheme was run exclusively from the 17th floor – a space that was occupied by about two dozen of Madoff’s closest employees.

The building’s designers, John Burgee and Philip Johnson occupied the building for about five years, beginning in 1986. Their partnership split apart in 1991, and Johnson elected to occupy a different space in the building. The building has changed ownership a number of times since it opened. In 2010, the building was foreclosed on by the Royal Bank of Canada after the owner at the time – Metropolitan 885 LLC – defaulted on a $210 million loan.

Earlier this year, the ground underneath the building was sold for nearly a half-billion dollars. While this arrangement sounds like a little bit of real estate intrigue, the building’s operator had an option to buy the land under the building at certain prescribed points in the lease. The building operator still maintains the option to buy the land and can exercise it once every 10 years, beginning in 2020, the owner of the land has changed. If the operator does not elect to buy the land, the land owner can renegotiate the lease rates for the building.

Photo Credit: Demitri Parides, via Flickr.com

Thin film eliminates condensation on glass

November 5, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

Thin film eliminates condensation on glass

Condensation – that thin film of water that collects on glass – causes more problems than one might think of. Condensation occurs when warmer, humid air comes in contact with a cold surface. Water in the air condenses and collects on the cold surface, causing the cold surface to “fog.” If the cold surface is a window, the window is obscured.

You can see condensation at work in the supermarket when you open the door of a refrigerated case. Warm air from outside the case rushes in and quickly fogs the glass, making it difficult to see inside the case once you close the door. Refrigerated cases have built in heaters that evaporate condensation off of the interior glass surface. Having a heater inside a refrigerator is a little counterintuitive. It’s also expensive.

By itself, refrigeration is expensive. Currently, the typical household refrigerator consumes more energy over the course of a year than any other electrical appliance. People spend more on refrigeration than they spend on heat! Commercial refrigerators are even more expensive, so adding heat to the refrigerator in order to combat condensation simply increases the cost of refrigeration.

By eliminating condensation inside the refrigerator quickly and without added heat, retailers can reduce the cost of refrigeration. What’s the secret? A super-hydrophobic thin-film acetate coating applied to the interior glass surface repels water so it drains away immediately, without the need for heaters inside the refrigerator case.

According to the manufacturer, retailers could save about $85 per year per standard refrigerator case. At that level, the film could pay for itself through reduced energy consumption in less than 2.5 years.

Coatings can allow glass to do some pretty amazing things! For example, Glassprimer™ glass paint is a specially engineered glass coating that creates a permanent bond with glass surfaces. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be tinted to match any major paint manufacturer’s paint palette. That means you can easily incorporate painted glass into any decorating scheme. Whether your project is completely interior, completely exterior or a bit of both, Glassprimer™ glass paint offers exceptional durability, UV resistance and versatility.

If you’d like more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Martin and Jessica O’Brien, via Flickr.com

Glass could contain radioactive waste

November 4, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

Glass could contain radioactive waste

Researchers at Rutgers have determined that certain radioactive isotopes could safely be encased in glass for long-term storage. The scientists were working with iodine-129, which is particularly persistent. By encasing the iodine in ceramics and glass, they were able to isolate the dangerous element, store it at room temperature and store it indefinitely.

Without containment, iodine-129 disperses easily into the air and water. In humans, iodine-129 can easily damage sensitive organs and tissues, and is known to cause cancer. Iodine-129 has a half-life of nearly 16 million years, which means, practically speaking, that it will never achieve a human-safe state.

The US Department of Energy was one of the primary funding sources for the research. The DOE hopes to use the findings to address the broader issue of radioactive waste containment and disposal. Although the Rutgers research has concentrated on radioactive iodine, the method may be useful in encapsulating other forms of radioactive waste, including spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants. Currently, spent fuel rods are stored in place at nuclear power plants. Being able to dispose of the exhausted rods safely could make nuclear power more attractive.

Glass is an exceptionally versatile material, and because it is inert, it can perform in a wide number of applications. Glass can be used in containers, and as a surface for either countertops or walls.

Using specialized coatings like Glassprimer™ glass paint, glass can also be painted virtually any color. Backpainted glass can serve in virtually any environment. By applying paint directly to plain glass or tempered glass, you can liven up any room. It offers complete stain resistance, durability and cleans (and sanitizes) easily using ordinary household cleaners.

Best of all, Glassprimer™ glass paint is cost effective. You can achieve your desired coverage for about $1 per square foot.

If you’d like more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Albert Kruger/U.S. Department of Energy

Samsung goes for super water repellent glass

November 3, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

Samsung goes for super water repellent glass

Samsung Electronics has licensed some new water-repelling technology developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The technology will help Samsung’s electronic devices repel surface water easily.

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) spent about three years developing the specialized coating, which repels water, dirt, oil and dust. It also reduces glare and resists both smudges and fingerprints. The coating consists of a thin film layer of porous glass that manipulates the contact angle of liquids and small solids like dust.

The coating was developed by depositing a thin glass film on top of glass, and heating it. Selective etching was then used to make a 3-dimensional surface that resembles coral under a microscope. The dimensional surface enables both the water repellence and the anti-glare properties.

The technology can be used to give other types of glass the same properties. It can be used on solar panels, windows, lenses and other applications. Although Samsung is the exclusive licensee for the technology for certain applications, the technology can still be licensed for use on solar panels and windows by other parties. The coating technology was recognized with an R & D 100 award in 2015.

Many advances in the field of glass coating are allowing glass to perform like it never has before. Nanoscale changes t the glass surface allow glass to take on characteristics not normally attributed to glass. Glassprimer™ glass paint is a good example of a novel glass coating technique.

Glassprimer™ glass paint makes a permanent bond with the glass surface that enables paint to adhere permanently to glass. This allows the paint to perform well even under difficult circumstances, including varying temperatures, high humidity and direct sunlight.

Glassprimer™ glass paint can also be tinted to match the paint palette of any major paint manufacturer. That allows you to incorporate Glassprimer™ glass paint seamlessly into any decorating plan.

If you’d like more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Glass: More than just a pretty façade

November 2, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

Glass: More than just a pretty façade

There are a number of reasons to incorporate glass into your decorating plans. Glass has a lot going for it! Here are a few reasons to consider going with glass.

Transparency can do a lot to improve the appearance of a space. Going transparent fools the eye into believing that a space is larger than it is. The transparency of a material allows the viewer to “look through” a space. Objects are still objects, but you can reclaim the space (at least vicariously) that a transparent object takes up. Glass tables, walls, desks and other see-through items can really expand a space.

Glass allows the transmission of natural light. The human body literally craves natural light. Natural light helps regulate a person’s “body clock,” which is so important to health and well-being. Exposure to natural light helps regulate the body’s wake and sleep cycles, and the production of key hormones, chemicals and vitamins the body needs to stay healthy.

Another key benefit of glass in an interior design scheme is the regulation of sound. As it turns out, glass is a much better sound insulator than other common building materials. Wood, for example, is used commonly in both residential and commercial buildings. It’s used in structural components, walls, floors and doors. But wood isn’t a particularly good sound insulator. Sound penetrates wood relatively easily, which means that buildings require additional insulators to help dampen sound.

Controlling sound is important, whether you’re working with a residential or commercial space. While wood can reduce sound vibrations by something in the range of 15dB-20dB, a material like glass can reduce it by as much as 40dB – 45dB. That’s a huge difference!

Ironically, in a commercial space, glass provides better sound privacy than wood or drywall does. You can use specially formulated acoustical drywall, or add acoustic insulation, but that can add significant cost to a project, and may not produce measurably better results.

With a specialty paint like Glassprimer™ glass paint, you can also paint glass to change its appearance without changing its sound-cancelling properties. Glassprimer™ glass paint can be tinted to match virtually any major paint manufacturer’s paint palette, so you can safely and accurately incorporate it into your decorating plan.

If you’d like more information about Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit the rest of our site. If you’d like to purchase Glassprimer™ glass paint, please visit our online store .

Photo Credit: Camelia TWU, via Flickr.com

CRT Glass Recycling Gets a Boost

November 1, 2016/in Blog, Glass Paint/by eileen

CRT Glass Recycling Gets a Boost

California Governor Jerry Brown signed new legislation into law today that allows glass recyclers in California to recycle glass from old cathode ray tubes (CRT). CRTs represent an older design approach to computer and television monitors. Under existing laws, the glass tubes were not eligible to be fully recycled. Instead, the old glass tubes could be used to make new glass CRTs. They could also be smelted or committed to landfills.

The restrictions on CRT recycling were put into place largely because CRTs typically contain varying amounts of lead. Only one manufacturer in the world still produces CRTs, and it’s unclear how much longer that company, which is located in India, will continue to produce CRTs. The lack of a marketplace for old CRTs has led to the significant stockpiling of old CRTs, as well as direct disposal into landfills. Authorities in California estimate that the state’s waste haulers and recyclers currently have about 17 million pounds of CRT glass in storage.

Under the new legislation, the glass can be recycled into additional non-harmful uses, including glass tiles and radiation-shielding glass. CRT glass may only be recycled into applications where no known harm exists. The legislation also authorizes state agencies to approve new end-use products that meet the legislative intent, as well as to prohibit current and previously permitted uses for CRT glass that are later discovered to be harmful.

California’s goal in passing the glass recycling legislation is to open up new markets for stockpiled, recyclable glass that will reduce the need to create new materials, or extract new raw materials.

Glass is infinitely recyclable, but glass is typically sorted prior to recycling, based upon its previous use. Container glass can be remade into new containers. Tempered glass and heat strengthened glass is also recyclable, but cannot be combined with ordinary glass during recycling. Colored glass and “contaminated” glass – including glasses that contain lead, chromium and other heavy metals – are also technically recyclable, but because of their heavy metal content, they’re typically discarded.

Photo Credit: Nayuki, via Flickr.com

Portland Glass Factory Improves Air Quality

Glass Adds Style to Home

Miro’s Only Glass Mural Restored

Secret of metallic glasses revealed

Iconic Glass Structures – Lipstick Building

Thin film eliminates condensation on glass

Glass could contain radioactive waste

Samsung goes for super water repellent glass

Glass: More than just a pretty façade

CRT Glass Recycling Gets a Boost

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