Fantasia Color Technology News

Lincoln MKR Concept Punctuates Iconic Design Cues with Futuristic Innovation from Bayer MaterialScience LLC

First-of-Its-Kind Adaptive LED Headlamp Assembly Utilizing Makrolon® Polycarbonate and AURA® Infusion Technology Help Lincoln Lead the Way in Premium Segment

August 7, 2007

PITTSBURGH, August 7, 2007 — When Lincoln unveiled its 2007 Lincoln MKR sports sedan concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year, one of its most striking elements was its double-wing grille inspired by the revered 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet. But to bring that magnificent design into the 21st century took ingenious injection-molded headlamp internal optics made possible by materials and technology from Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS).

New in the Lincoln MKR — and an industry first — are the light-emitting diode (LED) adaptive headlamps. Unlike most adaptive headlamps that utilize multiple lights, the MKR features single LEDs for improved performance and increased lumen output. The light source is a white, high-brightness LED (HB-LED); the LEDs are packaged in close proximity to the optics.

BMS' Makrolon® clear tint polycarbonate (PC) was selected for the injection-molded headlamp internal optics. Makrolon PC is well-suited for automotive lighting applications due to its desirable combination of properties, which include excellent impact strength, clarity, thermal stability, heat resistance and ease of injection molding for complex lens designs.

Additionally, to make specific optics appear amber when lit, BMS' AURA® Infusion Technology was licensed and used by Apollo Color Coating of Roseville, Mich. The AURA infusion technology process actually allows the coloring agent to penetrate the plastic such that the color becomes integral to the component. With the AURA infusion technology process, color cannot rub off or peel off.

"The Lincoln MKR concept defined the future of Lincoln design with seven exterior design cues, and arguably the most important of which is the twin-port front grille," noted Doug Stratton, project leader, Future Business Automotive Industry Innovation, BMS LLC. "As they endeavored to evoke the appearance of a boat's bow cutting through water and the waves it creates as it powers forward, it was necessary [for the design team at Lincoln] also to employ modern technologies and design in the forward lighting."

BMS worked with Ford Optics Specialist Mehendra Dassanyake, Ph.D., and his lighting suppliers not only to select the Makrolon PC grades to evaluate for the Lincoln MKR, but to provide design and processing assistance to manufacture the unusually shaped headlamps. Prototypes for the Lincoln MKR were made in the BMS Technology Center in Pittsburgh. The actual optics were injection molded by G-S Plastic Optics, a Rochester, N.Y.-based firm that specializes in manufacturing precision optics from polymers.

As Lincoln's designers continue to push the envelope in their desire to achieve bolder, more distinctive styling options, new materials and processes will play an important role in taking these concepts from the drawing board to the show room floor. "Further design, process and material optimization for these optics is sure to lead to commercial applications in headlamp assemblies in future vehicles," concluded Stratton.

G-S Plastic Optics specializes in the custom manufacture of high toleranced precision polymer optics for use in illumination, imaging, scanning, and detection applications. The company has in-house capability to provide diamond turned and injection molded prototypes, production injection molding, thin film and reflective coatings, and integrated optical solutions to meet a wide range of automotive, military, medical, commercial and consumer applications.

For more information about G-S Plastic Optics, visit www.gsoptics.com.

For more information about Apollo Color Coating visit www.apollocolorcoating.com, or call 586-777-8060 ext. 4.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience's comprehensive offerings for the automotive industry, call 1-800-662-2927; or visit www.BayerMaterialScienceNAFTA.com or www.autocreative.com. For more information on Fantasia color and special effects technologies and AURA infusion technology, visit www.bayerfantasia.com.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 14,900 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2006 sales of 10.2 billion euros from continuing operations. Our innovative developments in coatings, adhesive and sealant raw materials, polycarbonates, polyurethanes and thermoplastic urethane elastomers enhance the design and functionality of products in a wide variety of markets, including the automotive, construction, electrical and electronics, household and medical industries, and the sports and leisure fields. Our inorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals industry. Let us give life to your vision. Bayer MaterialScience — Where VisionWorks.

Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America, Bayer had 2006 net sales of 7.8 billion euros and employed 17,200 at year end. Bayer's three subgroups, Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience, improve people's lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose, prevent and treat diseases; protect crops and enhance yields; and advance automobile safety and durability. Bayer AG stock is a component of the DAX and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: BAY).

Media Contact(s)
Contact:	Scott Hunsberger
Tel:	412-777-5200
Company:	Bayer MaterialScience
e-mail:	scott.hunsberger@bayerbms.com

The Lincoln MKR sports sedan concept features light-emitting diode (LED) adaptive headlamps with single LEDs for improved performance and increased lumen output.

Bayer MaterialScience’s Makrolon® clear tint polycarbonate (PC) was selected for the injection-molded headlamp internal optics. Bayer’s AURA® Infusion Technology makes specific optics in the headlamp appear amber when lit.