Abstract:
Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.
Abstract:
A patterned article includes a unitary polymeric layer and a plurality of electrically conductive elements embedded at least partially in the unitary polymeric layer. Each electrically conductive element includes a conductive seed layer having a top major surface and an opposite bottom major surface in direct contact with the unitary polymeric layer, and includes a metallic body disposed on the top major surface of the conductive seed layer. The metallic body has a bottom major surface and at least one sidewall. The bottom major surface contacts the conductive seed layer. Each sidewall is in direct contact with the unitary polymeric layer and extends from the bottom major surface of the metallic body toward or to, but not past, a top major surface of the unitary polymeric layer. The conductive elements may be electrically isolated from one another. Processes for making the patterned article are described.
Abstract:
A patterned conductive article 200 includes a substrate 210 including a unitary layer 210-1 and includes a micropattern of conductive traces 220 embedded at least partially in the unitary layer. Each conductive trace extends along a longitudinal direction (y-direction) of the conductive trace and includes a conductive seed layer 230 having a top major surface 232 and an opposite bottom major surface 234 in direct contact with the unitary layer; and a unitary conductive body 240 disposed on the top major surface of the conductive seed layer. The unitary conductive body and the conductive seed layer differ in at least one of composition or crystal morphology. The unitary conductive body has lateral sidewalls 242, 244 and at least a majority of a total area of the lateral sidewalls is in direct contact with the unitary layer.
Abstract:
Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.
Abstract:
Crowd funding for innovation includes distributing a proposal with a description of a project idea, an amount of funds requested, and a time frame for raising the funds. Ownership of the project is transferred to an entity, which receives contributions from contributors and for each of the received contributions converts the contribution to a corresponding amount of virtual coin and adds the contribution to the funds. If the funding goal is complete within the time frame, the entity converts the coins to actual money and releases the money to the requestor. After completion of the project, the entity determines if the project is successful and can commercialize successful projects. For certain successful projects, the entity can also distribute funds to the contributors.
Abstract:
Methods of making nozzles are disclosed. More specifically, methods of making nozzles that may be used as components of a fuel injection system are disclosed.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to electrode assemblies, membrane-electrode assemblies and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The electrode and membrane-electrode assemblies include (i) a porous electrode having a first major surface with a first surface area, Ae, an opposed second major surface and a plurality of voids; (ii) a discontinuous transport protection layer, comprising polymer, disposed on the first major surface and having a cross-sectional area, Ap, substantially parallel to the first major surface; and (iii) an interfacial region wherein the interfacial region includes a portion of the polymer embedded in at least a portion of the plurality of voids, a portion of the porous electrode embedded in a portion of the polymer or a combination thereof; and wherein 0.02Ae≤Ap≤0.85Ae and the porous electrode and discontinuous transport protection layer form an integral structure. The disclosure further provides methods of making the electrode assemblies and membrane-electrode assemblies.
Abstract:
Stretched articles, such as oriented polymeric films or fibers, having microstructure features on at least one surface thereof, and processes for making such articles, are disclosed. A method of making fibers comprises forming a polymeric film having a body having a first surface and a second surface and having a longitudinal dimension. The film also comprises a plurality of elongate microstructure features disposed on the first surface of the body in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the body, wherein the elongate microstructure features are substantially parallel. The method further comprises stretching the polymeric film in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the body, and fibrillating the stretched polymeric film along the longitudinal dimension of the body to provide one or more fibers, wherein each fiber has at least one microstructure feature thereon.
Abstract:
A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, a light guide having an enclosed interior volume such as a bulb shape without vents, and a thermal guide. The light guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source. The thermal guide is at least partially contained within the interior volume with an air gap between a portion of the thermal guide and the light guide. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.
Abstract:
A method of forming an image having multiple phases is disclosed herein. The method includes forming exposed and unexposed areas, the exposed areas comprising a first polymer network exhibiting first and second phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase, and the unexposed areas comprising a second polymer network comprising third and fourth phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the third phase being continuous, and the fourth phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the third phase. The first and second polymer networks are chemically connected, and morphology formed by the first and second phases is different than that formed by the third and fourth phases.