Abstract:
One embodiment of the apparatuses, methods, and systems of the present disclosure is a license plate, sticker, or ALPR system having enhanced or increased accuracy. At least one of the license plate, sticker, or ALPR system includes useful information that is transmitted over a first channel and checking information that is transmitted over a second channel. The second channel is devoted solely to transmitting the checking information (e.g., the second channel does not transmit useful information). In other words, the license plates, stickers, and ALPR systems of the present disclosure include at least one channel that is devoted solely to transmitting checking information.
Abstract:
Polymer fibers are formed with concentric alternating layers of different polymer materials. The layers pairs have cross-sectional thicknesses selected for reflecting light at a selected visible wavelength. A cross-sectional dimension of the core is at least ten times an average of the selected thicknesses of the alternating layers. Some articles formed by the fibers are formed by attaching one fiber to another: the color of the fibers at the point of attachment is different from the colors of the fibers elsewhere. The fibers may be deformed to change its color properties by elongating the cross-section of the polymer fiber along a first cross-sectional axis. In some embodiments, the fibers are polarization sensitive.
Abstract:
A system for generating a laser machined tool from a substantially cylindrical work piece. The system includes a laser producing a laser beam, a mask positioned within the laser beam for shaping the laser beam into an image, and an optical system for imaging the laser beam image onto the outer surface of the work piece. The system coordinates rotational and translation movements of the work piece with activation of the laser in order to use the laser image for ablating the outer surface of the work piece, creating microstructures within the surface of the work piece to form the cylindrical tool.
Abstract:
A method for coating a work piece with resin including applying a controlled volume of liquid resin to the work piece with an applicator and allowing consecutive streams of resin to meld together to form a self leveling surface. The resin can be actively or passively cured. The work piece can be planar or cylindrical.
Abstract:
A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.
Abstract:
Methods of fabricating optical elements that are encapsulated in monolithic matrices. The present invention is based, at least in one aspect, upon the concept of using multiphoton, multi-step photocuring to fabricate encapsulated optical element(s) within a body of a photopolymerizable composition. Imagewise, multiphoton polymerization techniques are used to form the optical element. The body surrounding the optical element is also photohardened by blanket irradiation and/or thermal curing to help form an encapsulating structure. In addition, the composition also incorporates one or more other, non-diffusing binder components that may be thermosetting or thermoplastic. The end result is an encapsulated structure with good hardness, durability, dimensional stability, resilience, and toughness.
Abstract:
A system for generating a laser machined tool from a substantially cylindrical work piece. The system includes a laser producing a laser beam, a mask positioned within the laser beam for shaping the laser beam into an image, and an optical system for imaging the laser beam image onto the outer surface of the work piece. The system coordinates rotational and translation movements of the work piece with activation of the laser in order to use the laser image for ablating the outer surface of the work piece, creating microstructures within the surface of the work piece to form the cylindrical tool.
Abstract:
A polarizer is formed with an arrangement of polymer fibers substantially parallel within a polymer matrix. The polymer fibers are formed of at least first and second polymer materials. At least one of the polymer matrix and the first and second polymer materials is birefringent, and provides a birefringent interface with the adjacent material. Light is reflected and/or scattered at the birefringent interfaces with sensitivity to the polarization of the light. In some embodiments, the polymer fibers are formed as composite fibers, having a plurality of scattering polymer fibers disposed within a filler to form the composite fiber. In other embodiments, the polymer fiber is a multilayered polymer fiber. The polymer fibers may be arranged within the polymer matrix as part of a fiber weave.
Abstract:
An optical film has a first layer and a second layer. The first and second layers each include fibers embedded within respective polymeric matrices. A third layer having a reflective polarizer layer is mounted between the first and second layers.