Abstract: A molding composition is provided that includes an inorganic component, an organic binder component, and a debinding catalyst. The molding composition is capable of lowering the sintering temperature, for example, when the molding composition is used to make ceramic microstructures such as barrier ribs for plasma display panels.

Abstract: A conveyor belt including a series of predefined sections and elevated support structures at the edges of each section for supporting items on the belt above the belt at each section.

Abstract: A method of replicating a structured surface that includes providing a tool having a structured surface having a surface morphology of a crystallized vapor deposited material; and replicating the structured surface of the tool to form a replicated article. A replicated article includes at least one replicated surface, wherein the replicated surface includes a replica of a crystallized vapor deposited material. A replication tool includes: a tool body that includes a tooling surface; and a structured surface on the tooling surface, wherein the structured surface includes crystallized vapor deposited material or a replica of crystallized vapor deposited material.

Abstract: The present invention includes electronic devices having liquid crystal display modules and repositionable front polarizers. A viewer views the display module through a front polarizer, which can be repositioned to change the display appearance, enhance the display contrast, invert the image, increase ambient light exposure, provide privacy, or the like. Repositionable front polarizers can be tiltably and/or rotatably mounted in front of the display module, or can be remotely located, for example on a pair of polarizing eye glasses. The present invention also includes reflective liquid crystal displays that have internal front light guides disposed between a liquid crystal cell and a front polarizer. As such, the light from the front light guide can illuminate the liquid crystal cell without being attenuated by the front polarizer, resulting in a brighter front lit display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rear projection screen that includes a plurality of tapered waveguides and a light absorbing layer disposed over the tops of the waveguides, but that does not completely fill the spaces between the waveguides, thereby forming an interstitial low index region under the light absorbing layer and between the waveguides. The low index interstitial region can include air or a material that has a lower index of refraction than the waveguide material. This rear projection screen construction can give rise to increased efficiency and higher contrast, as well as allow for more design freedom in constructing screens that have desired characteristics such as viewing angle, viewing asymmetry, and the like. Also disclosed are methods for making the described microstructured rear projection screen.

Abstract: A method for molding and aligning microstructures on a patterned substrate using a microstructured mold. A slurry containing a mixture of a ceramic powder and a curable fugitive binder is placed between the microstructure of a stretchable mold and a patterned substrate. The mold can be stretched to align the microstructure of the mold with a predetermined portion of the patterned substrate. The slurry is hardened between the mold and the substrate. The mold is then removed to leave microstructures adhered to the substrate and aligned with the pattern of the substrate. The microstructures can be thermally heated to remove the binder and optimally fired to sinter the ceramic powder.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system may include a display panel for display of information. The display system may also include a touch screen coupled to the display panel. The touch screen may include a base layer physically coupled to a cover layer. The touch screen may also include a semi-rigid conductor for electrically coupling the base layer to the cover layer. The conductor may be generally dispensable at about room temperature. A touch screen including a semi-rigid conductor for electrically coupling a base to a cover is also disclosed. A touch screen having a first and second means for providing an electrically conductive material is also disclosed. A connector may electrically couple the first means to the second means and may be generally dispensable at about room temperature. A method of manufacturing a touch screen is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polarizer construction is disclosed that includes a reflective polarizer disposed on a first side of the construction to transmit light having one polarization and reflect light having an orthogonal polarization, and one or more colored dichroic polarizers disposed on a second side of the construction. The one or more colored dichroic polarizers are arranged so that when the construction is illuminated from the first side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a first spectral distribution of visible light, and when the construction is illuminated from the second side, an observer viewing the construction from the second side will observe a second spectral distribution of visible light different from the first spectral distribution. Various display constructions using colored polarizers to achieve color changing and image reversal effects are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beaded rear projection screen that has performance properties such as gain and viewing angle that can be tuned by using a mixture of two or more types of microbeads having different refractive indices and varying the mixture. The present invention further provides methods of selecting microbeads and the construction of the screen so that transmission through the screen can remain sufficiently high throughout the range of tunability.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive spacer coating for a touch screen may include a silicone adhesive material dissolved in a solvent. A touch screen may also include a first layer including a first conductive coating, a second layer including a second conductive coating, and a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A method of manufacturing a touch screen may include providing a first layer having a first translucent conductive surface. The method may also include providing a second layer having a second translucent conductive surface. The method may also include applying an adhesive solution including silicone on at least one of the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The touch screen can be an analog or a matrix resistive touch screen. The adhesive can be applied by screen printing. The adhesive can be mixed with a slow evaporating solvent before screen printing.

Abstract: To provide a photosensitive paste capable of forming a rib having a predetermined shape with comparatively high accuracy, uniformly and rapidly, while inhibiting shrinkage and deformation in case of curing or calcination. A photosensitive paste comprising a ceramic powder, a binder of a silane coupling agent containing a methacrylic group and having a molecular weight of 232 to 290, and a glass powder having a softening point lower than that of a silica, characterized in that said glass powder is contained in the amount of 10-70% by volume based on the total amount of the powders.

Abstract: A guest-host polarizer is disclosed that includes a host matrix, one or more first guest dyes disposed in the host matrix and oriented to absorb a first portion of visible light having a first polarization state, and one or more second guest dyes disposed in the host matrix and oriented to absorb a second portion of visible light having a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. Such guest-host polarizers can be used in various optical applications and display constructions.

Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a highly uniform change in color as a function of viewing angle.

Abstract: A scratch resistant display includes a substrate; an active portion on one surface of said substrate including at least a conductive layer; and a homeotropic organosilane layer deposited on the said active portion for reducing energy dissipation of an object contacting the display.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: An anti-microbial touch panel includes a substrate; an active portion on one surface of the substrate; and a homeotropic organosilane layer deposited on the active portion for reducing survivability of microorganisms contacting the touch panel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a touch screen panel, the method including applying a resistive coating to one surface of an insulative substrate, applying an insulative protective coating to the resistive coating, depositing a conductive edge electrode pattern including a plurality of edge electrodes on the protective coating, and firing the panel until the edge electrodes etch through the protective coating and make electrical contact with the resistive coating.

Abstract: A method of applying a protective coating to a touch screen panel. A coating material which cures at an elevated temperature is applied to a touch screen panel on at least one surface thereof. The panel is then heated to a temperature which does not adversely affect the panel by irradiating the panel imparting energy to the coating material to more fully cure the coating material in a shorter time period without damaging the panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electronic assemblies which include an elastomeric member made of a cured, room-temperature curable polysiloxane composition. When the assemblies are used to electrically interconnect a first contacting site on a first electronic device to a second contacting site on a second electronic device, the stress-relaxation resistant properties of the elastomer enhance local contact force to maintain a reliable connection.