Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesives and methods wherein the pressure sensitive adhesives include a silicone tackifying resin having no greater than about 1.5 wt-% Si—OH functional groups and a polydiorganosiloxane polyurea copolymer.

Abstract: A micrometer sized, single-stage, vertical thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid movement of a micrometer-sized optical device off the surface of a substrate. The vertical thermal actuator is constructed on a surface of a substrate. At least one hot arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end located above the surface. A cold arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end. The cold arm is located above the hot arm relative to the surface. A member mechanically and electrically couples the free ends of the hot and cold arms such that the member moves away from the substrate when current is applied to at least the hot arm. The hot arm can optionally include a grounding tab to minimize thermal expansion of the cold arm.

Abstract: The invention provides abrasion resistant electrodes that comprise metal-coated conductive valleys between protrusions having a fractured metal coating thereon; the fractured metal coated protrusions are non-conductive. Electrical devices made from a plurality of said electrodes; and methods of making said devices.

Abstract: A laser imageable article includes an imageable layer that comprises the reaction product of a metal precursor and a reactant. The imageable article also includes a first boundary layer on a first side of the imageable layer, the first boundary layer being substantially transparent to laser radiation, and a second boundary layer on a second side of the imageable layer. The imageable layer may be imaged with a laser through the first boundary layer while maintaining the continuity of the first boundary layer. In a preferred embodiment, the imageable layer comprises the reaction product of an ion of one or more metals selected from columns 8, 9, and 10 of the periodic table of elements and a reducing agent selected from hypophosphorus acid and salts thereof, sodium borohydride, and dimethylamine borane. One preferred embodiment of the imageable layer comprises from 1 to 30 mole percent phosphorus and up to 99 mole percent nickel.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of bonding substantially non-fluorinated polymeric material to dissimilar polymers, particularly fluoropolymer materials, utilizing a bonding composition comprising base-treated amine group-containing substantially non-fluorinated polymer. Multi-layer articles and composite constructions, including retroreflective sheeting, fuel line hoses, and adhesive articles made of a fluoropolymer layer and a substantially non-fluorinated layer are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for use in coated abrasives. The curable composition comprises a mixture of: i) from about 30 to about 60 weight percent of an oligomeric aminoplast resin having on average at least one pendant &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carbonyl group per oligomeric unit; ii) from about 70 to about 40 weight percent of a thermoplastic polyamide miscible in said aminoplast resin, the weight percents being based on the total resin content; and iii) a sufficient amount of a catalyst for the curable oligomeric aminoplast resin having on average at least one pendant &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carbonyl group per oligomeric unit, said catalyst being stable at a temperature of mixing of the components. The curable composition can either be in the form of a melt-processable solid or a molten mixture. The present invention also provides single and multilayered treated backing substrates used in coated abrasives.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions that include self-assembling molecules, adhesives and adhesive articles produced therefrom, and methods of making and using such adhesives.

Abstract: The invention provides polyepoxide-based adhesives containing cycloaliphatic-containing polyepoxide resin, aromatic polyepoxide resin, and 9,9-bis(3-methyl-4-aminophenyl)fluorene. The adhesives provide improved peel and shear strength.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomers comprising the reaction product of a polythiol free of hydrophilic groups and having at least two thiol groups and an aromatic, heterocyclic, aliphatic, or cycloaliphatic polyene having at least two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. In another aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomer comprising the reaction product of (a) a thiol terminated oligomer comprising the reaction product of a polythiol having two thiol groups and a first polyene or mixture of polyenes having two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds; and (b) a second polyene or a mixture of polyenes having at least 5 percent functional equivalents of unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds from polyenes having at least three unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. The ene-thiol elastomers of the invention have a weight increase of not more than 4 weight percent in 15 days at a temperature of 22° C.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomers comprising the reaction product of a polythiol free of hydrophilic groups and having at least two thiol groups and an aromatic, heterocyclic, aliphatic, or cycloaliphatic polyene having at least two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. In another aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomer comprising the reaction product of (a) a thiol terminated oligomer comprising the reaction product of a polythiol having two thiol groups and a first polyene or mixture of polyenes having two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds; and (b) a second polyene or a mixture of polyenes having at least 5 percent functional equivalents of unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds from polyenes having at least three unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. The ene-thiol elastomers of the invention have a weight increase of not more than 4 weight percent in 15 days at a temperature of 22° C.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomers comprising the reaction product of a polythiol free of hydrophilic groups and having at least two thiol groups and an aromatic, heterocyclic, aliphatic, or cycloaliphatic polyene having at least two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. In another aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomer comprising the reaction product of (a) a thiol terminated oligomer comprising the reaction product of a polythiol having two thiol groups and a first polyene or mixture of polyenes having two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds; and (b) a second polyene or a mixture of polyenes having at least 5 percent functional equivalents of unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds from polyenes having at least three unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. The ene-thiol elastomers of the invention have a weight increase of not more than 4 weight percent in 15 days at a temperature of 22 ° C.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomers comprising the reaction product of a polythiol free of hydrophilic groups and having at least two thiol groups and an aromatic, heterocyclic, aliphatic, or cycloaliphatic polyene having at least two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. In another aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomer comprising the reaction product of (a) a thiol terminated oligomer comprising the reaction product of a polythiol having two thiol groups and a first polyene or mixture of polyenes having two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds; and (b) a second polyene or a mixture of polyenes having at least 5 percent functional equivalents of unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds from polyenes having at least three unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. The ene-thiol elastomers of the invention have a weight increase of not more than 4 weight percent in 15 days at a temperature of 22° C.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomers comprising the reaction product of a polythiol free of hydrophilic groups and having at least two thiol groups and an aromatic, heterocyclic, aliphatic, or cycloaliphatic polyene having at least two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. In another aspect, the invention provides ene-thiol elastomer comprising the reaction product of (a) a thiol terminated oligomer comprising the reaction product of a polythiol having two thiol groups and a first polyene or mixture of polyenes having two reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds; and (b) a second polyene or a mixture of polyenes having at least 5 percent functional equivalents of unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds from polyenes having at least three unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. The ene-thiol elastomers of the invention have a weight increase of not more than 4 weight percent in 15 days at a temperature of 22° C.

Abstract: A unitary polymer substrate having a plurality of microfibers projecting from a surface is provided. The presence of the microfibers greatly increases the surface area and can impart a cloth-like feel to the surface. The projecting microfibers may have a variety of forms, including frayed-end microfibers, tapered microfibers, microfibers having an expanded cross-sectional shape, and microfibers having a very high aspect ratio. A number of methods of producing unitary polymer structures with a plurality of projecting microfibers are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises an extruded image receptive layer that is receptive to solvent-based inkjet ink. Image receptive layers of the invention comprise a blend of an ink absorptive resin and a carrier resin. The ink absorptive resin is compatible with the carrier resin and had a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter within about 3.1 (MPa)1/2 of that of the solvent of the ink. In another aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a coextruded or extrusion coated image receptive layer and a core layer bonded together. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of printing images and methods of making an extrusion coated or coextruded image receptor medium.

Abstract: A foam composition that includes a vehicle and surface-modified nanoparticles disposed in the vehicle. The individual nanoparticles having a particle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers.

Abstract: The invention provides curable ink compositions that are inkjet printable and that adhere to a variety of substrates, for example, glass and polymer. The ink compositions of the invention can be formulated so to provide cured inks that are very flexible or very rigid depending upon the desired application. The invention provides a cure-on-demand curable ink composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of at least one of: (a) a compound having 2 reactive silyl groups, and (b) a compound having at least 3 reactive silyl groups; acid generating catalyst; and pigment or pigment chip. The invention also provides methods of making and using the ink compositions and imaged articles.

Abstract: An article comprises a substrate wherein at least a portion of its surface is provided with a thermosettable adhesive composition prepared from a polyepoxide resin, a curing agent and a plurality of microspheres. The cured composition forms a semi-structural bond with said substrate which is inseparable at the use temperature and is cleanly removable from said substrate when heated to a temperature of greater than the use temperature.

Abstract: A capacitor with a polymeric dielectric layer, the dielectric layer having a leakage current at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity of less than 100 nA/cm2 using a 6 volt bias.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides curable fluoropolymer compositions comprising fluoropolymer, onium, and alkyl or aryl oxalate-blocked compound and carbonate-blocked compound as crosslinking agents. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making curable fluoropolymer compositions and provides alkyl or aryl oxalate-blocked and carbonate-blocked compounds.