Abstract: An optical ferrule assembly includes a hybrid optical ferrule having a glass portion assembled to a polymeric portion. The polymeric portion includes a groove for receiving and supporting an optical fiber having opposing open front and back ends. A light redirecting member includes an input surface for receiving light from the optical fiber and a light redirecting side. The open back end of the groove and the input surface define a recessed region therebetween. The glass portion includes an optically transparent glass insert disposed in the recessed region conforming in shape to an internal shape of the recessed region. An optical fiber is received and supported in the groove. The optical fiber includes a fiber end laser welded to the glass insert so that a central light ray from the optical fiber propagates through the glass insert before being received and redirected by the light redirecting side.

Abstract: Some illustrative embodiments of an instillation assembly for treating a tissue site may include a fluid distribution lumen and a fluid hub that may define a fluid instillation pathway. The fluid distribution lumen may be defined by a first film layer and a second film layer, and the fluid hub may be positioned in fluid communication with the fluid distribution lumen. The instillation assembly may be used in combination with a reduced-pressure assembly that may define a reduced-pressure pathway separate from the fluid instillation pathway.

Abstract: Techniques are described for forming a gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave comprising receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a model comprising data specifying a plurality of layers, wherein at least one layer of the plurality of layers comprises an arrangement of one or more volume elements comprising a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, wherein the at least one layer of the plurality of layers has a dielectric profile that is made up of a plurality of different effective dielectric constants of the volume elements in the layer, and generating, with the manufacturing device by an additive manufacturing process, the GRIN lens based on the model.

Abstract: A system and method for producing an abrasive article includes a production tool configured to provide shaped abrasive particles to a resin coated backing. A first end and a second end of the production tool are spliced together to form a spliced area. The production tool includes a dispensing surface that includes a plurality of cavities formed between the first end and the second end and configured to receive and hold the shaped abrasive particles. The resin coated backing is configured to receive the shaped abrasive particles from the dispensing surface of the production tool and configured to receive further shaped abrasive particles to fill gaps in the shaped abrasive particles caused by an absence of the plurality of cavities in the spliced area.

Abstract: A curable composition is provided comprising a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, a urethane (urea) phosphonate ad-hesion promoter, optionally reactive diluents, and an initiator. The use of the urethane (urea) phosphonate adhesion promotor provides better ageing stability and adhesion, as measured by T-peel adhesion test, than the use of other conventional adhesion promotors.

Abstract: A dental article such as a dental tray aligner or a dental crown that includes a substrate including a polymeric material having a modulus of elasticity that reduces upon exposure to water and a water-resistant coating on the substrate, where the water-resistant coating comprises parylene. In some examples, the water-resistant coating may include one or more layers that include parylene.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar device, comprises one or more photovoltaic cells disposed in an encapsulant and a light control structure including a louver film having a series of louver structures, wherein each louver structure includes one or more groupings of a plurality magnetizable particles aligned at least in a first orientation dispersed in a binding matrix. The light control structure substantially transmits light incident at a first angle and substantially limits transmission of light incident at a second angle. Each louver structure is spaced apart from an adjacent louver structure, wherein each louver structure is substantially aligned in a plane substantially parallel to an adjacent louver structure.

Abstract: Multilayer films and adhesive tapes that include such films, wherein the multilayer films include plasticized polyvinyl chloride and optionally one or more fillers.

Abstract: Optical film stacks are described. More particularly, optical film stacks including a half-wave retardation layer are described. Achromatic half-wave retardation layers, including achromatic half-wave layers formed from a quarter-wave and a three-quarters-wave retardation layer, are described. Film stacks including reflective polarizers tuned to reduce wavelength dispersion of the half-wave retardation layer are also described.

Abstract: A light coupling element including a groove and a light redirecting member is described. The groove is for receiving and aligning an optical waveguide and incudes an open front end and a back end. The light redirecting member includes an input side for receiving light from an optical waveguide received and supported in the groove and a light redirecting side for changing a direction of light received from the input side. The groove may include a bottom surface extending between the front and back ends of the groove and including a raised bottom surface portion raised upwardly relative to an unraised bottom surface portion. The unraised bottom surface portion of the bottom surface may be disposed between the raised bottom surface portion of the bottom surface and the input side of the light redirecting member. Optical coupling assemblies including the light coupling element and an optical waveguide are described.

Abstract: A respirator that includes a harness and a mask body that is air permeable. The mask body has a sinus region and a primary filtering region and at least one nonwoven fibrous web. The sinus region of the mask body exhibits a resistance to airflow that is greater than the primary filtering region. This resistance to airflow is achieved through an alteration of the intrinsic structure of the plurality of nonwoven fibrous layers in the sinus region without adding additional material to the mask body. The alteration of the intrinsic structure assists in preventing eyewear fogging.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process of manufacturing a pressure sensitive adhesive, comprising the steps of: a) providing a hot melt mixing apparatus comprising a reaction chamber; b) providing a hot melt processable pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising: (1) a (meth)acrylate copolymer component comprising: i. C1-C32 (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer units; ii. optionally, ethylenically unsaturated monomer units having functional groups selected from the group consisting of acid, hydroxyl, acid anhydride, epoxide, amine, amide groups, and any combinations thereof; and iii.

Abstract: An orthodontic article is described comprising the reaction product of a free-radically polymerizable resin; a first free-radical photoinitiator having sufficient absorbance at a first wavelength range; and a second free-radical initiator selected from a second photoinitiator having sufficient absorbance at a second wavelength range, wherein the second wavelength range is different than the first wavelength range, or a thermal free-radical initiator. In some embodiments, the first free-radical photoinitiator exhibits a maximum absorbance at a wavelength of the range of 370-380 nm or 320-330 nm and/or comprises photoinitiator groups selected from acyl phosphine oxide or alkyl amine acetophenone. Also described are photopolymerizable compositions and methods.

Abstract: A polymeric film including a major surface having a plurality of intersecting extended structures is described. For at least a majority of the structures in the plurality of extended structures: each structure extends along a length of the structure, has an average width along a direction transverse to the length and generally along the first major surface, and has an average height along a direction generally perpendicular to the first major surface; and the average width of the structure may be in a range of 1 to 200 micrometers, the average height of the structure may be in a range of 1 to 200 micrometers, and the length may be at least 3 times the average width. The extended structures may be randomly or pseudorandomly oriented and may be formed by microreplicating a surface of a paper.

Abstract: Anti-reflective article includes a layer defining an anti-reflective surface. The anti-reflective surface includes a series of alternating micro-peaks and micro-spaces extending along an axis. The surface also includes a series of nano-peaks extending along an axis. The nano-peaks are disposed at least on the micro-spaces and, optionally, the micro-peaks. The article may be disposed on a photovoltaic module or skylight to reduce reflections and resist the collection of dust and dirt.

Abstract: An optical connector assembly (100) includes a housing (110), an optical ferrule (140); and an optical fiber array (150). The housing (110) has a mating end (111) and an opposite cable end (112) and includes: a first housing portion (120) including a front support (122) proximate the mating end (111) and a rear support (124) disposed between the front support (122) and the cable end (112); and a second housing portion (130) assembled to the first housing portion (120) and including a middle support (133) disposed between the front and rear supports (122,124). The ferrule (140) is supported by the front support (122). Front ends of optical fibers of the optical fiber array (150) are received by and attached to an attachment area of the ferrule (140). When the second housing portion (130) is assembled to the first housing portion (120), the middle support (133) of the second housing portion (130) contacts and bends the optical fiber array (150) about the middle support (133).

Abstract: Coatable compositions for formation of ink-receptive layers, which may be aqueous suspensions, comprise a mixture of: a) 8.0-75 wt % (based on the total weight of a), b), c), and d)) of colloidal silica particles having an average particle size of 2.0-150 nm; b) 10-75 wt % of one or more polyester polymers; c) 10-75 wt % of one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polyurethane polymers and (meth)acrylate polymers; and d) 0-10 wt % of one or more crosslinkers. Ink-receptive layers, which may exhibit high gloss and high ink anchoring are also provided, as are constructions comprising such layers. Porous solids are also provided, comprising: a) 8.0-75 wt % of colloidal silica particles having an average particle size of 2.0-150 nm; and b) one or more water dispersible polymers.

Abstract: A gradient permittivity film comprises (a) a first permittivity layer comprising a first continuous matrix of a first material having a first relative permittivity (?r1) and a second component having a second relative permittivity (?r2) dispersed in the first continuous matrix, the first permittivity layer having a first effective layer relative permittivity (?1) and a thickness (T1); And (b) a second permittivity layer having a second effective layer relative permittivity (?2) and a thickness (T2) disposed on the first permittivity layer. T1=0.8(t1) to 1.2(t1), where t 1 = c 4 ? f ? ? 1 ; ? T 2 = 0.8 ( t 2 ) ? to 1.2 ( t 2 ) , where ? t 2 = c 4 ? f ? ? 2 .

Abstract: A coupling unit includes a light coupling element comprising an attachment area for receiving and permanently attaching to a plurality of optical waveguides. One or more grooves are provided at the attachment area. Each groove is configured to receive an optical waveguide and defined by a bottom surface, a first region, a second region, and an opening. The first region is defined between the bottom surface and the second region. The first region in cross section has substantially parallel sidewalls separated by a spacing. The second region is disposed between the first region and the opening. A width of the opening is greater than the spacing.

Abstract: Methods of converting a variety of fluorinated materials into anhydrous hydrogen fluoride are described. The methods include thermally decomposing the fluorinated materials into a gaseous effluent comprising hydrogen fluoride and carbon dioxide. This gaseous effluent is then treated with carbon at a temperature of at least 830° C., converting the carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide (CO) and producing a gaseous product comprising the hydrogen fluoride, which can be condensed to generate anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. These methods can also be used to convert water contained in the gaseous effluent into hydrogen.