Abstract: A multi-layer, disposable, and patternable masking film, comprising: a) a flexible carrier layer at least partially transparent to a pre-determined frequency of light; b) a first adhesive layer having adhesion states that change in response to the application of the pre-determined frequency of light and that is coated on the flexible carrier layer; and c) a first masking layer located next to the first adhesive layer on the side of the first adhesive layer opposite the flexible carrier layer.

Abstract: A flexible display comprises a flexible dielectric layer (2) having a conductive layer (3) on one side and a hydrophobic layer (1) on the other side. Two fluids (4, 5) are located on the hydrophobic surface, the fluids being immiscible with one another. One fluid is a liquid conductor (5). When a potential is applied between the conductive layer and the liquid conductor the interface between the two fluids changes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a heating element having a desired pattern of conductive tracks forming a power dissipative conductive track pattern with a desired resistivity and power output, the method comprising providing a photosensitive or pressure-sensitive element comprising: a support having coated on at least one side thereof a photo-sensitive or pressure-sensitive layer, which is capable of, upon imagewise radiation or pressure exposure according to the desired pattern and development of the resulting latent image, providing a metal image according to the desired pattern; imagewise radiative- or pressure-exposing the layer of the element according to a desired conductive pattern to form a latent image in the layer; and developing the element to form a conductive metal pattern, corresponding to the pattern of the latent image, on the support. The heating element may be formed on a flexible support and finds particular utility in heated window/windscreen applications.

Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate according to several steps, including: a) mechanically locating a first masking film over the substrate; and b) segmenting the first masking film into a first masking portion and one or more first opening portions in first locations. Next, mechanically locate a first removal film over the first masking portion and first opening portions. Afterwards, one or more of the first opening portions are adhered to the first removal film. The first removal film and one or more of the first opening portions adhered to the first removal film are mechanically removed to form one or more first openings in the first masking film. Finally, materials are deposited over the substrate through the first openings in the first masking film.

Abstract: A method of forming a patterned, light-emitting device that includes mechanically locating a first masking film over a substrate; forming first openings in first locations in the masking film; and depositing first light-emissive materials over the substrate through the first openings in the first masking film. Subsequent steps include mechanically removing the first masking film; mechanically locating a second masking film over the substrate in a position that prevents particulate contamination in the first locations; and forming second openings in the second masking film. The second openings are in different locations over the substrate than the first openings. The first locations are protected from particulate contamination resulting from the formation of the second openings. Additional steps include depositing second light-emissive materials over the substrate through the second openings in the second masking film; and mechanically removing the second masking film.

Abstract: A multiple layer photosensitive element having at least three differently sensitised photosensitive layers on one side of a support, such as a, transparent flexible support, is imagewise exposed according to a desired circuit pattern and developed to form two layers of conductive track patterns from each photosensitive layer, which may then be connected together by forming vias by drilling or in situ generation. The resulting multiple layer conductive element has application in the field of printed circuit board manufacture or as the backplane electronic element of a flexible display device.

Abstract: A method of producing a relief structure on a patterned conductor comprises the steps of; coating a layer of conductive material onto a transparent substrate, coating a layer of metal onto the layer of conductive material, coating a layer of photoresist onto the layer of metal, curing the layer of photoresist, exposing a desired pattern of transparent conductors through a first mask onto the layer of photoresist, developing the photoresist and simultaneously etching the layer of the conductive material and the layer of metal, exposing a desired pattern of metal conductors through a second mask onto the remaining layer of photoresist, developing the photoresist and etching the layer of metal, applying a further layer of photoresist, curing the further layer of photoresist, exposing the further layer of photoresist thorough the substrate, developing the photoresist and allowing the layer to dry, resulting in a pattern of spacers/reliefs in registration with the metal conductors.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic material includes the steps of processing the photographic material in a processing solution, monitoring the concentration of a process-retarding by-product of the processing in the processing solution during operation of the method, reducing the concentration of the by-product in the processing solution by a first method and as the by-product concentration in the processing solution exceeds a predetermined level, activating simultaneous operation of a second method for a period of time to thereby ensure that the photographic material is always adequately processed. The invention enables rapid processing of film whilst maintaining low replenishment rates and low fixer solution temperature such that inadequately fixed film is avoided.

Abstract: The invention provides black and white silver halide material for optical contact copying, comprising: at least one photographic emulsion layer including a silver-halide-containing matrix in which the matrix includes a polymer and a hydrophilic binder, wherein the ratio of the weight of silver in the emulsion layer to the weight of polymer in the emulsion layer per unit area is less than 2.0. The photographic material is suitable for use in optical contact copying providing reduced contact gain compared to that provided by conventional photographic material.

Abstract: The invention provides a photovoltaic device, comprising a photovoltaic conversion layer formed from photoactive material. A first electrode is arranged on a first surface of the photovoltaic conversion layer and a second electrode comprising one or more conductive tracks is arranged on the opposite second surface of the photovoltaic conversion layer to receive generated photoelectrons from the photovoltaic conversion layer. A light concentrator is provided adjacent to the second electrode wherein the one or more conductive tracks are arranged in registration with the light concentrator such that incident light is guided substantially through gaps between the one or more conductive tracks. High conductivity of the second electrode is achieved without loss of active area of the device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for calculating the fractional exposure of black and white photographic material, the developed material being processed in a processing system having a fixing stage and an in-line silver recovery unit associated with the fixing stage, comprising the steps of determining the mass of silver recovered by the in-line silver recovery unit during a period of operation of the method, calculating a first estimate for the fractional exposure of the photographic material in dependence on the determined mass of silver and, using said first estimate as an input to an iterative process, to calculate a subsequent estimate for the fractional exposure (&thgr;) of the photographic material. The invention provides a simple and accurate method and system for calculating the fractional exposure of photographic material without requiring the use of a silver sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides black and white silver halide material for optical contact copying, comprising: at least one photographic emulsion layer including a silver-halide-containing matrix in which the matrix includes a polymer and a hydrophilic binder, wherein the ratio of the weight of silver in the emulsion layer to the weight of polymer in the emulsion layer per unit area is less than 2.0. The photographic material is suitable for use in optical contact copying providing reduced contact gain compared to that provided by conventional photographic material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for calculating the fractional exposure of black and white photographic material, the developed material being processed in a processing system having a fixing stage and an in-line silver recovery unit associated with the fixing stage, comprising the steps of determining the mass of silver recovered by the in-line silver recovery unit during a period of operation of the method, calculating a first estimate for the fractional exposure of the photographic material in dependence on the determined mass of silver and, using said first estimate as an input to an iterative process, to calculate a subsequent estimate for the fractional exposure (&thgr;) of the photographic material. The invention provides a simple and accurate method and system for calculating the fractional exposure of photographic material without requiring the use of a silver sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the recovery of a metal, such as silver, from a solution flowing through an electrolytic cell. A constant current is applied between the anode and cathode of the cell and the rate of change of the voltage monitored, the information obtained from the monitored change of voltage being used to control the rate of recovery of the metal.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the recovery of silver from a photographic fixer solution has a cylindrical cathode secured to and depending downwardly from a screw-on lid of the cell into the solution. The cathode is formed from a sheet of graphite foil laminated to a polyester base, and is clamped at its upper periphery around a boss of the lid. A metal connection ring is embedded around the outer periphery of the base and is contacted by the cathode. This arrangement is particularly suitable for allowing a thin, flexible disposable cathode to be conveniently removed from the cell by means of the lid, without the user being exposed to contact with the silver or with the solution.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic material includes the steps of processing the photographic material in a processing solution, monitoring the concentration of a process-retarding by-product of the processing in the processing solution during operation of the method, reducing the concentration of the by-product in the processing solution by a first method and as the by-product concentration in the processing solution exceeds a predetermined level, activating simultaneous operation of a second method for a period of time to thereby ensure that the photographic material is always adequately processed. The invention enables rapid processing of film whilst maintaining low replenishment rates and low fixer solution temperature such that inadequately fixed film is avoided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the safe removal of a wet, fully-plated cathode from a silver recovery cell and its replacement by a fresh cathode. The fresh cathode is brought to the recovery cell in a transport housing, which is then docked thereto. A drip tray is unfolded from the transport housing so as to extend across and surround the top of the recovery cell. The fresh cathode is removed from the transport housing and put to one side. The used cathode is removed from the recovery cell, preferably by being attached to the lid which is unscrewed therefrom. The cathode is then transferred to the housing over the drip tray which catches any liquid falling therefrom. The used cathode is screwed into the transport housing, and the housing removed to a refiner for safe disposal, whilst the fresh electrode is screwed onto the recovery cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the recovery of a metal, such as silver, from a solution flowing through an electrolytic cell. A constant current is applied between the anode and cathode of the cell and the rate of change of the voltage monitored, the information obtained from the monitored change of voltage being used to control the rate of recovery of the metal.

Abstract: Optical scanning of a moving sheet of image-bearing material is carried out in a stand-alone apparatus. No drive is provided for the sheet in the scanning apparatus, and the sheet accelerates therethrough under its own momentum and under its own weight. Transmittance scans from an optical sensor are obtained at a uniform frequency, and are analysed to determine the final speed of the sheet. Computation then allows the data to be corrected such that the detected transmittance can be related to the actual area of the sheet under acceleration. The transmittance of the sheet is then combined with its measured area to determine the amount of image present on the sheet. The invention finds application in photoprocessing apparatus, and a signal dependent on the amount of image present on the sheet and its area is sent back to the photoprocessor to control the amount of replenishment chemicals added to the processing tanks.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the recovery of silver from a photographic fixer solution has a cylindrical cathode secured to and depending downwardly from a screw-on lid of the cell into the solution. The cathode is formed from a sheet of graphite foil laminated to a polyester base, and is clamped at its upper periphery around a boss of the lid. A metal connection ring is embedded around the outer periphery of the base and is contacted by the cathode. This arrangement is particularly suitable for allowing a thin, flexible disposable cathode to be conveniently removed from the cell by means of the lid, without the user being exposed to contact with the silver or with the solution.