Abstract: According to one aspect, an ink composition includes a colorant, one or more polymers such as a polyurethane siloxane, a surfactant, water, and a solvent. The ink composition has a total solids content of less than about 20% by weight. Further the ink has an initial surface tension of less than about 50 dynes per centimeter on application and the surface tension on drying should not increase by more than 20 percent.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an ink composition includes a colorant, a polyurethane having a peak average molecular weight range of from about 25,000 g/mol to about 35,000 g/mol, and a solvent. The ink composition has a total solids content of less than about 12% by weight, and a ratio of colorant to polyurethane between about 1:1 and 1:2 by weight.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a monitoring device for detecting when an object may be subjected to a condition includes a processor, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a configuration circuit. A first sensor is polymer monolayer adapted to detect if the object is subjected to a magnitude of a first condition. A second sensor is a polymer bilayer adapted to detect if the object is subjected to a magnitude of a second condition. The resistance across the first sensor and second sensor are compared to determine whether an ambient/environmental condition has been detected. Indication of detection of an ambient/environmental condition, magnitude of the condition, and the time may be stored.

Abstract: An electrical insulator material includes a polymer and a solvent, and has a viscosity in the range of from about 1.0 to about 20.0 cP such that the electrical insulator material can be applied to a surface using an ink jet print head.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing device and an image generation kit are disclosed. The image generation kit is adapted to controllably eject individual drops of a gating agent, and is operating the image generation kit in synchronism with a principal substance application apparatus to deposit the drops of the gating agent on a substrate and to transfer a principal substance to the substrate. The drops of the gating agent on the substrate define image and non-image areas of the substrate, the image and non-image areas of the substrate are undefined until the drops of the gating agent are deposited thereon, and the substrate with the principal substance transferred to the image areas is an end product of the printing device.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an ink composition includes a colorant, one or more polymers such as a polyurethane siloxane, a surfactant, water, and a solvent. The ink composition has a total solids content of less than about 20% by weight. Further the ink has an initial surface tension of less than about 50 dynes per centimeter on application and the surface tension on drying should not increase by more than 20 percent.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an ink composition includes a colorant, one or more polymers such as a polyurethane siloxane, a surfactant, water, and a solvent. The ink composition has a total solids content of less than about 20% by weight. Further the ink has an initial surface tension of less than about 50 dynes per centimeter on application and the surface tension on drying should not increase by more than 20 percent.

Abstract: A battery and a method of constructing a battery are disclosed in which a first conductive substrate portion has a first face and a second conductive substrate portion has a second face opposed to the first face. A first electrode material is disposed in electrical contact with the first face, an electrolyte material is disposed in contact with the first electrode material, a second electrode material is disposed in contact with the electrolyte material, and a conductive tab disposed in contact with the second electrode material. The first conductive substrate portion, the first electrode material, and the conductive tab extend outward beyond a particular edge of the second conductive substrate portion.

Abstract: The electrolyte material includes a polymer, a salt, and a solvent. The electrolyte material has a viscosity in the range from about 3.0 cP to about 20.0 cP such that the electrolyte material can be applied to a substrate using an ink jet print head.

Abstract: A battery includes a first conductive substrate portion having a first face, and a second conductive substrate portion having a second face opposed to the first face. Each of the first and second faces has a perimeter portion and an interior portion inside the perimeter portion. A first electrode material of the battery is disposed in contact with the interior portion of at least one of the first and second faces, and a jettable electrolyte material disposed in contact with the first electrode material. A second electrode material is disposed in contact with the electrolyte material, and a conductive tab is disposed in contact with the second electrode material. The conductive tab extends outwardly from the interior region beyond the perimeter portion of at least one of the first and second faces.

Abstract: A device for use in a high speed variable printing comprises a housing having at least one surface, a series of ejection nozzles mounted on the one surface, and a source of a gating agent communicating with the nozzles. The gating agent comprises from about 0.05 to about 10% by weight of a blocking agent, up to about 15% by weight of a surface tension modifying compound, up to about 8% by weight of viscosity modifier such that the gating agent has a viscosity within the range of about 1 to 14 mPa s, and the balance of the gating agent comprises a solvent. The gating agent has a dynamic surface tension of less than about 60 dynes/cm.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a monitoring device for detecting when an object may be subjected to a condition includes a processor, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a configuration circuit. A first sensor is polymer monolayer adapted to detect if the object is subjected to a magnitude of a first condition. A second sensor is a polymer bilayer adapted to detect if the object is subjected to a magnitude of a second condition. The resistance across the first sensor and second sensor are compared to determine whether an ambient/environmental condition has been detected. Indication of detection of an ambient/environmental condition, magnitude of the condition, and the time may be stored.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an ink composition includes a colorant, a polyurethane having a peak average molecular weight range of from about 25,000 g/mol to about 35,000 g/mol, and a solvent. The ink composition has a total solids content of less than about 12% by weight, and a ratio of colorant to polyurethane between about 1:1 and 1:2 by weight.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an ink composition includes a colorant, one or more polymers such as a polyurethane siloxane, a surfactant, water, and a solvent. The ink composition has a total solids content of less than about 20% by weight. Further the ink has an initial surface tension of less than about 50 dynes per centimeter on application and the surface tension on drying should not increase by more than 20 percent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that helps determine the association of a substance with the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The substance may be biological substance or a chemical in nature.

Abstract: The electrolyte material includes a polymer, a salt, and a solvent. The electrolyte material has a viscosity in the range from about 3.0 cP to about 20.0 cP such that the electrolyte material can be applied to a substrate using an ink jet print head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a principal substance applies the principal substance onto a surface and deposits drops of a gating agent onto a first portion of the principal substance applied to the first surface. The depositing of each drop of gating agent is individually controlled. A second portion of the principal substance not covered by the gating agent is transferred from the first surface to a second surface. A printing system adapted to transfer principal substance from a first surface to a second surface is also disclosed, wherein the printing system exerts mechanical pressure between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that helps determine the association of a substance with the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The substance may be biological substance or a chemical in nature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-speed variable printing are provided. Ink jet technology and lithographic systems may be combined in such a way to create a fully variable and high-quality print system. Ink is applied to a first cylinder. Aqueous solution is applied to a second cylinder to produce a negative image. At least a portion of the ink from the first cylinder is transferred to the second cylinder. A positive image in ink is then transferred from the second cylinder to a print medium, and residue ink and aqueous solution is cleaned from the second cylinder. The systems and methods described herein may be used to create high-quality one-to-one marketing applications.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing device and an image generation kit are disclosed. The image generation kit is adapted to controllably eject individual drops of a gating agent, and is operating the image generation kit in synchronism with a principal substance application apparatus to deposit the drops of the gating agent on a substrate and to transfer a principal substance to the substrate. The drops of the gating agent on the substrate define image and non-image areas of the substrate, the image and non-image areas of the substrate are undefined until the drops of the gating agent are deposited thereon, and the substrate with the principal substance transferred to the image areas is an end product of the printing device.