Abstract: Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.

Abstract: Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.

Abstract: Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: Films and articles are described comprising a microstructured surface having an array of peak structures and adjacent valleys. For improved cleanability, the valleys preferably have a maximum width ranging from 10 microns to 250 microns and the peak structures have a side wall angle greater than 10 degrees. The peak structures may comprise two or more facets such as in the case of a linear array of prisms or an array of cube-corners elements. The facets form continuous or semi-continuous surfaces in the same direction. The valleys typically lack intersecting walls. Also described are methods of making and methods of use. The microstructured surface of the article can be prepared by various microreplication techniques such as coating, injection molding, embossing, laser etching, extrusion, casting and curing a polymerizable resin; and bonding microstructured film to a surface or article with an adhesive.

Abstract: Nozzles are provided, for applying setting resins onto the edge of a panel, in some embodiments the cut edge of a panel such as a honeycomb panel. The nozzle comprises a connector portion and an application head, wherein the application head comprises: a) a supporting wall, and b) a curved finish wall joining the supporting wall along an edge at an angle of greater than 92 degrees and less than 120 degrees. In some embodiments, the curved finish wall has a curve radius which remains between 1.0 and 7.0 cm throughout the length of the curved finish wall. In some embodiments, the curved finish wall has a trailing edge profile which is smoothly curved and a leading edge profile which is scalloped. In addition, methods of applying a setting resin onto the edge of a panel are presented.

Abstract: Nozzles are presented, for application of a setting resin into cells of a honeycomb core to provide the panel with reinforced segments. The nozzle comprises a connector portion and an application head, where the connector portion is adapted to receive setting resin from a resin dispensing device and deliver the setting resin to the application head, and the application head comprises: an exit hole, and a flange surrounding the exit hole. The flange comprises a bottom surface which comprises a planar surface which planar surface has a minimum width around the exit hole. The bottom surface of flange curves upward at its outer perimeter. In some embodiments, the nozzle is optically translucent or transparent. In addition, methods of applying a setting resin into cells of a honeycomb core to form a honeycomb core reinforcement are presented. In some embodiments, the setting resin is a low density void filler.

Abstract: Nozzles are provided, for applying setting resins onto the edge of a panel, in some embodiments the cut edge of a panel such as a honeycomb panel. The nozzle comprises a connector portion and an application head, wherein the application head comprises: a) a supporting wall, and b) a curved finish wall joining the supporting wall along an edge at an angle of greater than 92 degrees and less than 120 degrees. In some embodiments, the curved finish wall has a curve radius which remains between 1.0 and 7.0 cm throughout the length of the curved finish wall. In some embodiments, the curved finish wall has a trailing edge profile which is smoothly curved and a leading edge profile which is scalloped. In addition, methods of applying a setting resin onto the edge of a panel are presented.

Abstract: Nozzles are provided, for applying setting resins onto the edge of a partial cut in a panel, in some embodiments a honeycomb panel. The nozzle comprises a connector portion and an application head, wherein the application head comprises: a) a supporting wall, and b) a finish wall joining the supporting wall along an edge at an angle of 90 degrees or greater and less than 120 degrees. In some embodiments, the finish wall has a trailing edge which has a curved profile wherein the curve radius remains between 1.0 and 7.0 cm throughout the curve. In some embodiments, the finish wall has a leading edge which comprises a block wall which at least partially blocks movement of applied resin beyond the leading edge of the finish wall. In addition, methods of applying a setting resin onto the edge of a partial cut in a panel are provided.

Abstract: Nozzles are provided, for applying setting resins onto the edge of a partial cut in a panel, in some embodiments a honeycomb panel. The nozzle comprises a connector portion and an application head, wherein the application head comprises: a) a supporting wall, and b) a finish wall joining the supporting wall along an edge at an angle of 90 degrees or greater and less than 120 degrees. In some embodiments, the finish wall has a trailing edge which has a curved profile wherein the curve radius remains between 1.0 and 7.0 cm throughout the curve. In some embodiments, the finish wall has a leading edge which comprises a block wall which at least partially blocks movement of applied resin beyond the leading edge of the finish wall. In addition, methods of applying a setting resin onto the edge of a partial cut in a panel are provided.

Abstract: Nozzles (200) are provided, for applying setting resins onto the edge of a panel (100), in some embodiments the cut edge of a panel such as a honeycomb panel. The nozzle comprises a connector portion (210) and an application head (230), wherein the application head comprises: a) a supporting wall (240), and b) a curved finish wall (250) joining the supporting wall along an edge at an angle of greater than 92 degrees and less than 120 degrees. In some embodiments, the curved finish wall has a curve radius which remains between 1.0 and 7.0 cm throughout the length of the curved finish wall. In some embodiments, the curved finish wall has a trailing edge profile which is smoothly curved and a leading edge profile which is scalloped. In addition, methods of applying a setting resin onto the edge of a panel are presented.

Abstract: Nozzles are presented, for application of a setting resin into cells of a honeycomb core to provide the panel with reinforced segments. The nozzle comprises a connector portion and an application head, where the connector portion is adapted to receive setting resin from a resin dispensing device and deliver the setting resin to the application head, and the application head comprises: an exit hole, and a flange surrounding the exit hole. The flange comprises a bottom surface which comprises a planar surface which planar surface has a minimum width around the exit hole. The bottom surface of flange curves upward at its outer perimeter. In some embodiments, the nozzle is optically translucent or transparent. In addition, methods of applying a setting resin into cells of a honeycomb core to form a honeycomb core reinforcement are presented. In some embodiments, the setting resin is a low density void filler.

Abstract: A sound insulation process comprises (a) providing at least one sound insulation device comprising at least one sound barrier comprising at least one substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium; and (b) interposing the sound insulation device between an acoustic source area and an acoustic receiving area of a transportation vehicle.

Abstract: A sound insulation process comprises (a) providing at least one sound insulation device comprising at least one sound barrier comprising at least one substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium; and (b) interposing the sound insulation device between an acoustic source area and an acoustic receiving area of a transportation vehicle.

Abstract: Solute polymers in solvent monomers form a coatable syrup that can be cured to a viscoelastomeric material when radiation-sensitive .alpha.-cleaving groups in either the polymer or one of the monomers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The solute polymers can be formed from the solvent monomers in situ or be added thereto to form the syrup.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and a method for producing the same. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is produced by the combination of at least one free-radically photopolymerizable monomer and at least one cationically polymerizable monomer and a suitable photoinitiation system consisting of at least one salt of a cationic organometallic complex, an optional additional free-radical initiator and the application of sufficient energy to photopolymerize same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and a method for producing the same. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is produced by the combination of at least one free-radically photopolymerizable monomer and at least one set of polyurethane precursors, and a suitable photoinitiation system consisting of at least one salt of a cationic organometallic complex, an additional free-radical photo initiator and the application of sufficient energy to photopolymerize same by sequential exposure to visible electromagnetic radiation and then to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Composition comprising (a) susceptors having the capability of absorbing microwave energy, said susceptors comprising a particulate substrate substantially non-reflective of microwave energy and a coating capable of absorbing microwave energy, and (b) a matrix substantially non-reflective of microwave energy. Susceptors are typically particles having a thin-film coating thereon. The matrix typically comprises polymeric or ceramic materials that are stable at temperatures conventionally used in microwave cooking. The composition allows reuse of the susceptors, eliminates decline in heating rate, eliminates arcing, allows the heating rate to be controlled, allows overheating to be controlled, and allows formation of microwave heatable composite materials having very low metal content.

Abstract: Composition comprising (a) susceptors having the capability of absorbing microwave energy, and (b) a matrix substantially non-reflective of microwave energy. The susceptors comprise a particulate substrate having a thin-film coating thereon. The particulate substrate is substantially non-reflective of microwave energy and the coating is capable of absorbing microwave energy. The matrix typically comprises polymeric or ceramic materials that are stable at temperatures conventionally used in microwave cooking. The composition allows reuse of the susceptors, eliminates decline in heating rate, eliminates arcing, allows the heating rate to be controlled, allows overheating to be controlled, and allows formation of microwave heatable composite materials having very low metal content.

Abstract: Radiation-curable, tackifier-free compositions are provided which contain: (i) a blend of certain acrylate esters and monoethylenically-unsaturated copolymerizable monomers; (ii) certain .alpha.-olefin polymers; and (iii) a photoinitiator and optionally, a crosslinker. Pressure-sensitive adhesives having good adhesion to both low and high energy surfaces as well as possessing excellent low and high temperature performance properties are prepared by exposing the radiation-curable compositions to light having a wavelength in the range of from about 280 to 400 nm.