Abstract: A fabric strap may be configured to attach an electronic device to a user's body. Some of the strands in the fabric strap may be stretchable strands. A stretchable strand may include an elastic core covered by one or more layers of material. The elastic core may be formed from a single elastic strand or may be formed from multiple elastic strands. The first layer of material on the elastic core may be a strand that is twisted around the elastic core. The second layer of material on the elastic core may be a strand that is braided around the first layer of material and the elastic core. The first layer may have a thickness that is greater than that of the elastic core and the second layer of material. The first and second layers of material may be formed from non-stretchable or stretchable materials.

Abstract: Characteristics of a watch band can change when placed in different configurations, and each of these characteristics can be correlated with each of the various configurations. The characteristics can be measured to detect in which of the various configurations the watch band is in. For example, the watch band can include an adjustable capacitor that changes it capacitance when the watch band changes its configuration. For example, the capacitance can change based on stretching of the watch band, bending of the watch band, and/or securement and release of an engagement element. The watch or another device can perform one or more operations based on the detected characteristic and configuration of the watch band.

Abstract: Items such as fabric-based items may include magnetic strands. Magnetic strands may be formed using extrusion equipment. To form single component magnetic strands, first and second feed hoppers may respectively feed a base polymer and a magnet masterbatch to an extruder. The magnet masterbatch may include particles of a rare-earth alloy or other magnetic materials in a polymer blend. The extruder may push the base polymer and magnet masterbatch through a spinneret. To form bicomponent magnetic strands, a first extruder may push a base polymer and magnet masterbatch through a first set of openings in a spinneret, while a second extruder may push an additional polymer through a second set of openings in the spinneret. Bicomponent magnetic strands may have a magnetic core and non-magnetic sheath, may have a non-magnetic core and magnetic sheath, or may have other suitable configurations.

Abstract: Anodized electroplated aluminum structures and methods for making the same are disclosed. Cosmetic structures according to embodiments of the invention are provided by electroplating a non-cosmetic structure with aluminum and then anodizing the electroplated aluminum. This produces cosmetic structures that may possess desired structural and cosmetic properties and that may be suitable for use as housing or support members of electronic devices.

Abstract: Electronic equipment may include seamless spacer fabric. Seamless spacer fabric may be used as a protective case or cosmetic cover for an electronic device such as a speaker. A seamless spacer fabric may include a seamless fabric outer layer, a spacer fabric inner layer, and an adhesive layer that bonds the seamless outer layer to the spacer fabric inner layer. The spacer fabric layer may have a seam region where one portion of the spacer fabric layer is joined with another portion of the fabric layer. The seamless fabric outer layer may cover the seam region to hide it from view. One or more additional seam hiding layers or strips may be formed on opposing sides of the spacer fabric layer to cover the seam. The seamless spacer fabric may have an array of openings that extends uniformly around the perimeter of the seamless spacer fabric.

Abstract: Electronic equipment may include seamless spacer fabric. Seamless spacer fabric may be used as a protective case or cosmetic cover for an electronic device such as a speaker. A seamless spacer fabric may include a seamless fabric outer layer, a spacer fabric inner layer, and an adhesive layer that bonds the seamless outer layer to the spacer fabric inner layer. The spacer fabric layer may have a seam region where one portion of the spacer fabric layer is joined with another portion of the fabric layer. The seamless fabric outer layer may cover the seam region to hide it from view. One or more additional seam hiding layers or strips may be formed on opposing sides of the spacer fabric layer to cover the seam. The seamless spacer fabric may have an array of openings that extends uniformly around the perimeter of the seamless spacer fabric.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modifications to nanostructure based transparent conductors to achieve increased haze/light-scattering with different and tunable degrees of scattering, different materials, and different microstructures and nanostructures.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for providing one or more holes in a housing for an electronic device are disclosed. The one or more holes in the housing can be used to facilitate visual indicators. A light source can be controlled to provide light into a hole and thus emit light from the hole. When the light source is not providing light to the hole, the hole can be visually disguised (e.g., camouflaged) so it blends with the surrounding portions of the housing. The electronic device can, for example, be a small electronic device, such as a portable or handheld electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. The markings provided on products can be textual and/or graphic. The techniques or processes can provide high resolution markings on surfaces that are flat or curved. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on the housings. For example, the housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on the outer housing surface. The markings can be formed using a ultra-violet (UV) curable material that can be selectively cured on a surface (e.g., housing surface) in places where markings, namely text and/or graphics, are to be provided.

Abstract: Anodized electroplated aluminum structures and methods for making the same are disclosed. Cosmetic structures according to embodiments of the invention are provided by electroplating a non-cosmetic structure with aluminum and then anodizing the electroplated aluminum. This produces cosmetic structures that may possess desired structural and cosmetic properties and that may be suitable for use as housing or support members of electronic devices.

Abstract: Anodized electroplated aluminum structures and methods for making the same are disclosed. Cosmetic structures according to embodiments of the invention are provided by electroplating a non-cosmetic structure with aluminum and then anodizing the electroplated aluminum. This produces cosmetic structures that may possess desired structural and cosmetic properties and that may be suitable for use as housing or support members of electronic devices.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for providing one or more holes in a housing for an electronic device are disclosed. The one or more holes in the housing can be used to facilitate visual indicators. A light source can be controlled to provide light into a hole and thus emit light from the hole. When the light source is not providing light to the hole, the hole can be visually disguised (e.g., camouflaged) so it blends with the surrounding portions of the housing. The electronic device can, for example, be a small electronic device, such as a portable or handheld electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding a first substrate to a second substrate can include an intermediate layer disposed between the substrates. In one embodiment, the intermediate layer can be disposed to a bonding area of the first substrate and only one adhesive layer can be disposed between the intermediate layer and the second substrate. In other embodiments, a plurality of intermediate layers can be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to colored reflective features, e.g., reflective security features or reflective decorative features, that optionally exhibit color shifting and to inks and processes for making such features. The features, as well as the inks optionally used to form the features, comprise nanoparticles and a colorant that preferably modifies a spectrum of light that is reflected by a reflective layer formed from the nanoparticles. The processes involve forming the features from one or more inks using a direct write printing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding a first substrate to a second substrate can include an intermediate layer disposed between the substrates. In one embodiment, the intermediate layer can be disposed to a bonding area of the first substrate and only one adhesive layer can be disposed between the intermediate layer and the second substrate. In other embodiments, a plurality of intermediate layers can be used.

Abstract: A method for bonding two substrates can use a laser to ablate a bonding surface of at least one of the two substrates. In one embodiment, the laser can be used to produce a predetermined average surface roughness in a bonding surface region of one of the substrates. In another embodiment, the substrate can comprise a resin filled polymer. Ablating the surface of the bonding surface can increase the bond strength in the ablation region.

Abstract: Organic electronic devices, compositions, and methods are disclosed that employ electrically conductive nanowires and conducting materials such as conjugated polymers such as sulfonated regioregular polythiophenes which provide high device performance such as good solar cell efficiency. Devices requiring transparent conductors that are resilient to physical stresses can be fabricated, with reduced corrosion problems.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of controlling metal nanowire morphologies by adjusting the reaction conditions of a polyol synthesis. In particular, by purging the reaction with an inert gas, batch-to-batch consistency can be achieved.

Abstract: Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. The markings provided on products can be textual and/or graphic. The techniques or processes can provide high resolution markings on surfaces that are flat or curved. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on the housings. For example, the housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on the outer housing surface. The markings can be formed using a ultra-violet (UV) curable material that can be selectively cured on a surface (e.g., housing surface) in places where markings, namely text and/or graphics, are to be provided.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of controlling metal nanowire morphologies by adjusting the reaction conditions of a polyol synthesis. In particular, by purging the reaction with an inert gas, batch-to-batch consistency can be achieved.