Abstract: A thermally responsive material comprising an ordered periodic array of particles received in a substantially nonaqueous matrix composition. The material diffracts radiation in a first wavelength band when the material is at a first temperature and the material diffracts radiation in a second wavelength band when the material is at a second temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing media recommendations to be hyped in a media recommendation system. Recommenders desiring to emphasize a particular media recommendations sent to recipients can “hype” the media recommendation. Hyping is a request for the media recommendation to be used or played sooner by the recipient that it otherwise would if the media recommendation were not hyped. Typically, hyping a media recommendation increases its priority or order of placement in a recipient's media queue, which controls the order of usage or play. The higher the placement, the sooner the media recommendation may be used or played by the recipient. A hype score may be calculated for a hyped media's recommendation to control the order of placement of hyped media recommendations in the recipient's media queue. The hype score may be a function of a hype value and a natural score as if the media recommendation were not hyped.

Abstract: A radiation diffractive film is disclosed, which includes a viewing surface, with at least a portion of the viewing surface residing in a viewing plane. The film comprises an ordered periodic array of particles received in a matrix material, the array of particles having a crystalline structure, wherein the crystalline structure defines (i) a plurality of first crystal planes of the particles that diffract infrared radiation and (ii) a plurality of second crystal planes of the particles that diffract visible radiation.

Abstract: A method of producing a radiation diffractive sensor that diffracts radiation according to Bragg's law is disclosed. The sensor is produced by forming an ordered periodic array of particles on a substrate, coating the array of particles with a polymeric matrix, curing the matrix to fix the array of particles within the matrix and contacting the fixed array with an activator, wherein the activator shifts the wavelength of radiation diffracted by the sensor from a first wavelength to a second wavelength.

Abstract: A multi-layered composite material is disclosed, which includes an ordered periodic array of particles held in a matrix composition. The composite material further includes inorganic nanosized particles infused into the array of particles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing information to a recommending user reflecting an expected, or predicted, desirability of a recommendation of a media item for a potential recommendation recipient or a group of potential recommendation recipients. In one embodiment, the recommending user selects a media item to potentially recommend to other users. For each potential recommendation recipient or group of potential recommendation recipients, an expected desirability value reflecting an expected desirability of the media item is determined. The expected desirability values are then presented to the recommending user. Based on the expected desirability values, the recommending user then selects one or more of the potential recommendation recipients or groups of potential recommendation recipients to which to send a recommendation for the media item.

Abstract: A process for forming a multilayer composite coating on a substrate is provided. The process includes forming an electrodeposition coating layer on the substrate by electrodeposition of a curable electrodepositable coating composition over at least a portion of the substrate. Optionally, the coated substrate is heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to cure the electrodeposition coating layer. A basecoating layer is formed on the electrodeposition coating layer by depositing an aqueous curable basecoating composition directly onto at least a portion of the electrodeposition coating layer. Optionally, the basecoating layer is dehydrated. A top coating layer is formed on the basecoating layer by depositing a curable top coating composition which is substantially pigment-free directly onto at least a portion of the basecoating layer. The top coating layer, the basecoating layer, and, optionally, the electrodeposition coating layer are cured simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of producing an image in the crystalline colloidal array is disclosed. The method includes providing an ordered array of particles received within a curable matrix composition; curing a first portion of the matrix composition, wherein the first cured portion diffracts radiation at a first wavelength; curing another portion of the matrix composition, wherein the other cured portion diffracts radiation at another wavelength; and exposing the array to radiation to exhibit an image.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for intelligently, or programmatically, assigning weights for one or more criterion utilized to score media content items based on an analysis of a group of media content items. In general, scoring criteria to be used to score media content items for a user are defined. A group of media content items associated with the user is then analyzed with respect to the criteria to provide results such as a number or percentage of media content items from the group of media content items that satisfy each of the scoring criteria. Based on the results of the analysis, a weight is assigned to each of the scoring criteria. Thereafter, media content items are scored for the user as a function of the weights assigned to the scoring criteria.

Abstract: A process for forming a multilayer composite coating on a substrate is provided. The process includes forming an electrodeposition coating layer on the substrate by electrodeposition of a curable electrodepositable coating composition over at least a portion of the substrate. Optionally, the coated substrate is heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to cure the electrodeposition coating layer. A basecoating layer is formed on the electrodeposition coating layer by depositing an aqueous curable basecoating composition directly onto at least a portion of the electrodeposition coating layer. Optionally, the basecoating layer is dehydrated. A top coating layer is formed on the basecoating layer by depositing a curable top coating composition which is substantially pigment-free directly onto at least a portion of the basecoating layer. The top coating layer, the basecoating layer, and, optionally, the electrodeposition coating layer are cured simultaneously.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing media recommendations to be hyped in a media recommendation system. Recommenders desiring to emphasize a particular media recommendations sent to recipients can “hype” the media recommendation. Hyping is a request for the media recommendation to be used or played sooner by the recipient that it otherwise would if the media recommendation were not hyped. Typically, hyping a media recommendation increases its priority or order of placement in a recipient's media queue, which controls the order of usage or play. The higher the placement, the sooner the media recommendation may be used or played by the recipient. A hype score may be calculated for a hyped media's recommendation to control the order of placement of hyped media recommendations in the recipient's media queue. The hype score may be a function of a hype value and a natural score as if the media recommendation were not hyped.

Abstract: A radiation diffractive material that diffracts radiation according to Bragg's law is disclosed. The material includes an ordered periodic array of diffracting regions received within a matrix, the matrix comprising an inorganic sol-gel.

Abstract: A method of preparing a dispersion of polymeric particles is disclosed. Monomers are emulsion polymerized in the presence of an ionic monomer to produce highly charged polymeric particles. At least 50% of the ionic monomer in the dispersion is bound to the polymeric particles.

Abstract: A method of producing a radiation diffractive sensor that diffracts radiation according to Bragg's law is disclosed. The sensor is produced by forming an ordered periodic array of particles on a substrate, coating the array of particles with a polymeric matrix, curing the matrix to fix the array of particles within the matrix and contacting the fixed array with an activator, wherein the activator shifts the wavelength of radiation diffracted by the sensor from a first wavelength to a second wavelength.

Abstract: A process for forming a multilayer composite coating on a substrate is provided. The process includes forming an electrodeposition coating layer on the substrate by electrodeposition of a curable electrodepositable coating composition over at least a portion of the substrate. Optionally, the coated substrate is heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to cure the electrodeposition coating layer. A basecoating layer is formed on the electrodeposition coating layer by depositing an aqueous curable basecoating composition directly onto at least a portion of the electrodeposition coating layer. Optionally, the basecoating layer is dehydrated. A top coating layer is formed on the basecoating layer by depositing a curable top coating composition which is substantially pigment-free directly onto at least a portion of the basecoating layer. The top coating layer, the basecoating layer, and, optionally, the electrodeposition coating layer are cured simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of marking an article with a watermark that diffracts radiation according to Bragg's law is disclosed. The watermark includes a periodic array of particles fixed in a matrix. The watermark may change colors with viewing angle, disappear and reappear with viewing angle or may diffract non-visible radiation that is detectable at certain angles of detection.

Abstract: A process for forming a multilayer composite coating on a substrate is provided. The process includes forming an electrodeposition coating layer on the substrate by electrodeposition of a curable electrodepositable coating composition over at least a portion of the substrate. Optionally, the coated substrate is heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to cure the electrodeposition coating layer. A basecoating layer is formed on the electrodeposition coating layer by depositing an aqueous curable basecoating composition directly onto at least a portion of the electrodeposition coating layer. Optionally, the basecoating layer is dehydrated. A top coating layer is formed on the basecoating layer by depositing a curable top coating composition which is substantially pigment-free directly onto at least a portion of the basecoating layer. The top coating layer, the basecoating layer, and, optionally, the electrodeposition coating layer are cured simultaneously.