Abstract: An article comprises first and second electrically responsive elements having a cutting plane which is perpendicular to an x-dimension for separating the elements. The conductive elements of the conductive layers are alternatingly exposed to one of the two opposing faces of the conductive element.

Abstract: A filter life sensor assembly within an air handling system is disclosed. The air handling system includes an air flow intake, an air flow exit, and a filter disposed between the air flow intake and air flow exit. The filter sensor assembly comprises a bypass connecting the air flow intake to the air flow exit, a dielectric sensor adjacent the bypass, wherein the dielectric sensor generates an electrical signal in response the air flow passing through the bypass.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing bioacoustic energy includes a housing comprising an interfacing portion configured to establish coupling with a body part during use of the sensor. An anchoring arrangement is defined on the housing. A transducer member has an anchoring end and at least one free end. The anchoring end of the transducer is coupled to the housing such that the transducer member is arranged to be preferentially sensitive to bioacoustic energy transferred to the transducer via the interfacing portion relative to other portions of the housing.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing bioacoustic energy includes a housing comprising an interfacing portion configured to establish coupling with a body part during use. The sensor includes a transducer element coupled to the interfacing portion of the housing and configured to sense sounds produced by matter of biological origin. One or more conductors are coupled to the transducer element. A mass element is compliantly coupled to a surface of the transducer element. Intervening material is disposed between the transducer element surface and the mass element, and allows for differential motion between the transducer element surface and the mass element during excitation of the transducer element.

Abstract: Methods for adhering an article having an electret charge to a substrate are disclosed. The methods include a step in which a charging material is used increase the adhesion of the article to the substrate.

Abstract: Cling articles comprise a cling backing a first heat-activatable adhesive in contact with at least a portion of a major surface of the cling backing. The heat-activatable adhesive has an activation temperature of at least about 40 degrees Celsius, and has a gel content at or above the activation temperature of at least about 5 percent.

Abstract: A stencil comprises an electret film, wherein the film has at least one perforation having a perimeter that defines an area, and wherein the area is greater than or equal to about one square centimeter. Methods of marking a substrate using stencils of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article comprises a polymeric electret film having first and second opposed major surfaces and a perimeter defining a film area, wherein the film has a plurality of perforations extending therethrough, wherein each perforation independently has a perimeter defining a perforated area, and wherein the perforated areas, taken collectively, constitute from about 10 to about 50 percent of the film area. Methods of making and using such articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making erasable article comprises: providing an electret film having first and second opposed major surfaces; applying a polymerizable precursor composition to at least a portion of the first major surface; polymerizing the polymerizable precursor composition to form a non-tacky crosslinked polymeric layer; and exposing the electret film and non-tacky crosslinked polymeric layer to a direct current corona discharge, wherein the second major surface is free of adhesive material. Erasable articles and kits containing them are also disclosed. Also disclosed are dry erase articles having a first coating layer coated onto a flexible substrate. The first coating composition has a hardness upon curing of greater than about 500 MPa and forms an ink receptive writing surface suitable for receiving dry erase marker ink. The first coating layer has minimal effect on the flexibility of the sheet.

Abstract: A stencil comprises an electret film, wherein the film has at least one perforation having a perimeter that defines an area, and wherein the area is greater than or equal to about one square centimeter. Methods of marking a substrate using stencils of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A phosphorescent film comprises a mixture of at least one thermoplastic polymer and at least one phosphorescent pigment, wherein the mixture has an electret charge. Multilayer phosphorescent films having an electret charge, and methods for making the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for adhering a film to a substrate comprises providing an electret film having first and second opposed major surfaces, the electret film comprising a poly(ethylene-co-(meth)acrylic acid) ionomer; providing a substrate; and electrostatically and removably adhering the electret film to the substrate. Articles prepared according to the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for adhering an article having an electret charge to a substrate are disclosed. The methods include a step in which a charging material is used increase the adhesion of the article to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in an electrical device which includes at least a layer of a ferroelectric polyvinylidine flouride polymer that has been processed to exhibit an electrostrictive strain of 4% or more when an electric field gradient of 50 megavolts per meter or greater is applied thereacross. The processing of the polymer preferably involves subjecting it to either electron beam radiation or gamma radiation. The polyvinylidine flouride polymer is selected from the group of: polyvinylidine fluoride, polyvinylidine fluoride-trifluoroethylene P(VDF-TrFE), polyvinylidine fluoride tetrafluoroethylene P(VDF-TFE), polyvinylidine fluoride trifluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene P(VDF-TFE-HFE) and polyvinylidine fluoride-hexafluoropropylene P(VDF-HFE).

Abstract: The invention is embodied in an electrical device which includes at least a layer of a ferroelectric polyvinylidine fluoride polymer that has been processed to exhibit an electrostrictive strain of 4% or more when an electric field gradient of 50 megavolts per meter or greater is applied thereacross. The processing of the polymer preferably involves subjecting it to either electron beam radiation or gamma radiation. The polyvinylidine flouride polymer is selected from the group of: polyvinylidine fluoride, polyvinylidine fluoride-trifluoroethylene P(VDF-TrFE), polyvinylidine fluoride tetrafluoroethylene P(VDF-TFE), polyvinylidine fluoride trifluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene P(VDF-TFE-HFE) and polyvinylidine fluoride-hexafluoropropylene P(VDF-HFE).

Abstract: The invention is embodied in an electrical device which includes at least a layer of a ferroelectric polyvinylidine flouride polymer that has been processed to exhibit an electrostrictive strain of 4% or more when an electric field gradient of 50 megavolts per meter or greater is applied thereacross. The processing of the polymer preferably involves subjecting it to either electron beam radiation or gamma radiation. The polyvinylidine flouride polymer is selected from the group of: polyvinylidine fluoride, polyvinylidine fluoride-trifluoroethylene P(VDF-TrFE), polyvinylidine fluoride tetrafluoroethylene P(VDF-TFE), polyvinylidine fluoride trifluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene P(VDF-TFE-HFE) and polyvinylidine fluoride-hexafluoropropylene P(VDF-HFE).