Abstract: Method of encapsulating optoelectronic components, by embedding the components to be encapsulated between a first transparent polymer layer and a second polymer layer, which is filled with unactivated foaming agent, and then activating the foaming agent, so that the two polymer layers join to one another, in particular weld to one another, and the components are enclosed between the two polymer layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing nonwoven and nonwoven obtainable by said method. Particularly, the invention relates to a nonwoven provided with improved tactile and absorbent characteristics, which make it suitable for use in the field of surface cleaning, personal hygiene, or formation of garments.

Abstract: A method of making a coated film comprises coating a first side of a base film with a coating material to form the coated film; wherein the base film was formed in a calendaring process, and wherein, during the calendaring process, the first side physically contacted less surface area of a first roll than a second side physically contacted of a second roll at a given time; and wherein the coated film has an uncoated second side.

Abstract: A die tool for forming a C-section component having radiused shoulders, the includes a cylindrical inner die and an outer die having a cylindrical central portion connected to opposing end flanges by respective radiused concave portions. A portion of the inner die is arranged to be disposed between the end flanges of the outer die and spaced apart therefrom to define a cavity corresponding to the desired cross-section of the C-section component to be formed. The radiused convex and concave portions have a radius of curvature that varies about the circumference of the respective inner and outer dies. The inner and outer dies are rotatable such that the radius of curvature of the radiused convex and concave portions where the inner and outer dies are adjacent to one another varies as the inner and outer dies are rotated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molded ferrite sheet having opposing surfaces and a thickness in a range of 30 ?m to 430 ?m, at least one surface of said opposing surfaces having the following surface roughness characteristics (a) to (c): (a) a center line average roughness is in a range of 170 nm to 800 nm, (b) a maximum height is in a range of 3 ?m to 10 ?m, and (c) an area occupancy rate of cross-sectional area taken along a horizontal plane at a depth of 50% of the maximum height in a square of side 100 ?m is in a range of 10 to 80%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a film for a film capacitor making it possible to produce a film for a film capacitor which has a thickness of 10 ?m or less and which is excellent in a heat resistance and a voltage resistance at a high thickness accuracy by using a polyetherimide resin and provides as well a film for a film capacitor.

Abstract: A stiffener has an elongate web element and an elongate foot element connected by a curved elbow that has a radius greater over a first portion than over a second portion of the stiffener. The stiffener is formed by feeding an elongate member through a roll forming die having first and second rollers, the first roller having a shaped section arranged to be located within a correspondingly shaped recess in the second roller, the first and second rollers defining a gap there between corresponding to the desired shape to be imparted on the elongate member, the desired shape including a curved elbow between a web and a foot portion, wherein the shapes of the recess and the shaped section vary such that the radius of curvature of the gap between the rollers corresponding to the curved elbow varies between a minimum and a maximum value.

Abstract: A moldable acoustic facing comprises cellulosic fibers and synthetic fibers entangled together. The acoustic facing has a basis weight of from about 1.5 to about 5.0 ounces per square yard (osy), a thickness of less than about 0.050?, a mean pore size of between about 8 microns and about 40 microns, and an elongation at break of at least twenty percent. The acoustic facing includes less than about five percent synthetic microfiber and has an acoustic resistance of at least about 250 Rayls.

Abstract: Fibrous structures that exhibit a pore volume distribution such that at least 25% and/or at least 43% of the total pore volume present in the fibrous structures exists in pores of radii of from 91 ?m to 140 ?m, and to methods for making such fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: A beaded preform includes a plurality of adjacently positioned beads for forming a plurality of voids in an engineered material. The beaded preforms may be comprised of a filaments (single strand of beads) and mats (two-dimensional and three dimensional arrays of beads). The filaments and mats may be coated to become tows and laminates, respectively, which may then be assembled into composite materials. The preforms may be produced using novel manufacturing apparatuses and methods, and incorporated into known manufacturing processes to produce porous structures, including stress-steering structures, in any material including metals, plastics, ceramics, textiles, papers, and biological materials, for example.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a cellulose acylate film having high thickness precision and no streaks can be formed by producing a film with a cellulose acylate resin by means of the polishing roller method, and a high-performance optical film, which is free from the retardation distribution, can be produced by subsequently stretching the cellulose acylate film thus obtained within a magnification range from 1 or more and 2.5 or less.

Abstract: A method for improving the dimensional stability of PTFE membranes by the application of elevated temperature and elevated pressure to a PTFE membrane. The process reduces and/or eliminates the relaxation stress normally associated with PTFE membranes made using previously existing methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer membrane for a battery including a porous support including a fiber including a core including a high melting-point polymer; and a sheath including a low melting-point polymer surrounding the core, and a method of preparing the same. The polymer membrane for a battery may further include a proton conductive polymer.

Abstract: A web can comprise a substantially continuous fiber mass and a separation means dispersed into the fiber. The web having a preferred thickness resulting from forming a polymer material and a particulate into a fine fiber layer can have a variety of end uses. A filtration media can include a structure comprising such a web of fine fiber and a substantial volume of particulate embodiment of the separation means. The resulting fine fiber structure provides an improved filtration medium having substantial depth, thickness, and a layered structure. The improved properties of the web results from inclusion of the separation or spacer particulate.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing of electrical components on a continuous web or discrete sheets of dielectric material are disclosed. The method includes feeding, from a supply roll of a laminated web or a supply of sheets including at least one unbroken layer of conducting material laminated on a flexible backing layer of dielectrical material, the laminated web or discrete sheets to a nip between a patterned cylinder and a cooperating cylinder, to shape the conducting layer into a repeated pattern of conducting material having ridges and valleys. The method further includes removing, by mechanical machining, conducting material from the thus shaped conducting layer. The removing is performed simultaneously with the step to shape the conducting layer, and by way of the cooperating cylinder, designed as a milling cutter cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane for Western blotting which has a three-dimensional open pore structure, an average pore diameter of 0.1-1.0 ?m and a thickness of 30-200 ?m, wherein the membrane for Western blotting is manufactured by subjecting nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of 50-1000 nm, obtained by electrospinning, to a hot-plate calendering process, and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises the steps of: dissolving a hydrophobic material in a solvent to prepare a spinning solution; subjecting the spinning solution to a spinning process to obtain a hydrophobic polymer nanofiber web; and calendering the obtained nanofiber web to obtain a membrane for Western blotting.

Abstract: A thermal bonding pattern for nonwoven fabric possessing improved abrasion resistance while retaining softness, comprising a basket-weave pattern or other pattern having a transition area (2) equal to at least 10% of bonding spot area (1) in FIG. 3, more preferably a transition area (2) equal to at least 50% of bonding spot area (1), and most preferably a transition area (2) equal to at least 100% of bonding spot area.

Abstract: A surface covering includes a base layer and a wear layer. The wear layer is laminated to the base layer. The wear layer comprises a polymeric binder system having wear resistant particles dispersed therein. The wear layer is formed by dispersing a plurality of wear resistant particles into a liquid to form a stable liquid dispersion, blending the stable liquid dispersion into a polymeric resin to form a mixture, and extruding the mixture to form the wear layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to film products containing desired levels of active components and methods of their preparation. Desirably, the films disintegrate in water and may be formed by a controlled drying process, or other process that maintains the required uniformity of the film. Desirably, the films may be exposed to temperatures above that at which the active components typically degrade without concern for loss of the desired activity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nanocomposite includes exposing a plurality of substantially dry nanoparticles to a substantially dry and solid matrix material to form a combination of the nanoparticles and the matrix material. The method also includes agitating the combination of the nanoparticles and the matrix material to thereby disperse the nanoparticles on the matrix material. The matrix material remains in a solid phase during agitating. Furthermore, the method includes processing the combination to form the nanocomposite having the nanoparticles dispersed in the matrix material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a film or sheet and a process to make a film or sheet, said film or sheet having a thickness of from 0.5 to 35 mils (12.7 to 889 microns) comprising a blend composition comprising: a) 4 to 50 wt %, based upon the weight of the composition, of one or more polypropylene-based TPO(s) comprising at least 50 wt % propylene and at least 10 wt % ethylene having a melt flow rate (MFR) of 7 dg/min or less, a Tm of 150° C. or more, and a lowest Tg of ?30° C. or less; and b) 30 to 80 wt %, based upon the weight of the composition, of one or more ethylene plastomer(s) having a melt index of 3 dg/min or less and a density of 0.869 to 0.910 g/cc; and c) 0.5 to 35 wt %, based upon the weight of the composition, of one or more non-functionalized plasticizer(s) having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 4 to 300 cSt, a pour point of ?20° C. or less, and a flash point of 200° C. or more; and d) 0 to 69.

Abstract: A press-molding machine is taught that may include an extrusion apparatus (10), a transfer apparatus (30), and a molding apparatus (40). The extrusion apparatus (10) may extrude a melted resin into a sheet shape. The transfer apparatus (30) may receive and transfer a sheet material that is extruded from the extrusion apparatus and cut in a predetermined length. The molding apparatus (40) may press and mold the sheet material transferred from the transfer apparatus. The extrusion apparatus (10), the transfer apparatus (30), and the molding apparatus (40), are allowed to be independently arranged and constructed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a calendering system is provided to allow for fine gauge adjustment of the product. The calender system has a first and second roller each having a first and second end mounted in opposed end supports. The end supports each have an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one or more internal passages, wherein a heat transfer medium may be circulated through the one or more internal passages. The heat transfer medium may either heat or cool the internal passages of the end supports, resulting in the respective increase or decrease in the gauge of the product.

Abstract: A twin roll caster and a method for operating a machine of this type. The machine comprises two casting rolls that delimit a casting gap between them on its longitudinal sides; two side plates that delimit the casting gap on its narrow sides; and at least one oscillation device, which moves the side plate in an oscillating manner about an axis of oscillation extending substantially axially parallel to the axes of rotation of the casting rolls. The degrees of freedom of the side plate movements are increased because the oscillation device comprises two actuators which are articulatedly coupled to the respective side plate and each apply a torque rotating about the respective axis of oscillation on the side plate and a control device that emits control signals, upon which the actuators individually or together with each other, carry out adjustment movements aligned against one another or parallel to one another.

Abstract: A process for producing lightweight thermoplastic composite products in a continuous manner is disclosed. An oven is provided for heating a dry unconsolidated fabric sheet of commingled fibers of thermoplastic and re-enforcing fibers or carbon fibers to a temperature sufficient to ensure melting and flow of the resin in the voids of the commingled fibers. The unconsolidated composite sheet is conveyed through the oven and then through a first pair of heated rollers at an outlet of the oven whereby to maintain the fabric sheet heated to prevent abrupt cooling at the surfaces while compressing it under pressure. A further pair of rollers at a further reduced temperature is provided whereby the heated sheet is gradually lowered in temperature and the pressure is maintained thereon during consolidation of the commingled fibers to ensure complete flow of the resin in the voids between the reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: Methods of producing ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene compositions of highly beneficial sintering characteristics are disclosed herein. Some embodiments provide for adding small amounts of a co-monomer to the polyethylene to improve various characteristics, including wear resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet which is excellent in heat resistance and flexibility, has a small diameter of cells, can be developed in various utilities, and is excellent in vacuum moldability. The method for producing a polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet according to the present invention comprises the steps of supplying a foamed sheet with closed cells, comprising a polyolefin-based resin, to a gap between one pair of rolls which have different circumferential speeds, and are rotated so that rotation directions on facing surfaces are the same direction, and applying a compression force and a shear stress to the foamed sheet with closed cells simultaneously to rupture a part of closed cells of the foamed sheet with closed cells to communicate closed cells into open cells.

Abstract: An uncured silica-containing rubber composition having a moisture exposed surface wherein the rubber surface contains a combination of silica and a specialized tackifying resin. The moisture exposed silica degrades necessary building tack for the rubber composition. The specialized tackifying resin counteracts and significantly reduces said reduction of building tack caused by the silica/moisture interaction. Accordingly, a method of preparation of silica-containing uncured rubber is provided by processing the rubber under high shear, internal heat generation to cause the rubber composition to reach an elevated temperature followed by treating the surface of the heated rubber composition with moisture to cool the processed rubber composition where the surface of the rubber composition contains said silica together with a specialized tackifying resin.

Abstract: Engineered wood products, methods of making the products, laminates including the products, and articles of manufacture which include the engineered products or composites, are disclosed. The products include wood and/or other cellulosic fibers, and can include non-cellulosic fibers, all or part of which can be derived from post-industrial and/or post-consumer materials. The products also include a binding agent, such as a latex dispersion, as well as hydrophobic materials, processing aids, colorants, and the like. The product can be in the form of a sheet, a three dimensional article or a plurality of laminated sheets, and can include one or more additional layers, such as top coat layers, reinforcing layers, cushioning layers, wood veneer layers, and/or additional product layers. The products can be used as flooring, and in construction, cabinetry, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce a polymeric sheet comprising the steps of providing an acid-based polymer, providing a neutralizing agent, the neutralizing agent being selected from the group consisting of an organic metallic compound, a metallic salt of a fatty acid, and an ionomer, or a mixture thereof, providing a processing oil, mixing said acid-based polymer, said neutralizing agent, said processing oil, to obtain a polymeric composition, and processing said polymeric composition to form a polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet may be used as a component, or as a substrate, of a surface covering. The polymeric sheet may also be used to form polymeric particles which are component of so-called “homogenous”, or substrate-free, surface covering.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics of a basis weight of 10 to 30 g/m2 prepared from endless filaments of 0.5 to 3.5 den of fineness by spun-melt technology primarily for producing hygienic products. It consists of endless polyolefin filaments of a volume mass in the range from 40 to 80 g/m3, its basis weight is in the range from 10 to 30 g/m2 and its thickness is in the range from 0.15 to 0.80 mm, being thermally bonded on a part of its surface in the range from 10 to 16% of its total surface area. The method for producing the nonwoven fabrics where a basic system of endless filaments of 0.5 to 3.5 den of fineness is created by spun-melt technology, which is stochastically deposited on a moving belt, of a basis weight of 10 to 30 g/m2 and then it passes through a calendering system consisting of a smooth roller and an embossed roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for embossing a web substrate. The process comprises the steps of: (a) juxtaposing a first pattern roll in an axially parallel relationship with a second pattern roll forming a first nip; (b) providing the first pattern roll with first pluralities of raised elements and recesses comprising a first embossing pattern; (c) providing the second pattern roll with second pluralities of raised elements and recesses comprising a second embossing pattern; (d) contacting the web substrate at the first nip; (e) embossing the web substrate; (f) juxtaposing the first pattern roll in an axially parallel relationship with a third pattern roll to form a second nip; (g) providing the third pattern roll with third pluralities of raised elements and recesses comprising a third embossing pattern; (h) after step (e), contacting the embossed web substrate at the second nip; and, (i) further embossing the embossed web substrate at the second nip.

Abstract: The invention relates to photopolymerizable flexographic printing elements which contain ethylenically unsaturated, alicyclic monomers and hard flexographic printing plates, in particular cylindrical continuous seamless flexographic printing plates, which can be produced therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a microcrystalline polyamide for obtaining an object having all or part of its outer surface formed from this microcrystalline polyamide and having a particular surface finish, in which: the manufacture of the object comprises steps carried out hot between the Tg (glass transition temperature) and the Tm (melting point) of this microcrystalline polyamide; the transparency of the microcrystalline polyamide is such that the light transmission at 560 nm on a polished object 1 mm in thickness is greater than 80%, advantageously greater than 88%, the transparency being measured on the object obtained by standard processing methods, such as injection moulding and sheet extrusion/calendering.

Abstract: A protective film is made by extruding a molten-plastic film from a slit nozzle into a nip formed between an outer face of a rotatable roll and a face of a metal belt. One of these faces is smooth. The belt is tensioned to press the film in the nip between the belt and the roll outer face. The belt or the roll is cooled to harden the film such that one face of the film engaging the smooth face of the roll or belt is rendered smooth and free of defects.

Abstract: There is provided a process for production of fabrics that vary in glossiness depending on the viewing angle without loss of soft hand quality and that have a highly aesthetic appearance, as well as fabrics and fiber products obtained by the process. The process for production of fabrics of the invention is characterized by pressurized heat treatment of a fabric containing an organic fiber A with a monofilament diameter of 50-1500 nm, and having a woven or knitted texture. The highly aesthetic fabric of the invention also contains an organic fiber B with a monofilament diameter larger than 1500 nm, as an additional fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a forming head for dry forming a fibrous web, which forming head is positioned above a forming wire opposite a suction unit. The forming head is divided into at least two independent interconnected distribution units, each of which comprises at least one revolving roller provided with protruding spikes. By dividing the forming head into a plurality of interconnected distribution units, a more efficient disintegration of agglomerates, shadows and/or lumps in the fibre material is achieved compared to the known forming heads, thereby ensuring a more homogenous final product.

Abstract: The mixture of the invention contains, for 100 parts in weight of (A)+(B): (A) 10 to 90 parts in weight of at least one non-nanostructured olefinic thermoplastic polymer; (B) 90 to 10 parts in weight of a formulation of at least one elastomer having unsaturated double bonds and capable of reacting with a cross-linking or vulcanization agent, said formulation containing a crosslinking or vulcanization system of said elastomer(s), at least one plasticizer, and the standard additives present in elastomer formulations; (C) up to 100 parts in weight, relative to (A)+(B), of at least one copolymer grafted with polyamide blocks, said copolymer comprising a polyolefin trunk and at least 1.

Abstract: There is described a toothed belt comprising an elastomeric material body, in which a plurality of longitudinal filiform resistant inserts is embedded, and a toothing coated by a coating fabric. A resistant layer that increases the resistance to abrasion and thus the resistance to wear of the toothed belt is adhered over the coating fabric. The resistant layer comprises a vulcanisation agent and more than 75% of an elastomer formed by at least one copolymer modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid salt and obtained from a dien monomer and a nitrile group-containing monomer. The resistant layer is advantageously separated from the fabric and is calendered on the fabric itself.

Abstract: A system and method for extrusion replication of microstructures to make microreplicated optical films. The system includes press roll and a replicating member. The replicating member includes a low thermal diffusivity material having a microreplicated outer surface or an organic material having a microreplicated outer surface. An inorganic conformal coating is disposed over the patterned outer surface of the organic or low thermal diffusivity material.

Abstract: A method produces a supporting web made of a predeterminable amount of plastic material having a multitude of molded elements molded inside mold cavities (12) of a forming tool (5). While applying a negative pressure at least in one portion of the cavities (12), enough plastic material is always applied to the mold wall (13) of the respective mold cavity to form a cavity (22) inside the molded element. A supporting web has a multitude of molded elements produced by using this method.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite material which includes a carbon-based material and a particulate or fibrous metal material Z. The method includes steps (a) to (c). In the step (a), at least a first carbon material and the metal material Z mixed into an elastomer, and dispersing the first carbon material and the metal material Z by applying a shear force to obtain a composite elastomer, the metal material Z having a melting point lower than a melting point of the first carbon material. In the step (b), the composite elastomer is heat-treated to vaporize the elastomer to obtain an intermediate composite material including a second carbon material and the metal material Z. In the step (c), the intermediate composite material is heat-treated together with a substance including an element Y having a melting point lower than the melting point of the metal material Z to vaporize the substance including the element Y.

Abstract: An optical film producing method, comprises steps of: extruding a melted material including a melted cellulose ester resin from a casting die by using an extruding device; forming a film by pressing the extruded melted material between a first rotating member and a second rotating member; and winding up the formed film, wherein the following formulas are satisfied: 30° C.?T1?T2?60° C., 0° C.?T2?T3?20° C., Tg<T3, where T1 is the temperature of the melted material at an exit of the casting die, T2 is the temperature of the film at a point where the film firstly contacts the first rotating member, T3 is the temperature of the film at a point where the film is pressed between the first rotating member and the second rotating member, and Tg is the glass transition temperature of the film.

Abstract: The invention provides a biodegradable film or sheet having water resistance and strength sufficiently. Respective components are mixed so as to form a mixture containing 0% by mass or more and 35% by mass or less of starch, 20% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less of protein, 15% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less of cellulose fibers and 1% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less of urea, then adding 10 or more and 100 or less parts by mass of water to 100 parts by mass of the mixture, kneading the mixture sufficiently with a twin-screw mixer or the like, and rolling the kneaded product under heating at about 120° C. to give a film or sheet with several tens ?m to about 300 ?m in thickness.

Abstract: A method and machine for sealing at least one cut edge of a foam board is disclosed. The foam board has a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one cut edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The cut edge is passed over a heated roller to soften the edge and then passed over a second roller having a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the first roller which seals the edge. The cut edge may be milled to square the edge relative to the top and bottom of the board before the cut edge is passed over the heated roller. Additional pairs of rollers may be provided to seal the top surface and the bottom surface of the foam board.

Abstract: A method of making a sheet of building material, useful for roofing or siding applications, and the sheet material made by such method. A mixture of a thermoplastic resin and mineral filler is prepared, the resin comprising about 10% to 40% by weight of the mixture and the filler comprising about 60% to 90% by weight. The mixture is mixed at a temperature above the melting point of the resin and is formed into a sheet at such temperature. The sheet is allowed to cool until the surface is at a temperature below the midpoint of the melting range of the thermoplastic resin, e.g. in the range of 210 to 220 degrees F. (99 to 104 degrees C.), for polyethylene, at which point it is strained by passing it through calendering rollers. The sheet material made by this process, having a high concentration of mineral filler, is fire resistant, durable, ductile, of moderate weight and resistant to weathering. It can be produced using relatively inexpensive manufacturing equipment.

Abstract: An absorbent material for use in a disposable absorbent product exhibiting enhanced wet strength characteristics includes a blend of cellulosic fibrous material and superabsorbent polymeric material, with a wax applied to the blend in a preferably discontinuous or non-uniform distribution for enhancing wet strength characteristics of the material, without unacceptably diminishing its absorbency. Notably, the absorbent material includes regions of relatively high densification, which can exist about particles of superabsorbent material, with application of wax in a molten form resulting in the spontaneous flow and migration of the wax to the regions of higher densification. The material can be formed with a pattern of regions of relatively high and low densification, with the wax preferentially distributed in those regions of high densification.

Abstract: A porous monocomponent nonwoven web contains a bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition. There are at least five times as many microfibers as larger size fibers, and a histogram of the mass fraction of fibers vs. fiber size exhibits a larger size fiber mode greater than 10 ?m. The web may be made by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having larger size orifices and at least five times as many smaller size orifices to form filaments, attenuating the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers to form the nonwoven web. The web is especially well suited to the manufacture of self-supporting three dimensional articles such as molded cup-shaped respirators and pleated air filters.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a thermoplastic film, which can suppress the occurrence of residual strain in the film caused by the polishing roller method to prevent the occurrence of stretch non-uniformity in stretching operation and provide a film that has excellent optical characteristics. The molten resin extruded from a die into a sheet is fed between a pair of polishing rollers and cooled while being held and pressed between them so that a cellulose acylate film is formed. The surface of the polishing roller is made up of a fluorine resin.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic (PV) enhancement film. The method includes providing an extrusion device with an embossing roller engraved to have a pattern corresponding to a set of absorption enhancement structures. The method includes feeding a web of substantially transparent material, such as an UV-stabilized blend of polycarbonate or acrylic. The method includes rolling the embossing roller against a first side of the web to form the absorption enhancement structures. The absorption enhancement structures each include a light receiving surface that directs at least a portion of light that passes through a second side of the web toward the first side back toward the second side (e.g., the structures may be configured to provide total internal reflection when applied to a PV device). The structures refract incident light to provide an average path length ratio of greater than about 1.10 in the PV device.