Abstract: A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of dielectric particles distributed within the polymeric network structure; wherein the dielectric particles are present in a range from 5 to 98 weight percent, based on the total weight of the dielectric particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a dielectric constant in a range from 1.05 to 80; and methods for making the same. Polymer matrix composites comprising dielectric particles are useful, for example, as electric field insulators.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a curable casting resin precursor, comprising (a) a first part (A) comprising: (a1) at least one epoxy resin; (b) a second part (B) comprising: (b1) at least one first amine-based epoxy curing agent; (b2) optionally, at least one second amine-based epoxy curing agent; (b3) at least one mineral filler; (b4) at least one phenolic lipid; wherein part (A) and/or part (B) comprise at least one triphenylmethane dye. The curable casting resin precursor is suited for encapsulating metal parts such as cable joints and the like.

Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus that includes a computing device configured to detect a mechanical command signal, and methods of using such an apparatus.

Abstract: A structured surface reduces optical reflectance at a predetermined wavelength in a first wavelength range extending from 600 nm to 1700 nm. The structured surface includes a plurality of parallel linear structures arranged along a first direction and extending along an orthogonal second direction. Each linear structure includes opposing nonlinear facets meeting at a peak extending along the second direction. An average spacing between the peaks of adjacent linear structures is less than the predetermined wavelength, such that for light having the predetermined wavelength and incident on the structured surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions, the structured surface has a reflectance Rx<0.5% for light polarized along the first direction and a reflectance Ry<0.5% for light polarized along the second direction, where an absolute value of Rx?Ry is less than 0.3%. An optical ferrule may have an exit surface that includes the structured surface.

Abstract: A retroreflective article including a retroreflective layer including a structured surface that is opposite a major surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive that contacts at least a portion of the structured surface to form an optically inactive area that does not substantially retroreflect incident light and at least one low refractive index layer forming an optically active area that retroreflects incident light, wherein the optically active area comprises about 25% or less of the structured surface.

Abstract: A core-sheath filament including a crosslinkable adhesive core that can be cured using ultraviolet or visible light radiation. These crosslinkable adhesive core compositions can provide very high bond strength and are capable of replacing traditional mechanical fasteners in many industrial applications. Core-sheath filaments including such crosslinkable compositions, crosslinked compositions, articles containing these compositions, and methods of making the articles are provided. The crosslinkable compositions contain pendant aromatic ketone groups or pendant (meth)acryloyl groups that, upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation, result in the formation of crosslinks within the polymeric material. The crosslinked compositions can function as pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: An abrasive article includes a backing, abrasive particles secured to the backing, and a size coat provided over the abrasive particles, the size coat comprises a binder resin, at least one filler material and at least one lubricant material having a melting temperature of at least about 200 degrees F. A method of grinding aluminum using such an abrasive article is also described.

Abstract: A dental material dispensing device has a plunger means which for dispensing the dental material is movable for urging at least one component of a dental material toward a dispensing area. The device further has cure control means with an energy source and a flow path on which the dental composition and/or the dental material flows past the energy source during dispensation. The device is operable for exposing the dental composition and/or the dental material to a specific energy by control of the energy source and/or by control of the speed of the flow of the dental composition and/or the dental material on the flow path. The device is configured for dispensing a coherent strand of dental material in a dispensing cycle. The device is further configured for operating in a first dispensing mode and additionally in a second dispensing mode during the same dispensing cycle. The ratio between the specific energy in the second dispensing mode and the specific energy in the first dispensing mode is smaller than 1.

Abstract: Reflective stacks including heat spreading layers are described. In particular, reflective stacks including polymeric multilayer reflectors. Heat spreading layers may include natural or synthetic graphite or copper.

Abstract: An optical waveguide propagates an optical mode at a first wavelength along a length of the waveguide. The optical waveguide has an optical core with a substantially polygonal cross-section in a plane substantially perpendicular to the length of the waveguide. The optical core has an index of refraction n1 at the first wavelength. A first optical cladding is disposed adjacent the optical core and has an index of refraction n2 at the first wavelength, n2<n1. A spatially modulated index region has alternating higher and lower index regions extending along a width, and arranged along the length, of the optical waveguide, and configured to extract an optical mode that would otherwise propagate along the length of the waveguide.

Abstract: Optical films and polarizing beam splitters including the optical films are described. In some cases, the optical film includes a first optical stack disposed on, and spaced apart by one or more spacer layers from, a second optical stack, each optical stack comprising a plurality of polymeric interference layers reflecting and transmitting light primarily by optical interference in a same predetermined wavelength range. Each optical stack has interference layers closer to the one or more spacer layers that reflect longer wavelengths and interference layers farther from the one or more spacer layers that reflect shorter wavelengths.

Abstract: A method of making a coated abrasive article includes at least four steps. In step a), a web is provided comprising a backing having a make layer precursor disposed thereon. The web moves along a web path in a downweb direction, and the web has a crossweb direction that is perpendicular to the downweb direction. The make layer precursor comprises a first curable binder precursor; In step b) an applied magnetic field is provided. In step c), a mixture of magnetizable non-magnetizable particles is passed through the applied magnetic field and onto the make layer precursor such that the magnetizable and non-magnetizable particles are predominantly deposited onto the web in a drop zone according to a predetermined order. At least one of the magnetizable particles or the non-magnetizable particles comprises abrasive particles. In step d), the make layer precursor is at least partially cured to provide a make layer.

Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface configured to receive light at a predetermined wavelength in a range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The optical surface is defined by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defining four Cartesian quadrants sequentially numbered in a counter-clockwise direction. A first longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the vertical axis and a second longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the horizontal axis. The first and second longitudinal section each extend across opposite edges of the optical surface and have a same substantially uniform retardance for substantially normally incident light. The optical element includes four discrete retarder sections. Each retarder section is disposed on a respective Cartesian quadrant of the optical surface and has a retardance difference from the substantially uniform retardance of the optical surface that is greater than zero.

Abstract: A partial reflector including a plurality of optical repeat units where each optical repeat unit includes first and second polymer layers is described. A refractive index difference between the first and second polymer layers along a first axis may be Any, a refractive index difference between the first and second polymer layers along an orthogonal second axis may be ?ƒ?, where |???| is at least 0.1 and |?ny| is no more than 0.04. The optical repeat units may have a smallest optical thickness T1 proximate a first side of the optical stack and a largest optical thickness T2 proximate an opposite second side of the optical stack, where (T2?T1)/(T2+T1) is in a range of 0.05 to 0.2, and T2 is at least 350 nm and no more 1250 nm. The partial reflector may be used in a circular polarizer for correcting color shift with view angle in a display.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a packaged orthodontic appliance comprising an orthodontic appliance and a packaging base including first and second tie-wing support arms, wherein a first tie-wing support arm supports the first tie-wing of the orthodontic appliance, and the second tie-wing support arm supports the second tie-wing of the orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining causal models for controlling environments.

Abstract: A notepad includes multiple sheets that are arranged into a stack. Each sheet has a first major face, a second major face, and a perimeter edge at which each of the first and second major faces terminate. The notepad also includes an adhesive disposed on a portion of the second major face of each sheet such that the portion of the second major face of each sheet releasably adheres to a corresponding portion of the first major face of an underlying sheet. The portion being disposed with the adhesive lies adjacent to a portion of the perimeter edge of a corresponding sheet for forming a releasably bonded side of the stack. Also, the stack is twisted about a common central axis of the sheets present therein such that the notepad has a spiral shape.

Abstract: A system and a computer-implemented method for providing responder information are disclosed herein. The method includes receiving, via a computing device, a sensor data generated by one or more safety devices corresponding to one or more responders. The computer-implemented method further includes analyzing, via the computing device, the sensor data to generate an analyzed sensor data. The computer-implemented method further includes establishing, via an application programming interface (API), a direct communication link between the computing device and at least one server or establishing, via a local application, a direct communication link between the computing device and at least one third party server. The computer-implemented method further includes transmitting, via the computing device, the analyzed sensor data to the at least one server or transmitting, via the computing device, the analyzed sensor data to the at least one third party server.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed that includes a housing and first and second attachment areas located in the housing and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction of the connector. The second, but not the first, attachment area is designed to move relative to the housing. The connector further includes an optical waveguide that is permanently attached to, and under a first bending force between, the first and second attachment areas. The connector also includes a light coupling unit located in the housing for receiving light from the optical waveguide and transmitting the received light to a mating connector along a direction different than the mating direction of the connector. The mating of the connector to the mating connector causes the optical waveguide to be under a greater second bending force between the first and second attachment areas.