Abstract: A method may determine a remaining capacity of a cell that includes a lithium-alloying material in an electrode using a controller. The method includes receiving a temperature signal representing a temperature of a partially discharged cell and receiving a voltage signal representing a voltage of the partially discharged cell. The method further includes determining a time-dependent fade component and a cycle-dependent fade component of the cell. The time-dependent fade component of the cell is determined based on the temperature, the voltage, and an operating time of the cell. The cycle-dependent fade component of the cell is determined based on a depth of discharge of the partially discharged cell and cycle count data representing cycle-dependent fade from previous cycles of the cell. The method further includes determining a remaining capacity of the cell based on the time-dependent fade component, the cycle-dependent fade component, and a reference capacity of the cell.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive is provided, including obtaining an actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition disposed against a surface of an actinic radiation-transparent substrate and irradiating a first portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a first irradiation dosage. The method further includes irradiating a second portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a second irradiation dosage. The first portion and the second portion are adjacent to or overlapping with each other and the first irradiation dosage and the second irradiation dosage are not the same. The method forms an integral adhesive having a variable thickness in an axis normal to the surface of the actinic radiation-transparent substrate.

Abstract: An exposed-lens retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise at least one color layer comprising a bi-layer structure.

Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films to form an electrical stack are disclosed. The transfer films may include a plurality of co-extensive electrical protolayers forming an electrical protolayer stack, at least selected or each electrical protolayer independently comprising at least 25 wt % sacrificial material and a thermally stable material and having a uniform thickness of less than 25 micrometers. The transfer films may include a plurality of co-extensive electrical protolayers forming an electrical protolayer stack, at least selected or each protolayer independently exhibiting a complex viscosity of between 103 and 104 Poise at a shear rate of 100/s when heated to a temperature between its Tg and Tdec.

Abstract: Provided is an antenna structure that can be attached with ease and is likely to blend into environments. An antenna structure 1 includes: plural antenna elements 10 configured individually and arranged discretely; and a base 60 which adheres to at least side surfaces of the antenna elements 10, in which the plural antenna elements 10 are embedded and fixed, and which forms a plate-like outer shape.

Abstract: In a specific embodiment, a connector 100 is disclosed. The connector 100 comprises an insulative housing 102 defining a rear opening 108 for receiving a plurality of electrical wires 110 and a front opening 106 and a circuit board 104 disposed in the housing 102 and comprising a mating section 112 for mating with a corresponding mating section of a mating connector. The mating section 112 protrudes outwardly from the front opening 106 and terminates at a front edge 118 disposed between opposing side edges 114,116 of the mating section 112.

Abstract: An acrylic adhesive derived from the reaction product of (i) an acrylic acid ester of monohydric alcohol having an alkyl group of 5 to 10 carbon atoms; and (ii) a nonpolar acrylic monomer having a solubility of less than 9.2 as measured with the Fedors method using a homopolymer of the nonpolar acrylic monomer. The acrylic adhesive possesses performance characteristics that enable the adhesive to function in certain embodiments as a pressure-sensitive adhesive for applications involving articles that are sensitive to delamination or tearing upon removal of the adhesive from the article.

Abstract: Film articles with dual-sided structures are ones in which both of the major surfaces of the film have a structured surface. The structured film articles have a first major surface and second major surface, where each surface has a plurality of spaced apart protrusions forming a repeating pattern. Each repeating pattern has a major axis, where the major axis is one of the major axes in the translational direction of the repeating pattern. The major axis of the repeating pattern on the second major surface forms an oblique angle with the major axis on the first major surface, where the angle is in the range of 10-90% of the angle of rotational symmetry of the repeating pattern. The structured film is a unitary substrate. The structured film articles are prepared by providing a flowable material composition having two major surfaces and simultaneously contacting the major surfaces with a first microstructuring tool, and a second microstructuring tool.

Abstract: A method of making elongated abrasive particles includes five steps. Step 1) includes providing a mold having parallel linear grooves, partially interrupted at predetermined intervals by transverse obstructions. Step 2) includes filling the parallel linear grooves with a flowable abrasive particle precursor composition. Step 3) includes at least partially drying the flowable abrasive particle precursor composition to form an at least partially dried abrasive particle precursor composition. Step 4) includes separating that composition from the mold, thereby forming elongated precursor abrasive particles having a shape corresponding to portions of the parallel linear grooves disposed between the transverse obstructions. At least one of the first and second opposite ends of the elongated precursor abrasive particles comprises both a molded portion and a fractured portion. Step 5) converts the elongated precursor abrasive particles into elongated abrasive particles.

Abstract: Functional, partially-fluorinated silane compound according to Formula (I): wherein: X is CH2=CH— or CHCH2—; R1 and R2 are linear or branched alkylenes having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Rf is a perfluoro(alkylene) group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and, optionally, at least one catenary heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O and N; c is equal to the number of carbon atoms in X; and Y is —Cl or —OR, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, Y is —O(CH2)xCH3 wherein x is an integer from 0 to 3 are described.

Abstract: A wall compound for use in all applications and particularly well-suited for joining adjacent wallboards. The compound includes a latex resin, a thickener, fibers, and a filler material. In some embodiments, the repair compound is configured to exhibit at least one of yield stress and pseudoplastic-type behavior. In some embodiments, the compound includes hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers of different morphologies. In some embodiments, the wall compound includes one or more associative thickeners.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a multilayer pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) assembly, comprising at least one pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a polymeric foam layer, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising a reaction product of a polymerizable material comprising: a) 2-propylheptyl acrylate as a first monomer; and optionally b) a second monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated group. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of manufacturing such a multilayer PSA assembly.

Abstract: A system may include one or both of a light emitter (46) and a light receiver (40), and an optical filter (10). The optical filter (10) includes a wavelength selective scattering layer (14). The wavelength selective scattering layer (14) may have a near-infrared scattering ratio of less than about 0.9. The filter (10) may have a visible reflective haze ratio of greater than about 0.5. A method may include disposing the wavelength selective scattering layer (14) adjacent one or both of the light emitter (46) and the light receiver (40). The optical filter (10) may include a wavelength selective reflective layer (16). The optical filter (10) may include a wavelength selective absorbing layer (34). An article may include the optical filter (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-curable silicone composition for additive-manufacturing technology comprising mercapto-functional polyorganosiloxane(s) as Component A, organosiloxane(s) with at least two aliphatic unsaturated carbon-carbon moieties as Component B, photo-initiator(s) as Component C for initiating a curing reaction between Component A and Component B, dye(s) as Component D, and at least one of the following as Component E: solvent being able to dissolve the dye(s); and/or surfactant(s) being able to dissolve the dye(s).

Abstract: Surfacing films and related processes are provided. These films include a first clear coat layer comprising a first crosslinked polyurethane that is the reaction product of an isocyanate; a polyol selected from the group consisting of: a caprolactone polyol, polycarbonate polyol, a polyester polyol, acrylic polyol, polyether polyol, polyolefin polyol, and mixtures thereof; and a hydroxy-functional silicone poly(meth)acrylate; a second clear coat layer comprising a crosslinked polymer that is essentially free of hydroxy-functional silicone poly(meth)acrylate; a bulk layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane; and an adhesive layer. The provided films overcome the problem of migration of solvents and other impurities into the polyurethane bulk layer because the clear coat layer is cured, and solvents removed, prior to the coating of the polyurethane bulk layer. Manufacturing of these films can provide substantially faster line speeds and reduced waste.

Abstract: There is provided a curable composition comprising a fluorinated block copolymer having (a) at least one A block, wherein the A block is a semi-crystalline segment comprising repeating divalent monomeric units derived from at least a fluorinated monomer; and (b) at least one B block, wherein the B block is a segment comprising repeating divalent monomeric units that comprises at least a fluorinated monomer and a nitrile-containing cure-site monomer.

Abstract: A solid thermoplastic semi-crystalline friction-activated adhesive composition comprising the mixture of: (a) from about 50 to about 100 parts by weight of a semi-crystalline adhesive polymer that comprises: (1) crystalline monomer having an alkyl carbon length of at least 16 carbon atoms; (2) non-crystalline monomer having a homopolymer Tg below about 80° C.; (3) waxy, soft monomer having an average pendant alkyl carbon length of at least 14 carbon atoms; (4) monomer having acid or base functionality; (5) functional or non-functional macromere having a Tm from about 40 to about 120° C.; (b) 0 to about 50 parts by weight of tackifier; (c) 0 to about 50 parts by weight of crystalline additive; (d) 0 to about 50 parts by weight of filler; (e) 0 to about 30 parts by weight of oil; and (f) 0 to about 50 parts by weight of one surfactant. Also glue crayons and other application devices comprising such adhesive compositions.

Abstract: A fall protection device comprises an energy harvester to generate electrical power in response to movement of an elongate member and a circuit powered by the generated electrical power; an impact indicator connected to an elongate member, a controller connected to the elongate member and/or the impact indicator to generate a message in response to impact, and a transmitter connected to the controller to transmit the message; and/or a sensor connected to an elongate member and a controller connected to the sensor to generate a message in response to movement of the elongate member. The fall protection device could include a generator to generate electrical power, an energy storage capacitor to store the generated electrical power, a controller powered by the energy storage capacitor to generate a message in response to action, and a wireless transmitter powered by the energy storage capacitor to transmit the message.