Abstract: A transparent component comprises a substrate (1) having an interface surface, with a pattern of electrically conductive copper (2) disposed on the interface surface with of the substrate, wherein the copper has a copper sulfide surface coating (3). It is found that copper with a suitably thin coating layer of copper sulfide has reduced visibility compared with uncoated copper, so that the metal pattern is less distracting to a viewer. The component finds application as part of a touch-sensitive display, with the substrate overlying or forming part of the display, with images on the display being visible to a user through the transparent component.

Abstract: A transparent component comprises a substrate (1) having an interface surface, with a pattern of electrically conductive copper (2) disposed on the interface surface with of the substrate, wherein the copper has a copper sulfide surface coating (3). It is found that copper with a suitably thin coating layer of copper sulfide has reduced visibility compared with uncoated copper, so that the metal pattern is less distracting to a viewer. The component finds application as part of a touch-sensitive display, with the substrate overlying or forming part of the display, with images on the display being visible to a user through the transparent component.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of applying a coating material to a photosensitive material to form a surface coating, wherein the photosensitive material, before or after curing, and the surface coating are soluble in a first liquid, the method comprising applying the coating material as a dispersion in a second liquid in which the photosensitive material is insoluble. By applying the coating material as a dispersion in a liquid in which the photosensitive material is insoluble, the photosensitive material is not disrupted.

Abstract: A method of producing a diffractive optical element includes forming on a textured surface of a first substrate (2) a predetermined pattern of an ink (3) including an activator for a metallization reaction and one or more binders; causing or allowing the binder to solidify; applying a first adhesive layer (4) on top on the solidified binder and activator; securing a second substrate (5) to the adhesive layer; removing the second substrate with adhered solidified binder and activator from the first substrate; and forming a metal coating (10) onto the activator-containing regions adhered to the second substrate.

Abstract: A liquid composition for forming an activator-containing layer on a substrate, for activating a chemical reaction to produce a solid layer on the substrate, comprises activator, surfactant and solvent and/or binder. The liquid composition is deposited on a surface of a substrate, desirably by inkjet printing. The layer is used to activate a chemical reaction to produce a solid layer on the substrate surface, e.g. a layer of conductive metal. The surfactant in the liquid composition has beneficial effects on the behavior of the liquid composition when applied to certain substrates.

Abstract: A photopatternable structure (10) comprises an optically transparent substrate (12) having first and second faces (14, 16), coated respectively with first and second photosensitive materials (18, 20), the coated substrate being opaque to electromagnetic radiation of one or more wavelengths to which the photosensitive materials are sensitive. In use, the faces (14, 16) are exposed (sequentially or simultaneously) to curing radiation to which the photosensitive materials are sensitive and to which the coated substrate is opaque, resulting in two sided photopatterning without through -cure occurring.

Abstract: A transparent component comprises a substrate (1) having an interface surface, with a pattern of electrically conductive copper (2) disposed on the interface surface with of the substrate, wherein the copper has a copper sulfide surface coating (3). It is found that copper with a suitably thin coating layer of copper sulfide has reduced visibility compared with uncoated copper, so that the metal pattern is less distracting to a viewer. The component finds application as part of a touch-sensitive display, with the substrate overlying or forming part of the display, with images on the display being visible to a user through the transparent component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming on the surface of a substrate a first solid layer which is suitable for activating a chemical reaction to form a second layer thereon, the method comprising the steps of: applying to the surface of the substrate a first liquid comprising a curable composition and an activator for the second layer-forming chemical reaction; and curing the curable composition, thereby forming a first solid layer adhered to the surface of the substrate, capable of activating the second layer-forming chemical reaction. A second layer can then be formed on the substrate by bringing into contact with the first solid layer a second fluid comprising components of a second layer-forming chemical reaction, activated by the activator, thereby causing a second layer to be formed on the first solid layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming on the surface of a substrate a first solid layer which is suitable for activating a chemical reaction to form a second layer thereon, the method comprising the steps of: applying to the surface of the substrate a first liquid comprising a curable composition and an activator for the second layer-forming chemical reaction; and curing the curable composition, thereby forming a first solid layer adhered to the surface of the substrate, capable of activating the second layer-forming chemical reaction. A second layer can then be formed on the substrate by bringing into contact with the first solid layer a second fluid comprising components of a second layer-forming chemical reaction, activated by the activator, thereby causing a second layer to be formed on the first solid layer.

Abstract: A component is electrically connected to an electrical circuit by a method that comprises forming an intermediate product in which the component (3) is disposed on one side of an electrically conducting sheet (1) so that at least one pair of contacts (4) of the component are electrically connected by the sheet and in which a patterned etch resist layer (2) is disposed on the other side of the sheet in registration with the component on said one side of the sheet, and then exposing the other side of the sheet to an etching agent and thereby removing areas of the sheet to leave the electrical circuit and also to remove the electrical interconnection between the contacts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming on the surface of a substrate a first solid layer which is suitable for activating a chemical reaction to form a second layer thereon, the method comprising the steps of: applying to the surface of the substrate a first liquid comprising a curable composition and an activator for the second layer-forming chemical reaction; and curing the curable composition, thereby forming a first solid layer adhered to the surface of the substrate, capable of activating the second layer-forming chemical reaction. A second layer can then be formed on the substrate by bringing into contact with the first solid layer a second fluid comprising components of a second layer-forming chemical reaction, activated by the activator, thereby causing a second layer to be formed on the first solid layer.

Abstract: A curable resin with at least one electrically conductive metal region on its surface formed by depositing on the surface a composition comprising activator, contacting the activator with a solution of a reducing agent and a solution of a metal ion, the reducing agent and metal ion undergoing chemical reaction activated by the activator to form an electrically conductive metal region on the surface, and method of forming is provided.

Abstract: An activator composition for forming an activator-containing region on a substrate for activating a chemical reaction to form a conductive metal region on the substrate, the composition being suitable for thermal inkjet printing, the composition comprising a single phase aqueous composition including one or more curable materials and one or more co-solvents for the curable material(s); and an activator for reaction to form a conductive metal region. Conductive metal regions may be formed on the resulting activator-containing regions by a metallisation reaction such as electroless deposition.

Abstract: A method of producing a diffractive optical element comprises forming on a textured surface of a first substrate (2) a predetermined pattern of an ink (3) including an activator for a metallisation reaction and one or more binders; causing or allowing the binder to solidify; applying a first adhesive layer (4) on top on the solidified binder and activator; securing a second substrate (5) to the adhesive layer; removing the second substrate with adhered solidified binder and activator from the first substrate; and forming a metal coating (10) onto the activator-containing regions adhered to the second substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a ramp of material on a stepped portion of an item, comprises applying material in liquid form to the item in the vicinity of the stepped portion, the liquid having properties such that the liquid moves by capillary attraction to the stepped portion, and causing or allowing the material to solidify to form a ramp on the stepped portion. By using capillary flow, it is not necessary for the material to be placed in position very accurately. Variations in position of placement can be accommodated by the flow to the stepped region. The greater tolerance in accuracy of positioning means that processing can be performed more quickly.

Abstract: An inkjet ink comprises phosphoric acid; one or more solvents for the phosphoric acid, preferably ethyl lactate and water; and one or more aprotic organic sulfoxides, preferably dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or dimethyl sulfone (SMSO2). The inks do not leave a carbon residue on heating and so are suited to use in etching and/or doping silicon wafers, e.g. in the production of crystalline silicon solar cells.

Abstract: A method for electroless plating of metal on a laser-patterned substrate. A substrate is provided on which both a thermal imaging layer and catalytic layer are deposited. On exposure to a laser beam, sufficient levels of radiation are converted to heat in the thermal imaging layer to render the exposed regions of the adjacent catalytic layer inactive. The laser-patterned substrate is then exposed to a reaction solution which initiates the growth of a metal film on the unexposed regions of the catalytic layer.

Abstract: A curable resin with at least one electrically conductive metal region on its surface formed by depositing on the surface a composition comprising activator, contacting the activator with a solution of a reducing agent and a solution of a metal ion, the reducing agent and metal ion undergoing chemical reaction activated by the activator to form an electrically conductive metal region on the surface, and method of forming is provided.

Abstract: A contact of a component is electrically connected to an associated contact of an electrical circuit, typically formed on a substrate, by depositing material between the contacts, the material forming or being processed to form an electrical connection between the contacts. The invention also provides apparatus for this purpose and a resulting circuit.