Abstract: A circuit material, comprising a conductive metal layer or a dielectric circuit substrate layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the conductive metal layer or the dielectric substrate layer, wherein the adhesive comprises a poly(arylene ether) and a polybutadiene or polyisoprene polymer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer foam composite is described, the method comprising forming an article having a first surface and an opposite second surface from a precursor composition, the precursor composition comprising a polymer foam precursor composition, and a filler composition comprising a plurality of magnetic, electrically conductive particles; foaming the precursor composition to form a plurality of cells in precursor composition; applying a magnetic field to the foamed precursor composition, wherein the magnetic field is of a strength and applied for a time effective to align the electrically conductive, magnetic particles into mutually isolated chains between the first surface and the opposite second surface of the article; and solidifying the polymer foam precursor composition to provide a polymer foam composite having a density of about 1 to about 125 pounds per cubic foot and a volume resistivity of about 10?3 ohm-cm to about 103 ohm-cm at a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A driver for electroluminescent (EL) lamps is an integrated circuit that includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and an inductor connected in series between the first transistor and the second transistor. The driver also includes at least four output circuits coupled to said inductor for separately driving at least four electroluminescent lamps. The driver further includes memory for storing data representing dimming levels and device addresses. Data is communicated to the driver through a serial interface that recognizes at least one standard protocol.

Abstract: A circuit material, comprising a conductive metal layer or a dielectric circuit substrate layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the conductive metal layer or the dielectric substrate layer, wherein the adhesive comprises a poly(arylene ether) and a polybutadiene or polyisoprene polymer.

Abstract: A personal electronic device includes a programmable display and a programmable keypad, wherein at least one of the programmable display and the programmable keypad includes a capacitive touch sensor and an EL panel in a unitary structure. A conductive layer shields the capacitive touch sensor from the EL panel and can be a separate layer or be incorporated into either the capacitive sensor or the EL panel. The conductive layer includes antimony tin oxide (ATO), other conductive oxide, or a conductive polymer, such as Orgacon™ 3010.

Abstract: A circuit material, comprising a conductive metal layer or a dielectric circuit substrate layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the conductive metal layer or the dielectric substrate layer, wherein the adhesive comprises a poly(arylene ether) and a polybutadiene or polyisoprene polymer.

Abstract: Organosilicon composites are described, comprising 30 to 90 vol. % of a cured organosilicon copolymer derived by curing an organosilicon polymer having, in the same copolymer, silicon-containing repeating units comprising a silicon hydride and silicon-containing repeating units comprising a C1-10 ethylenically unsaturated group; and 10 to 70 vol. % of a dielectric filler. The composites are used in the manufacture of circuit subassemblies.

Abstract: A circuit subassembly, comprising: a conductive layer, a dielectric layer formed from a thermosetting composition, wherein the thermosetting composition comprises, based on the total weight of the thermosetting composition a polybutadiene or polyisoprene resin, about 30 to about 70 percent by weight of a magnesium hydroxide having less than about 1000 ppm of ionic contaminants, and about 5 to about 15 percent by weight of a nitrogen-containing compound, wherein the nitrogen-containing compound comprises at least about 15 weight percent of nitrogen; and an adhesive layer disposed between and in intimate contact with the conductive layer and the dielectric layer, wherein the adhesive comprises a poly(arylene ether), wherein the circuit subassembly has a UL-94 rating of at least V-1.

Abstract: The primary and/or secondary coils of a relatively high power planar transformer are integrated together with a laminated busbar, thereby incorporating together the planar transformer and the busbar as a single component. A coil is cut out or otherwise formed in at least one busbar conductor, and when electrically connected, the busbar coils act as part of the primary and/or secondary circuit of the transformer. One or more coil lead frames are embedded in the laminated stack, and when electrically connected, form the primary and/or secondary circuit, respectively, of the transformer. Insulating material coils are also embedded within the laminated stack. The center leg of an E-shaped ferrite core passes through the center opening of each of the busbar coils, the coil lead frames, and the insulating material coils. The E-shaped core is located next to (i.e., with an opening) or closed with, an I-shaped or E-shaped core.

Abstract: A driver includes a boost converter, a pulse width modulator controlling the boost converter, and a timer controlling the pulse width modulator. The timer, such as a digital counter, causes the pulse width modulator to produce narrow pulses unless or until the end of a period is reached, at which point the pulse width modulator is not controlled by the timer.

Abstract: A circuit substrate laminate, comprising a conductive metal layer; and a dielectric composite material having a dielectric constant of less than about 3.5 and a dissipation factor of less than about 0.006, wherein the dielectric composite material comprises: a polymer resin; and about 10 to about 70 volume percent of cenospheres having a ferric oxide content of less than or equal to 3 weight percent.

Abstract: An electroluminescent panel having a front electrode overlying a translucent sheet, a phosphor layer overlying the front electrode, a dielectric layer overlying the phosphor layer, and a rear electrode overlying the dielectric layer, the electroluminescent panel further includes a mask layer between the front electrode and the phosphor layer, wherein the mask layer is patterned to define graphics optically and electrically. A layer other than the mask layer can also be patterned.

Abstract: An insulated metal substrate laminate includes a metal substrate, a dielectric layer disposed upon the metal substrate, wherein the dielectric layer comprises a thermoplastic film having a thickness of less than or equal to 10 micrometers, a thermal resistance of less than or equal to 0.050 Kelvin-square inches per watt, and a breakdown voltage greater than or equal to 1000 volts (alternating current), and an electrically conductive layer disposed upon the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The primary and/or secondary coils of a relatively high power planar transformer are integrated together with a laminated busbar, thereby incorporating together the planar transformer and the busbar as a single component. A coil is cut out or otherwise formed in at least one busbar conductor, and when electrically connected, the busbar coils act as part of the primary and/or secondary circuit of the transformer. One or more coil lead frames are embedded in the laminated stack, and when electrically connected, form the primary and/or secondary circuit, respectively, of the transformer. Insulating material coils are also embedded within the laminated stack. The center leg of an E-shaped ferrite core passes through the center opening of each of the busbar coils, the coil lead frames, and the insulating material coils. The E-shaped core is located next to (i.e., with an opening) or closed with, an I-shaped or E-shaped core.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer foam composite is described, the method comprising forming an article having a first surface and an opposite second surface from a precursor composition, the precursor composition comprising a polymer foam precursor composition, and a filler composition comprising a plurality of magnetic, electrically conductive particles; foaming the precursor composition to form a plurality of cells in precursor composition; applying a magnetic field to the foamed precursor composition, wherein the magnetic field is of a strength and applied for a time effective to align the electrically conductive, magnetic particles into mutually isolated chains between the first surface and the opposite second surface of the article; and solidifying the polymer foam precursor composition to provide a polymer foam composite having a density of about 1 to about 125 pounds per cubic foot and a volume resistivity of about 10?3 ohm-cm to about 103 ohm-cm at a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A driver for a piezoelectric actuator includes a pulse width modulator and an output amplifier packaged as a single semiconductor device, preferably on a single semiconductor die. The driver includes a first boost converter that supplies power to the output amplifier, which preferably has programmable gain. A second amplifier, for driving the gate of a switching transistor in the first boost converter, is powered by a second boost converter. The piezoelectric actuator provides tactile feedback for the keyboard or the display in a battery operated electronic device.

Abstract: A microporous layer comprising a microporous xerogel comprising pores that are substantially continuously interconnected from a first outermost surface of the microporous xerogel through to a second outermost surface of the microporous xerogel; and a crosslinked polymer binder comprising a polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 50° C. or higher, wherein the polymer binder is water soluble prior to crosslinking.

Abstract: A driver includes a boost converter, a pulse width modulator controlling the boost converter, and a timer controlling the pulse width modulator. The timer, such as a digital counter, causes the pulse width modulator to produce narrow pulses unless or until the end of a period is reached, at which point the pulse width modulator is not controlled by the timer.

Abstract: A light shutter and an EL panel are sandwiched between two substrates, one of which includes a common front electrode. The common front electrode is electrically floating. Patterned rear electrodes, on either side of the EL panel, are capacitively coupled to each other by the common front electrode. The rear electrodes can be segmented and the segments addressed individually. Each substrate is coated with a layer of PDLC and the substrates are laminated by joining the layers of PDLC.

Abstract: A portable computer comprises a housing and an EL panel within the housing, positioned to emit light outwardly from the housing. The EL panel includes a plurality of EL lamps that, together, form a logo. The EL lamps can be addressed separately, enabling one to produce the appearance of motion for decorative effect or to indicate a condition of the portable computer or both.