Abstract: An optical system includes an extended illumination source configured to emit light from an extended emission surface thereof and a light redirecting layer disposed on the extended emission surface. The light redirecting layer has a structured major surface that includes a regular array of light redirecting structures, each light redirecting structure including a plurality of facets; and a plurality of discrete spaced apart window segments. The optical system includes a plurality of reflective segments where each reflective segment is disposed on a corresponding window segment. For substantially normally incident light, each reflective segment has a total: average optical reflectance of at least 30% in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 650 nm; and optical transmittance of at least 10% for at least one infrared wavelength in an infrared wavelength range extending from about 800 nm to about 1200 nm.

Abstract: (Co)polymer matrix composites including a porous (co)polymeric network; a multiplicity of thermally-conductive particles and a multiplicity of magnetic particles distributed within the (co)polymeric network structure; wherein the thermally-conductive particles, magnetic particles and optional magnetic particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the particles and the (co)polymer (excluding the solvent). Methods of making and using the (co)polymer matrix composites are also disclosed. The (co)polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as heat dissipating or heat absorbing thermal interface materials that also provide magnetic properties useful, for example, in flux field directional materials or shielding from electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: (Co)polymer matrix composites including a porous (co)polymeric network; a multiplicity of thermally-conductive particles, a multiplicity of intumescent particles and optionally a multiplicity of endothermic particles distributed within the (co)polymeric network structure; wherein the thermally-conductive particles, intumescent particles and optional endothermic particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the particles and the (co)polymer (excluding the solvent). Optionally, the (co)polymer matrix composite volumetrically expands by at least 50% over its initial volume when exposed to at least one temperature greater than 135° C. when exposed to at least one temperature greater than 135° C. Methods of making and using the (co)polymer matrix composites are also disclosed. The (co)polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as heat dissipating or heat absorbing articles, thermally-initiated fuses, and fire-stop devices.

Abstract: (Co)polymer matrix composites including a porous (co)polymeric network; a multiplicity of thermally-conductive particles, and a multiplicity of endothermic particles distributed within the (co)polymeric network structure; wherein the thermally-conductive particles and endothermic particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the particles and the (co)polymer (excluding the solvent). Optionally, the (co)polymer matrix composite volumetrically expands by at least 10% of its initial volume when exposed to a temperature of at least 135° C. Methods of making and using the (co)polymer matrix composites are also disclosed. The (co)polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as heat dissipating or heat absorbing articles, as fillers, thermal interface materials, and thermal management materials, for example, in electronic devices, more particularly mobile handheld electronic devices, power supplies, and batteries.

Abstract: A film includes a polymeric material and a plurality of particles dispersed therein. The polymeric material includes a plurality of elongate polymeric elements oriented along substantially a same first direction and interconnecting the particles. An elongate end portion of at least a first elongate polymeric element in the plurality of elongate polymeric elements conforms and is bonded to a first particle in the plurality of particles along an entire length of the elongate end portion. An elongate mid portion of at least a second elongate polymeric element in the plurality of elongate polymeric elements conforms and is bonded to a second particle in the plurality of particles along an entire length of the elongate mid portion with the second elongate polymeric element extending away from the second particle from opposite ends of the elongate mid portion. Multilayer films and processes are also described.

Abstract: (Co)polymer matrix composites including a porous (co)polymeric network; a nonvolatile diluent, and a multiplicity of thermally-conductive particles distributed within the (co)polymeric network; wherein the thermally-conductive particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the (co)polymer matrix (including the thermally-conductive particles and the nonvolatile diluent). Optionally, the (co)polymer matrix composite volumetrically expands by at least 10% of its initial volume when exposed to a temperature of at least 135° C. Methods of making and using the (co)polymer matrix composites are also disclosed. The (co)polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as heat dissipating or heat absorbing articles, as fillers, thermal interface materials, and thermal management materials, for example, in electronic devices, more particularly mobile handheld electronic devices, power supplies, and batteries.

Abstract: A flexible leak detector film includes two spaced-apart, substantially coplanar elements, such that when the film is disposed adjacent a liquid-carrying conduit, and there is a leaked liquid released from the conduit, the film transmits at least a portion of the leaked liquid to an internal region of the film, thereby changing a characteristic of the elements which is detectable by detection circuitry coupled to the elements.

Abstract: Polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of thermally conductive particles distributed within the polymeric network structure; wherein the thermally conductive particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the thermally conductive particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density of at least 0.3 g/cm3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, in electronic devices.

Abstract: Polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of intumescent particles distributed within the polymeric network structure; wherein the intumescent particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the intumescent particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite volumetrically expands at least 2 times its initial volume when exposed to at least one temperature greater than 135° C.; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as fillers, thermally initiated fuses, and fire stop devices.

Abstract: Polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of intumescent particles distributed within the polymeric network structure; wherein the intumescent particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the intumescent particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite volumetrically expands at least 2 times its initial volume when exposed to at least one temperature greater than 135° C.; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as fillers, thermally initiated fuses, and fire stop devices.

Abstract: A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of indicator particles distributed within the polymeric network structure; wherein the indicator particles are present in a range from 1 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the indicator particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density of at least 0.05 g/cm3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as sensors.

Abstract: Polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of thermally insulating particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, wherein the thermally insulating particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the thermally insulating particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density not greater than 3 g/cm3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, in electronic devices.

Abstract: Polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of thermally insulating particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, wherein the thermally insulating particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the thermally insulating particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density not greater than 3 g/cm3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, in electronic devices.

Abstract: Method of making a polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network structure; and a plurality of particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, the method comprising: combining a thermoplastic polymer, a solvent that the thermoplastic polymer is soluble in, and a plurality of particles to provide a slurry; forming the slurry in to an article; heating the article in an environment to retain at least 90 percent by weight of the solvent, based on the weight of the solvent in the slurry, and inducing phase separation of the thermoplastic polymer from the solvent to provide the polymer matrix composite.

Abstract: A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of functional particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, and wherein the polymer matrix composite has an air flow resistance at 25° C., as measured by the “Air Flow Resistance Test,” of less than 300 seconds/50 cm3/500 micrometers; and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density of at least 0.3 g/cm3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as filters.

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: A polymer matrix composite includes a porous polymeric network structure; and a plurality of acoustically active particles distributed within the polymeric network structure. The weight fraction of acoustically active particles is between 0.80 and 0.99, based on the total weight of the polymer matrix composite. The polymer matrix composite has an air flow resistance of less than 100 seconds/50 mL/500 ?m.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates membrane-electrode assemblies and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The membrane-electrode assemblies include a first porous electrode; an ion permeable membrane, having a first major surface and an opposed second major surface; a first discontinuous transport protection layer disposed between the first porous electrode and the first major surface of the ion permeable membrane; and a first adhesive layer in contact with the first porous electrode and at least one of the first discontinuous transport protection layer and the ion permeable membrane. The first adhesive layer is disposed along the perimeter of the membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: Polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of intumescent particles distributed within the polymeric network structure; wherein the intumescent particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the intumescent particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite volumetrically expands at least 2 times its initial volume when exposed to at least one temperature greater than 135° C.; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as fillers, thermally initiated fuses, and fire stop devices.

Abstract: Polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of thermally insulating particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, wherein the thermally insulating particles are present in a range from 15 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the thermally insulating particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density not greater than 3 g/cm3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, in electronic devices.