Abstract: Activatable indicator platforms for integrated circuits using microencapsulation are disclosed herein. An example activatable indicator platform includes an RFID tag, including an antenna; an integrated circuit, electrically connected to the antenna; an electrical loop having an open state and a closed state, the electrical loop electrically connected to the integrated circuit; an activatable environmental exposure indicator included as a portion of the electrical loop, the indicator having a conductive state and a nonconductive state, such that the electrical loop is in the closed state when the activatable environmental exposure indicator is in the conductive state and the electrical loop is in the open state when the activatable environmental exposure indicator is in the nonconductive state.

Abstract: An RFID tag system includes an antenna, an integrated circuit electrically connected to the antenna, and a humidity or gas indicator being electrically connected to the antenna and the integrated circuit. The humidity or gas indicator includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a dielectric material, and a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least a portion of the gap contains the dielectric material. The dielectric material is configured to have a change in its dielectric constant responsive to exposure to an environmental stimulus, which may be at least one of humidity or the presence of a gas. The change in the dielectric constant of the dielectric material changes a capacitance of the humidity or gas indicator, causing the integrated circuit to indicate the presence of the environmental stimulus.

Abstract: Printer activatable environmental exposure indicators utilizing chemical encapsulation are disclosed herein. An example activatable environmental exposure indicator includes a substrate, an environmental indicator material configured to respond to a predetermined environmental stimulus, a plurality of microcapsules on or embedded in the substrate, and a bar code layer containing a bar code symbol and a viewing area. The microcapsules contain the environmental indicator material and are configured to respond to at least one of an activation temperature and an activation pressure by allowing the environmental indicator material to be released from the microcapsules. The environmental indicator material, after being released from the microcapsules, is configured to respond to exposure to the predetermined environmental stimulus by causing a detectable response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a media element, comprising a media substrate, a gelled material adhered to the media substrate, and a plurality of microcapsules suspended in the gelled material. Each microcapsule encapsulating an environmental indicator material in a non-activated configuration and releasing the environmental indicator material when ruptured, the environmental indicator material configured, in response to exposure to a predetermined environmental condition, to change from an initial state to a second state producing an observable effect. The plurality of microcapsules prevent an occurrence of the observable effect while in the non-activated configuration and allow the occurrence of the observable effect when the environmental indicator material is exposed to the predetermined environmental condition after at least a portion of the plurality of microcapsules are ruptured.

Abstract: Direct thermal inks with side chain crystalline material for low energy heat sources are disclosed herein. An example direct thermal ink with side chain crystalline material for low energy heat source includes a thermal printable media, including: a substrate; and a thermochromic composite, comprising: a color former; a color developer; and a melting agent; wherein the thermochromic composite is coupled to the substrate; and the melting agent comprises a side chain crystalline (SCC) material.

Abstract: Direct thermal inks with heat retention are disclosed herein. An example direct thermal ink includes a thermal printable media, including a substrate, and a composite including a thermochromic material and a latent heat material; wherein the composite is coupled to the substrate and a color state of the thermochromic material changes responsive to the thermochromic material exceeding a predetermined temperature threshold; wherein the latent heat material melts responsive to an applied heat on the thermal printable media during a thermal printing process and, after the applied heat ceases, to release a stored portion of the applied heat as the latent heat material re-solidifies such that the composite remains in excess of the predetermined temperature threshold thereby increasing an amount of change in the color state of the thermochromic material in response to the applied heat during the thermal printing process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to manufacture an environmental sensor. The process includes dispensing a dry powder material to a first area on a media element, wherein the powder material includes a plurality of microcapsules, each microcapsule encapsulating an environmental indicator material. The process further includes dispensing an adhesive to the media element. After the powder material and the adhesive have been dispensed to the media element, the powder material is in contact with the dispensed adhesive, and the adhesive holds the powder material in position.

Abstract: The use of encapsulated polar protic chemistries for RFID temperature monitoring are disclosed herein. An example activatable environmental indicator includes a substrate, an indicator material, and a plurality of microcapsules. The indicator material comprises a polar protic organic material. The plurality of microcapsules is on or embedded in the substrate and are configured to respond to at least one of an activation temperature and an activation pressure which allow the polar protic material to be released from the microcapsules.

Abstract: Activatable environmental sensing through chemical encapsulation are disclosed herein. An example activatable environmental indicator has a non-activated configuration that is unresponsive to a predetermined environmental stimulus, an activated configuration that is responsive to the predetermined environmental stimulus, and an exposed configuration after responding to the predetermined environmental stimulus. The activatable environmental indicator includes a first visual indicator when the activatable indicator is in the non-activated configuration, a second visual indicator when the activatable indicator is in the activated configuration, and a third visual indicator when the activatable indicator is in the exposed configuration.

Abstract: Printer activatable environmental sensing through chemical encapsulation are disclosed herein. An example activatable environmental sensor print medium includes a substrate, an environmental indicator material configured to respond to a predetermined environmental stimulus, and a plurality of microcapsules on or embedded in the substrate. The microcapsules contain the environmental indicator material and are configured to respond to at least one of an activation heat and an activation pressure by allowing the environmental indicator material to be released from the microcapsules. The environmental indicator material, after being released from the microcapsules, is configured to respond to exposure to the predetermined environmental stimulus by causing a detectable response.

Abstract: Environmental indicators for monitoring a predetermined environmental exposure, for example, an historical heat exposure such as a cumulative ambient heat exposure and/or a peak ambient heat exposure, may include an environmental indicator material. The environmental indicator may be configured to attach to a host product for monitoring the predetermined environmental exposure of the host product.

Abstract: Environmental indicators for monitoring a predetermined environmental exposure, for example, an historical heat exposure such as a cumulative ambient heat exposure and/or a peak ambient heat exposure, may include an environmental indicator material. The environmental indicator may be configured to attach to a host product for monitoring the predetermined environmental exposure of the host product.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotary screen printing apparatus, comprising: a rotary cylindrical screen; a conduit which provides fluid communication to an internal volume of the rotary cylindrical screen; and, a heater whose output is directed towards the conduit.

Abstract: Environmental monitors for monitoring a predetermined environmental exposure, for example, an historical heat exposure such as a cumulative ambient heat exposure and/or a peak ambient heat exposure may include an environmental indicator material and a security material. The environmental monitor may be configured to attach to a host product for monitoring the predetermined environmental exposure of the host product, and additionally serve as an anti-counterfeiting indicator.

Abstract: A temperature indicator includes a first capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a first threshold temperature, a second capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a second threshold temperature. The first capacitor is electrically connected to the second capacitor. The second threshold temperature is different than the first threshold temperature. The first capacitor and the second capacitor retain their changed capacitance permanently after they return to a temperature below their respective threshold temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotary screen printing apparatus, comprising: a rotary cylindrical screen; a conduit which provides fluid communication to an internal volume of the rotary cylindrical screen; and, a heater whose output is directed towards the conduit.

Abstract: Environmental monitors for monitoring a predetermined environmental exposure, for example, an historical heat exposure such as a cumulative ambient heat exposure and/or a peak ambient heat exposure may include an environmental indicator material and a security material. The environmental monitor may be configured to attach to a host product for monitoring the predetermined environmental exposure of the host product, and additionally serve as an anti-counterfeiting indicator.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotary screen printing apparatus, comprising: a rotary cylindrical screen; a conduit which provides fluid communication to an internal volume of the rotary cylindrical screen; and, a heater whose output is directed towards the conduit.

Abstract: A temperature exposure indicator includes a substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode on the substrate, the second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a temperature responsive material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the temperature responsive material comprises an insulating material and conductive particles, and an absorbent coupled to the temperature responsive material. In response to exposure to a temperature above a predetermined threshold temperature, at least a portion of the insulating material of the temperature responsive material is absorbed into the absorbent coupled to the temperature responsive material, changing an electrical property of the temperature responsive material.

Abstract: A temperature indicator includes a first capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a first threshold temperature, a second capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a second threshold temperature. The first capacitor is electrically connected to the second capacitor. The second threshold temperature is different than the first threshold temperature. The first capacitor and the second capacitor retain their changed capacitance permanently after they return to a temperature below their respective threshold temperature.