Abstract: An optical element comprises a stack of at least three juxtaposed films with at least one inner optical film and two outer transparent films exhibiting high dimensional stability, wherein a controlled tensile force is applied in at least one direction to the two outer films but not the at least one inner film.

Abstract: A reflective polarizer contains: (a) a light-entrance medium having a light-entrance surface and a microstructured surface with a series of prismatic structures, wherein first and second sidewalls of each prismatic structure have an inclination angle of more than 53 degrees with respect to the light-entrance surface; (b) a polarization-selective thin film optical coating on the series of prismatic structures, for transmitting a first polarization of light and reflecting a second polarization; and (c) a light-exit medium on the polarization-selective thin film optical coating that provides a smooth light-exit surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffusely-reflecting polarizer comprising: a first polymer which is amorphous and having a birefringence of less than about 0.02 and a second polymer, the first polymer being a continuous phase, and the second polymer being a disperse phase whose index of refraction differs from said continuous phase by greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and by less than about 0.05 along a second axis orthogonal to said first axis; wherein the diffuse-reflectivity of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%, the diffuse transmittance of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polymer films used as protective cover sheets for polarizer plates, a method for producing polarizing plates, and a Liquid Crystal Display employing the same. More particularly, the invention relates to cover sheet composites having a removable, carrier substrate and, optionally, a strippable, protection layer that protects the cover sheet from abrasion and dirt during the manufacture of the cover sheet and polarizer plates.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polymer films used as protective cover sheets for polarizer plates, a method for producing polarizing plates, and a Liquid Crystal Display employing the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a cover sheet composite having a removable, carrier substrate and a cover sheet comprising a low birefringence polymer film and a layer that promotes adhesion to polyvinyl alcohol on the same side of the carrier substrate as the low birefringence polymer film. The guarded cover sheet of the invention is less susceptible to defects due to dirt and abrasion during the manufacture of the cover sheet and polarizer plates. In addition, the cover sheet has excellent adhesion to polyvinyl alcohol-containing dichroic films and eliminates the need to alkali treat the cover sheet prior to lamination to the dichroic films.

Abstract: The present invention provides a planographic printing element suitable to receive and bond with a subsequently applied hydrophilic layer comprises a substrate layer, such as polyester film or paper, having coated thereon an adhesion layer, said adhesion layer comprising a polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than 15C and containing functional groups such as hydroxyl, epoxy or glycidyl groups capable of reacting with the hydrophilic layer. The polymer may be a terpolymer of a hydroxyalkyl methacrylate, an alkyl acrylate and an aminoalkyl methacrylate. The polymer may be mixed with gelatin and the mixture applied to the substrate as a coating. The hydrophilic layer, which may comprise metal oxide particles, such as aluminium oxide and/or titanium dioxide particles in a sodium silicate binder, is subsequently applied as a coating to the adhesion layer.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multilayer compensator comprising one or more polymeric A layers and one or more polymeric B layers, wherein said A layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.01, said B layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01, and the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of said multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of said multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm wherein the process employs laminating layers or coating the layers from solvent.

Abstract: An element comprising a support on which is disposed an organic electroconductive polymeric layer containing a conductive polymer such that when a printing solution containing a conductivity enhancing agent contacts said electroconductive layer, the resistivity of the areas that are contacted with a printing solution decreases by at least a factor of 10. A method for producing an electrode pattern in the substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator comprising one or more polymeric A layers and one or more polymeric B layers, wherein said A layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.01, said B layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01, and the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of said multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of said multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm.

Abstract: A method of making a fuser member having a support comprising the steps of: A) providing a support; B) coating from an organic solvent onto the support a coating composition comprising a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer, a curing agent having a bisphenol residue, a particulate filler containing zinc oxide, an aminosiloxane, and antimony-doped tin oxide particles, the fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer having subunits of: —(CH2CF2)x—, —(CF2CF(CF3)y—, and —(CF2CF2)z—, wherein x is from 1 to 50 or 60 to 80 mole percent, y is from 10 to 90 mole percent, z is from 10 to 90 mole percent, x+y+z equals 100 mole percent; and C) curing the coating composition for 5 to 10 hours at a temperature in the range of 25° C. to 275° C.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrode pattern in a conductive polymeric layer comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a charge pattern with an electrographic developer composition comprising a carrier and marking particles having a polarity opposite that of said charge pattern thereby producing a developed image pattern, wherein said marking particles contain a conductivity modifier or a precursor thereof; (b) applying the developed image pattern to a conductive layer containing a conductive polymer on a substrate and (c) transferring said image pattern onto a said conductive layer. An element formed by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer compensator polymeric film for a LC cell including two or more first type layers having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.005 and one or more second type layers having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.

Abstract: A transparent multilayer comprises a deformable first conductive layer containing an intrinsically conductive polymer, a film forming binder, and spacer elements embedded in and projecting from the surface of the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer separated from the first conductive layer by the spacer elements. The multilayer is useful as a component in a touch screen display.

Abstract: A photographic imaging element is disclosed comprising a support having on a front side thereof a silver halide imaging layer and an outermost protective overcoat layer comprising a film-forming binder, and on the backside thereof an outermost protective backcoat layer comprising a film-forming binder; the protective overcoat and backcoat layers each comprising a lubricant present in an amount of at least 5 mg/m2 and permanent matting agent having a Tg of at least 40° C. and an average particle size of from about 0.5 to about 3 micrometers in an amount of at least 1 mg/m2; and at least one of the protective overcoat layer or the protective backcoat layer further comprising crosslinked elastomeric polymer matte particles, wherein the crosslinked elastomeric polymer matte particles have a Tg of 20° C. or less, an average particle size of at least 90% of or greater than that of the permanent matting agent particles having a Tg of at least 40° C.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrode pattern in a conductive polymer disposed on a substrate, the method comprising the steps of: applying a layer containing a conductive polymer on a substrate; and printing a pattern on said layer using a printing solution containing a conductivity enhancing agent such that the resistivity of the areas that are contacted with the printing solution decreases by at least a factor of 10. A formulation and a thin film element for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An element for making patterns on an electroconductive substrate, the element comprising a support, on which is disposed: a) a conductive layer containing an electrically conductive polymer, a polyanion and a conductivity enhancing agent; and b) a mixing layer containing a thermally mobile material; wherein, upon imagewise heating the mixing layer, the thermally mobile material mixes with the conductive layer, thereby causing the initial surface resistivity (SR) of the conductive layer to imagewise increase from an initial value SRi, which is lower than 105?/square, to SRi?, ? being at least 102.

Abstract: A transparent multilayer comprises (a) a first conductive layer containing an intrinsically conductive polymer and a film forming binder, (b) a second conductive layer, and (c) spacer elements separating the first and second conductive layers, the first conductive layer further comprising an actinic radiation absorbing compound. The film is useful as a component in a touch screen display.

Abstract: An imaging material comprising a support having disposed thereon: a) at least one image-formning layer, and b) at least one transparent electrically conductive antistatic layer that comprises electronically conductive polymer particles, a neutral-charge conductivity enhancer, and a polymeric binder comprising gelatin or gelatin derivatives.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising a substituted or unsubstituted thiophene-containing electrically-conductive polymer and an organic solvent media; the media having a water content of >2 and <12 weight percent; wherein the electrically-conductive polymer is poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene styrene sulfonate); and wherein any inorganic solid particles present in said composition have a refractive index of <1.6.

Abstract: A fuser member comprising a support and a layer overlying the support, the layer including a fluorocarbon thermoplastic random copolymer, a curing agent having a bisphenol residue, a particulate filler containing zinc oxide, an aminosiloxane, the cured fluorocarbon thermoplastics random copolymer having subunits of: —(CH2CF2)x—, —(CF2CF(CF3)y—, and —(CF2CF2)z—, wherein: x is from 1 to 40 or 60 to 80 mole percent, z is greater than 40 to no more than 89 mole percent, and y is such that x+y+z equals 100 mole percent.