Abstract: A method for forming an inorganic or hybrid organic/inorganic layer on a substrate, which method comprises applying a metal alkoxide to form a layer atop the substrate and exposing the metal alkoxide layer to heat from a catalytic combustion heater in the presence of water to cure the layer is provided.

Abstract: A method for forming an inorganic or hybrid organic/inorganic layer on a substrate, which method comprises vaporizing a metal alkoxide, condensing the metal alkoxide to form a layer atop the substrate, and contacting the condensed metal alkoxide layer with water to cure the layer is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The optical display filters include a multi-layer stack that contains at least one organic layer. The filters have high visible light transmittance, low visible light reflection, and provide electromagnetic interference shielding.

Abstract: Colorimetric sensor films comprising a reflective layer, a polymeric detection layer, and a semi-reflective layer are disclosed. Devices comprising the calorimetric sensor films and methods of making the films and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Colorimetric sensor films comprising a reflective layer, a polymeric detection layer, and a semi-reflective layer are disclosed. Devices comprising the colorimetric sensor films and methods of making the films and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a color shifting film on a support, the film comprising a reflective stack disposed adjacent to the support and an image is disclosed. The reflective stack comprises an at least partially transparent spacer layer comprising a substituted acrylamide polymer disposed between a partially reflective first layer and a reflective second layer. The acrylamide layer has a thickness sufficient to produce an interference color.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: Color shifting retroreflective articles can provide features such as decorative effects, evidence of tampering, security authentication or positional information. In some embodiments, the color shifting retroreflective article includes a layer of microspheres, and a reflective coating that is disposed in optical association with the layer of microspheres. The reflective coating includes a spacer layer disposed between a semitransparent first reflective layer and a second reflective layer. The first reflective layer includes a reflective layer disposed adjacent the layer of microspheres. At least one layer of the reflective coating includes a non-uniform thickness associated with each of a plurality of microspheres such that light incident on the article from a first direction is retroreflected at a first color and light incident on the article from a second direction is retroreflected at a second color visibly different from the first color.

Abstract: A method of making a respirator, which method includes placing an electret in a respirator body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer. The electret is disposed in the respirator body such that air passes through it before being inhaled by a respirator wearer. The electret includes a nonwoven web that has fluorinated polymeric microfibers and that has at least about 25% atomic fluorine as detected by ESCA and a CF3:CF2 ratio of at least about 0.45.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: An electret is described that includes a surface modified polymeric article having surface fluorination produced by fluorinating the polymeric article.

Abstract: A method of making a respirator, which method includes placing an electret in a respirator body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a wearer. The electret is disposed in the respirator body such that air passes through it before being inhaled by a respirator wearer. The electret includes a nonwoven web that has fluorinated polymeric microfibers and that has at least about 25% atomic fluorine as detected by ESCA and a CF3:CF2 ratio of at least about 0.45.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a transdermal drug delivery device for delivering a pharmaceutically active agent comprising a reservoir comprising a releasably stored dosage of the pharmaceutically active agent and a substantially continuous, translucent inorganic barrier layer adjacent to at least a portion of the reservoir. The present invention also comprises a method of drug delivery to a mammal using such devices.

Abstract: Colorimetric sensor films comprising a reflective layer, a polymeric detection layer, and a semi-reflective layer are disclosed. Devices comprising the colorimetric sensor films and methods of making the films and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying the surface of a polymeric substrate, e.g., to improve the wettability of the polymer film surface and/or alter the metal adhesion properties of the surface of the substrate by exposing the substrate to a flame. The flame is supported by an oxidizer and fuel mixture that includes an effective amount, for modifying the polymeric substrate, of at least one sulfur-containing compound that functions as a fuel substitute. In addition, substrates are provided that have increased wettability or increased metal adhesion performance.

Abstract: An electret is described that includes a surface modified polymeric article having surface fluorination produced by fluorinating the polymeric article.

Abstract: An electret is described that includes a plasma surface modified polymeric article having plasma surface fluorination produced by fluorinating the polymeric article.

Abstract: An electret is described that includes a surface modified polymeric article having surface fluorination produced by fluorinating the polymeric article.