Abstract: The present invention relates to a responsive photonic coating and to a substrate provided with such a responsive photonic coating. The present invention also relates to a sensor. An object of the present invention is to provide a responsive photonic coating that can be used for simultaneously measuring the exposure to high temperature and steam, such as in an autoclave.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a high strength transparent high density polyethylene article comprising the steps of (i) heating a high density polyethylene (HDPE) to a temperature above the melting temperature (Tm) of the HDPE; (ii) molding the heated HDPE obtained in step (i) to form a hot molded HDPE article; (iii) cooling the hot molded HDPE article to a temperature below Tm to form a melt-crystallized HDPE article; (iv) stretching the melt-crystallized HDPE article to a total draw ratio of at least 5 comprising at least one stretching step of the article at a temperature T1 below the melting temperature Tm to a draw ratio (DR1) of at least 2 to form an oriented HDPE article, wherein the HDPE has a melt flow index (MFI) measured at 21.6 kg and 190° C. according to ASTM D1238 of at most 1.5 g/I Omin, an isotropic density measured according to ISO 1 183-1 A of at most 0.955 g/cm3 and a Tm measured according to ISO 1 1357-3 of greater than 130° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a high strength transparent high density polyethylene article comprising the steps of (i) heating a high density polyethylene (HDPE) to a temperature above the melting temperature (Tm) of the HDPE; (ii) molding the heated HDPE obtained in step (i) to form a hot molded HDPE article; (iii) cooling the hot molded HDPE article to a temperature below Tm to form a melt-crystallized HDPE article; (iv) stretching the melt-crystallized HDPE article to a total draw ratio of at least 5 comprising at least one stretching step of the article at a temperature T1 below the melting temperature Tm to a draw ratio (DR1) of at least 2 to form an oriented HDPE article, wherein the HDPE has a melt flow index (MFI) measured at 21.6 kg and 190° C. according to ASTM D1238 of at most 1.5 g/I Omin, an isotropic density measured according to ISO 1 183-1 A of at most 0.955 g/cm3 and a Tm measured according to ISO 1 1357-3 of greater than 130° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stretched molded article comprising a polymer A and a compound B, wherein the polymer A is a polyamide or a polyolefin and is at least partially oriented and comprises a crystalline phase and a non-crystalline phase, wherein the mass of compound B is from 0.25 to 10 mass % relative to the mass of polymer A, and wherein the compound B has a refractive index (nB) higher than the isotropic refractive index of polymer A (nA). The invention further relates to a process for manufacturing such stretch molded article, the use of such stretch molded articles and a product comprising such stretch molded article.

Abstract: Provided is an oriented polymeric sheet comprising a photochromic-dichroic material, wherein the sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. Also provided is a multilayer composite comprising at least a support layer; and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric sheet having two opposing surfaces and comprising a photochromic-dichroic material. The sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. At least one surface of the sheet is connected to at least a portion of the support layer. The present invention also relates to an optical element comprising the multilayer composite. Related methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a luminescent optical device (10) having an optical waveguide (200). The luminescent optical device (10) further has a photo-luminescent structure (100) on or inside the optical waveguide (200). The photo-luminescent structure (100) comprises a plurality of photo-luminescent domains (110) containing photo-luminescent material (120). The photo-luminescent material (120) is capable of emitting emission light upon excitation by excitation light. The photo-luminescent domains (110) are arranged to emit, upon excitation by excitation light, at least part of the emission light into the optical waveguide layer (200). The luminescent optical device (10) further may comprise a lens structure (300) on the optical waveguide (200).

Abstract: An optical device (1) is provided. The optical device comprising a switchable layer (2) at least one alignment layer (6) a light guiding system (5), whereas the switchable layer (2) comprises a luminescent material (3) for absorbing and emitting light, whereby the alignment of the luminescent material (3) is changeable and the light guiding system (5) guides the emitted light, whereby the switchable layer (2) is in contact with the at least one alignment layer (6) and the luminescent material (3) exhibits anisotropic properties, whereby the optical device (1) comprises a light energy-converting means (7), wherein the light guiding system (5) is in physical contact with the energy converting means (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a photo-embossing process for the preparation of a polymeric relief structure comprising the steps of: a) coating a substrate with a coating composition comprising one or more radiation-sensitive ingredients and less than 30 wt % polymeric binder material; b) locally treating the coated substrate with electromagnetic radiation having a periodic, non-periodic or random radiation-intensity pattern, forming a latent image, at a temperature below a transition temperature of the coating composition; and c) polymerizing and/or crosslinking the resulting coated substrate, at a temperature above said transition temperature, wherein the transition temperature is a temperature that defines a transition of the coating composition between a state of high viscosity and low viscosity and wherein the coating composition comprises a compound A comprising at least one radiation curable group and a photoinitiator, the coating composition having a transition temperature between 30° C. and 120° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for detecting a component (20) of an atmosphere, the sensor comprising a sensing surface (14, 16) covered by a barrier layer (18) of a material switchable between respective layer orientations that have permeability to the component. A NFC device comprising such a sensor, a package incorporating the NFC device and a method of manufacturing the sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a luminescent optical device (10) having an optical waveguide (200). The luminescent optical device (10) further has a photo-luminescent structure (100) on or inside the optical waveguide (200). The photo-luminescent structure (100) comprises a plurality of photo-luminescent domains (110) containing photo-luminescent material (120). The photo-luminescent material (120) is capable of emitting emission light upon excitation by excitation light. The photo-luminescent domains (110) are arranged to emit, upon excitation by excitation light, at least part of the emission light into the optical waveguide layer (200). The luminescent optical device (10) further may comprise a lens structure (300) on the optical waveguide (200).

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional optical sensor, having at least 2 areas which independently react to different input parameters, the sensor comprising a substrate and a polymeric layer comprising polymerized liquid crystal monomers having an ordered morphology, wherein the color, the reflectivity or the birefringence of the sensor changes due to a change of the morphology, wherein said change of the morphology is caused by physical contact with a chemical agent such as a gas or liquid a change of temperature, or passage of time. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the sensor and for the use of a film comprising a single substrate, a layer having a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure for application in labels for packaging of perishable goods, food, fine chemicals, bio-medical materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photo-embossing process for the preparation of a polymeric relief structure comprising the steps of: a) coating a substrate with a coating composition comprising one or more radiation-sensitive ingredients and less than 30 wt % polymeric binder material; b) locally treating the coated substrate with electromagnetic radiation having a periodic, non-periodic or random radiation-intensity pattern, forming a latent image, at a temperature below a transition temperature of the coating composition; and c) polymerizing and/or crosslinking the resulting coated substrate, at a temperature above said transition temperature, wherein the transition temperature is a temperature that defines a transition of the coating composition between a state of high viscosity and low viscosity and wherein the coating composition comprises a compound A comprising at least one radiation curable group and a photoinitiator, the coating composition having a transition temperature between 30° C. and 120° C.

Abstract: An optical device (1) is provided. The optical device comprising a switchable layer (2) at least one alignment layer (6) a light guiding system (5), whereas the switchable layer (2) comprises a luminescent material (3) for absorbing and emitting light, whereby the alignment of the luminescent material (3) is changeable and the light guiding system (5) guides the emitted light, whereby the switchable layer (2) is in contact with the at least one alignment layer (6) and the luminescent material (3) exhibits anisotropic properties, whereby the optical device (1) comprises a light energy-converting means (7), wherein the light guiding system (5) is in physical contact with the energy converting means (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymeric relief structure comprising the steps of coating a substrate with a coating composition comprising one or more radiation-sensitive ingredients, locally treating the coated substrate with electromagnetic radiation having a periodic or random radiation-intensity pattern, forming a latent image, and polymerizing and/or crosslinking the resulting coated substrate, wherein the coating composition comprises one or more RAFT agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymeric relief structure comprising the steps of coating a substrate with a coating composition comprising one or more radiation-sensitive ingredients, locally treating the coated substrate with electromagnetic radiation having a periodic or random radiation-intensity pattern, forming a latent image, and polymerizing and/or crosslinking the resulting coated substrate, wherein the coating composition comprises one or more radical scavengers in an amount sufficient to inhibit/retard substantial polymerization in the non-treated areas of the coated substrate, and low enough to allow polymerization and/or crosslinking in the treated areas in step c, with the proviso that the amount of oxygen present in the coating composition is not equal to the equilibrium amount of oxygen present when the coating composition is in contact with air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a holographic film. The method includes a polymerizable composition that comprises monomers with high reactivity, monomers with low reactivity and a non-reactive material. The method comprises a patterned exposure to obtain a patterned polymerization of the monomers with high reactivity and a subsequent polymerization to polymerize also monomers with low reactivity to form a solid film. The method gives a holographic film with a high refractive index modulation and a modulated porosity.

Abstract: This invention relates to flexible structures (401) that respond to the application of an agent. Upon application of the agent, the flexible structure bends (402) in a predetermined fashion. The flexible structure is formed from a polymer liquid crystal that is orientated to define an upper surface layer and a lower surface layer having an essentially different molecule orientation, and the polymer liquid crystal is such that a length/width ration is changed upon application of the agent. Thereby, the upper and lower surface layers respond differently to the application of the agent, resulting in bending or un-bending of the flexible structure (401).

Abstract: The invention relates to an edge-lit slab waveguide equipped with a slanted anisotropic holographic layer, which couples out linearly polarized light. The invention further relates a new slanted anisotropic holographic layer suitable for use on the waveguide according to the invention, to a method to prepare such layer, and devices comprising the waveguide according to the invention.

Abstract: A polarized light emitting waveguide plate (60) comprises an entrance side (64) for coupling light into the wave guide plate (60), a major exit surface (65) for coupling light out of the waveguide plate, and polarization means for selectively directing a component of a first polarization state of light coupled in via the entrance side (64) towards the exit surface (65), the polarization means comprising an anisotropically light scattering layer (26) which selectively scatters the component of the first polarization state towards the exit surface (65). In a preferred embodiment the waveguide plate (60) is made of conventionally processed polymeric materials in the form of a laminate of waveguide substrate (68), anisotropically light scattering layer(26) and, optionally, an optically transparent cover layer (69).

Abstract: A method for producing optical rod-shaped graded-index polymer preform by making the composition of the preform near the core differ from the composition of the shell of the preform by polymerization with rotation of a mixture containing the starting substances, whereby a mixture comprising various monomers is rotated and that after achieving a distribution of the monomers, the polymerization is carried out with rotation of the mixture, or that a monomer and thermoplastic polymer-containing mixture, whereby said monomer is different from the monomer from which said polymer has been prepared, is rotated and that, after achieving a distribution of said monomer and polymer, the monomer present in said mixture is subsequently polymerized with rotation, in which both cases the rotation is carried out with a diameter dependent rotation velocity, represented by the following general equation: rpm>10,000 d.sup.-0.5 wherein: rpm=rotation velocity, revolutions per minute d=diameter of the preform (cm).