Abstract: Transparent composite articles can be prepared to have one or more electrically-conductive metal-containing patterns. Such method includes steps A), B?), and C), in order. Step A) is providing one or more electrically-conductive metal-containing patterns on a surface of a first substrate. Step B?) is transferring the one or more electrically-conductive metal-containing patterns to a surface of a second substrate thereby providing an electrically-conductive metal-containing pattern on the surface of the second substrate, wherein the second substrate is a transparent laminating film. Step C) is laminating the second substrate with the transferred electrically-conductive metal-containing pattern between two panes of glass to provide the composite article that can be used in various ways, such as antennae in windshields or other transparent structures.

Abstract: An article is provided to have a transparent substrate; and an electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern disposed on a surface the transparent substrate. The electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern has, in order outwardly from a surface of the transparent substrate: a first darkening agent; a metallic pattern; and a second darkening agent. The first darkening agent substantially conforms to a first surface of the metallic pattern, forming a first darkened surface on the metallic pattern. In addition, the second darkening agent is disposed over at least a portion of a second surface of the metallic pattern, forming a second darkened surface on the metallic pattern.

Abstract: An article comprising an electrically-conductive metal-containing pattern is provided by: A-1) providing a pattern of a catalytic ink on a surface of a first substrate; A-2) curing the pattern of the catalytic ink sufficient to form a cured catalytic ink pattern; A-3) electrolessly plating a metal on the cured catalytic ink pattern to form a metallic pattern on the cured catalytic ink pattern; B) applying a first darkening agent directly to a first surface of the metallic pattern to form a first darkened surface; C) transferring the metallic pattern to a second substrate so that the first darkened surface is in direct contact with the surface of the second substrate, leaving an undarkened second surface of the metallic pattern exposed to view; and D) applying a second darkening agent directly to the undarkened second surface of the metallic pattern, to form a second darkened surface of the metallic pattern.

Abstract: A transparent article has a transparent laminating film; and an electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern disposed over a surface of the transparent laminating film. The electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern has a metallic pattern comprising a first surface facing the transparent laminating film and an opposing second surface. Such articles can be prepared using steps A) and B?), in order: A) providing a metallic pattern on a surface of a first substrate; and B?) transferring the metallic pattern to a surface of a second substrate, thereby providing an electrically-conductive metal-containing pattern on the surface of the second substrate, wherein the second substrate is a transparent laminating film.

Abstract: A transparent article is prepared with a transparent polymeric film and an electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern disposed over a surface of the transparent polymeric film. Such pattern has, in order outwardly from a surface of the transparent polymeric film: a metallic pattern having a first surface facing the transparent polymeric film and an opposing second surface; and a pattern of a catalytic ink disposed over at least a portion of the opposing second surface. Such articles can be prepared by A-1) providing a pattern of a catalytic ink on the surface of the first substrate; A-2) curing the catalytic ink pattern sufficient to form a cured catalytic ink pattern; A-3) electrolessly plating a metal onto the cured catalytic ink pattern to form the metallic pattern on the surface of the first substrate, and B?) transferring the metallic pattern to a surface of a second substrate that is a transparent laminating film.

Abstract: A composite article has a transparent polymeric film and an electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern disposed on a surface of the transparent polymeric film. The electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern has, in order outwardly from a surface of the transparent polymeric film: a metallic pattern having a first surface facing the transparent polymeric film and an opposing second surface; and a pattern of a catalytic ink disposed over at least a portion of the second surface of the metallic pattern. The transparent polymeric film with the electrically-conductive, metal-containing pattern disposed thereon is sandwiched between two panes of transparent rigid substrates and serves as a transparent laminating film to form the composite article.

Abstract: An article has an electrically-conductive metal-containing pattern and is prepared by: A) providing a metallic pattern on a first substrate; B) applying a darkening agent to the metallic pattern to form a first darkened surface; C) transferring the metallic pattern to a second substrate, leaving an undarkened second surface of the metallic pattern exposed to view; and D) applying a second darkening agent to the undarkened second surface. The first darkened surface formed in B) can have an L* value that is reduced by at least 1 unit compared to an L* value of the metallic pattern provided in A) before application of the darkening agent. Moreover, the second darkened surface formed in D) can have an L* value that is reduced by at least 1 unit compared to an L* value of the undarkened surface of the transferred metallic pattern provided in C).