Abstract: An article includes an optical filter that comprises a wavelength selective reflective layer and at least one wavelength selective absorbing layer. The optical filter has visible transmittance between 400 nm-700 nm of less than about 30% and near infrared transmittance at 830 nm-900 nm greater than about 30%.

Abstract: A light control film is disclosed that includes a plurality of spaced apart first regions. Each first region has a substantially low transmission in one or two of a first wavelength range from about 300 nm to about 400 nm, a second wavelength range from about 400 nm to about 700 nm, and a third wavelength range from about 700 nm to about 1200 nm, and a substantially high transmission in the remaining wavelength ranges.

Abstract: A detector system is disclosed that includes a detector that is sensitive to wavelengths in a detection wavelength range. The detector system further includes a light control film that is disposed on the detector and includes a plurality of alternating first and second regions. Each first region has a width W and a height H, where H/W?1. Each first region has a substantially low transmission in a first portion of the detection wavelength range and a substantially high transmission in the remaining portion of the detection wavelength range. Each second region has a substantially high transmission in the detection wavelength range.

Abstract: A retroreflective system is disclosed that includes a retroreflective sheet for retroreflecting light, and a light control film disposed on the retroreflective sheet. For a first wavelength, light incident on the light control film at each of a first and second angles of incidence is retroreflected. For a second wavelength, light incident on the light control film at the first, but not the second, angle of incidence is retroreflected.

Abstract: A multilayer film capacitor having a composite stack disposed between two electrodes where the composite stack includes at least one thermoplastic conductive layer and at least one thermoplastic insulating layer. The total thickness of the conductive layers is at least 3 times the total thickness of the insulating layers. The conductive layers may include a thermoplastic polymer blended with conductive particles at a concentration higher than a percolation threshold.

Abstract: A dispersion, a resin containing the dispersion and polymer film formed from the resin are disclosed. The dispersion includes an infrared light absorbing pigment including organo-metallic particles being less than 1.5 micrometer or less than one micrometer in size. The dispersion also includes a dispersant including phosphorus and a polyol.

Abstract: A dispersion, a resin containing the dispersion and polymer film formed from the resin are disclosed. The dispersion includes an infrared light absorbing pigment including organo-metallic particles being less than 1.5 micrometer or less than one micrometer in size. The dispersion also includes a dispersant including phosphorus and a polyol.

Abstract: A retarder film provides a first light retardation and can be heat processed in one or more selected areas to provide a second light retardation in the selected area(s). The retarder film may have an absorption characteristic such that the heat processing can be carried out by selectively exposing the film to a suitable radiant beam. The retarder film is composed of a stack of contiguous ultrathin layers configured to provide an effective optical medium for visible light. Visible light propagates through the stack as an effective medium having effective refractive indices along principal x-, y-, and z-axes. At least some of the ultrathin layers possess intrinsic birefringence, and the effective indices of the stack are functions of the intrinsic refractive indices of the constituent ultrathin layers. The heat processing is carried out so that the ultrathin layer stack structural integrity is not substantially altered in the processed area(s).

Abstract: Touch sensitive projection screens are disclosed. In particular, touch sensitive projection screen including drive electrodes, sense electrodes, and optical diffusers are disclosed. The touch sensitive projection screens are adapted for use on a horizontal surface. Touch sensitive projection screens including shrinkable layers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A melt-processable conductive material including a first continuous phase, a second continuous phase and a non-continuous phase. The first continuous phase includes a first polymer, the second continuous phase includes a second polymer, and the non-continuous phase includes a third polymer. The second continuous phase is co-continuous with the first continuous phase and the non-continuous phase is substantially contained within the first continuous phase. A plurality of conductive particles is distributed in the first polymer or at a boundary between the first continuous phase and the second continuous phase. The conductive particles form a conductive network.

Abstract: Tags are made from optical films to provide a pattern that is inconspicuous to ordinary observers, but that is detectable by a camera or other imaging device. The pattern is provided by first and second portions of a patterned layer, the first portions selectively filtering at least a portion of blue visible light from other visible light wavelengths. Filtering in the portion of the blue region helps make the pattern inconspicuous. The tags may also include an indicia layer configured to mark a location of the pattern, and a contrast enhancing layer disposed behind the patterned layer and configured to enhance a contrast of the pattern. In some cases, the first portions of the patterned layer may filter optical wavelengths other than blue, such as near-infrared light. The pattern may comprise machine-readable information, e.g., a linear bar code or a 2-D bar code. Associated methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a respirator (10) that includes a harness (13, 16), a mask body (12), and an exhalation valve (14) are disclosed. The exhalation valve (14) can include a valve seat (20) and a flexible flap (22) that is in engagement with the valve seat. The flexible flap can have one or more materials that can cause the flap to flash (26) when moving from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. The flashing valve can make it easier for a user to ascertain whether the valve is operating properly.

Abstract: A light source includes a lightguide having a top side comprising an optical film, a bottom side comprising a diffuse reflector, and an input side extending between the top and bottom sides. An illumination source is disposed proximate the input side of the lightguide. The optical film has adjacent first and second zones, each zone extending substantially an entire thickness of the optical stack or an entire thickness of at least one optical packet of the optical film. Light enters the lightguide from the light source propagating within the lightguide and being either reflected or transmitted by the optical film primarily by optical interference. For at least one first incidence angle and at least one wavelength, the first and second zones of the optical film have substantially equal optical transmittance. For at least one second incidence angle and at least one wavelength, the second zone has substantially greater optical transmittance than the first zone of the optical film.

Abstract: Multilayer optical film that can be used as a reflective polarizer or mirror is disclosed. The multilayer optical film comprises alternating optical layers of polyesters such as PET and PEN, copolymerized with 4,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylate. The multilayer optical film exhibits a high ratio of in-plane to out-of-plane birefringence.

Abstract: A dispersion, a resin containing the dispersion and polymer film formed from the resin are disclosed. The dispersion includes an infrared light absorbing pigment including organo-metallic particles being less than 1.5 micrometer or less than one micrometer in size. The dispersion also includes a dispersant including phosphorus and a polyol.

Abstract: A multilayer film capacitor having a composite stack disposed between two electrodes where the composite stack includes at least one thermoplastic conductive layer and at least one thermoplastic insulating layer. The total thickness of the conductive layers is at least 3 times the total thickness of the insulating layers. The conductive layers may include a thermoplastic polymer blended with conductive particles at a concentration higher than a percolation threshold.

Abstract: Tags are made from optical films to provide a pattern that is inconspicuous to ordinary observers, but that is detectable by a camera or other imaging device. The pattern is provided by first and second portions of a patterned layer, the first portions selectively filtering at least a portion of blue visible light from other visible light wavelengths. Filtering in the portion of the blue region helps make the pattern inconspicuous. The tags may also include an indicia layer configured to mark a location of the pattern, and a contrast enhancing layer disposed behind the patterned layer and configured to enhance a contrast of the pattern. In some cases, the first portions of the patterned layer may filter optical wavelengths other than blue, such as near-infrared light. The pattern may comprise machine-readable information, e.g., a linear bar code or a 2-D bar code. Associated methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retarder film provides a first light retardation and can be heat processed in one or more selected areas to provide a second light retardation in the selected area(s). The retarder film may have an absorption characteristic such that the heat processing can be carried out by selectively exposing the film to a suitable radiant beam. The retarder film is composed of a stack of contiguous ultrathin layers configured to provide an effective optical medium for visible light. Visible light propagates through the stack as an effective medium having effective refractive indices along principal x-, y-, and z-axes. At least some of the ultrathin layers possess intrinsic birefringence, and the effective indices of the stack are functions of the intrinsic refractive indices of the constituent ultrathin layers. The heat processing is carried out so that the ultrathin layer stack structural integrity is not substantially altered in the processed area(s).

Abstract: A retarder film provides a first light retardation and can be heat processed in one or more selected areas to provide a second light retardation in the selected area(s). The retarder film may have an absorption characteristic such that the heat processing can be carried out by selectively exposing the film to a suitable radiant beam. The retarder film is composed of a stack of contiguous ultrathin layers configured to provide an effective optical medium for visible light. Visible light propagates through the stack as an effective medium having effective refractive indices along principal x-, y-, and z-axes. At least some of the ultrathin layers possess intrinsic birefringence, and the effective indices of the stack are functions of the intrinsic refractive indices of the constituent ultrathin layers. The heat processing is carried out so that the ultrathin layer stack structural integrity is not substantially altered in the processed area(s).

Abstract: An optical stack (400) having a plurality of alternating polymeric layers (401, 402) is described. The alternating layers may be alternating birefringent (syndiotactic polystyrene, sPS) and isotropic (CoPENa) layers, or alternating positively and negatively birefringent layers. Birefringent layers are made using polymers which form optically symmetrical crystallites upon stretching of the polymer. The optical stack has a large refractive index difference in the x-direction (the stretching direction) and small refractive index differences in the y- and z-directions (the non-stretching directions). The optical stack can be made using standard film tentering methods and may be a multilayer reflective polarizer.