Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing unidirectional fiber prepreg tapes for CMC articles are provided. In one exemplary aspect, the method includes casting a matrix material on a carrier film to form a matrix film. The matrix material of the matrix film is then allowed to dry for a predetermined time. The matrix film is then wrapped on a drum and the matrix material is wet to a predetermined viscosity with a solvent. Thereafter, a fiber tow that includes of a plurality of fibers is wound about the drum so that the fiber tow penetrates into the matrix material and the matrix material impregnates the fiber tow to form the prepreg tape.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing unidirectional fiber prepreg tapes for CMC articles are provided. In one exemplary aspect, the method includes casting a matrix material on a carrier film to form a matrix film. The matrix material of the matrix film is then allowed to dry for a predetermined time. The matrix film is then wrapped on a drum and the matrix material is wet to a predetermined viscosity with a solvent. Thereafter, a fiber tow that includes of a plurality of fibers is wound about the drum so that the fiber tow penetrates into the matrix material and the matrix material impregnates the fiber tow to form the prepreg tape.

Abstract: A method of processing a multilayer film is provided. The method includes providing a substrate film having a substrate film first surface and a substrate film second surface. The method also includes providing a barrier layer adjacent to the substrate film second surface. The barrier layer has at least one opening allowing fluid communication between the substrate film and an outer surface of the barrier layer. Further, the method includes contacting the substrate film first surface with a first reactant and finally contacting the outer surface of the barrier layer with a second reactant, said second reactant being reactive with said first reactant. The method of contacting the substrate film first surface to the first reactant and contacting the outer surface of the barrier layer to the second reactant is carried out under conditions under which reaction between said first reactant and the second reactant results in a formation of a reaction layer.

Abstract: A method of processing a multilayer film is provided. The method includes providing a substrate film having a substrate film first surface and a substrate film second surface. The method also includes providing a barrier layer adjacent to the substrate film second surface. The barrier layer has at least one opening allowing fluid communication between the substrate film and an outer surface of the barrier layer. Further, the method includes contacting the substrate film first surface with a first reactant and finally contacting the outer surface of the barrier layer with a second reactant, said second reactant being reactive with said first reactant. The method of contacting the substrate film first surface to the first reactant and contacting the outer surface of the barrier layer to the second reactant is carried out under conditions under which reaction between said first reactant and the second reactant results in a formation of a reaction layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment a film can comprises a surface comprising a plurality of prism structures. Each prism structure has a lateral modulation in the w direction of less than or equal to ±20% of an average pitch of the prism structures. The plurality of prism structures can have a variation in the w direction of prism peak height that is discrete and/or continuous. In one embodiment, a method for making a film can comprise forming a plurality of prism structures on a surface. The plurality of prism structures can have a lateral modulation in the w direction of less than or equal to ±20% of an average pitch of the prism structures, and wherein the plurality of prism structures have a variation in the w direction of prism peak height that is discrete and/or continuous.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a backlight assembly comprises: a bulb having a bulb first side and a bulb second side located on a side of the bulb opposite the first side, a reflector plate disposed on the bulb first side, and a front bulb reflector disposed over the bulb second side. The front bulb reflector has a partially reflective member capable of reflecting greater than or equal to 60% of light from the bulb toward the reflector plate, and an inner surface on a reflector second side located opposite the reflector first side. The overall geometry of the front bulb reflector is concave on the reflector second side and convex on the reflector first side.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a backlight assembly comprises: a bulb having a bulb first side and a bulb second side located on a side of the bulb opposite the first side, a reflector plate disposed on the bulb first side, and a front bulb reflector disposed over the bulb second side. The front bulb reflector has a partially reflective member capable of reflecting greater than or equal to 60% of light from the bulb toward the reflector plate, and an inner surface on a reflector second side located opposite the reflector first side. The overall geometry of the front bulb reflector is concave on the reflector second side and convex on the reflector first side.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a film can comprise a transparent substrate comprising a plurality of prism structures, wherein the prism structures have a blunt tip having a tip length of 250 nm to 2,000 nm. The film can be used in various applications, such as back light displays. In one embodiment, a method for forming a master for a film can comprise ion beam etching a diamond tip to form a blunt tip having a tip length of 250 nm to 2,000 nm, and forming negatives of prism structures into a master using the diamond tip.

Abstract: In one embodiment a film can comprises a surface comprising a plurality of prism structures. Each prism structure has a lateral modulation in the w direction of less than or equal to ±20% of an average pitch of the prism structures. The plurality of prism structures can have a variation in the w direction of prism peak height that is discrete and/or continuous. In one embodiment, a method for making a film can comprise forming a plurality of prism structures on a surface. The plurality of prism structures can have a lateral modulation in the w direction of less than or equal to ±20% of an average pitch of the prism structures, and wherein the plurality of prism structures have a variation in the w direction of prism peak height that is discrete and/or continuous.

Abstract: In one embodiment a film can comprises a surface comprising a plurality of prism structures. Each prism structure has a lateral modulation in the w direction of less than or equal to ±20% of an average pitch of the prism structures. The plurality of prism structures can have a variation in the w direction of prism peak height that is discrete and/or continuous. In one embodiment, a method for making a film can comprise forming a plurality of prism structures on a surface. The plurality of prism structures can have a lateral modulation in the w direction of less than or equal to ±20% of an average pitch of the prism structures, and wherein the plurality of prism structures have a variation in the w direction of prism peak height that is discrete and/or continuous.

Abstract: A system for the inspection of and a process for the correction of defects in a microreplicated optical display film manufacturing process. The process steps of manufacturing a master, a plurality of shims from the master, and a multiplicity of display films from each shim are integrated with a systemic defect identification and correction process. Each primary manufacturing step has its own inspection system and correction process where defect information for that step of the process is fed back and analyzed; and from that analysis the subprocess is adjusted to eliminate or reduce the detected defect. The systemic defect is identified as to its source and then fed back and analyzed in the correction step of the respective subprocess in order to cure the root of the defect.

Abstract: A removal assembly and method for removing a submaster from a master is described. A curved tooling surface is arranged within a housing of the assembly. A first array of vacuum cups is attached to the housing adjacent a first end of the curved tooling surface, where the first array of vacuum cups are configured to provide a vacuum grip on a first portion of the submaster. A second array of vacuum cups is attached to the housing adjacent a second end of the curved tooling surface, where the second end opposes the first end, the second array of vacuum cups is configured to provide a vacuum grip on a second portion of the submaster. A rotation mechanism is configured to rotationally support the master as the master is rolled along the curved tooling surface to remove the submaster.

Abstract: A light management film includes a first layer with a thermoplastic resin and a particular phosphonium sulfonate salt, and a second layer formed from a curable composition and having a refractive index of at least 1.5. The light management film exhibits reduced static electricity build-up and reduced dust attraction, making it easier to handle during fabrication of display devices such as the flat panel displays of laptop computers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising illuminating a microstructured prism, or linear array of prisms of a prism sheet with an incident beam. The method further comprises making measurements of the refracted image of the beam on a measuring device to measure the distance disposed on an opposing side of the prism sheet from the side that the light beam is incident upon. Measurement of two angles of the refracted images of the beam on the ruled scale, measured twice, illuminating the sample at different angles are used in an equation to simultaneously provide the apex angle, the skew angle and the refractive index of the prism sheet.

Abstract: A composition comprising a phenylthioethylacrylate, a multifunctional (meth)acrylate, a curing agent, wherein the phenylthioethylacrylate comprises less than about 400 parts per million tin and less than about 2 percent by weight of the corresponding phenylthioethanol. The composition may further comprise at least one unsaturated acid.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a brightness enhancement film comprises: a diffusing film comprising a front surface and a back surface, a coating on the front surface, and light redirecting structures disposed in the coating. The brightness enhancement film is capable of collimating light, and wherein, without the coating, the diffusing film would be capable of spread light passing through the back surface. In another embodiment, the brightness enhancement film comprises: a diffusing film comprising a front surface and a back surface, a coating on the front surface, and light redirecting structures disposed in the coating. The diffusing film has a stress retardation gradient of less than or equal to 50 nm/in, wherein an interval for calculation of the stress retardation gradient is less than 1 inch. The brightness enhancement film is capable of collimating light.

Abstract: Optical articles, including light management films, prepared from brominated polycarbonate material are disclosed. The brominated polycarbonate provides a film exhibiting good light transmittance, high refractive index, good flame resistance, and good mechanical properties.

Abstract: Blends of oligomeric urethane multi(meth)acrylate; optionally at least one other monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic monomers, styrenic monomers and ethylenically unsaturated nitrogen heterocycles, preferably a polyol multi(meth)acrylate; and nanoparticles of an ethylenically unsaturated, preferably (meth)acrylic-functionalized, titanium or zirconium compound can be cured by ultraviolet radiation in contact with a photoinitiator to produce optical resinous articles having high refractive indices, haze ratings of at most 5% and other properties which may be tailored according to the desired use.

Abstract: Blends of monofunctional and multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomers, optionally in addition to oligomeric multifunctional (meth)acrylates), can be cured by ultraviolet radiation in contact with a photoinitiator to produce optical resinous articles having a glass transition temperature of at least 35° C. and having physical properties making them suitable for use as microstructure-bearing articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a thermoplastic film having low-birefringent, low stress and at least one polished surface for optical media applications as well as low stress film for non-optical applications using a continuous extrusion process. The apparatus consists of a novel calendering roll in a calendering roll stack wherein, at least one roll consists of an inner steel shell, a resilient covering over the inner steel roll and a multi-layer metal sleeve outer covering of at least two layers. The metal sleeve preferably consists of three layers. The inner layer of the multi-layer outer sleeve is preferably nickel, the intermediate layer is preferably copper and the outer layer is preferably chrome with a highly polished surface. The film produced by the process has a retardation value (birefringence times thickness) of less than about 100 nanometers and a surface roughness of less than about 4 microinches.