Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a functional material to a receiver includes a pressurized source of solvent in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. The solvent is in a liquid state within the pressurized source. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet such that the thermodynamically stable mixture is ejected from the outlet. A receiver having a back is positioned a predetermined distance from the outlet of the discharge device. The solvent of the thermodynamically mixture evaporates at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device and a predetermined amount of the functional material contacts the receiver at a predetermined distance from the back of the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing and coating includes providing a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a solvent and a marking material. A printhead is connected to the pressurized source. The printhead is configured to produce a first shaped beam of the marking material and a second shaped beam of the marking material. The marking material can be different marking materials or the same marking material.

Abstract: An imaging composition comprising a mixture of a fluid and a functional material; wherein the fluid is compressed and the functional material is dispersed and/or solubilized in the compressed fluid; and wherein the mixture is thermodynamically stable or thermodynamically metastable or both.

Abstract: An imaging composition comprises a mixture of a fluid and a functional material; wherein the fluid is compressed and the functional material is an electroluminescent material which is dissolved, dispersed and/or solubilized in the compressed fluid; and wherein the mixture is thermodynamically stable or thermodynamically metastable or both.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a fluid and a marking material. Portions of a printhead define a delivery path, which is connected to the pressurized source. The printhead includes a discharge device having an outlet with a portion of the discharge device being positioned along the delivery path. The discharge device is shaped to produce a shaped beam of the marking material. The fluid is in a gaseous state at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device. An actuating mechanism is positioned along the delivery path and has an open position at least partially removed from the delivery path.

Abstract: Scratch-resistant nanocomposite materials contain at least one film-forming hydrophilic colloid and at least one ceramic nanoparticle material. In particular, the film-forming hydrophilic colloid may be a gelatin, and the ceramic nanoparticle material may be alumina. In another aspect, the invention relates to scratch-resistant imaging elements comprising a support and a layer comprising such a nanocomposite material. The nanocomposite layer may be employed as an imaging layer, or as a protective layer disposed between an imagining layer and the environment.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nanoscale particulate material is described comprising: (i) combining one or more functional material to be precipitated as nanoscale particles and one or more surface active material in a compressed CO2 phase with a density of at least 0.1 g/cc, where the functional material is substantially insoluble in the compressed CO2 in the absence of the surfactant, the surfactant comprises a compressed CO2-philic portion and a functional material-philic portion, and the compressed CO2 phase, functional material and surfactant interact to form an aggregated system having a continuous compressed CO2 phase and a plurality of aggregates comprising surfactant and functional material molecules of average diameter less than 10 nanometers dispersed therein; and (ii) rapidly depressurizing the compressed CO2 phase thereby precipitating the dispersed functional and surfactant materials in the form of composite particles of average diameter from 0.5 to less than 10 nanometers.

Abstract: An effective desiccant for use in a package which has a material including at least in part solid particles of one or more materials, at least one of such materials having an average particle size range 0.001 to 0.1 micrometers to provide a high rate of water absorption and to provide an equilibrium minimum humidity level lower than a humidity level to which a highly moisture sensitive electronic device is sensitive within a sealed enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a functional material to a receiver includes a pressurized source of solvent in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. The solvent is in a liquid state within the pressurized source. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet such that the thermodynamically stable mixture is ejected from the outlet. A receiver having a back is positioned a predetermined distance from the outlet of the discharge device. The solvent of the thermodynamically mixture evaporates at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device and a predetermined amount of the functional material contacts the receiver at a predetermined distance from the back of the receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of focusing a functional material is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized source of fluid in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet. The discharge device is shaped to produce a collimated beam of functional material, where the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location before or beyond the outlet of the discharge device. The fluid can be one of a compressed liquid and a supercritical fluid. The thermodynamically stable mixture includes one of the functional material being dispersed in the fluid and the functional material being dissolved in the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of delivering a functional material is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized source of fluid in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet. The discharge device is shaped to produce a collimated beam of functional material, where the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location before or beyond the outlet of the discharge device. A beam control device is positioned proximate to the outlet of the discharge device such that the collimated beam of functional material is controlled after the collimated beam of functional material moves through the outlet of the discharge device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of focusing a functional material is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized source of fluid in a thermodynamically stable mixture with a functional material. A discharge device having an inlet and an outlet is connected to the pressurized source at the inlet. The discharge device is shaped to produce a collimated beam of functional material, where the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location before or beyond the outlet of the discharge device. The fluid can be one of a compressed liquid and a supercritical fluid. The thermodynamically stable mixture includes one of the functional material being dispersed in the fluid and the functional material being dissolved in the fluid.