Abstract: Disclosed herein is an injection molding method for making optical thermoplastic lenses using 3D-printed functional wafers. The method employs a variable injection molding cavity temperature that is heated to at least wafer Tg?10° C.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes optical articles comprising a film layer that has first and second film surfaces and is embossed such that the first film surface defines a plurality of concave optical elements and the second film surface defines a plurality of convex optical elements. The present optical articles can include one or more optical layers coupled to the film layer. Each of the optical layer(s) can encapsulate the concave optical elements or the convex optical elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical lens (417, 901), comprising: obtaining (S301) a transparent thermoplastic (TP) carrier (410, 1210) with at least one smooth surface; printing (S305), via a 3-D printer on the side opposite to the at least one smooth surface of the transparent TP carrier (410, 1210), at least one transparent layer (420, 1220) using a thermoplastic filament (403), each transparent layer (420, 1220) having a predetermined light filtering property, thereby forming a functional layer (420, 1220); and performing (S307) an injection over-molding process (415) to fuse bond the functional layer (420, 1220) to a thermoplastic substrate thereby forming the optical lens, wherein the at least one smooth surface of the transparent TP carrier (410, 1210) forms a smooth surface of the manufactured optical lens (417, 901).

Abstract: Disclosed are optical elements and the methods of producing the same. The optical element contains two or more near infrared absorbers mixed in an optical substrate, and one or more functional film disposed on the optical substrate. The method of producing the optical element comprises mixing two near infrared absorbers with different near infrared wavelengths absorption ranges and residual colors with a precursor of an optical substrate. The mixture is subsequently processed to produce an optical element that has broad near infrared wavelength absorption range, a high near infrared absorption level, and/or homogeneous color distribution.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ophthalmic lenses for correction of myopia. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an ophthalmic lens, comprising a first layer having microstructures on a first surface of the first layer, the microstructures on the first surface of the first layer being formed in a pattern, a material of the first layer being a thermoplastic material; and a second layer formed on the first surface of the first layer, wherein a glass transition temperature of the first layer is higher than a glass transition temperature of the second layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an injection molding method for making optical thermoplastic lenses using 3D—printed functional wafers. The method employs a variable injection molding cavity temperature that is heated to at least wafer Tg—10° C.

Abstract: The disclosure includes core-shell filament composition for additive manufacturing of ophthalmic lenses and ophthalmic lens components. The disclosure also includes a set of criteria for selecting core and shell thermoplastic combinations that exhibit high optical clarity, improved filament inter-strand diffusion, high inter-strand adhesion, and improved manufactured part strength when used in an additive manufacturing method like fused deposition modelling.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical lens includes providing a lens having microstructures on a surface thereof and an adhesive layer coated thereon; pressing a coating stack, via a carrier layer attached to a first surface of the coating stack by a release coating, against the adhesive layer, a second surface of the coating stack being in contact with the adhesive layer; and curing the adhesive layer and removing the carrier layer from the first surface of the coating stack via the release coating, wherein a thickness of the adhesive layer is greater than a depth of the microstructures on the surface of the lens.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical elements that contains two or more near infrared absorbers and methods of producing the same. Two near infrared absorbers with different near infrared wavelengths absorption ranges and residual colors are mixed with a precursor of an optical substrate. The resulting mixture is subsequently processed to produce optical elements that have a broad near infrared wavelength absorption range and a neutral residual color.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical lens includes providing a first mold insert of a molding device having a contacting surface, the contacting surface including a plurality of inverted microstructures disposed on the contacting surface, each microstructure of the plurality of inverted microstructures having a shape inversely related to a shape of microstructures on a surface of a molded base lens; replacing the first mold insert with a second mold insert having a contacting surface thereof; applying a curable coating to a surface of the base lens having the microstructures formed thereon; pressing the contacting surface of the second mold insert into at least a portion of the curable coating applied to the surface of the base lens; and curing the curable coating into a curable layer, the microstructures being substantially entirely encapsulated in the curable layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an injection molding method for making optical thermoplastic lenses using 3D—printed functional wafers. The method employs a variable injection molding cavity temperature that is heated to at least wafer Tg—10° C.

Abstract: An optical article comprising a cross-polarization cancelling optical polarized film, wherein the film comprises: at least a first section comprising a first edge, a first stretch ratio, and a first polarization efficiency, a second section comprising a second edge, a second stretch ratio, and a second polarization efficiency, wherein the first stretch ratio and first polarization efficiency are greater than the second stretch ratio and the second polarization efficiency; and a continuously decreasing polar gradient from the first edge of the film to the second edge of the film, and wherein the film is continuously and asymmetrically stretched.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes optical articles comprising a lens having first and second lens surfaces and a protective layer having first and second protective surfaces that is coupled to the lens such that the first protective surface is disposed on the second lens surface. The optical article can comprise a plurality of convex or concave optical elements defined on the second lens surface or the first protective surface. The protective layer can have a maximum thickness larger than a maximum height of each of the optical elements such that the protective layer encapsulates the optical elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes optical articles comprising a lens having first and second lens surfaces and a protective layer having first and second protective surfaces that is coupled to the lens such that the first protective surface is disposed on the second lens surface. The optical article can comprise a plurality of convex or concave optical elements defined on the second lens surface or the first protective surface. The protective layer can have a maximum thickness larger than a maximum height of each of the optical elements such that the protective layer encapsulates the optical elements.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens is provided. The method involves preparing a cross-polarization cancelling optical film for an optical article comprising providing a film having at least a first section comprising a first edge, a second section comprising a second edge, and a predetermined color intensity; providing an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises at least a first roller and a second roller, wherein the first roller and the second roller are configured to stretch at least a portion of the film; and continuously and asymmetrically stretching at least a portion of the film using the apparatus, while substantially maintaining the color intensity of the film.

Abstract: A mold insert includes a plurality of microstructures along a surface of the mold insert and a metal alloy, wherein the metal alloy has a thermal conductivity between 1 and 50 W/m-K. and wherein the metal alloy has a modulus of between 100 GPa and 1000 GPa.

Abstract: A mold device includes a mold including a first mold side and a second mold side having a lower thermal conductivity than the first mold side, the first mold side including a first mold insert disposed on a surface of the first mold side, the first mold insert including a plurality of inverted microstructures formed thereon, the plurality of inverted microstructures disposed according to a predetermined layout, wherein a thermal conductivity of the first mold side is 5 to 1,500 W·m?1·K?1 at 25° C., and a thermal conductivity of the second mold side is 0.01 to 2 W·m?1·K?1 at 25° C.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing partially polarized optical articles. A polarizing element is used to cover at least a portion of the front surface of an optical article to form a polarizing zone and a non-polarizing zone on the optical article. The optical article is then tinted to produce a gradual color transition between the polarizing zone and non-polarizing zone of the optical article.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical article having a Fresnel microstructure and an injection molding system for producing such an article. The method includes heating and cooling a mold and applying a pressure to a thermoplastic material during injection molding of the optical article to facilitate formation of the Fresnel microstructure.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems, apparatuses, and methods for an optical system. In some aspects, the systems and devices may produce a wafer for use in the manufacture of an optical article. The wafer includes a laminate having a first layer that includes a first matrix material having a lower surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface and a second layer that includes a second matrix material, the second layer is coupled to the first layer and covers at least a portion of the lower surface or the upper surface. The first layer includes a first thickness at a central portion that is greater than a second thickness at an edge portion.