Abstract: An apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor stack, a foldable display stack that includes a display stiffener, and an additional stiffener between the ultrasonic sensor stack and the foldable display stack. The additional stiffener forms an acoustic resonator with the display stiffener and an adhesive layer between the display stiffener and the additional stiffener in order to amplify transmission of ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic sensor stack. The additional stiffener includes a material having a high modulus of elasticity, low density, and high acoustic impedance value. In some cases, the additional stiffener includes a metal, a ceramic, a glass, or a glass ceramic. The additional stiffener increases an overall stiffness and mechanical integrity of the apparatus so that a foam backer may be omitted from the ultrasonic sensor stack.

Abstract: A method for creating a superhydrophobic coated nanoporous assembly includes the steps of: providing a nanoporous assembly formed of discrete and/or continuous structures that provide a morphology defining pores of less than 1 micron between neighboring discrete and continuous structures; bringing gaseous plasma precursors in the presence of the nanoporous assembly and in the presence of a plasma generator; employing the plasma generator to convert the gaseous plasma precursors to the plasma state; and permitting the plasma precursors to deposit as a coating on the nanoporous assembly through plasma polymerization techniques the deposition thereof preserving the porous structure of the nanoporous assembly, the deposited coating exhibiting a surface energy of less than 30 dynes/cm.

Abstract: A method for creating a superhydrophobic coated nanoporous assembly includes the steps of: providing a nanoporous assembly formed of discrete and/or continuous structures that provide a morphology defining pores of less than 1 micron between neighboring discrete and continuous structures; bringing gaseous plasma precursors in the presence of the nanoporous assembly and in the presence of a plasma generator; employing the plasma generator to convert the gaseous plasma precursors to the plasma state; and permitting the plasma precursors to deposit as a coating on the nanoporous assembly through plasma polymerization techniques the deposition thereof preserving the porous structure of the nanoporous assembly, the deposited coating exhibiting a surface energy of less than 30 dynes/cm.