Abstract: The present disclosure describes articles, such as medical articles, containing a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic gel material (e.g., a shaped hydrophilic gel material or a coating of a hydrophilic gel material) and methods for making such articles. Methods are provided for making hydrophilic gel materials from a precursor composition that contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material that is miscible with the polar solvent.

Abstract: A method includes providing an elastomeric stamp including a stamping surface with a first pattern element having a fill factor of 20 to 99 percent and including a continuous region and at least one discontinuous region, the discontinuous region including at least one of: (1) one or more elongated concavities, and (2) one or more interior voids. A second pattern element of the stamping surface has a fill factor of 0.25 to 10 percent, and includes traces with a width from 0.1 micrometers to 50 micrometers. The stamping surface is inked with an ink composition including a functionalizing molecule with a functional group selected to bind to a surface of the ink-receptive material. The inked stamping surface is contacted with an ink-receptive material selected from a sheet or a web for a contact time sufficient to bind the functional group with the surface of the ink-receptive material to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of the functionalizing material.

Abstract: A method includes contact printing an active composition onto a surface of a release substrate to form a printed surface. The active composition spontaneously dewets the surface of the release substrate to form active deposits on the surface of the release substrate. The active composition comprises an active agent dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous liquid vehicle. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed on the printed surface.

Abstract: A system for making flexible circuit films includes an inelastic conveyor, a web handling apparatus configured to pass a flexible substrate around the inelastic conveyor, an image acquisition apparatus configured to measure positions of a first set of alignment marks on the flexible substrate at a first conveyor location, an exposure apparatus configured to patternwise expose a photosensitive material on the flexible substrate at a second conveyor location, and an image processor configured to receive the measured positions of the first set of alignment marks, and to compare the measured positions with reference positions of the first set of alignment marks. The exposure apparatus is configured to patternwise expose the photosensitive material based on the comparison between the measured positions and the reference positions.

Abstract: A method includes providing an elastomeric stamp including a stamping surface with a first pattern element having a fill factor of 20 to 99 percent and including a continuous region and at least one discontinuous region, the discontinuous region including at least one of: (1) one or more elongated concavities, and (2) one or more interior voids. A second pattern element of the stamping surface has a fill factor of 0.25 to 10 percent, and includes traces with a width from 0.1 micrometers to 50 micrometers. The stamping surface is inked with an ink composition including a functionalizing molecule with a functional group selected to bind to a surface of the ink-receptive material. The inked stamping surface is contacted with an ink-receptive material selected from a sheet or a web for a contact time sufficient to bind the functional group with the surface of the ink-receptive material to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of the functionalizing material.

Abstract: Metalized web substrate is wet etched in a reaction vessel by contacting with oxidizing and metal complexing agent to remove metal from unpatterned region. Following etching, substrate is rinsed, and rinse is at least partly recycled. Concentrations of oxidizing and metal complexing agents in the etchant bath are maintained by delivering replenishment feeds of each. Concentration of metal in the etchant bath is maintained by discharging some of the etchant bath. Replenishment rates of oxidizing and metal complexing agents and etchant removal rate are determined based at least in part on rate that metal etched from the substrate enters the etchant bath.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes articles, such as medical articles, containing a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic gel material (e.g., a shaped hydrophilic gel material or a coating of a hydrophilic gel material) and methods for making such articles. Methods are provided for making hydrophilic gel materials from a precursor composition that contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material that is miscible with the polar solvent.

Abstract: A method includes contact printing an active composition onto a surface of a release substrate to form a printed surface. The active composition spontaneously dewets the surface of the release substrate to form active deposits on the surface of the release substrate. The active composition comprises an active agent dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous liquid vehicle. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed on the printed surface.

Abstract: Metalized web substrate is wet etched in a reaction vessel by contacting with oxidizing and metal complexing agent to remove metal from unpatterned region. Following etching, substrate is rinsed, and rinse is at least partly recycled. Concentrations of oxidizing and metal complexing agents in the etchant bath are maintained by delivering replenishment feeds of each. Concentration of metal in the etchant bath is maintained by discharging some of the etchant bath. Replenishment rates of oxidizing and metal complexing agents and etchant removal rate are determined based at least in part on rate that metal etched from the substrate enters the etchant bath.

Abstract: Method of patterning a substrate are described including a method of providing a substrate comprising a metalized surface having a self-assembled monolayer patterned region and unpatterned region; and wet etching the metalized surface in a liquid etchant agitated with bubbling gas to remove metal from the unpatterned regions to form a metal pattern. Also described are metal patterned article including an article comprising a substrate and an etched microcontact printed metal pattern disposed on the substrate wherein the pattern has a thickness of at least 100 nanometers and a pattern feature uniformity of at least 50% for an area of at least 25 cm2.

Abstract: A system for making flexible circuit films includes an inelastic conveyor, a web handling apparatus configured to pass a flexible substrate around the inelastic conveyor, an image acquisition apparatus configured to measure positions of a first set of alignment marks on the flexible substrate at a first conveyor location, an exposure apparatus configured to patternwise expose a photosensitive material on the flexible substrate at a second conveyor location, and an image processor configured to receive the measured positions of the first set of alignment marks, and to compare the measured positions with reference positions of the first set of alignment marks. The exposure apparatus is configured to patternwise expose the photosensitive material based on the comparison between the measured positions and the reference positions.

Abstract: Methods of making flexible circuit films include providing a polymer film or other flexible substrate having a plurality of alignment marks and a photosensitive material thereon. The substrate passes around a suitable roller, belt, or other inelastic conveyor such that the substrate and the conveyor move together at least from a first location to a second location. Positions of a first set of the alignment marks on a first portion of the substrate are measured when such portion is at the first location, and the measured positions can be used to calculate a distortion of the substrate. The photosensitive material is then patternwise exposed when the first portion of the substrate has moved to the second location. The patternwise exposing is based on the measured positions of the first set of alignment marks, and may include exposing the web with a distortion-adjusted pattern. Related systems and articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a layer of photosensitive material thereon and a mask having contiguous first, second, and third portions; and sequentially: i) scanning the first portion with a light beam at a first rate and subsequently impinges on the photosensitive material at an exposure zone; ii) fixing the scanning within the second portion; and iii) resuming scanning through the third portion. Throughout the process the substrate moves through the exposure zone. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a light beam source, a mask mount, a mask stage, a conveyor assembly, and at least one optical element for manipulating the light beam into a rectangular light beam.

Abstract: A process for forming gate structures is described. A web comprises a substrate, a plurality of conductive elements disposed on the substrate, and a conductive anodization bus. The web is moved through an anodization station to form a plurality of gate structures comprising a plurality of gate dielectrics adjacent to a plurality of gate electrodes. A process for forming electronic devices further providing a semiconductor, a source electrode, and a drain electrode is described.

Abstract: Method of patterning a substrate are described including a method of providing a substrate comprising a metalized surface having a self-assembled monolayer patterned region and unpatterned region; and wet etching the metalized surface in a liquid etchant agitated with bubbling gas to remove metal from the unpatterned regions to form a metal pattern. Also described are metal patterned article including an article comprising a substrate and an etched microcontact printed metal pattern disposed on the substrate wherein the pattern has a thickness of at least 100 nanometers and a pattern feature uniformity of at least 50% for an area of at least 25 cm2.

Abstract: Methods of making flexible circuit films include providing a polymer film or other flexible substrate having a plurality of alignment marks and a photosensitive material thereon. The substrate passes around a suitable roller, belt, or other inelastic conveyor such that the substrate and the conveyor move together at least from a first location to a second location. Positions of a first set of the alignment marks on a first portion of the substrate are measured when such portion is at the first location, and the measured positions can be used to calculate a distortion of the substrate. The photosensitive material is then patternwise exposed when the first portion of the substrate has moved to the second location. The patternwise exposing is based on the measured positions of the first set of alignment marks, and may include exposing the web with a distortion-adjusted pattern. Related systems and articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a layer of photosensitive material thereon and a mask having contiguous first, second, and third portions; and sequentially: i) scanning the first portion with a light beam at a first rate and subsequently impinges on the photosensitive material at an exposure zone; ii) fixing the scanning within the second portion; and iii) resuming scanning through the third portion. Throughout the process the substrate moves through the exposure zone. An apparatus for carrying out the process includes a light beam source, a mask mount, a mask stage, a conveyor assembly, and at least one optical element for manipulating the light beam into a rectangular light beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes articles, such as medical articles, containing a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic gel material (e.g., a shaped hydrophilic gel material or a coating of a hydrophilic gel material) and methods for making such articles. Methods are provided for making hydrophilic gel materials from a precursor composition that contains a polar solvent and a polymerizable material that is miscible with the polar solvent.

Abstract: A process for forming gate structures is described. A web comprises a substrate, a plurality of conductive elements disposed on the substrate, and a conductive anodization bus. The web is moved through an anodization station to form a plurality of gate structures comprising a plurality of gate dielectrics adjacent to a plurality of gate electrodes. A process for forming electronic devices further providing a semiconductor, a source electrode, and a drain electrode is described.

Abstract: Hanger labels that include a first label segment, a second label segment, and a hanger are described. The hanger may include a hook, a first connection connecting the hook to the first label segment, and a second connection connecting the hook to the second label segment. Alternatively, the hanger may include a strap connecting first and second label segments. Containers including such hanger labels are also described.