Abstract: A light control film is described comprising alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30. In some embodiments, an absorptive layer or reflective layer is disposed between the alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions and the light input surface and/or light output surface. In another embodiment, the alternating transmissive regions comprise an absorptive material. The light control film can exhibit low transmission of visible light and high transmission of near infrared light. Also described is a light detection system comprising such light control films and a microstructured film.

Abstract: A retroreflective article comprises a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements, each retroreflective element comprising a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a first locally laminated layer and a second locally laminated layer that may be reflective layers. A transfer article comprises a disposable carrier layer in which the retroreflective article is detachably disposed with at least some of the transparent microspheres in contact with the disposable carrier layer.

Abstract: A transfer article (100) comprising a substrate (110), a first acrylate layer (120) overlaying the substrate layer (110), a release layer (130) overlaying the first acrylate layer (120), a second acrylate layer (140) overlaying the release layer (130), and a function layer (150) overlaying the second acrylate layer (140). The release layer (130) comprises a metal layer or a doped semiconductor layer. The function layer (150) may be applied to a surface of a receiving article (170) and the release layer (130) removed from the receiving article (170) such that the function layer (150) and second acrylate layer (140) remain on the surface of the receiving article (170).

Abstract: A patterned article includes a unitary polymeric layer and a plurality of electrically conductive elements embedded at least partially in the unitary polymeric layer. Each electrically conductive element includes a conductive seed layer having a top major surface and an opposite bottom major surface in direct contact with the unitary polymeric layer, and includes a metallic body disposed on the top major surface of the conductive seed layer. The metallic body has a bottom major surface and at least one sidewall. The bottom major surface contacts the conductive seed layer. Each sidewall is in direct contact with the unitary polymeric layer and extends from the bottom major surface of the metallic body toward or to, but not past, a top major surface of the unitary polymeric layer. The conductive elements may be electrically isolated from one another. Processes for making the patterned article are described.

Abstract: A light control film is described comprising alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30. In some embodiments, an absorptive layer or reflective layer is disposed between the alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions and the light input surface and/or light output surface. In another embodiment, the alternating transmissive regions comprise an absorptive material. The light control film can exhibit low transmission of visible light and high transmission of near infrared light. Also described is a light detection system comprising such light control films and a microstructured film.

Abstract: A patterned article includes a unitary polymeric layer and a plurality of electrically conductive elements embedded at least partially in the unitary polymeric layer. Each electrically conductive element includes a conductive seed layer having a top major surface and an opposite bottom major surface in direct contact with the unitary polymeric layer, and includes a metallic body disposed on the top major surface of the conductive seed layer. The metallic body has a bottom major surface and at least one sidewall. The bottom major surface contacts the conductive seed layer. Each sidewall is in direct contact with the unitary polymeric layer and extends from the bottom major surface of the metallic body toward or to, but not past, a top major surface of the unitary polymeric layer. The conductive elements may be electrically isolated from one another. Processes for making the patterned article are described.

Abstract: Ultraviolet light shielding articles are provided. An ultraviolet light shielding article includes a flexible substrate having a major surface and a multilayer optical film disposed on the major surface of the substrate. The multilayer optical film is comprised of at least a plurality of alternating first and second inorganic optical layers collectively reflecting and absorbing at an incident light angle of at least one of 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, or 75°, an average of at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 95 percent of incident ultraviolet light over at least a 30-nanometer wavelength reflection bandwidth in a wavelength range from 190 nanometers (nm) to 400 nm. Solar cell covers including an ultraviolet shielding articles are also provided.

Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a reflective layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least some of the embedded reflective layers are localized reflective layers.

Abstract: A patterned conductive article includes a substrate having a first groove therein; a conductive seed layer disposed in the first groove; and a unitary conductive body disposed at least partially in the first groove. The conductive seed layer covers at least a majority of a bottom surface of the first groove, and the unitary conductive body covers the conductive seed layer and at least a majority of side surfaces of the first groove. In a plane through the unitary conductive body that is parallel to and separate from the conductive seed layer, the unitary conductive body has a lower first line edge roughness at a first interface with the side surfaces and the conductive seed layer has a higher second line edge roughness at an edge of the conductive seed layer.

Abstract: A light control layer includes alternating transmissive and absorptive regions, along one or two dimensions. The light control layer may be substantially transparent, or have high transmission, for light incident at or near a normal angle to its surface, while absorbing light incident at angles away from normal. The height of the absorptive region, defined orthogonal to the local display surface, may be much greater than the width of the absorptive region resulting in a high aspect ratio structure. The width of the absorptive region may be relatively thin compared to the width of a pixel in a display. The light control layer may be applied to a display or incorporated into a display. The light control layer may be part of a film stack including other functional layers that cooperatively provide desirable optical properties.

Abstract: A patterned conductive article 200 includes a substrate 210 including a unitary layer 210-1 and includes a micropattern of conductive traces 220 embedded at least partially in the unitary layer. Each conductive trace extends along a longitudinal direction (y-direction) of the conductive trace and includes a conductive seed layer 230 having a top major surface 232 and an opposite bottom major surface 234 in direct contact with the unitary layer; and a unitary conductive body 240 disposed on the top major surface of the conductive seed layer. The unitary conductive body and the conductive seed layer differ in at least one of composition or crystal morphology. The unitary conductive body has lateral sidewalls 242, 244 and at least a majority of a total area of the lateral sidewalls is in direct contact with the unitary layer.

Abstract: A patterned article includes a carrier layer having a microstructured first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The first major surface includes pluralities of upper and lower edges spaced apart along a thickness direction of the carrier layer and defining respective upper and lower portions of the first major surface. The lower portion is disposed between the upper portion and the second major surface. The article includes a first functional layer disposed on the lower, but not the upper portion of the first major surface. The first functional layer includes at least one first micro-cut inorganic layer including a plurality of cut edges substantially coextensive with the plurality of lower edges. A method of making the patterned article is provided. Articles that can be made by transferring a functional layer from the patterned article are provided.

Abstract: An optical construction includes a lens film having a structured first major surface having a plurality of microlenses and an opposing second major surface. A light absorbing layer is disposed on the second major surface and has an average thickness of greater than about 0.5 microns and an optical density of greater than about 3. A plurality of openings are provided in the light absorbing layer. A major surface of the light absorbing layer includes a plurality of irregular features imparting an average mean square height Sq of greater than about 0.05 microns. In a cross-section, the opening includes opposing first and second sidewalls having respective first and second best linear fits with respective r-squared values R1 and R2 and respective linear slope magnitudes S1 and S2, each of R1 and R2 greater than about 0.8. S1 and S2 within 30% of each other.

Abstract: A patterned article includes a polymeric layer having opposing first and second major surfaces and defining a plurality of through openings therein. For each through opening in at least a sub-plurality of the through openings, a metallic body is disposed in the through opening. The metallic body has a first outermost surface, an opposite second outermost surface and at least one lateral sidewall extending therebetween. The first outermost surface of the metallic body is substantially flush with the first major surface of the polymeric layer. Each lateral sidewall extends from the first outermost surface of the metallic body toward or to, but not past, the second major surface of the polymeric layer. The metallic body is substantially coextensive with the through opening in at least one cross-section parallel to the polymeric layer. The metallic bodies can be electrically isolated from one another.

Abstract: A nose foam for a respiratory protection device is presented that includes a first check portion, a second check portion, and a nose bridge portion. The first and second check portions are both wider than the nose bridge portion. The nose foam is selected for the respiratory protection device by a computer-based respiratory protection device selection system, based on a facial feature of a wearer.

Abstract: Optically transparent reflectarray articles and methods of making and using the same are provided. The reflectarray article includes a frequency selective surface (FSS) layer and a ground plane layer disposed on opposite sides of a dielectric substrate. The FSS layer includes a pattern of wire-like resonating metallic elements configured to reflect incident mmWaves, and the ground plane layer includes a pattern of metal-based conductor mesh to provide conductivity and high visible light transmittance.

Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface; alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions comprise a core having a first concentration, C1, of a light absorbing material sandwiched between cladding layers having a second concentration, C2, of the light absorbing material, wherein C2<C1, and wherein the cores have an aspect ratio of at least 20.

Abstract: The disclosed patterned wavelength-selective material and process for making the patterned wavelength-selective material uses patterned applied adhesive and a structurally weak wavelength-selective material that includes portions that contact the adhesive and break to remain in contact with the adhesive. In one embodiment, the wavelength-selective material comprises an array of sections with cuts at least partially through a wavelength-selective film at each section secured to the adhesive. In another embodiment, the wavelength-selective film comprises a transfer stack of layers.

Abstract: A transfer article with a thickness of less than 3 micrometers includes a first acrylate layer that is releasable from a metal or doped semiconductor release layer at a release value of from 2 to 50 grams/inch. The article includes a functional layer overlaying the first acrylate layer. The functional layer includes at least one microfractured inorganic layer about 3 nanometers to about 200 nanometers thick, which has a plurality of toolmarks interspersed with cracks.

Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface. Alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions are disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and the alternating transmissive region and absorptive regions have a relative transmission at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 75%.