Abstract: Diagnostic devices for quantitative or qualitative analysis of a sample fluid including an analyte include at least two portions made from a hydrophilic material. The planar portions are stacked on each other and each occupy a different and substantially parallel plane to form a three-dimensional structure. At least one of the planar portions includes a hydrophobic region formed by applying a low surface energy material that extends through a thickness of the substrate portion from a first major surface to a second major surface thereof. The hydrophilic regions in the overlying substantially parallel substrate portions can be aligned with each other such that a fluid is passively transported between adjacent hydrophilic regions to provide a sample flow path between adjacent substrate portions.

Abstract: A transfer article includes an acrylate layer releasable from a release layer including a metal layer, a metal oxide layer, or a doped semiconductor layer at a release value of from 2 to 50 grams/inch (0.8 to 20 g/cm). A functional layer overlies the acrylate layer, wherein the functional layer includes at least one layer of a functional material selected to provide at least one of a therapeutic, aesthetic or cosmetic benefit on a dental appliance in a mouth of a patient, and wherein the transfer article has a thickness of less than 3 micrometers. A pattern of a transfer material is on a major surface of the functional layer, wherein the transfer material includes an adhesion modifying material chosen from release materials and adhesives.

Abstract: Modified adhesive layers are prepared by contacting an adhesive layer to a modified microstructured release liner. The modified release liner has a release layer surface with a set of microstructured depressions and a discontinuous pattern of ink material located on the surface of the release layer. A portion of the discontinuous pattern of ink material overlaps with and is located within some of the depressions. The ink material comprises a non-adhesive but adhesively transferrable material, or an adhesive material. Upon removal of the adhesive from the release liner, the ink material transfers to the adhesive surface.

Abstract: A method for making a dental appliance configured to position at least one tooth of a patient includes printing a hardenable liquid resin composition on a major surface of a polymeric material to form a pattern of discrete unhardened liquid regions thereon; at least partially hardening the unhardened liquid regions to form a corresponding array of structures on the major surface of the polymeric material, wherein the structures have a characteristic cross-sectional dimension of about 25 microns to about 1 mm, and a feature spacing of about 100 microns to about 2000 microns; and forming a plurality of cavities in the polymeric material to form the dental appliance including an arrangement of cavities configured to receive one or more teeth.

Abstract: A method for making a dental appliance configured to position at least one tooth of a patient includes printing a hardenable liquid resin composition on a major surface of a polymeric material to form a pattern thereon, wherein the hardenable liquid resin composition includes a glass ionomer, a resin modified glass ionomer, and mixtures and combinations thereof. A dental appliance is formed from the polymeric material that includes an arrangement of cavities configured to receive one or more teeth.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed and includes an image sensor (112), a plurality of microlenses (142), at least one microlens of the plurality of microlenses defining a microlens height and a microlens diameter. The optical system also includes a plurality of light-blocking structures (146), at least one light-blocking structure of the plurality of light-blocking structures defining a light-blocking structure height and a light-blocking structure width. An aperture array (134) includes a plurality of apertures (138), each aperture being aligned with a microlens of the plurality of microlenses, and the microlenses and the light-blocking structures extend from the aperture array toward the image sensor. The systems, structures and features disclosed herein can improve a signal-to-noise ratio when detecting images, via the optical sensor, from behind a display.

Abstract: A method includes placing an electronic device on a pliable mating surface on a major surface of a mold such that at least one contact pad on the electronic device presses against the pliable mating surface. The pliable mating surface is on a microstructure in an arrangement of microstructures on the major surface of the mold. A liquid encapsulant material is applied over the electronic device and the major surface of the mold, and then hardened to form a carrier for the electronic device. The mold and the carrier are separated such that the microstructures on the mold form a corresponding arrangement of microchannels in the carrier, and at least one contact pad on the electronic device is exposed in a microchannel in the arrangement of microchannels. A conductive particle-containing liquid is deposited in the microchannel, which directly contacts the contact pad exposed in the microchannel.

Abstract: Methods of passivating an adhesive via printing an ink onto a release liner, and adhesive articles or products made by the same are provided. An ink pattern is printed onto a release liner to form a pattern of features. The features are at least partially embedded in an adhesive layer such that when the release liner is peeled from the adhesive layer, the passivation features remain with the layer of adhesive to form selected areas having adjusted adhesive functionality. Articles including the passivated adhesive on a release liner are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite article includes a conductive layer with nanowires on at least a portion of a flexible substrate, wherein the conductive layer has a conductive surface. A patterned layer of a low surface energy material is on a first region of the conductive surface. An overcoat layer free of conductive particulates is on a first portion of a second region of the conductive surface unoccupied by the patterned layer. A via is in a second portion of the second region of the conductive surface between an edge of the patterned layer of the low surface energy material and the overcoat layer. A conductive material is in the via to provide an electrical connection to the conductive surface.

Abstract: A printing system is provided. The printing system (300) includes a printing roll (310) having a rigid printing pattern (312) on a surface thereof configured to receive an ink material (330); and an inking roll (320) positioned adjacent to the printing roll. The inking roll includes an elastically deformable surface and a number of cells (324) disposed on the elastically deformable surface. A method of printing is also provided. The method includes (a) inking at least a portion of a rigid printing pattern (312) on a surface of a printing roll (310) by contacting the rigid printing pattern with an inking roll (320); and (b) contacting the rigid printing pattern with a substrate (350), transferring the ink material from the rigid printing pattern to a surface of the substrate. Printing systems and methods can achieve higher printing feature resolutions than typically achievable via flexographic printing.

Abstract: Optical films are described. In particular, optical films including a broadband polymeric multilayer optical reflector and a discontinuous transparent coating disposed on the broadband multilayer optical reflector, where the discontinuous transparent coating includes an array of dots are described. Such films may provide reduced coefficients of friction while still having high specular reflectivity.

Abstract: Electronic devices including a layer of polymeric material and solid semiconductor dies partially embedded in the layer are provided. The dies have first ends projecting away from the first major surface of the layer. The electronic devices can be formed by sinking the first ends of the dies into a major surface of a liner. A flowable polymeric material is filled into the space between the dies and solidified to form the layer of polymeric material. The first ends of the dies are exposed by delaminating the liner from the first ends of the dies. Electrical conductors are provided on the layer to connect the first ends of the dies.

Abstract: Modified adhesive layers are prepared by contacting an adhesive layer to a modified microstructured release liner. The modified release liner has a release layer surface with a set of microstructured depressions and a discontinuous pattern of ink material located on the surface of the release layer. A portion of the discontinuous pattern of ink material overlaps with and is located within some of the depressions. The ink material comprises a non-adhesive but adhesively transferrable material, or an adhesive material. Upon removal of the adhesive from the release liner, the ink material transfers to the adhesive surface.

Abstract: Processes for automatic registration between a solid circuit die and electrically conductive interconnects, and articles or devices made by the same are provided. The solid circuit die is disposed on a substrate with contact pads aligned with channels on the substrate. Electrically conductive traces are formed by flowing a conductive liquid in the channels toward the contact pads to obtain the automatic registration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adhesive article that include a stretch releasable adhesive and topographical, engineered elements on, within, or partially embedded in a surface of the adhesive. The engineered elements can act as spacers between the adhesive surface and the mounting surface to prevent full contact and wet out of the adhesive, whereby the article can be initially positioned or rotated by sliding the surface of the projections across the wall surface. Under certain conditions, the article may even be removed from the wall and placed at a new location without damage to the wall surface or the article. Once the location is selected, the separation created by the engineered elements can be overcome by applying sufficient pressure; the adhesive can contact and adhere more permanently to the wall.

Abstract: An adhesive article including: a flexible backing; a first cushion layer permanently bonded to a first surface of the flexible backing, wherein the first cushion layer: has an average thickness of at least 10 micrometers; and includes an acrylate pressure-sensitive adhesive having a Fox Tg of up to ?30° C., wherein the acrylate pressure-sensitive adhesive includes a (meth)acrylate copolymer; and a first discontinuous shell layer adjacent the first cushion layer, wherein: the first discontinuous shell layer has an average thickness of up to 25 micrometers; the ratio of the first cushion layer average thickness to the first shell layer average thickness is at least 2:1; the first discontinuous shell layer includes an adhesive having a Fox Tg of +10° C. to +50° C.; and the first discontinuous shell layer adhesive includes a copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 100,000 Daltons.

Abstract: Methods for using a hollow, rotating stencil roll to deposit flowable dry powder particles onto a moving substrate and to adhesively bond the particles to a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying liquid coatings are provided. A first roll (14), a second roll (16), and a nip (146) formed between the first and second rolls are provided. A coating liquid (22) is supplied to the nip. The coating liquid is smoothed, via the nip, into a substantially uniform layer (22a) of liquid coating which is transferred to a substrate (12). The second roll (16) includes a thin metal shell (40) and a resilient layer (30), the thin metal shell encases the resilient layer therebeneath, and the thin metal shell is capable of deflecting in unison with the resilient layer such that the thin metal shell is elastically deformable at the nip when in contact with the first roll (14).

Abstract: A curable mixture, a partially cured composition, a cured composition, an article containing either the partially cured composition or the cured composition, and a method of bonding two substrates are provided. The partially cured composition functions as a pressure-sensitive adhesive while the cured composition functions as a structural or semi-structural adhesive. The curable mixture can be applied to a first substrate by printing or dispensing, if desired.

Abstract: Electronic devices including a layer of polymeric material and solid semiconductor dies partially embedded in the layer are provided. The dies have first ends projecting away from the first major surface of the layer. The electronic devices can be formed by sinking the first ends of the dies into a major surface of a liner. A flowable polymeric material is filled into the space between the dies and solidified to form the layer of polymeric material. The first ends of the dies are exposed by delaminating the liner from the first ends of the dies. Electrical conductors are provided on the layer to connect the first ends of the dies.