Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for printing an ink pattern on a moving web via die cutting are provided. A die roll including an inked pattern of die blades contacts a substrate to cut or cleave the substrate surface. While the die blades withdraw from the substrate, at least some of the ink transfers from the die blades to the cut substrate to form an ink pattern.

Abstract: A waveguide for receiving an incident electromagnetic wave (EMW) having an operating frequency ? includes an array of spaced apart unit cells arranged along the waveguide. The unit cells are configured to resonantly couple to the incident EMW and radiate an EMW at the operating frequency propagating inside and along the waveguide. Each unit cell is configured to couple to the incident EMW with a first coupling efficiency and includes a dielectric body configured to couple to the incident EMW with a second coupling efficiency and one or more metal layers disposed on and partially covering the dielectric body. The second coupling efficiency is substantially smaller than the first coupling efficiency. A communication system includes the waveguide and a transceiver configured to emit an EMW having the operating frequency ?.

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: A waveguide and a communication system including the waveguide are described. The waveguide is configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave having an operating frequency along the waveguide. The waveguide includes a substrate having a first dielectric constant, and an array of spaced apart unit cells at least partially embedded in the substrate and arranged along the waveguide. Each of a plurality of the unit cells in the array of spaced apart unit cells has a first transmission parameter S121 having a lowest resonant frequency ?1 and includes a dielectric body and one or more electrically conductive layers disposed on and partially covering the dielectric body. The dielectric body has a second dielectric constant greater than the first dielectric constant at the operating frequency and has a second transmission parameter S221 having a lowest resonant frequency ?2 greater than ?1.

Abstract: The disclosed patterned wavelength-selective material and process for making the patterned wavelength-selective material uses selectively located barriers to the adhesive regions. A structurally weak wavelength-selective material includes portions that contact the adhesive regions and break to remain in contact with the adhesive. The wavelength-selective material does not contact the adhesive regions covered by the barrier and is removed leaving a wavelength-selective film in a pattern at the adhesive regions.

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: A waveguide and a communication system including the waveguide are described. The waveguide is configured to propagate an electromagnetic wave having an operating frequency along the waveguide. The waveguide includes a substrate having a first dielectric constant, and an array of spaced apart unit cells at least partially embedded in the substrate and arranged along the waveguide. Each of a plurality of the unit cells in the array of spaced apart unit cells has a first transmission parameter S121 having a lowest resonant frequency ?1 and includes a dielectric body and one or more electrically conductive layers disposed on and partially covering the dielectric body. The dielectric body has a second dielectric constant greater than the first dielectric constant at the operating frequency and has a second transmission parameter S221 having a lowest resonant frequency ?2 greater than ?1.

Abstract: Methods of making metal patterns on flexible substrates are provided. Releasable solid layer is selectively formed on a patterned surface of the flexible substrate by applying a liquid solution thereon. Metal patterns on the flexible substrate can be formed by removing the releasable solid layer after metallization. In some cases, the releasable solid layer can be transferred from the patterned surface to a transfer layer where the metal patterns are formed.

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: Provided herein are retroreflective colored article having a predetermined pattern of beaded and unbeaded regions and at least one polymeric color layer (130) covering at least a portion of the beaded and unbeaded regions, a reflector layer (140) covering the colour layer, and a carrier (150). Also disclosed are methods for making the articles.

Abstract: A method of patterning a conductive layer to form transparent electrical conductors that does not require etching is disclosed. The method includes peeling a strippable polymer layer from a substrate coated with the conductive layer to pattern the conductive layer. In some embodiments, a resist matrix material is patterned over the conductive layer to prevent removal of the conductive layer beneath the resist matrix material. In other embodiments, a liner having a pressure sensitive adhesive surface is brought into contact with the patterned strippable polymer material to remove both the patterned strippable polymer material and the conductive layer beneath it.

Abstract: Described herein is an article having a microsphere layer comprising a monolayer of microspheres, the monolayer of microspheres comprising a first area substantially free of microspheres and a second area comprising a plurality of randomly-distributed microspheres, wherein the monolayer of microspheres comprises a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern comprises at least one of (i) a plurality of the first areas, (ii) a plurality of the second areas, and (iii) combinations thereof; and (b) a bead bonding layer disposed on the microsphere layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres are partially embedded in a first major surface of the bead bonding layer, wherein the article has a retroreflectivity (Ra) of less than 5.0 candelas/lux/square meter. Also disclosed herein are transfer carriers and methods of making the articles and transfer carriers.

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: 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: An exposed-lens 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 comprise at least one color layer comprising a bi-layer structure.

Abstract: An exposed-lens 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 comprise a reflective layer disposed between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer and at least one localized color layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the reflective layer.

Abstract: An optical film assembly comprising a first optical film, a coupling member, and a second optical film wherein the first optical film comprises a prismatic film, the second optical film comprises a diffuser, wherein the coupling member is bonded to the first optical film and to the second optical film such that the first optical film and second optical film are physically coupled, and the coupling member is bonded to at least one of the first optical film and the second optical film non-continuously such that an optically effective air gap is provided. Also, a method for making such optical film assemblies.

Abstract: A display film includes a transparent energy dissipation layer having a glass transition temperature of 27 degrees Celsius or less and a Tan Delta peak value of 0.5 or greater, and a transparent conductor layer disposed on the transparent energy dissipation layer. The conductive display films including transparent conductors and a flexible substrate that can protect a display window and survive folding tests intact while maintaining the desired electric conductive properties.