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: Methods for using a hollow, rotating stencil roll to deposit flowable dry powder particles onto a moving substrate and to attach the particles to the substrate.

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: Variable index light extraction layers that contain a first region with a first material and a second region including a second material are described, where the first region has a lower effective index of refraction than the second region. Optical films and stacks may use the variable index light extraction layers in front lit or back lit display devices and luminaires.

Abstract: A composite article having a conductive layer on at least a portion of a flexible substrate. Electrical connectivity between various portions of the substrate can be obtained through this conductive layer. The conductive layer comprises a conductive surface, and there is a patterned layer on at least a portion of a first region of the conductive surface. The patterned layer comprises a conductive material having a surface roughness, and is in electrical contact with the conductive surface. An overcoat layer is present on at least a portion of the first region, such that the overcoat layer has a thickness less than the surface roughness, such that the conductive layer within the first region is covered by the overcoat layer, and such that at least a portion of the patterned layer substantially protrudes above the overcoat layer.

Abstract: Electrically conductive films are provided. An electrically conductive film includes a dielectric substrate having a first region adapted to be used in a touch sensor and a second region, adjacent to the first region, not adapted to be used in the touch sensor. The electrically conductive film further includes electrically conductive spaced apart electrodes disposed on the substrate in the first region and adapted to form drive or receive electrodes in the touch sensor, and an electrically conductive pattern disposed on the substrate in the second region. Each electrode extends into the second region and is electrically and physically connected to the conductive first pattern, the conductive first pattern electrically connecting the plurality of the first electrodes. Also, assemblies and methods for removing static electric charge from electrically conductive patterns are provided.

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 transparent conductor is provided, including a visible light transparent substrate and metal traces disposed on the substrate, and a layer of a second metal deposited on at least a portion of the metal traces. The transparent conductor further includes a layer of a second metal, which conforms to the surface structure of the metal traces on which it is deposited. Optionally, the transparent conductor also includes a coating layer disposed on a portion of the metal traces and the substrate surface. The coating layer includes a polymer prepared from a polymerizable composition containing at least one ionic liquid monomer. A method of forming a transparent conductor is also provided, including obtaining a visible light transparent substrate having metal traces disposed on the substrate and applying a coating composition on a portion of the metal traces and substrate. The coating composition contains at least one noble metal salt and at least one polymerizable ionic liquid monomer.

Abstract: A composite article includes a conductive layer 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 method for making an electronic assembly includes applying a conductive adhesive to a resist layer overlying a patterned conductive nanowire layer on a substrate and engaging an electrical contact of an electronic component with the conductive adhesive to provide an electrical connection between the electronic component and the conductive nanowire layer.

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 microstructured article includes a nanovoided layer having opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface being microstructured to form prisms, lenses, or other features. The nanovoided layer includes a polymeric binder and a plurality of interconnected voids, and optionally a plurality of nanoparticles. A second layer, which may include a viscoelastic layer or a polymeric resin layer, is disposed on the first or second major surface. A related method includes disposing a coating solution onto a substrate. The coating solution includes a polymerizable material, a solvent, and optional nanoparticles. The method includes polymerizing the polymerizable material while the coating solution is in contact with a microreplication tool to form a microstructured layer. The method also includes removing solvent from the microstructured layer to form a nanovoided microstructured article.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a substrate having in a first zone a low contrast first conductive pattern; a high contrast fiducial mark in a second zone of the substrate different from the first zone, wherein the fiducial mark and the first conductive pattern are in registration; and a second conductive pattern aligned with the first conductive pattern.

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: Touch sensor layer constructions and methods of making such constructions are described. More particularly, touch sensor constructions that utilize patterned conductive layers that may be applied by a sacrificial release liner, eliminating one or more glass and/or film substrate from touch sensor stacks, and methods of making such constructions are described.

Abstract: Methods of achieving precision registration in a roll to roll process for making patterned substrates by depositing first and second inks in a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern having fiducial marks and main pattern marks. One of these inks prints the fiducial marks onto a substrate while another ink prints main pattern marks on the same substrate such that the predetermined pattern bears a predictable spatial relationship to the pattern of fiducial marks. Consequently, even if the ink forming the predetermined pattern is invisible, or has such low contrast with the substrate that it is effectively invisible, or even has been dissolved away in a subsequent processing step, it is still possible to know where the predetermined pattern is by referring to the pattern of fiducial marks. Touch screen displays including patterned substrates prepared of the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Extended area lighting devices, which are useful e.g. as luminaires, include a light guide and diffractive surface features on a major surface of the light guide. The diffractive surface features are tailored to extract guided-mode light from the light guide. The light guides can be combined with other components and features such as light source(s) to inject guided-mode light into the light guide, light source(s) to project light through the light guide as non-guided-mode light, a framework of interconnected support members (attached to multiple such light guides), and/or a patterned low index subsurface layer that selectively blocks some guided mode light from reaching the diffractive surface features, to provide unique and useful lighting devices. Related optical devices, and optical films having diffractive features that can be used to construct such devices and light guides, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrically conductive patterns formed on a substrate are provided with a reduced visibility. A region of a major surface of the substrate is selectively roughened to form a roughened pattern on the major surface of the substrate. Electrically conductive traces are directly formed on the roughened region and are conformal with the roughened pattern on the major surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Variable index light extraction layers (100) that contain a plurality of microreplicated posts (120) are described. The variable index light extraction layers contain a plurality of microreplicated posts (120), a first region including a first lower-index substance (130) and a second region including a second higher-index substance (140). Optical films can use the variable index light extraction layers (100) in front lit or back lit display devices.

Abstract: Methods of achieving precision registration in a roll to roll process for making patterned substrates by depositing first and second inks in a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern having fiducial marks and main pattern marks. One of these inks prints the fiducial marks onto a substrate while another ink prints main pattern marks on the same substrate such that the predetermined pattern bears a predictable spatial relationship to the pattern of fiducial marks. Consequently, even if the ink forming the predetermined pattern is invisible, or has such low contrast with the substrate that it is effectively invisible, or even has been dissolved away in a subsequent processing step, it is still possible to know where the predetermined pattern is by referring to the pattern of fiducial marks. Touch screen displays including patterned substrates prepared of the methods are also disclosed.