Abstract: Surface-modified adhesives may be prepared by contacting an adhesive layer to an at least partially discontinuous layer on a releasing substrate and removing the adhesive layer such that at least a portion of the at least partially discontinuous layer adheres to the adhesive surface. The modified adhesive surface remains an adhesive surface. The modified adhesive layer can be used to prepare adhesive articles, including articles containing multiple surface-modified adhesive layers.

Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface configured to receive light at a predetermined wavelength in a range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The optical surface is defined by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defining four Cartesian quadrants sequentially numbered in a counter-clockwise direction. A first longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the vertical axis and a second longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the horizontal axis. The first and second longitudinal section each extend across opposite edges of the optical surface and have a same substantially uniform retardance for substantially normally incident light. The optical element includes four discrete retarder sections. Each retarder section is disposed on a respective Cartesian quadrant of the optical surface and has a retardance difference from the substantially uniform retardance of the optical surface that is greater than zero.

Abstract: A patterned optical retarder including non-overlapping first (21) and second (27) regions with respective first and second major surfaces having different RMS surface roughnesses. For substantially normally incident light over a wavelength range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm, the optical retarder has different retardances in the respective first and second regions.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive article comprises three steps. First, a backing is provided having first and second opposed major surfaces with respective first and second silicone release layers disposed thereon. The second silicone release layer further comprises organic solvent and a compound represented by the formula: R1 represents a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms or covalent bond. Rf represents a perfluorinated group having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms. X1 represents —NH— or a covalent bond. Second, an adhesive layer is disposed onto the first silicone release layer. Third, the adhesive layer is exposed to E-beam radiation within a process chamber containing oxygen to provide a crosslinked adhesive layer. An adhesive article made by the method and the compound are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive article comprises three steps. First, a backing is provided having first and second opposed major surfaces with respective first and second silicone release layers disposed thereon. The second silicone release layer further comprises a compound represented by the formula: R1 represents a divalent hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms or covalent bond. R2 represents a monovalent or divalent poly(dimethylsiloxane) moiety. X represents —NH— or a covalent bond. Rf represents a perfluorinated group having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms. y is 1 or 2. Second, an adhesive layer is disposed onto the first silicone release layer. Third, the adhesive layer is exposed to E-beam radiation within a process chamber containing oxygen to provide a crosslinked adhesive layer. An adhesive article made by the method and the compound are also disclosed.

Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.

Abstract: A multilayer optical adhesive including a first viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer and a second viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer. A crosslinked or soluble resin layer may be disposed between the first viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer and the second viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer or the first viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer may be immediately adjacent to the second viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer. An interface between immediately adjacent layers is structured and there is a difference in refractive indices across the interface.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive article comprises three steps. First, the method includes providing a liner having first and second opposed major surfaces with respective first and second silicone release layers disposed thereon. The second silicone release layer comprises a partially cured hydrosilation-crosslinkable silicone mixture comprises a first silicone polymer having at least three Si—H groups and second silicone polymer have at least two vinyl, and has an extractables content of 5 to 25 weight percent. Second, an adhesive layer is disposed onto the first silicone release layer. Third, the adhesive layer is exposed to E-beam radiation within a process chamber thereby providing a crosslinked adhesive layer. The second silicone release layer is exposed to oxygen during crosslinking of the adhesive layer. Adhesive articles made according to the method also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical lens including first and second polarizers, a partial reflector disposed between the first and second polarizers, a first phase retarder disposed between the first polarizer and the partial reflector, and a second phase retarder disposed between the partial reflector and the second polarizer is described. The optical lens is a single piece configured for use in an eyewear. Eyewear including at least one of the optical lenses is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoretic medium comprising at least two types of particles having substantially the same electrophoretic mobility but differing colors. The invention also provides article of manufacture comprising a layer of a solid electro-optic medium, a first adhesive layer on one surface of the electro-optic medium, a release sheet covering the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposed second surface of the electro-optic medium.

Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.

Abstract: A multilayer optical adhesive including a first viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer and a second viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer. A crosslinked or soluble resin layer may be disposed between the first viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer and the second viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer or the first viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer may be immediately adjacent to the second viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layer. An interface between immediately adjacent layers is structured and there is a difference in refractive indices across the interface.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoretic medium comprising at least two types of particles having substantially the same electrophoretic mobility but differing colors. The invention also provides article of manufacture comprising a layer of a solid electro-optic medium, a first adhesive layer on one surface of the electro-optic medium, a release sheet covering the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposed second surface of the electro-optic medium.

Abstract: A system is provided for performing metal trace analysis on a liquid sample. A sample holder holds an analysis substrate that includes a reference region and at least one test region. An ultraviolet (UV) light source emits ultraviolet light illuminating the liquid sample. An optical sensor detects radiation emanating from the liquid sample and converting the detected radiation into an electrical signal. A microcontroller processes the electrical signal. An external interface transmits the processed electrical signal to an external device. The analysis substrate is configured for manual movement by a user. A tracking system detects a sample scanning location for the metal trace analysis, and includes a light source, other than the UV light source, and another optical sensor. The other optical sensor detects light emitted by the light source.

Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive article comprises three steps. First, a backing is provided having first and second opposed major surfaces with respective first and second silicone release layers disposed thereon. The second silicone release layer further comprises organic solvent and a compound represented by the formula: R1 represents a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms or covalent bond. Rf represents a perfluorinated group having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms. X1 represents —NH— or a covalent bond. Second, an adhesive layer is disposed onto the first silicone release layer. Third, the adhesive layer is exposed to E-beam radiation within a process chamber containing oxygen to provide a crosslinked adhesive layer. An adhesive article made by the method and the compound are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for receiving, at a sampling location recommendation module, conventional and complementary information regarding a liquid distribution system, wherein the complementary information includes at least one of a social media post or a consumer report; processing the complementary information and a database of the liquid distribution system in the sampling location recommendation module, using computational and artificial intelligence algorithms, to generate a list of locations for sampling the liquid distribution system; displaying the list of locations; receiving a geo-tagged test record indicative of a sampled contaminant concentration value of at least one location of the list of locations; processing the geo-tagged test record, at a contamination source mapping module, to estimate a location and risk of a contamination source in the liquid distribution system; and displaying the estimated location and risk of the contamination source by modifying a map of the liquid distribution system

Abstract: An optical article includes an optical element, a low refractive index layer disposed on the optical element having an effective refractive index of 1.3 or less and a polymeric protective layer disposed on the low refractive index layer. The low refractive index layer includes a binder, a plurality of metal oxide particles dispersed in the binder, and a plurality of interconnected voids. The polymeric protective layer does not increase an effective refractive index of the optical article by greater than 10%.

Abstract: A track link assembly includes a plurality of link subassemblies including a first link subassembly and a second link subassembly. Each link subassembly includes a pair of links coupled together. Each link includes a first aperture and a second aperture, and the second aperture of each link is C-shaped. The track link assembly also includes a pin element pivotably coupling each of the first link subassembly and the second link subassembly. The pin element includes a centrally positioned central portion and end portions on opposite sides of the central portion. The central portion of the pin element is configured to pass through the first aperture of a first link in each of the first link subassembly and the second link subassembly, and the end portions are configured to pass through the second apertures of a second link in each of the first link subassembly and the second link subassembly.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive article comprises three steps. First, a backing is provided having first and second opposed major surfaces with respective first and second silicone release layers disposed thereon. The second silicone release layer further comprises a compound represented by the formula: R1 represents a divalent hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 40 carbon atoms or covalent bond. R2 represents a monovalent or divalent poly(dimethylsiloxane) moiety. X represents —NH— or a covalent bond. Rf represents a perfluorinated group having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms. y is 1 or 2. Second, an adhesive layer is disposed onto the first silicone release layer. Third, the adhesive layer is exposed to E-beam radiation within a process chamber containing oxygen to provide a crosslinked adhesive layer. An adhesive article made by the method and the compound are also disclosed.