Abstract: Polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide, linear, block copolymers and methods of making the copolymers are provided. The method of making the copolymers involves reacting a diamine with a polydiorganosiloxane precursor having oxalylamino groups. The polydioroganosiloxane polyoxamide block copolymers are of the (AB)n type.

Abstract: Methods for changing the shape of a surface of an article are disclosed. The methods may include providing a liquid polymer precursor, casting the precursor against a first tool assembly, curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate, deforming one or more surfaces of the substrate, and mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface of the substrate from a deformed shape to a pre-set shape.

Abstract: A method of forming an image having multiple phases is disclosed herein. The method includes forming exposed and unexposed areas, the exposed areas comprising a first polymer network exhibiting first and second phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase, and the unexposed areas comprising a second polymer network comprising third and fourth phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the third phase being continuous, and the fourth phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the third phase. The first and second polymer networks are chemically connected, and morphology formed by the first and second phases is different than that formed by the third and fourth phases.

Abstract: A reflector laminate, and backlights and displays incorporating such reflector laminates are disclosed. The reflector laminate includes a substrate and a reflector that are adhered together by a plurality of adhesive protrusions. The adhesive protrusions provide for a plurality of voids between the reflector and the substrate, so that a free reflector surface is adjacent to an air gap between the reflector and substrate. The reflector can include a multilayer interference reflector, and the presence of the air gap ensures high reflectivity for the laminate. The reflector can be adhered to a solid lightguide, a frame enclosing a portion of a backlight, a frame enclosing a hollow lightguide cavity, or an optical sheet positioned at the output surface of a backlight.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising from about 2 to about 10 wt. % multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane polymer, from about 2 to about 10 wt. % monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane macromer, and from about 85 to about 96 wt. % vinyl monomer is described. The adhesive composition is used to make adhesive articles that, when applied to a substrate, remain removable or repositionable, even after long periods of time. The adhesive composition may be used in transfer adhesive films, and in laminated articles suitable for use in optical applications.

Abstract: A method of forming an image having multiple phases is disclosed herein. The method includes forming exposed and unexposed areas, the exposed areas comprising a first polymer network exhibiting first and second phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase, and the unexposed areas comprising a second polymer network comprising third and fourth phases that are chemically connected and have different refractive indices, the third phase being continuous, and the fourth phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the third phase. The first and second polymer networks are chemically connected, and morphology formed by the first and second phases is different than that formed by the third and fourth phases.

Abstract: A shape memory polymer article is disclosed. The article may include a surface having a microstructure and it may include a shape memory polymer. The shape memory polymer may include a copolymer network. The copolymer network may be formed from the reaction product of a free radically polymerizable siloxane having greater than one functional free radically polymerizable group and at least one (meth)acrylate monomer.

Abstract: A method of modifying light is disclosed and includes: providing an optical element having an oriented polymer network of a silicone (meth)acrylate copolymer and exhibiting a first phase and a second phase, the first phase and the second phase being chemically connected and having different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase; illuminating the optical element with light from a light source; and detecting polarized or directionally diffused light transmitted by the optical element. Optical elements including the polymer network and a variety of additional layers are also disclosed, as are optical devices such as prisms, display panels, lenses, and the like.

Abstract: Methods for changing the shape of a surface of an article are disclosed. The methods may include providing a liquid polymer precursor, casting the precursor against a first tool assembly, curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate, deforming one or more surfaces of the substrate, and mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface of the substrate from a deformed shape to a pre-set shape.

Abstract: A method of modifying light is disclosed and includes: providing an optical element having an oriented polymer network of a silicone (meth)acrylate copolymer and exhibiting a first phase and a second phase, the first phase and the second phase being chemically connected and having different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase; illuminating the optical element with light from a light source; and detecting polarized or directionally diffused light transmitted by the optical element. Optical elements including the polymer network and a variety of additional layers are also disclosed, as are optical devices such as prisms, display panels, lenses, and the like.

Abstract: Polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide, linear, block copolymers and methods of making the copolymers are provided. The method of making the copolymers involves reacting a diamine with a polydiorganosiloxane precursor having oxalylamino groups. The polydioroganosiloxane polyoxamide block copolymers are of the (AB)n type.

Abstract: A structured paper release liner (10) for use with an article (44) backed with a pressure sensitive adhesive, an adhesive-backed article assembly (42) and methods of making each are disclosed. The liner (10) comprises a piece of paper (14) having a release side free of a structural support layer, a back side, and a structured release surface (48) having a pattern formed into the paper (14) on the release side. A release material is on the structured release surface of the paper. The pattern formed in the paper (14) is designed so as to form fluid egress channels in a bonding surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive (46). The fluid egress channels define a structured bonding surface (48) having exit pathways for fluid to bleed out from behind the article when the structured bonding surface (48) is adhered to or otherwise disposed on a substrate.

Abstract: Methods for changing the shape of a surface of an article are disclosed. The methods may include providing a liquid polymer precursor, casting the precursor against a first tool assembly, curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate, deforming one or more surfaces of the substrate, and mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface of the substrate from a deformed shape to a pre-set shape.

Abstract: Polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide, linear, block copolymers and methods of making the copolymers are provided. The method of making the copolymers involves reacting a diamine with a polydiorganosiloxane precursor having oxalylamino groups. The polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide block copolymers are of the (AB)n type.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising from about 2 to about 10 wt. % multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane polymer, from about 2 to about 10 wt. % monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane macromer, and from about 85 to about 96 wt. % vinyl monomer is described. The adhesive composition is used to make adhesive articles that, when applied to a substrate, remain removable or repositionable, even after long periods of time. The adhesive composition may be used in transfer adhesive films, and in laminated articles suitable for use in optical applications.

Abstract: Suspended optical film assemblies including a frame, an optical film, and an elastomeric film are disclosed. The elastomeric films include a first attachment region, a second attachment region, and a free region between the first and second attachment regions. The first attachment region is affixed to the frame; the second attachment region is affixed to the optical film, so that the free region is in tension and supports the optical film within the frame. The tension in the elastomeric film free region can help maintain flatness and reduce distortion in the optical film during environmental changes that influence dimensional changes in the frame, optical film, and elastomeric film.

Abstract: An adhesive article comprising a first substrate having thereon an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a cured adhesive composition of a multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane polymer; and the first substrate comprises a polymer film, paper, a metal film, glass, ceramic, or a combination thereof; and wherein the adhesive layer has a microstructured surface that is substantiously continuous, and wherein the microstructured surface forms an array or pattern. The adhesive article is used to make laminated articles that spontaneously wet, and when applied to a substrate, remain removable or repositionable, even after long periods of time. The adhesive composition may be used in transfer adhesive films, and in laminated articles suitable for use in optical applications.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising a multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane polymer, a monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane macromer, and a vinyl monomer is described. The adhesive composition is used to make adhesive articles that, when applied to a substrate, remain removable or repositionable, even after long periods of time. The adhesive composition may be used in transfer adhesive films, and in laminated articles suitable for use in optical applications.

Abstract: A reflector laminate, and backlights and displays incorporating such reflector laminates are disclosed. The reflector laminate includes a substrate and a reflector that are adhered together by a plurality of adhesive protrusions. The adhesive protrusions provide for a plurality of voids between the reflector and the substrate, so that a free reflector surface is adjacent to an air gap between the reflector and substrate. The reflector can include a multilayer interference reflector, and the presence of the air gap ensures high reflectivity for the laminate. The reflector can be adhered to a solid lightguide, a frame enclosing a portion of a backlight, a frame enclosing a hollow lightguide cavity, or an optical sheet positioned at the output surface of a backlight.

Abstract: Laser induced thermal embossing (LITE) films used to make microreplication tools, liners, and products such as laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) donor films. The LITE tools or liners have a microstructured surface selectively imposed upon them as determined by an area of imaging the LITE films against one or more microreplication tools. An orientation between the laser imaging lines and LITE films can be selected to produce various microreplication patterns on the tools. The LITE tools can be made having a structure on structure pattern including a microstructured pattern with a nanostructured surface. The LITE liners can be combined with other films to form products. The LITE films can also be coated with a transfer layer to form a LITE donor film with a structured transfer layer.