Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include a touch sensor that includes a mesh of conductive material. The mesh includes a number of mesh cells that each have a number of vertices. Each of the vertices has a substantially randomized location within an annulus centered at a seed location of the vertex. The apparatus may also include one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media coupled to the touch sensor and embodying logic that is configured when executed to control the touch sensor.

Abstract: A transparent component comprises a substrate (1) having an interface surface, with a pattern of electrically conductive copper (2) disposed on the interface surface with of the substrate, wherein the copper has a copper sulfide surface coating (3). It is found that copper with a suitably thin coating layer of copper sulfide has reduced visibility compared with uncoated copper, so that the metal pattern is less distracting to a viewer. The component finds application as part of a touch-sensitive display, with the substrate overlying or forming part of the display, with images on the display being visible to a user through the transparent component.

Abstract: A transparent component comprises a substrate (1) having an interface surface, with a pattern of electrically conductive copper (2) disposed on the interface surface with of the substrate, wherein the copper has a copper sulfide surface coating (3). It is found that copper with a suitably thin coating layer of copper sulfide has reduced visibility compared with uncoated copper, so that the metal pattern is less distracting to a viewer. The component finds application as part of a touch-sensitive display, with the substrate overlying or forming part of the display, with images on the display being visible to a user through the transparent component.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include a touch sensor that includes a mesh of conductive material. The mesh includes a number of mesh cells that each have a number of vertices. Each of the vertices has a substantially randomized location within an annulus centered at a seed location of the vertex. The apparatus may also include one or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media coupled to the touch sensor and embodying logic that is configured when executed to control the touch sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of applying a coating material to a photosensitive material to form a surface coating, wherein the photosensitive material, before or after curing, and the surface coating are soluble in a first liquid, the method comprising applying the coating material as a dispersion in a second liquid in which the photosensitive material is insoluble. By applying the coating material as a dispersion in a liquid in which the photosensitive material is insoluble, the photosensitive material is not disrupted.

Abstract: A method of producing a diffractive optical element includes forming on a textured surface of a first substrate (2) a predetermined pattern of an ink (3) including an activator for a metallization reaction and one or more binders; causing or allowing the binder to solidify; applying a first adhesive layer (4) on top on the solidified binder and activator; securing a second substrate (5) to the adhesive layer; removing the second substrate with adhered solidified binder and activator from the first substrate; and forming a metal coating (10) onto the activator-containing regions adhered to the second substrate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a touch sensor including a mesh of multiple first lines and second lines of conductive material extending across a display. The first lines are substantially parallel to each other. The second lines are substantially parallel to each other. The display includes multiple pixels that each include sub-pixels. Each of the pixels has a first pixel pitch along a first axis and a second pixel pitch along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. Each of the sub-pixels has a first sub-pixel pitch along the first axis, a first sub-pixel dimension along the first axis, and a second sub-pixel dimension along the second axis. The first lines extend across the display at a first angle relative to the first axis. The first angle is at least approximately equal to the arctangent of the ratio of the second sub-pixel dimension to the first pixel pitch.

Abstract: A photopatternable structure (10) comprises an optically transparent substrate (12) having first and second faces (14, 16), coated respectively with first and second photosensitive materials (18, 20), the coated substrate being opaque to electromagnetic radiation of one or more wavelengths to which the photosensitive materials are sensitive. In use, the faces (14, 16) are exposed (sequentially or simultaneously) to curing radiation to which the photosensitive materials are sensitive and to which the coated substrate is opaque, resulting in two sided photopatterning without through -cure occurring.

Abstract: A transparent component comprises a substrate (1) having an interface surface, with a pattern of electrically conductive copper (2) disposed on the interface surface with of the substrate, wherein the copper has a copper sulfide surface coating (3). It is found that copper with a suitably thin coating layer of copper sulfide has reduced visibility compared with uncoated copper, so that the metal pattern is less distracting to a viewer. The component finds application as part of a touch-sensitive display, with the substrate overlying or forming part of the display, with images on the display being visible to a user through the transparent component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming on the surface of a substrate a first solid layer which is suitable for activating a chemical reaction to form a second layer thereon, the method comprising the steps of: applying to the surface of the substrate a first liquid comprising a curable composition and an activator for the second layer-forming chemical reaction; and curing the curable composition, thereby forming a first solid layer adhered to the surface of the substrate, capable of activating the second layer-forming chemical reaction. A second layer can then be formed on the substrate by bringing into contact with the first solid layer a second fluid comprising components of a second layer-forming chemical reaction, activated by the activator, thereby causing a second layer to be formed on the first solid layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming on the surface of a substrate a first solid layer which is suitable for activating a chemical reaction to form a second layer thereon, the method comprising the steps of: applying to the surface of the substrate a first liquid comprising a curable composition and an activator for the second layer-forming chemical reaction; and curing the curable composition, thereby forming a first solid layer adhered to the surface of the substrate, capable of activating the second layer-forming chemical reaction. A second layer can then be formed on the substrate by bringing into contact with the first solid layer a second fluid comprising components of a second layer-forming chemical reaction, activated by the activator, thereby causing a second layer to be formed on the first solid layer.

Abstract: A component is electrically connected to an electrical circuit by a method that comprises forming an intermediate product in which the component (3) is disposed on one side of an electrically conducting sheet (1) so that at least one pair of contacts (4) of the component are electrically connected by the sheet and in which a patterned etch resist layer (2) is disposed on the other side of the sheet in registration with the component on said one side of the sheet, and then exposing the other side of the sheet to an etching agent and thereby removing areas of the sheet to leave the electrical circuit and also to remove the electrical interconnection between the contacts.

Abstract: A display device comprises a first insulating substrate (10) carrying on one surface thereof a first electrically conductive material (12) constituting a first electrode; a second electrically conductive material (16) constituting a second electrode disposed in opposed relation to the first electrically conductive material and spaced therefrom; and an electrolyte providing a conductive pathway between the first and second electrically conductive materials. In use of the device, a potential difference is applied between the first and second electrically conductive materials, causing the first material to be fully removed from the first substrate selectively in one or more regions where the first and second materials are directly opposed, thus forming a detectable image. Because the first material has been fully removed from one or more regions of the first substrate, and because the first substrate is not electrically conductive, the process is not reversible and so results in a fixed display.

Abstract: There is provided a transparent, single-phase, radiation-curable ink composition for inkjet printing white, opaque features on porous and non-porous substrates, which are excellent in color reproducibility, hiding power, and adhesiveness to the substrate, for particular application as base layer coatings.

Abstract: A method of forming a ramp of material on a stepped portion of an item, comprises applying material in liquid form to the item in the vicinity of the stepped portion, the liquid having properties such that the liquid moves by capillary attraction to the stepped portion, and causing or allowing the material to solidify to form a ramp on the stepped portion. By using capillary flow, it is not necessary for the material to be placed in position very accurately. Variations in position of placement can be accommodated by the flow to the stepped region. The greater tolerance in accuracy of positioning means that processing can be performed more quickly.

Abstract: An inkjet ink comprises phosphoric acid; one or more solvents for the phosphoric acid, preferably ethyl lactate and water; and one or more aprotic organic sulfoxides, preferably dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or dimethyl sulfone (SMSO2). The inks do not leave a carbon residue on heating and so are suited to use in etching and/or doping silicon wafers, e.g. in the production of crystalline silicon solar cells.

Abstract: A method for electroless plating of metal on a laser-patterned substrate. A substrate is provided on which both a thermal imaging layer and catalytic layer are deposited. On exposure to a laser beam, sufficient levels of radiation are converted to heat in the thermal imaging layer to render the exposed regions of the adjacent catalytic layer inactive. The laser-patterned substrate is then exposed to a reaction solution which initiates the growth of a metal film on the unexposed regions of the catalytic layer.

Abstract: There is provided a transparent, single-phase, radiation-curable ink composition for inkjet printing white, opaque features on porous and non-porous substrates, which are excellent in colour reproducibility, hiding power, and adhesiveness to the substrate, for particular application as base layer coatings.

Abstract: A component is electrically connected to an electrical circuit by a method that comprises forming an intermediate product in which the component (3) is disposed on one side of an electrically conducting sheet (1) so that at least one pair of contacts (4) of the component are electrically connected by the sheet and in which a patterned etch resist layer (2) is disposed on the other side of the sheet in registration with the component on said one side of the sheet, and then exposing the other side of the sheet to an etching agent and thereby removing areas of the sheet to leave the electrical circuit and also to remove the electrical interconnection between the contacts.

Abstract: A method of forming a ramp of material on a stepped portion of an item, comprises applying material in liquid form to the item in the vicinity of the stepped portion, the liquid having properties such that the liquid moves by capillary attraction to the stepped portion, and causing or allowing the material to solidify to form a ramp on the stepped portion. By using capillary flow, it is not necessary for the material to be placed in position very accurately. Variations in position of placement can be accommodated by the flow to the stepped region. The greater tolerance in accuracy of positioning means that processing can be performed more quickly.