Abstract: Methods and systems including one or more entropically configured distinct physical features (an “identropy”) that serve as unique identifiers for a physical item, such as a product or device, particularly products and/or devices in commerce, documents, packaging, etc. are described herein. The identropy makes it possible to uniquely distinguish one item from the other. In one embodiment, the identropy needs to be converted into a digital entity which can be done through a challenge-response interaction, in which a physical challenge acts upon the identropy, and in which the identropy as a reaction to the challenge will provide a physical response. In some embodiments, the response(s) described above is encrypted. In some embodiments, the resulting decrypted and optionally decompressed code can be compared to the digital response that was retrieved upon the challenge by the authentication device to estimate a trust score, such as a trust quotient.

Abstract: System and method for using one or more entropically configured distinct physical features (a “IDENTROPY”) for establishing trust, accountability, and transparency with respect to physical items are disclosed. Such system and method are useful, among other things, for detecting counterfeit physical items.

Abstract: A print and apply system configured to facilitate the application of a flow of activatable labels with variable length to a flow of items, including a roll of activatable label stock with a facestock and an activatable adhesive layer; a software program configured to create a layout for each of the flow of activatable labels with variable length; a printer configured to print on the facestock; a cutter configured to cut off a specific length from the roll of activatable label stock to form the flow of activatable labels according to the layout; an activation unit to activate the adhesive layer to turn it tacky; and, an applicator unit configured to receive and place the labels with activated adhesive onto a flow of items to be labeled. Related methods and uses are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dew resistant coatings and articles having the dew resistant coating adhered thereto. The dew resistant coatings comprise elongate silica particles. These coatings are useful on articles or surfaces used in outdoor applications and articles and surfaces used in moist indoor environments.

Abstract: Various systems, methods and materials are disclosed that enable efficient delivery of an agent into an adhesively adhered article, in which the agent elicits a desired outcome, on demand. This strategy, though general in scope, is also more specifically described with regard to enabling painless or atraumatic removal of products adhering to mammalian tissues such as skin and hair by suitably exploiting the ingress of an appropriate agent or like fluid. Other techniques and articles that aid in the handling or removal of such adhesive products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and/or systems for printing or otherwise evincing temporary indicia on media with disappearing inks are described along with suitable disappearing ink formulations and media constructions for executing the same. In particular embodiments, the methods and/or systems described employ a plurality of disappearing inks with different disappearing rates. In one embodiment, a barrier layer that is selectively used to cover a major surface of the media is employed to substantially block or otherwise regulate a rate of phase transitions (e.g., evaporation and/or sublimation) experienced by ink borne by the media.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrically-conductive pattern includes selectively electroplating the top portions of a substrate that corresponds to the pattern, and separating the conductive pattern from the substrate. The electroplating may also include electrically connecting the conductive pattern to an electrical component. Conductive ink, such as ink including carbon particles, may be selectively placed on the conductive substrate to facilitate plating of the desired pattern and/or to facilitate separation of the pattern from the substrate. An example of a conductive pattern is an antenna for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device such as a label or a tag. One example of an electrical component that may be electrically connected to the antenna, is an RFID strap or chip.

Abstract: Various systems, methods and materials are disclosed that enable efficient delivery of an agent into an adhesively adhered article, in which the agent elicits a desired outcome, on demand. This strategy, though general in scope, is also more specifically described with regard to enabling painless or atraumatic removal of products adhering to mammalian tissues such as skin and hair by suitably exploiting the ingress of an appropriate agent or like fluid. Other techniques and articles that aid in the handling or removal of such adhesive products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrically-conductive pattern includes selectively electroplating the top portions of a substrate that corresponds to the pattern, and separating the conductive pattern from the substrate. The electroplating may also include electrically connecting the conductive pattern to an electrical component. Conductive ink, such as ink including carbon particles, may be selectively placed on the conductive substrate to facilitate plating of the desired pattern and/or to facilitate separation of the pattern from the substrate. An example of a conductive pattern is an antenna for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device such as a label or a tag. One example of an electrical component that may be electrically connected to the antenna, is an RFID strap or chip.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrically-conductive pattern includes selectively electroplating the top portions of a substrate that corresponds to the pattern, and separating the conductive pattern from the substrate. The electroplating may also include electrically connecting the conductive pattern to an electrical component. Conductive ink, such as ink including carbon particles, may be selectively placed on the conductive substrate to facilitate plating of the desired pattern and/or to facilitate separation of the pattern from the substrate. An example of a conductive pattern is an antenna for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device such as a label or a tag. One example of an electrical component that may be electrically connected to the antenna, is an RFID strap or chip.

Abstract: Methods and/or systems for printing or otherwise evincing temporary indicia on media with disappearing inks are described along with suitable disappearing ink formulations and media constructions for executing the same. In particular embodiments, the methods and/or systems described employ a plurality of disappearing inks with different disappearing rates. In one embodiment, a barrier layer that is selectively used to cover a major surface of the media is employed to substantially block or otherwise regulate a rate of phase transitions (e.g., evaporation and/or sublimation) experienced by ink borne by the media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dew resistant coatings and articles having the dew resistant coating adhered thereto. The dew resistant coatings comprise elongate silica particles. These coatings are useful on articles or surfaces used in outdoor applications and articles and surfaces used in moist indoor environments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dew resistant coatings and articles having the dew resistant coating adhered thereto. The dew resistant coatings comprise elongate silica particles. These coating are useful on articles or surfaces used in outdoor applications and articles and surfaces used in moist indoor environments.

Abstract: A laminate, comprising a substrate and at least two controlled droplet-formed layers further comprising an array of discrete placed material volumes having a thickness extent, each material volume having a selected magnitude and a selected position relative to adjacent material volumes, said array being formed by deposition of droplets of selected volume at selected locations with respect to one another.

Abstract: Three-dimensional flexible adhesive film structures are described which exhibit tack on demand characteristics. The film is capable of showing minimal or no tack under normal handling conditions, but when pressed against a target surface, exhibits the desired adhesion.

Abstract: A display system includes a low power flexible film display component. The display may include an attention-grabbing mechanism, such as flashing, apparent motion within the display, or animation. The display may involve interactivity between the user and the display, with the display including for example user-operated switches that change portions of the display. The display may be attached to a product, and may be powered by a separate power unit.

Abstract: Three-dimensional flexible adhesive film structures are described which exhibit tack on demand characteristics. The film is capable of showing minimal or no tack under normal handling conditions, but when pressed against a target surface, exhibits the desired adhesion.

Abstract: A hydroprocess catalyzed by a catalyst composition comprising a porous refractory oxide, a molybdenum component, a phosphorus component and an underbedded nickel component, the composition characterized by a Raman spectrum comprising at least one Raman band in each of the regions of (1) about 240 cm.sup.-1 to about 250 cm.sup.-1, and (2) about 595 cm.sup.-1 to about 605 cm.sup.-1. The catalyst is prepared by sequential incorporation of the nickel metal followed by the additional catalytic promoters including a molybdenum component and a phosphorus component.

Abstract: A catalyst containing an overlayer of a catalytic promoter on a porous refractory support containing an underbedded Group VIII metal-containing component. The catalyst is prepared by sequential incorporation of the Group VIII metal followed by the additional catalytic promoter component, usually a Group VIB metal, with the porous refractory oxide support. Underbedded nickel components on the catalyst are characterized by a unique Raman spectrum exhibiting Raman bands in the region of about 240 cm.sup.-1 to about 250 cm.sup.-1 and in the region of about 595 cm.sup.-1 to about 605 cm.sup.-1. The catalyst has a MoO.sub.3 /NiO weight ratio less than 6 to 1 and more than 4 weight percent of NiO. The catalyst is especially useful for simultaneous hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodesulfurization of a gas oil, particularly when the refractory oxide support has a narrow pore size distribution.