Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (200), which comprises a first substance (220) in a microchannel (210) of the apparatus configured to react to a physical phenomenon or chemical phenomenon directed to the apparatus for providing an indication, which originates from the physical phenomenon or chemical phenomenon directed to the apparatus and indicates an occurrence of the physical phenomenon or chemical phenomenon directed to the apparatus. The invention also relates to a method, which is performed by means of the apparatus and a device, which comprises the apparatus.

Abstract: Micro-protrusions, which constitute a diffractive microstructure, are produced by embossing the surface layer of a substrate by an embossing member having microgrooves in such a way that the cross-sectional area of a produced micro-protrusion is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the microgroove producing said micro-protrusion. Thus, the embossing pressure is small, the risk of adhesion is reduced, it is possible to use a low embossing temperature, and microstructures may be produced at a high speed. Furthermore, the same embossing member may be used for producing a low microstructure, a normal microstructure, and a high microstructure.

Abstract: A security paper or board product carrying micro or nano structures such as diffractive optical elements is formed in which the diffractive structures are integrated into the security paper or board product in the manufacturing process. A security package carrying diffractive structures is manufactured wherein diffractive structures are integrated into the security package at a manufacturing stage of the security package material. A security package contains authentication information in the form of diffractive structures. The diffractive structures are included in the security package in at least in one of the following forms: as embossed in the package material, as part of the size or paste or resin used in the manufacturing process of the security package, or as part of the ink used in printing the security package or the security package material.

Abstract: Micro-protrusions, which constitute a diffractive microstructure, are produced by embossing the surface layer of a substrate by an embossing member having microgrooves in such a way that the cross-sectional area of a produced micro-protrusion is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the microgroove producing said micro-protrusion. Thus, the embossing pressure is small, the risk of adhesion is reduced, it is possible to use a low embossing temperature, and microstructures may be produced at a high speed. Furthermore, the same embossing member may be used for producing a low microstructure, a normal microstructure, and a high microstructure.

Abstract: A method for reading a code, which code comprises code elements and the first part of the code elements is substantially conductive and the conductivity of the second part is substantially different from that of the first part, in which method the reader couples to the code in a capacitive manner, in which case the signal level of the signal formed by the reader varies according to the conductivity of the code element, and a correction factor is determined of at least one code element for correcting the signal. In addition, the invention relates to a code reader and electric ink.

Abstract: A diffractive microstructure is produced on the surface layer of a substrate using an embossing device. The embossing device includes an embossing roll and a backing roll for exerting an embossing pressure on the surface layer of the substrate. The embossing pressure and/or variations in temperature cause deflection of the embossing roll. To compensate for the deflection, the embossing device can set the embossing pressure exerted by the central area of the embossing roll on the surface layer of the substrate to be at least equal to or higher than the embossing pressure exerted by the end areas of the embossing roll on the surface layer of the substrate.

Abstract: A micro-optical grid structure is produced on a surface layer of a substrate by an embossing device and method. The embossing device includes an embossing member and a backing member, a temperature adjuster for adjusting the embossing temperature and a pressure adjuster for adjusting the pressure exerted by the embossing member and the backing member to the surface layer of the substrate. An optical measuring device is arranged to produce a diffraction signal dependent on the intensity of light diffracted from the surface of the substrate. The embossing pressure and/or temperature is/are adjusted on the basis of the diffraction signal to produce an optimal and even pattern depth of the grid structure. With the adjustment based on the diffraction signal, it is possible to avoid the sticking of the surface of the substrate to the embossing member due to too high an embossing temperature. When the pattern depth is optimal, collapse of the substrate caused by the too high embossing pressure is avoided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic thin-film component, an apparatus implementing the method, and an electronic thin-film component manufactured according to the method. A lowermost, galvanically uniform conductive layer of electrically conductive material is first formed on a substantially dielectric substrate, from which lowermost conductive layer conductive areas are galvanically separated from each other to form an electrode pattern. On top of the electrode pattern it is then possible to form one or several upper passive or active layers required in the thin-film component. The separation of the lowermost conductive layer into an electrode pattern takes place by exerting on the lowermost conductive layer a machining operation based on die-cut embossing, i.e.

Abstract: The invention concerns a layered structure comprising at least two material layers. The layered structure is formed of a conductive polymer on a substrate material layer to allow a reaction in the conductive polymer material when the layered structure is exposed to the surrounding conditions. The invention also concerns a method for producing layered structure. In the method the conductive polymer material is applied on the substrate material by printing or spraying or stamping or casting or spin coating or by using photolithographic or laser ablation method or a combination of these. The invention further concerns a sensor comprising an electric device short circuited by the conductive polymer of the layered structure. In the sensor a change in the conductive polymer initiates a change in the function of the electric device.

Abstract: A method for reading a code, which code comprises code elements and the first part of the code elements is substantially conductive and the conductivity of the second part is substantially different from that of the first part, in which method the reader couples to the code in a capacitive manner, in which case the signal level of the signal formed by the reader varies according to the conductivity of the code element, and a correction factor is determined of at least one code element for correcting the signal. In addition, the invention relates to a code reader and electric ink.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a moisture profile of a paper web, in which the moisture profile of the paper web prior to drying is measured. The measurement is carried out with a measuring device, which measures a cross-direction profile of the web substantially simultaneously. On the basis of the measurement, the moisture profile of the paper web is controlled prior to drying the paper web.

Abstract: The invention concerns a layered structure comprising at least two material layers. The layered structure is formed of a conductive polymer on a substrate material layer to allow a reaction in the conductive polymer material when the layered structure is exposed to the surrounding conditions. The invention also concerns a method for producing layered structure. In the method the conductive polymer material is applied on the substrate material by printing or spraying or stamping or casting or spin coating or by using photolithographic or laser ablation method or a combination of these. The invention further concerns a sensor comprising an electric device short circuited by the conductive polymer of the layered structure. In the sensor a change in the conductive polymer initiates a change in the function of the electric device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a moisture profile of a paper web, in which the moisture profile of the paper web prior to drying is measured. The measurement is carried out with a measuring device, which measures a cross-direction profile of the web substantially simultaneously. On the basis of the measurement, the moisture profile of the paper web is controlled prior to drying the paper web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a security paper or board product carrying micro or nano structures such as diffractive optical elements in which method the diffractive structures are integrated into the security paper or board product at the manufacturing process of said product. The invention also relates to a method for producing a security package carrying diffractive structures in which method the diffractive structures are integrated into the security package at a manufacturing stage of the security package material. The invention further relates to a security package containing authentication information in a form of diffractive structures in which package the diffractive structures are included in the security package at least in one of the following forms: as embossed in the package material, as part of the size or paste or resin used in the manufacturing process of the security package, or as part of the ink used in printing the security package or the security package material.