Abstract: The present application generally relates to top films comprising a semi-crystalline core polymeric layer sandwiched by two amorphous skin layers, one on each side of the core polymeric layer. In preferred embodiments, an acrylic layer adjacent one of the amorphous skin layers is present as an outermost layer. The present application is also directed to retroreflective articles comprising such top films.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a retroreflective article. The retroreflective article includes a retroreflective layer including a number of cube corner elements that collectively form a structured surface that is opposite a major surface, and a conformal wavelength-selective radiation absorbing coating layer adjacent to the structured surface. The present disclosure also provides a method of making a retroreflective article. The method includes obtaining a retroreflective layer, and forming a conformal wavelength-selective radiation absorbing coating layer on the retroreflective layer by applying a first material having a first binding group to the structured surface, and applying a second material having a second binding group to the first material.

Abstract: The present application relates to cube corner retroreflective articles including a conformal coating layer and a sealing layer, and methods of making such articles. In one aspect, the presently described conformal coating layers enable shifting of light to high or low observation and/or high or low entrance angles. In some embodiments, the conformal coating layers include at least one bi-layer.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles. Some embodiments include a body layer having an elastic modulus of equal to or greater than 1750 MPa, a plurality of truncated cube corner elements, and a polymeric layer between the body layer and the cube corner elements, the polymeric layer having an elastic modulus of less than 1750 MPa.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles. The retroreflective articles include a substantially amorphous polymeric layer between the body layer and the discrete truncated cube corner elements. The substantially amorphous polymeric layer absorbs, dissipates, and/or accommodates at least some of the stress forces placed on the retroreflective article during processing. As a result, discrete truncated cube corner elements with increased fidelity can be formed. Consequently, retroreflective sheeting including a substantially amorphous polymeric layer has increased brightness compared to similarly made and composed sheeting lacking the substantially amorphous polymeric layer.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles. The retroreflective articles include a substantially amorphous polymeric layer between the body layer and the discrete truncated cube corner elements. The substantially amorphous polymeric layer absorbs, dissipates, and/or accommodates at least some of the stress forces placed on the retroreflective article during processing. As a result, discrete truncated cube corner elements with increased fidelity can be formed.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles. Some embodiments include a body layer having an elastic modulus of equal to or greater than 1750 MPa, a plurality of truncated cube corner elements, and a polymeric layer between the body layer and the cube corner elements, the polymeric layer having an elastic modulus of less than 1750 MPa.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles including a beaded retroreflective article and a multilayer seal film adjacent thererto. The multilayer film includes a polymeric sealing layer and an adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the multilayer film includes a release liner. In some embodiments, seal legs extend through all layers of the multilayer film In some embodiments, the retroreflective article is retroreflective sheeting. In some embodiments, the retroreflective sheeting and the multilayer film are laminated, embossed, and/or sealed in a single processing step.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles including a plurality of microreplicated retroreflective elements (prismatic elements and lenslets) and a multilayer seal film adjacent to the retroreflective elements. The multilayer film includes a polymeric sealing layer and an adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the multilayer film includes a release liner. Seal legs extend through all layers of the multilayer film In some embodiments, the retroreflective article is retroreflective sheeting. In some embodiments, the retroreflective sheeting and the multilayer film are laminated, embossed, and/or sealed in a single processing step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a molecule of a molecule-substrate complex, wherein the molecule is covalently attached directly to a substrate or indirectly by means of a linking moiety, comprising: (a) bombarding the molecule-substrate complex with energized particles to cleave the molecule from the molecule-substrate complex; and (b) determining the molecular weight of the cleaved molecule by means of mass spectrometry. The inventive method may further comprise irradiating the cleaved molecule with photons.