Abstract: User interface having a sensor and a composite interface that floats. Embodiments of user interfaces described herein are useful, for example, as automobile components (e.g., dashboard components), appliance components (e.g., dishwasher components, stove components, oven components, microwave oven components, clothes washer components, and clothes dyer components), medical equipment, elevator buttons, laboratory equipment (e.g., scales), as well as consumer electronics (e.g., entertainment devices and cell phones), automatic teller machines, and the like.

Abstract: The present application provides articles (10) having a polymeric substrate (12) with a plurality of solid and/or hollow microneedles (20) extending therefrom. Each solid microneedle is formed by a molding process and the microneedle has body with first (30) and second cavities (40) extending therein. The hollow microneedles are formed by removing a portion of the polymeric material disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity. A method for determining the location of a microneedle in an article comprising solid microneedles is also provided. The method comprises directing electromagnetic radiation toward an article comprising a plurality of microneedles and imaging the article.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the formation of high contrast, wavelength independent retroreflective sheeting made by including a light scattering material on at least a portion of the retroreflective sheeting. The light scattering material reduces the brightness of the retroreflective sheeting without substantially changing the appearance of the retroreflective sheeting when viewed under scattered light.

Abstract: A process to mark a multilayered article having a release layer and an adhesive layer, using a laser to produce markings within more than one layer of the article. The process includes providing a multilayered article including a laser-markable release liner having a release layer, and a laser-markable adhesive film; and marking the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film by directing laser radiation from at least a first source of laser radiation into the multilayered article through at least the first release layer to induce an interaction between a first light-sensitive pigment and a first organic polymer in the laser-markable release liner, and a second light-sensitive pigment and a second organic polymer in the laser-markable adhesive film, to form at least one visually perceptible marking in each of the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film. The release layer is substantially transparent to the laser radiation.

Abstract: The inventors of the present application developed novel optically active materials, methods, and articles. One embodiment of the present application is an optically active article, comprising: an infrared-reflecting material positioned adjacent to an optically active substrate such that the infrared-reflecting material forms a pattern that can be read by an infrared sensor when the optically active substrate is illuminated by an infrared light source. Another embodiment of the present application relates to a method of manufacturing an optically active article, comprising: obtaining an optically active sheeting; and positioning an infrared-reflecting material on the optically active sheeting to form a pattern. The optically active article may be, for example, a license plate.

Abstract: The inventors of the present application developed novel optically active materials, methods, and articles. One embodiment of the present application is an optically active article, comprising: an infrared-reflecting material positioned adjacent to an optically active substrate such that the infrared-reflecting material forms a pattern that can be read by an infrared sensor when the optically active substrate is illuminated by an infrared light source. Another embodiment of the present application relates to a method of manufacturing an optically active article, comprising: obtaining an optically active sheeting; and positioning an infrared-reflecting material on the optically active sheeting to form a pattern. The optically active article may be, for example, a license plate.

Abstract: A process to mark a multilayered article with a laser (20). The multilayered article (10) includes a laser-markable layer (14) having at least one organic polymer and at least one light-sensitive pigment therein, and including at least one release agent associated with the laser-markable layer. Laser-marking of the laser-markable layer is accomplished by directing laser radiation (22) into the multilayered article through the release agent (12) to induce an interaction between the light-sensitive pigment and the organic polymer. As a result of the interaction, a visually perceptible marking (16) is formed in the article. The laser-marked article includes a laser-markable layer and a first release agent associated with a surface of the laser-markable layer. The marking(s) in the laser-markable layer is visible through the layer of release agent, and the marking is a result of the laser-induced interaction between the light-sensitive pigment and the organic polymer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of making an enhanced activity nanostructured thin film catalyst by radiation annealing, typically laser annealing, typically under inert atmosphere. Typically the inert gas has a residual oxygen level of 100 ppm. Typically the irradiation has an incident energy fluence of at least 30 mJ/mm2. In some embodiments, the radiation annealing is accomplished by laser annealing. In some embodiments, the nanostructured thin film catalyst is provided on a continuous web.

Abstract: A process to mark a multilayered article having a release layer and an adhesive layer, using a laser to produce markings within more than one layer of the article. The process includes providing a multilayered article including a laser-markable release liner having a release layer, and a laser-markable adhesive film; and marking the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film by directing laser radiation from at least a first source of laser radiation into the multilayered article through at least the first release layer to induce an interaction between a first light-sensitive pigment and a first organic polymer in the laser-markable release liner, and a second light-sensitive pigment and a second organic polymer in the laser-markable adhesive film, to form at least one visually perceptible marking in each of the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film. The release layer is substantially transparent to the laser radiation.

Abstract: Techniques are described for forming microlens sheeting having composite images that appear to float with respect to the plane of the sheeting. As one example, a method comprises forming one or more images within a sheeting having a surface of microlenses, wherein at least one of the images is a partially complete image, and wherein each of the images is associated with a different one of the microlenses, wherein the microlenses have refractive surfaces that transmit light to positions within the sheeting to produce a plurality of composite images from the images formed within the sheeting so that each of the composite images appears to float with respect to the plane of the sheeting, and wherein forming the one or more images comprises forming the one or more images such that each of the composite images is associated with a different viewing angle range.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of making an enhanced activity nanostructured thin film catalyst by radiation annealing, typically laser annealing, typically tinder inert atmosphere, Typically the inert gas has a residual oxygen level of 100 ppm. Typically the irradiation has an incident energy fluence of at least 30 mJ/mm2. In some embodiments, the radiation annealing is accomplished by laser annealing. In some embodiments, the nanostructured thin film catalyst is provided on a continuous web.

Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.

Abstract: A method of marking prismatic retroreflective sheeting includes providing prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a front side and a back side, the back side having prismatic features and directing a radiation source at the back side of the prismatic retroreflective sheeting and irradiating a plurality of the prismatic features. The radiation forms a mark in the prismatic retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the formation of high contrast, wavelength independent retroreflective sheeting made by including a light scattering material on at least a portion of the retroreflective sheeting. The light scattering material reduces the brightness of the retroreflective sheeting without substantially changing the appearance of the retroreflective sheeting when viewed under scattered light.

Abstract: A process to mark a multilayered article with a laser (20). The multilayered article (10) includes a laser-markable layer (14) having at least one organic polymer and at least one light-sensitive pigment therein, and including at least one release agent associated with the laser-markable layer. Laser-marking of the laser-markable layer is accomplished by directing laser radiation (22) into the multilayered article through the release agent (12) to induce an interaction between the light-sensitive pigment and the organic polymer. As a result of the interaction, a visually perceptible marking (16) is formed in the article. The laser-marked article includes a laser-markable layer and a first release agent associated with a surface of the laser-markable layer. The marking(s) in the laser-markable layer is visible through the layer of release agent, and the marking is a result of the laser-induced interaction between the light-sensitive pigment and the organic polymer.

Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.

Abstract: User interface having a sensor and a composite interface that floats. Embodiments of user interfaces described herein are useful, for example, as automobile components (e.g., dashboard components), appliance components (e.g., dishwasher components, stove components, oven components, microwave oven components, clothes washer components, and clothes dyer components), medical equipment, elevator buttons, laboratory equipment (e.g., scales), as well as consumer electronics (e.g., entertainment devices and cell phones), automatic teller machines, and the like.

Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.

Abstract: User interfaces that includes one or more composite images that are perceived by an observer to be suspended in space relative to the user interface.

Abstract: Techniques are described for forming microlens sheeting having composite images that appear to float with respect to the plane of the sheeting. As one example, a method comprises forming one or more images within a sheeting having a surface of microlenses, wherein at least one of the images is a partially complete image, and wherein each of the images is associated with a different one of the microlenses, wherein the microlenses have refractive surfaces that transmit light to positions within the sheeting to produce a plurality of composite images from the images formed within the sheeting so that each of the composite images appears to float with respect to the plane of the sheeting, and wherein forming the one or more images comprises forming the one or more images such that each of the composite images is associated with a different viewing angle range.