Abstract: A high-voltage optical transformer may include (1) an array of light-emitting devices that are connected in parallel with one another and are electrically coupled to an electrical input, (2) a transfer medium, and (3) an array of photovoltaic cells that (A) are optically coupled to the array of light-emitting devices via the transfer medium, (B) are connected in series with one another, and (C) produce an electrical output whose voltage is higher than the electrical input. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit and method are described for generating a low jitter output clock having an arbitrary non-integer divide ratio relative to a high-frequency clock. Integer divide ratios of the high-frequency clock may be achieved by dividing the high-frequency clock by the reference clock and phase locking the output clock to the high-frequency clock. Non-integer divide ratios can be achieved by dividing the high-frequency clock by the nearest integer, rounded down, and then delaying the resultant output clock by the modulus of the division. The delay can then be rotated across to create a clock with a non-integer divide ratio relative to the high-frequency clock. By doing so, a high-frequency clock may be used that is not constrained by having a frequency that is an integer multiple of each desired component-specific output clock signal.

Abstract: A liquid lens with flexible transparent active layers on both sides of a fluid is transformed along two distinct deformation axes. The flexible transparent active layers include piezoelectric materials that actuate the lens in response to applied voltage(s). The piezoelectric properties and actuation mechanism of the transparent layers are arranged to deform the lens cylindrically along different axes resulting in a net spherical deformation or a combination of spherical and cylindrical deformation with substantially less distortion than spherically deforming layers. The piezoelectric active layers may be polymer or ceramic with isotropic or anisotropic mechanical stiffness. Alternatively, a pair of transparent, internal layers are positioned between the front and rear surfaces. The active layers, front and/or rear, are dual layers affixed together with an adhesive or single layers.

Abstract: A mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer article is formed from a crystallizable fluoropolymer and a nucleating agent. The polymer article may be a thin film or a fiber, for example. A crystalline phase may constitute at least approximately 50% of the polymer article. In certain examples, a fluoropolymer may include vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinyl fluoride. The polymer article may include up to approximately 10 wt. % of the nucleating agent. Such a polymer article is optically transparent, has an elastic modulus of at least approximately 3 GPa, and an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least approximately 0.15.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a laminate film for protecting oxygen-sensitive materials. The laminate film includes an ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer layer and an oxygen scavenging layer. The oxygen scavenging layer includes a first polyamide, a second polyamide, and a metal salt catalyst. The first polyamide includes a crystallizable polyamide homopolymer, a crystallizable polyamide copolymer, or a blend thereof. The second polyamide includes an m-xylylene diamine moiety, an isophthalic acid moiety, and a polyamide monomeric diacid precursor moiety.

Abstract: Heat sealable food packaging films, methods for the production thereof, and food packages comprising heat sealable food packaging films are provided. The heat sealable food packaging film includes a humidity-dependent permeable film having a moisture vapor transmission rate that increases with an increase in relative humidity (RH). An outer coating comprises a coating material on at least one surface of the humidity-dependent permeable film. The coating material is selected from a nanoclay dispersed in a poly-vinylidene chloride (PVdC) polymer or a stretchable urethane polymer, a stretchable acrylic polymer, or a combination of stretchable urethane polymer and stretchable acrylic polymer. The coating material may further comprise an anti-blocking agent. The heat sealable food packaging film is biaxially oriented.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a laminate film for protecting oxygen-sensitive materials. The laminate film includes an ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer layer and an oxygen scavenging layer. The oxygen scavenging layer includes a first polyamide, a second polyamide, and a metal salt catalyst. The first polyamide includes a crystallizable polyamide homopolymer, a crystallizable polyamide copolymer, or a blend thereof. The second polyamide includes an m-xylylene diamine moiety, an isophthalic acid moiety, and a polyamide monomeric diacid precursor moiety.

Abstract: Heat sealable food packaging films, methods for the production thereof, and food packages comprising heat sealable food packaging films are provided. The heat sealable food packaging film includes a humidity-dependent permeable film having a moisture vapor transmission rate that increases with an increase in relative humidity (RH). An outer coating comprises a coating material on at least one surface of the humidity-dependent permeable film. The coating material is selected from a nanoclay dispersed in a poly-vinylidene chloride (PVdC) polymer or a stretchable urethane polymer, a stretchable acrylic polymer, or a combination of stretchable urethane polymer and stretchable acrylic polymer. The coating material may further comprise an anti-blocking agent. The heat sealable food packaging film is biaxially oriented.

Abstract: Heat sealable food packaging films, methods for the production thereof, and food packages comprising heat sealable food packaging films are provided. The heat sealable food packaging film includes a humidity-dependent permeable film having a moisture vapor transmission rate that increases with an increase in relative humidity (RH). An outer coating comprises a coating material on at least one surface of the humidity-dependent permeable film. The coating material is selected from a nanoclay dispersed in a poly-vinylidene chloride (PVdC) polymer or a stretchable urethane polymer, a stretchable acrylic polymer, or a combination of stretchable urethane polymer and stretchable acrylic polymer. The coating material may further comprise an anti-blocking agent. The heat sealable food packaging film is biaxially oriented.

Abstract: Embodiments of films and methods for making the films are provided. The film comprises a fluoropolymer layer having a surface and comprising a melt processable fluoropolymer and a functionalized polymer dispersed throughout the fluoropolymer layer. A portion of the functionalized polymer is disposed at the surface of the fluoropolymer layer for bonding to a second layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of photovoltaic back sheet laminates, photovoltaic modules containing photovoltaic back sheet laminates, and methods for making photovoltaic back sheet laminates are provided. The photovoltaic back sheet laminate comprises a first outer laminate section comprising an inner EVA layer, an outer EVA layer, and a pigmented core layer that is disposed between the inner and outer EVA layers. The pigmented core layer has a composition different than the inner and outer EVA layers. A second outer laminate section comprises a weatherable film. A mid-layer of polymer film is disposed between the first and second outer laminate sections.

Abstract: Coatings utilized in multilayer sheets such as laminated films used for photovoltaic backsheets can be prepared by adding epoxy and carbodiimide to a polyurethane mixture to be utilized as the adhesive, prior to application of the coating to a substrate. Such coatings can exhibit improved resistance to hydrolysis, and can maintain bond strength under prolonged conditions of high heat and humidity.

Abstract: Detection of Plasmodium ssp. by analysis of extrachromosomal DNA. It has been found that the molecular composition, physical arrangements, and nucleotide sequences of the extrachromosomal plastid-like element and mitochondrial element are highly conserved in different Plasmodium ssp. The high degree of homology has been used to design genera-specific or species specific diagnostic assays with a low frequency of false negatives. Plastid and mitochondrial DNA sequences are disclosed. The use of the sequences is claimed for detection, prophylactic, and therapeutic treatment of Plasmodium ssp. infection in human or other animals.

Abstract: A process for forming thin film laminations of thin fluoropolymer films to receiver sheets, more particularly, the production of very thin, transferable fluoropolymer films. A thin fluoropolymer base layer is applied onto a support layer, which may be a thicker film. The support layer/thin base layer is then laminated to a receiver sheet, followed by stripping away the support layer, leaving the base film on the receiver sheet.

Abstract: A process for transferring a thin polymeric film to either woven or non-woven fabrics by first coextruding the thin polymeric film with a plastic support layer, then adhesively laminating the polymeric film to a fabric, followed by delaminating the support layer. The thin base layer remaining on the fabric imparts desired properties to the fabric while maintaining the soft feel, or drapeability, of the fabric, as opposed to lamination of thicker polymeric films to fabrics.

Abstract: A multilayered packaging film having good antifog performance that is suitable for use in food packaging. The multilayered film comprises a nylon film having first and second surfaces; a silicone oil on the first surface of the nylon film; and a sealant film on the second surface of the nylon film, either directly or via an intermediate adhesive tie layer. An antifog composition is either contained within at least part of the sealant film or is coated on a surface of the sealant film opposite the nylon film. The silicone oil effectively blocks the migration of the antifog composition into the nylon film when the multilayered film is stored in roll form.

Abstract: A multilayered packaging film having good antifog performance that is suitable for use in food packaging. The multilayered film comprises an outer film attached to an inner film, which outer film is a combination of a first nylon layer, an ethylene vinyl alcohol layer attached to a surface of the first nylon layer and a second nylon layer attached to the ethylene vinyl alcohol layer. The inner film is a combination of a third nylon layer having a silicone oil on a first surface of the third nylon layer, and a sealant film on a second surface of the third nylon layer, attached either directly or via an intermediate adhesive layer. An antifog composition is either contained within the sealant film or is coated on a surface of the sealant film opposite the third nylon layer. The silicone oil effectively blocks the migration of the antifog composition into an adjacent nylon layer when the multilayered film is stored in roll form.

Abstract: A process for transferring a thin polymeric film to either woven or non-woven fabrics by first coextruding the thin polymeric film with a plastic support layer, then adhesively laminating the polymeric film to a fabric, followed by delaminating the support layer. The thin base layer remaining on the fabric imparts desired properties to the fabric while maintaining the soft feel, or drapeability, of the fabric, as opposed to lamination of thicker polymeric films to fabrics.

Abstract: A process for forming thin film laminations of thin fluoropolymer films to receiver sheets, more particularly, the production of very thin, transferable fluoropolymer films. A thin fluoropolymer base layer is applied onto a support layer, which may be a thicker film. The support layer/thin base layer is then laminated to a receiver sheet, followed by stripping away the support layer, leaving the base film on the receiver sheet.

Abstract: A multilayered packaging film having good antifog performance that is suitable for use in food packaging. The multilayered film comprises an outer film attached to an inner film, which outer film is a combination of a first nylon layer, an ethylene vinyl alcohol layer attached to a surface of the first nylon layer and a second nylon layer attached to the ethylene vinyl alcohol layer. The inner film is a combination of a third nylon layer having a silicone oil on a first surface of the third nylon layer, and a sealant film on a second surface of the third nylon layer, attached either directly or via an intermediate adhesive layer. An antifog composition is either contained within the sealant film or is coated on a surface of the sealant film opposite the third nylon layer. The silicone oil effectively blocks the migration of the antifog composition into an adjacent nylon layer when the multilayered film is stored in roll form.