Abstract: Provided is a method of laminating a surfacing film to an article. The method includes disposing a cutting filament onto a peripheral edge of the article, thermoforming a surfacing film onto the article with the cutting filament, peeling the cutting filament away from the peripheral edge of the article to separate a first portion of the surfacing film from a second portion of the surfacing film, and peeling the first portion of the surfacing film away from the second portion of the surfacing film. Significant benefits include simplification of the trimming process and reduced costs by eliminating need for custom trimming tools and/or laser trimming equipment.

Abstract: A nozzle (10) comprising a through-hole (20) having an optional initial section (36) in fluid communication with the inlet opening (21) of the through-hole (20), a fluid shearing section (40) in fluid communication with the outlet opening (32) of the through-hole (20), and an optional transition region (38) in fluid communication with the initial section (36) and the fluid shearing section (40). The initial section (36) has a relatively constant cross-sectional shape along at least a 20% portion of its length, a shape that converges to the transition region (38), or both. The transition region (38) is disposed along the through-hole length, with a relatively uniform, diverging, converging, diverging and converging, or converging and diverging cross-sectional area along its length.

Abstract: A nozzle (100) comprising an inlet face (12) on an inlet side, an outlet face (12) on an outlet side, a thickness between said inlet face and said outlet face, and a swirl chamber (20) located within said thickness, with said swirl chamber comprising a bottom surface (22) and an outer side wall (28) extending from said bottom surface toward said outlet side so as to form an outer periphery of an outlet opening (24) of said swirl chamber on said outlet face, and at least one feeder through-hole (30) having an inlet opening (32) on said inlet face and an outlet opening that opens into said swirl chamber so as to direct a fluid, flowing through said at least one feeder through-hole, to flow around a central axis (11) of said swirl chamber, along said outer side wall and within said swirl chamber.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing fuel injector nozzle structures such as, e.g., nozzle plates, valve guides, combinations of nozzle plates and valve guides, etc., as well as other articles incorporating microstructured features. The methods may employ multiphoton processes to form microstructured patterns on a three-dimensional structured surface to provide nozzle structures and other articles that include finished microstructured features such as, e.g., through-holes extending from one or more cavities, where at least a portion of the three-dimensional structured surface is used to form the cavities. Forming a microstructured pattern on a three-dimensional structured surface can reduce the time needed to form nozzle structures that include microstructured features and other nozzle structure features (e.g., cavities) by avoiding the need to form the other nozzle structure features using the multiphoton processes.

Abstract: Methods of electroforming fuel injector nozzle structures such as, e.g., nozzle plates, valve guides, combinations of nozzle plates and valve guides, etc., as well as other articles incorporating microstructured features. The methods described herein can be used to electroform articles with high aspect ratio features in close proximity while reducing the likelihood of void formation during the electroforming process.

Abstract: Nozzles and method of making the same are disclosed. The disclosed nozzles have at least one nozzle through-hole therein, wherein the at least one nozzle through-hole exhibits a coefficient of discharge, CD, of greater than about 0.50. Fuel injectors containing the nozzle are also disclosed. Methods of making and using nozzles and fuel injectors are further disclosed.

Abstract: A taillight article (100) including an optically clear light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and an opposing rear surface (114) and a side surface (118) separating the front surface (112) and the rear surface (114) is described. A first light source (120) is configured to direct light into the side surface (118) and indicate a first signal-function. A plurality of light extraction features (116) are on or within the optically clear light guide (110) and are configured to direct light from the first light source (120) out through the emission surface (112). A light reflection element (130) is spaced apart from the rear surface (114) and defines a cavity (135) that is observable by a viewer.

Abstract: A taillight article (100) including an optically clear light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and an opposing rear surface (114) and a side surface (118) separating the front surface (112) and the rear surface (114) is described. A first light source (120) is configured to direct light into the side surface (118) and indicate a first signal-function. A plurality of light extraction features (116) are on or within the optically clear light guide (110) and are configured to direct light from the first light source (120) out through the emission surface (112). A light reflection element (130) is spaced apart from the rear surface (114) and defines a cavity (135) that is observable by a viewer.

Abstract: Flexible lighting assemblies (100) are disclosed. Specifically, flexible lighting assemblies that are made up of a flexible cable (102), a plurality of light emitting diodes (112), and a plurality of transparent light distribution segments (116) that distribute light along the length of the cable by deflectors positioned over the light emitting diodes. The lighting assembly allows for flexible lighting without the glare and non-uniformity problems often associated with flexible lighting.

Abstract: Methods of making fuel nozzles are described. More specifically, methods of making fuel nozzles including injection molding are described. The injection molding may include polymer injection molding, powder injection molding, or micro powder injection molding, including micro metal injection molding. The formation of microstructures in the described methods may use the selective exposure of a material capable of undergoing a multiphoton reaction.

Abstract: A taillight article (100) including a light guide (110) having an light emission front surface (112) and a rear surface (114) and a plurality of light extraction features (116) on or within the light guide (110), configured to direct light out through the emission surface (112), is described. A first light source (120) indicing a first signal function is configured to direct light in a first direction into a side surface (118) of the light guide. A second light source (130) indicating a second signal function is configured to direct light in a second direction into a second side surface (119) of the light guide, the second direction being different than the first direction.

Abstract: A taillight article (100) including at least two optically clear light guides (110, 130) stacked on each other to provide vehicle signal function is described.

Abstract: Nozzles and method of making the same are disclosed. The disclosed nozzles have an inlet face and a three-dimensional outlet face opposite the inlet face. The nozzles may have one or more nozzle through-holes extending from the inlet face to the outlet face. Fuel injectors containing the nozzle are also disclosed. Methods of making and using nozzles and fuel injectors are further disclosed.

Abstract: Nozzles and method of making the same are disclosed. The disclosed nozzles have at least one nozzle through-hole therein, wherein the at least one nozzle through-hole has (i) a single inlet opening along an inlet face and multiple outlet openings along an outlet face or (ii) multiple inlet openings along an inlet face and a single outlet opening along an outlet face. Fuel injectors containing the nozzle are also disclosed. Methods of making and using nozzles and fuel injectors are further disclosed.

Abstract: Nozzles and method of making the same are disclosed. The disclosed nozzles have a non-coined three-dimensional inlet face and an outlet face opposite the inlet face. The nozzles may have one or more nozzle through-holes extending from the inlet face to the outlet face. Fuel injectors containing the nozzle are also disclosed. Methods of making and using nozzles and fuel injectors are further disclosed.

Abstract: Nozzles and method of making the same are disclosed. The disclosed nozzles have at least one nozzle through-hole therein, wherein the at least one nozzle through-hole exhibits a coefficient of discharge, CD, of greater than about 0.50. Fuel injectors containing the nozzle are also disclosed. Methods of making and using nozzles and fuel injectors are further disclosed.

Abstract: Flexible lighting assemblies (100) are disclosed. Specifically, flexible lighting assemblies that are made up of a flexible cable (102), a plurality of light emitting diodes (112), and a plurality of transparent light distribution segments (116) that distribute light along the length of the cable by deflectors positioned over the light emitting diodes. The lighting assembly allows for flexible lighting without the glare and non-uniformity problems often associated with flexible lighting.

Abstract: Superhydrophobic films (110) and methods of making such films are disclosed. More specifically, superhydrophobic films having microstructured (102) and nanofeatured (104) surfaces, constructions utilizing such films, and methods of making such films are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are surfaces for resisting and reducing biofilm formation, particularly on medical articles (100). The surfaces include a plurality of microstructures (120) including a plurality of nanofeatures (140) arranged according to at least one unit cell. Also disclosed are methods for creating anti-adherent surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of making a thin film semiconductor device such as a transistor comprising the steps of: a) providing a substrate bearing first and second conductive zones which define a channel therebetween, where the channel does not border more than 75% of the perimeter of either conductive zone; and b) depositing a discrete aliquot of a solution comprising an organic semiconductor adjacent to or on the channel, where a majority of the solution is deposited to one side of the channel and not on the channel. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the solution is deposited entirely to one side of the channel, not on the channel, and furthermore the solution is deposited in a band having a length that is less than the channel length. The present disclosure additionally provides thin film semiconductor devices such as a transistors.