Abstract: Techniques are described in which articles (e.g., security documents, traffic signage and personal protective equipment) are formed to include an infrared absorptive material. In some instances, the infrared absorptive material includes a reduced tungsten oxide, such as cesium tungsten oxide, calcium tungsten oxide, potassium tungsten oxide, or the like, and exposed to radiation such that one or more regions of the security document has a modified appearance, thereby providing a visual marking or information on the article. Example articles include at least one layer including a polymer and an infrared absorptive material including a reduced tungsten oxide. The layer includes a radiation-treated region that exhibits a first appearance under visible light and at least one non-radiation-treated region that exhibits a second, different appearance under visible light.

Abstract: A method of producing at least one security element (9) in a data carrier (1) comprises the steps of: Providing a source of radiation (6) that is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation (R), providing a data carrier (1) that comprises at least one guiding layer (2) and at least one processing layer (3), providing at least one masking layer (4) comprising at least one masking element (5), and irradiating electromagnetic radiation (R) from the source of radiation (6) through the masking layer (4) and onto the data carrier (1). Electromagnetic radiation (R) that impinges on a region (7a) of the masking layer (4) having no masking element (5) impinges on the at least one processing layer (3) as electromagnetic radiation having a first radiation property (Ra), whereby the at least one processing layer (3) is cured in said region of impingement (8a) into a first curing state.

Abstract: In some examples, an optically active article includes a retroreflective substrate; and at least one security element disposed at the retroreflective substrate; an article message disposed at the retroreflective substrate, and wherein the at least one security element comprises validation information that is detectable outside a visible light spectrum, and wherein a combination of the article message and the validation information of the at least one security element indicates whether the optically active article is counterfeit.

Abstract: A data carrier (1) comprises at least a first guiding element (2), at least a first processing element (3), and at least a first security element (4). The first processing element (3) is arranged after the first guiding element (2) with respect to an extension direction (E). The first guiding element (2) is configured to guide impinging electromagnetic radiation towards the first processing element (3). The first processing element (3), in an unprocessed state, is semi-opaque or opaque. In a processed state after being impinged by electromagnetic radiation that is irradiated through the first guiding element (2) onto the first processing element (3), the first processing element (3) in the region of impingement comprises at least a first processed region (5) in the form of a transparent region or translucent region or a hole.

Abstract: A data carrier (1) comprises at least a first guiding element (2), at least a first processing element (3), and at least a first security element (4). The first processing element (3) is arranged after the first guiding element (2) with respect to an extension direction (E). The first guiding element (2) is configured to guide impinging electromagnetic radiation towards the first processing element (3). The first processing element (3), in an unprocessed state, is semi-opaque or opaque. In a processed state after being impinged by electromagnetic radiation that is irradiated through the first guiding element (2) onto the first processing element (3), the first processing element (3) in the region of impingement comprises at least a first processed region (5) in the form of a transparent region or translucent region or a hole.

Abstract: A method of producing at least one security element (9) in a data carrier (1) comprises the steps of: Providing a source of radiation (6) that is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation (R), providing a data carrier (1) that comprises at least one guiding layer (2) and at least one processing layer (3), providing at least one masking layer (4) comprising at least one masking element (5), and irradiating electromagnetic radiation (R) from the source of radiation (6) through the masking layer (4) and onto the data carrier (1). Electromagnetic radiation (R) that impinges on a region (7a) of the masking layer (4) having no masking element (5) impinges on the at least one processing layer (3) as electromagnetic radiation having a first radiation property (Ra), whereby the at least one processing layer (3) is cured in said region of impingement (8a) into a first curing state.

Abstract: A prismatic retroreflective sheeting includes a structured layer that includes a plurality of cube corner elements including a reduced tungsten oxide, a radiation-treated region, and a non-radiation-treated region. The prismatic retroreflective sheeting includes also includes an information-containing layer above the structured layer. The information-containing layer includes at least one indicia defining an edge. The radiation-treated region of the structured layer is adjacent and below at least part of the edge of the at least one indicia.

Abstract: In some examples, an optically active article includes a retroreflective substrate; and at least one security element disposed at the retroreflective substrate; an article message disposed at the retroreflective substrate, and wherein the at least one security element comprises validation information that is detectable outside a visible light spectrum, and wherein a combination of the article message and the validation information of the at least one security element indicates whether the optically active article is counterfeit.

Abstract: Techniques are described in which articles (e.g., security documents, traffic signage and personal protective equipment) are formed to include an infrared absorptive material. In some instances, the infrared absorptive material includes a reduced tungsten oxide, such as cesium tungsten oxide, calcium tungsten oxide, potassium tungsten oxide, or the like, and exposed to radiation such that one or more regions of the security document has a modified appearance, thereby providing a visual marking or information on the article. Example articles include at least one layer including a polymer and an infrared absorptive material including a reduced tungsten oxide. The layer includes a radiation-treated region that exhibits a first appearance under visible light and at least one non-radiation-treated region that exhibits a second, different appearance under visible light.

Abstract: A prismatic retroreflective sheeting includes a structured layer that includes a plurality of cube corner elements including a reduced tungsten oxide, a radiation-treated region, and a non-radiation-treated region. The prismatic retroreflective sheeting includes also includes an information-containing layer above the structured layer. The information-containing layer includes at least one indicia defining an edge. The radiation-treated region of the structured layer is adjacent and below at least part of the edge of the at least one indicia.

Abstract: Methods for making differentially pattern cured microstructured articles are disclosed, using a molding tool having a microstructured surface, a patterned irradiation to generate irradiate and non-irradiated regions in a radiation curable resin. Different combinations of molding tools and patterned irradiation provide numerous variants of differentially pattern cured microstructured articles without requiring costly modification of the molding tools.

Abstract: Methods for making differentially pattern cured microstructured articles are disclosed, using a molding tool having a microstructured surface, a patterned irradiation to generate irradiate and non-irradiated regions in a radiation curable resin. Different combinations of molding tools and patterned irradiation provide numerous variants of differentially pattern cured microstructured articles without requiring costly modification of the molding tools.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating printable sheet. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a tamper-indicating printable sheet comprising a retroreflective layer comprising a plurality of microbeads partially embedded in an inkjet receptive beadbond layer; and a reflector layer between one of the microbeads and the inkjet receptive beadbond layer. The present invention provides a method of making a tamper-indicating printable sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microstructured tool having a microstructured layer having a polymer and a microstructured surface; a nickel layer disposed adjacent the microstructured layer opposite the microstructured surface; and a base layer disposed adjacent the nickel layer opposite the microstructured layer. The microstructured surface may have at least one feature having a maximum depth of up to about 1000 um. Also disclosed herein is a method of making the microstructured tool using laser ablation. The microstructured tool may be used to make articles suitable for use in optical applications.

Abstract: A particle that includes an inorganic matrix that includes channels and a composition disposed in the channels, the composition including organic structure-directing agent and active agent, e.g., pheromone, and the particle being capable of controllably releasing the active agent.

Abstract: The ink receptor media of the invention comprise an ink receptor comprising surfactant templated mesoporous particles dispersed within an organic binder on the substrate. The ink receptor media may also have an ink fixing material within or on the ink receptor. The invention also describes surfactant templated silica particles having a narrow particle size distribution and having intraparticle pore sizes of about 1.5 to about 10 nm and methods of preparing said particles. The invention also describes a colloidal dispersion of STM particles methods of making said dispersions.

Abstract: A complex comprises organoborane and polyamine. The polyamine is the reaction product of a diprimary amine-terminated material and a material having at least two groups reactive with primary amine. The complexes are useful in systems for initiating the polymerization of acrylic monomer, which systems further include a material reactive with amine. Polymerizable acrylic monomer compositions useful as adhesives can be prepared.

Abstract: A complex comprises organoborane and polyamine. The polyamine is the reaction product of a diprimary amine-terminated material and a material having at least two groups reactive with primary amine. The complexes are useful in systems for initiating the polymerization of acrylic monomer, which systems further include a material reactive with amine. Polymerizable acrylic monomer compositions useful as adhesives can be prepared.

Abstract: A complex comprises organoborane and polyamine. The polyamine is the reaction product of a diprimary amine-terminated material and a material having at least two groups reactive with primary amine. The complexes are useful in systems for initiating the polymerization of acrylic monomer, which systems further include a material reactive with amine. Polymerizable acrylic monomer compositions useful as adhesives can be prepared.