Abstract: A security feature for an identification document and method for making it provide layers of security, including, for example, tamper evidence, optically variable effects, and personalized information that links the security information to the document and its bearer. The feature is made by printing a first material representing first information on a core layer of the document. This first material at least partially overlaps the core layer. One example is Xerographic printing of information about the ID document applicant and the applicant's photo. The process also applies a second material representing second information adjacent to the first material. One example is ink jet printing of personal information with a UV curable ink in the form of a relief pattern on the core layer. Finally, the process applies a laminate layer over the core layer. The laminate layer covers the first and second materials.

Abstract: A Q-switched all-fiber laser utilizes a long period fibre grating (LPFG) modulator. The LPFG modulator is characterized by optical spectral characteristics that are controlled by application of stress via an actuator. In particular, the actuator applies stress to selected sections of the LPFG in order to modulate a light signal at a specified wavelength. Further, a controller is utilized to control the application of stress in the time domain, and thereby switch the Q-factor of the fiber laser cavity. In addition to the LPFG, the laser cavity comprises a pair of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) and a fiber gain medium.

Abstract: A security feature for an identification document and method for making it provide layers of security, including, for example, tamper evidence, optically variable effects, and personalized information that links the security information to the document and its bearer. The feature is made by printing a first material representing first information on a core layer of the document. This first material at least partially covers the core layer. One example is Xerographic printing of information about the ID document applicant and the applicant's photo. The process then applies a second material representing second information at least partially overlapping the first material, and cures the second material. One example is ink jet printing of personal information with a UV curable ink in the form of a relief pattern on the core layer. Finally, the process applies a laminate layer over the core layer. The laminate layer covers the first and second materials.

Abstract: A forensic feature for a secure document comprises a base document layer and a covert material applied to the base document layer. The covert material includes a carrier and forensic material within the carrier. The forensic material includes a ratio of salts or oxides of metals, such as rare earth metals. The ratio is selected to correspond with a source of the document. The forensic material may be mixed into a coating or ink that is applied at predetermined locations on a secure document. The ratio is then measurable from metal ion signals of the salts or oxides. This ratio, or some metric derived from it, may be linked with information embedded elsewhere in the document to enable verification of the document. Another forensic document feature has a forensic metric that is measurable from a covert material in the document, and this forensic metric corresponds to a source of the document.

Abstract: A non-reactive but highly absorbent material, such as clay, is incorporated into polyolefin/silica matrix to form a core document substrate. This material may be added to create a distinctive look of the document. Clay particles are added to the polyolefin/silica matrix in measured quantities at a known particle size distribution so that the core looks substantially the same from the front, back and side to the curious viewer. Addition of a covert component, such as a UV pigment, allows a covert characteristic and it also allows a mathematical description to be calculated describing the random distribution of a specific area on a document and then captured on it (e.g., in the bar code or magnetic stripe or digital watermark on an ID document). Each document is unique virtue of the clay's distribution within the document's core. The material is buried within the document, and the unique distribution for each document is protected by virtue of the construction for the entire length of the document's life.

Abstract: An image destruct material comprises a release layer positioned between an image receiving layer and a base layer. The adhesion between the release layer and the base layer is greater than adhesion between the release layer and the image receiving layer. The release layer material can be used in secure documents that have an image receiving layer, such as used for dye diffusion, mass transfer, ink jet, and xerographic printing. For example, particular implementations are designed for identification documents with a D2T2 image receiving layer. In these implementations, for example, the release layer is in the form of a patterned coating under the image receiving layer. After information is printed on the image receiving layer, an overlaminate is applied over it.

Abstract: An image destruct material comprises a release layer positioned between an image receiving layer and a base layer. The adhesion between the release layer and the base layer is greater than adhesion between the release layer and the image receiving layer. The release layer material can be used in secure documents that have an image receiving layer, such as used for dye diffusion, mass transfer, ink jet, and xerographic printing. For example, particular implementations are designed for identification documents with a D2T2 image receiving layer. In these implementations, for example, the release layer is in the form of a patterned coating under the image receiving layer. After information is printed on the image receiving layer, an overlaminate is applied over it.

Abstract: A security feature for an identification document and method for making it provide layers of security, including, for example, tamper evidence, optically variable effects, and personalized information that links the security information to the document and its bearer. The feature is made by printing a first material representing first information on a core layer of the document. This first material at least partially covers the core layer. One example is Xerographic printing of information about the ID document applicant and the applicant's photo. The process then applies a second material representing second information at least partially overlapping the first material, and cures the second material. One example is ink jet printing of personal information with a UV curable ink in the form of a relief pattern on the core layer. Finally, the process applies a laminate layer over the core layer. The laminate layer covers the first and second materials.

Abstract: The invention provides hard coat and image receiving layer structures and related methods used in ID document production. These structures and methods provide ID documents that offer hard protection in areas where needed (e.g., in optical windows for machine readable data), and also provide image receiving layers for later printing of variable data, such as personalization information of the bearer. Implementations of the structure provide an effective interface between hard coat and image receiving layers that provides enhanced durability in manufacture and field use.

Abstract: An identification document is provided, comprising a core layer, such as TESLIN, laminated directly to a laminate layer, such as polycarbonate, without the use of an adhesive. The core layer has at least one indicium formed thereon and has a first surface. The first layer of laminate is affixed to the core layer by a press lamination process where the press lamination process is sufficient to couple the core layer to the first layer such that an attempt to separate the first layer from the core layer causes at least a partial destruction of the core layer.

Abstract: A composition is provided for adhering a first article to a second article, the composition comprising a thermally active low Tg polymeric resin; and a multifunctional crystalline polymer. The thermally active low Tg polymeric resin can, for example, comprise 50-99% of the composition. The multifunctional crystalline polymer can, for example, comprise 1-50% of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer comprises 5-20% by weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer has a low molecular weight.

Abstract: The present invention features a coating consisting of a functionalized polymeric surface coating comprising reactive entities. These entities could consist of amino-, hydroxyl; epoxy- or other covalently linked in a polymer network of polyurea and polyurethane to provide a surface coating. This functionalized coating is applied to surfaces of a non-woven material composed of fibers. One embodiment of present invention is application to fibers at a level of 0.01 to 1 micromole/cm2 amine without poragens to be utilized for peptide and combinational chemistry synthesis. Furthermore, the coating can be applied to fiber at a high level with a crinkly fiber coating abased on the use of a poragen, thus creating a matrix having a higher loading on higher surface area for synthesis and other applications. These embodiments may be applied to various fields and technologies, e.g., proteomics, genomics, combinatorial chemistry, and chromatography.

Abstract: A visible range synthetic light polarizing element is provided, the optical and polarizing properties thereof having been selectively effected by regulated exposure of said polarizing element to ultraviolet irradiation. The ultraviolet irradiation can be either polarized or non-polarized, but in either case, is at intensities greater than that produced incidentally or by ambient ultraviolet irradiation sources. The resultant light-polarizing element is characterized by its heightened luminous transmittance, an improvement accomplished without departure from good polarization efficiency (i.e., greater than 99.9%).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the on-press development and printing of images. The method generally comprises the steps of providing a lithographic printing plate precursor element comprising a lithographic hydrophilic printing plate substrate, a photohardenable photoresist, and a layer of polymeric protective overcoat; imagewise exposing the precursor element to actinic radiation through said photoresist and overcoat layer sufficiently to photoharden the photoresist in exposed regions and provide a latent image in said photoresist layer; placing the precursor element onto a lithographic printing press; and running the press, whereby printing fluid effects removal of the overcoat and development of said latent image. In particular modes of practices, the method utilizes an overcoat having incorporated therein a water or fountain soluble or dispersible crystalline compound. The overcoat can be used as an oxygen barrier and/or to provide a non-tacky surface on the printing plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a quenching overcoat useful for application onto a lithographic printing plate, the overcoat having incorporated therein a water or fountain soluble or dispersible crystalline compound. The overcoat may be used as an oxygen barrier and/or to provide a non-tacky surface on the printing plate. By the incorporation of the crystalline compound, on-press removability of the overcoat is facilitated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic printing plate comprising a substrate and a photocurable polymeric photoresist, such as those based on free-radical initiated photocuring mechanisms. To constrain detrimental and undesired activity of excess free radicals, an embodiment of the printing plate is further provided with a free-radical regulating system. In a particular embodiment, the free-radical regulating system is provided as an overcoat, the overcoat being a light-transmissive overcoat and comprising a polymer having a pendant free-radical trapping group. A particular polymer for the overcoat has the formula ##STR1## wherein, m is from approximately 20% by weight to approximately 95% by weight, and n is from approximately 0% by weight to approximately 75% by weight. Capable of deactivating free-radicals actinically generated in the photoresist subsequent to exposure, the polymer is soluble in fountain or ink solution and incompatible with the photoresist.