Abstract: Methods for fabricating stamps and systems for patterning a substrate, and devices resulting from those methods are provided.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes an image recording layer on a support, in which the lithographic printing plate precursor has projections which are discontinuously formed on a surface of an outermost layer on a side where the image recording layer is provided, and a melting point of each projection is in a range of 70° C. to 150° C. A method of producing a lithographic printing plate includes a step of image-wise exposing the lithographic printing plate precursor to form an exposed portion and an unexposed portion, and a step of supplying at least one of printing ink or dampening water to remove the unexposed portion.

Abstract: Improved techniques for dialogue management are disclosed. In particular, disclosed systems facilitate improved autonomous agents that can generate a virtual social dialogue from a corpus of text. A virtual social dialogue is a dialogue between autonomous agents and user devices. For example, a virtual social dialogue can include viewpoints, concerns, or questions of various actors on a particular topic. By presenting textual content in this manner, disclosed techniques improve information comprehension and increase the practicality of autonomous agents.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plate precursors are prepared with a unique substrate and one or more radiation-sensitive imageable layers. The substrate is prepared by two separate anodizing processes to provide an inner aluminum oxide layer having an average dry thickness (Ti) of 650-3,000 nm and a multiplicity of inner micropores having an average inner micropore diameter (Di) of ?15 nm. A formed outer aluminum oxide layer comprises a multiplicity of outer micropores having an average outer micropore diameter (Do) of 15-30 nm; an average dry thickness (To) of 130-650 nm; and a micropore density (Co) of 500-3,000 micropores/?m2. The ratio of Do to Di is greater than 1.1:1, and Do in nanometers and the outer aluminum oxide layer micropore density (Co) in micropores/?m2, are further defined by the outer aluminum oxide layer porosity (Po) according to the following equation: 0.3?Po?0.8 where Po is 3.14(Co)(Do2)/4,000,000.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for minimizing the difference in thermal expansivity between a porous anodic oxide coating and its corresponding substrate metal, so as to allow heat treatments or high temperature exposure of the anodic oxide without thermally induced crazing. A second phase of higher thermal expansivity than that of the oxide material is incorporated into the pores of the oxide in sufficient quantity to raise the coating's thermal expansion coefficient. The difference in thermal expansion between the anodic oxide coating and underlying metal substrate is reduced to a level such that thermal exposure is insufficient for any cracking to result. The second phase may be an electrodeposited metal, or an electrophoretically deposited polymer. The second phase may be uniformly deposited to a certain depth, or may be deposited at varying amounts among the pores.

Abstract: A housing of an electronic device is provided. The housing includes a first surface, a second surface, a side surface surrounding at least a portion of a space formed between the first surface and the second surface, a first surface layer formed by applying a first texture and a first color to a first area of at least one of the first surface, the second surface, and the side surface of the housing, and a second surface layer formed by applying a second texture and a second color to a second area within the first area, wherein at least one of the first surface layer and the second surface layer includes an oxide film layer.

Abstract: Methods of patterning an amorphous semiconductor layer according to a predetermined pattern via laser ablation with a pulsed laser having a laser wavelength are disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include providing the amorphous semiconductor layer on a substrate, providing a distributed Bragg reflector on the amorphous semiconductor layer, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector is reflective at the laser wavelength, providing an absorbing layer on the distributed Bragg reflector, wherein the absorbing layer is absorptive at the laser wavelength, patterning the absorbing layer by laser ablation, in accordance with the predetermined pattern, patterning the distributed Bragg reflector by performing an etching step using the patterned absorbing layer as an etch mask, and etching the amorphous semiconductor layer using the patterned distributed Bragg reflector as an etch mask.

Abstract: Dry, ablation-type, nitrocellulose-containing lithographic printing members include dual adjacent imaging layers, both including an absorber and at least one containing a binder (which may include or consist essentially of a melamine resin). The absorber of the nitrocellulose-containing layer is a pigment and this layer contains no absorbing dye, while the absorber of the other imaging layer includes or consists essentially of a dye.

Abstract: A method of forming printing sleeve for mounting on a cylinder in a printing press is provided. The method includes providing a permanent hydrophilic tubular layer on a tubular base; selectively providing a first temporary hydrophobic layer on the hydrophilic tubular layer to form a first imaged printing sleeve, the temporary hydrophobic layer forming a first image; printing, by the first imaged printing sleeve, a first print job including the first image on a substrate; and removing the first temporary hydrophobic layer from the permanent hydrophilic layer such that the permanent hydrophilic layer remains intact on the tubular base. A lithographic printing sleeve for a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A method of removing post-laser debris from a wafer includes, for an embodiment, forming a sacrificial layer over a layer to be patterned, patterning the sacrificial layer and the layer to be patterned using laser ablation, and removing the sacrificial layer and debris deposited on the sacrificial layer with water. The sacrificial layer includes a water soluble binder and a water soluble ultraviolet (UV) absorbent. Systems for removing the post-laser debris are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining longitudinal position of an elongated web are described. Sensors are used to detect one or more substantially continuous fiducial marks disposed longitudinally on the web. The sensors generate signals associated with the fiducial marks. A position detector receives the signals and determines a longitudinal position of the web using the sensor signals. The fiducial marks may be periodic fiducial marks, such as sine and/or cosine marks on the web and/or may be piecewise continuous marks. The coarse longitudinal position of the web can be determined based on periodically recurring features of the fiducial marks. The fine longitudinal position can be determined based on continuous portions of the fiducial marks between the periodically recurring features.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate support of the invention includes an aluminum plate and an anodized aluminum film which has micropores extending from a surface of the anodized film opposite from the aluminum plate in a depth direction of the anodized film; the micropores each have a large-diameter portion extending from the anodized film surface to an average depth (depth A) of 75 to 120 nm and a small-diameter portion which communicates with the bottom of the large-diameter portion; the average diameter of the large-diameter portion at the anodized film surface is at least 10 nm but less than 30 nm; a ratio of the depth A to the average diameter (depth A/average diameter) of the large-diameter portion is more than 4.0 but up to 12.0; and an average diameter of the small-diameter portion at the communication level is more than 0 but less than 10 nm.

Abstract: In a method for re-imaging a printing form that has been used for printing in a prior printing process a substrate of the printing form is cleaned globally of ink or varnish and the substrate is treated abrasively globally in order to erase a preceding printing image. The substrate to be imaged with a new printing image is treated locally in image regions with a pulsed laser beam and, in the process, a nanoscopic and hydrophobic surface structure is produced locally. The substrate is treated globally with a hydrophilicity intensifier, as a result of which the substrate becomes hydrophilic locally in the previously hydrophobic image regions. An apparatus has a corresponding erasing unit and an imaging unit with a femtosecond laser.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes at least a white substrate and an image-recording layer, the white substrate has a reflection density of 0.25 or less at a side having the image-recording layer, and the image-recording layer contains an infrared absorbing agent, an onium salt polymerization initiator, a polymerizable compound and a color-forming compound and is capable of being removed with at least any one of printing ink and dampening water.

Abstract: A printing plate comprises a substantially planar substrate, a porous non-anodic ungrained coating, having a thickness within the range of about 0.1 to about 30 microns and comprising at least one of metals, metal oxides and admixtures thereof, and an image recording layer, provided that where the porous coating consists essentially of oxide(s) only, it comprises at least one oxide of copper, magnesium, cadmium, aluminum, zirconium, hafnium, thorium, chromium, tungsten, molybdenum and (or) cobalt, and further provided that where the porous coating consists essentially of alumina only, it comprises specified pores. The invention also relates to an article of manufacture having a nanometric porous surface layer comprising at least one of metals, metal oxides and mixtures thereof, which comprises pores in the surface layer having a width in a range 0-100 nm, and wherein a major number of pores in this range have a width in a band of about 1 to about 30 nm.

Abstract: The invention provides lithographic printing plate supports that can give lithographic printing plates excellent in all of plate durability, scumming resistance, ink releasability and halftone staining resistance, and also provides such negative photosensitive lithographic printing plates. The lithographic printing plate support includes a hydrophilic layer containing an inorganic filler, the inorganic filler having particle size distribution peaks in the range of 0.2 ?m to less than 0.6 ?m and in the range of 0.6 ?m to less than 1.5 ?m. The negative photosensitive lithographic printing plate includes the support.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor which is capable of undergoing on-press development by supplying at least one of printing ink and dampening water and includes a support and an image-recording layer, wherein the image-recording layer contains at least one of compounds represented by the formulae (1) to (3) as defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a negative type lithographic printing plate material comprising a surface-roughened and anodically oxidized aluminum substrate and a photosensitive layer provided thereon, characterized in that: said photosensitive layer comprises a novolac resin, which contains a binder resin (a), a crosslinking agent (b), an infrared-absorbing agent (c) and an acid-generating agent (d), and in which the binder resin (a) contains 20-100 mass % inclusive of a phenol part expressed in ratio by mass, and a polyvinylphenol polymer; the content ratio of the novolac resin to the polyvinylphenol polymer (the mass of the novolac resin:the mass of the polyvinylphenol polymer) is 7:3 to 3:7; and the ratio by mass [(b)/(a)] is 0.25 to 0.50 inclusive.

Abstract: A method for gumming a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of a) providing a lithographic printing plate including a lithographic image consisting of printing areas and non-printing areas, and b) jetting a gum solution with an inkjet printer to produce a hydrophilic protective layer on the non-printing areas. An inkjet printer includes a gum solution for producing a hydrophilic protective layer on the non-printing areas and a fluid for the formation of the printing areas of a lithographic image on a lithographic printing plate precursor.

Abstract: A photosensitive planographic printing plate comprising a substrate and a photosensitive layer including a photopolymerizable compound, wherein the photosensitive layer and the substrate are provided between them with an undercoat layer including a (co)polymer having structural units having ethylenically unsaturated groups bonded with silicon atoms and phosphonic acid groups.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive composition includes a radically polymerizable component, initiator composition, a radiation absorbing compound, and a polymeric binder having recurring units that are derived from various ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers provided that at least 40 mol % of the recurring units have a tertiary carbon atom in the backbone and the rest of the recurring units have a secondary or quaternary carbon atom in the backbone. This composition can be used to provide negative-working imageable elements that can be imaged and developed to provide lithographic printing plates that have desired imaging speed and excellent run length without the need for a post-exposure backing step.

Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support, including a photopolymerizable layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator and a binder, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, d) treating the precursor in a gumming station, including a first and at least a second gumming unit, wherein the precursor is consecutively developed in the first and the second gumming unit with a gum solution, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support and gumming the plate in a single step.

Abstract: Imageable printing forms are irradiated by radiant energy corresponding to the image information, the energy being absorbed in the printing form. The energy coupled in this manner is available for patterning the printing form surface. A printing form having a plurality of substantially planar functional zones, which have at least one informational zone that is modifiable in accordance with image information and an absorption zone for absorbing energy from a radiation is distinguished in that a buffer zone is provided which differs at least partially from the absorption zone, receives energy from the absorption zone, and releases energy to the informational zone.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support and an image-recording layer containing (A) an infrared absorbing agent, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) a compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 to R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a group selected from an alkyl group, an aryl group and a heterocyclic group, provided that at least one of R1 to R3 represents the group having a substituent containing an amido bond, the group having a substituent containing a urethane bond, the group having a substituent containing a urea bond or the group having two or more hydroxy groups.

Abstract: High speed violet or ultraviolet laser sensitive lithographic printing plate comprising on a substrate a specific photosensitive composition is described. The photosensitive layer comprises a multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, a hexaarylbiimidazole compound, and a sensitizing dye. Combination of both multifunctional urethane (meth)acrylate monomer and multifunctional non-urethane (meth)acrylate monomer can be advantageously used. The plate is imagewise exposed with a violet or ultraviolet laser at a dosage of less than 1000 ?J/cm2, and then developed either off press or on press.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plates are imaged using an inkjet printer to imagewise apply a chemical or masking agent onto the plate surface. In some embodiments, the chemical inhibits a photoreaction in the top layer.

Abstract: A negative-working imagable composition and element includes an initiator composition, an infrared radiation absorbing compound, a polymeric binder, and a stabilizing composition. The imaged element can be developed on-press and exhibits improved shelf-life under high humidity conditions. The stabilizing composition comprising at least one compound represented by Structure (ST-I) and at least one compound represented by Structure (ST-II): wherein m is 1 or 2, n is 1 to 50, R is hydrogen when m is 1, R1 through R3 are independently hydrogen or methyl, and L is an aliphatic, carbocyclic, heterocyclic, heteroatom divalent linking group, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Single layer IR-sensitive negative-working imageable elements include thermally coalesceable core-shell particles without a polymeric binder in an imageable layer. Thermal imaging causes coalescence of the particles in imaged regions while non-imaged regions can be removed with plain water or an aqueous solution containing an acidic polymer.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes an image-recording layer and a protective layer containing a stratiform compound, wherein at least one of the image-recording layer and the protective layer contains a polymer containing as a repeating unit, a structural unit having an ammonium structure.

Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate is disclosed. An ink material is chemisorbed to at least one region of a stamp and the chemisorbed ink material is transferred to a receptor substrate. The ink material has greater chemical affinity for the receptor substrate than for the at least one region of the stamp. A method of forming the stamp is also disclosed, as are the stamp and a patterning system.

Abstract: An image development method implemented on a substrate conditioning unit for the drying and compression of a print in an electrophotographic imaging process. The conditioning unit includes a heating mechanism for maintaining the heat of compression rollers, belts or nip rollers for compressing the substrate by a determined distance between the conditioning rollers, or by direct contact between a compression roller and a nip roller, and having an abhesive layer to prevent adhesion of the conditioning unit to the print substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for imprinting a pattern formed on a surface of an imprint mask into a substrate. A method includes deforming at least one of the surface of the imprint mask and a surface of the substrate to produce a deformed surface having an arc therein. A clamping pressure is applied to bring the deformed surface into intimate contact with the other surface, the applied pressure substantially flattening the deformed surface. The applied clamping pressure is released to separate the two surfaces.

Abstract: An objective is to provide a planographic printing plate material exhibiting excellent properties such as printing durability, resistance to chemicals and anti-stain at the beginning of printing via restart of printing, and also a planographic printing plate exhibiting excellent properties such as printing durability, resistance to chemicals and anti-stain at the beginning of printing via restart of printing. Disclosed is a planographic printing plate comprising a support and provided thereon, an image portion and a non-image portion, wherein the non-image portion comprises a water-soluble phosphobetaine compound.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate support comprising a substrate having thereon a porous layer comprising metal oxide particles bound by a compound containing a metal atom and a phosphorus atom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a planographic printing plate material comprising a support and provided thereon, a hydrophilic layer containing a light-to-heat conversion material and a thermosensitive image formation layer in that order, wherein the thermosensitive image formation layer contains a latex containing a hydrophobic component and a hydrophilic component as a protective colloid.

Abstract: A blanket for a printing roll is disclosed that includes an Si-based resin layer and an acrylate film formed on one surface of the Si-based resin layer, wherein the acrylate film prevents a volatile solvent from permeating into the blanket, to thereby prevent the blanket from being deformed.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor which is capable of undergoing on-press development by supplying at least one of printing ink and dampening water and includes a support and an image-recording layer, wherein the image-recording layer contains at least one of compounds represented by the formulae (1) to (3) as defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing plate material comprising a support and provided thereon, a hydrophilic layer and a thermosensitive image formation layer containing a blocked isocyanate compound, which is a reaction product of an isocyanate compound, a polyol, and an isocyanate group-blocking material, wherein the thermosensitive image formation layer is formed by coating on the support an aqueous thermosensitive image formation layer coating liquid containing the blocked isocyanate compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic printing plate precursor and a lithographic printing method using the lithographic printing plate precursor, which is capable of an image recording by infrared laser scanning and an on-press development and excellent in fine line reproducibility and press life while maintaining good on-press developing properties, the lithographic printing plate precursor comprising: a support; and an image recording layer capable of being removed by a printing ink and/or a fountain solution, in which the image recording layer comprises an infrared absorber and a graft polymer having a specific graft chain.

Abstract: There is prepared a printing plate on which a material being hydrophilic due to light energy at a first temperature and being hydrophobic at a second temperature due to heat energy which is lower than the first temperature is provided. First, the whole surface of the printing plate is forcibly made either one of hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Next, a region having the other nature out of hydrophobic and hydrophilic is formed so as to correspond to an image to be printed. Then, ink is supplied onto the region having hydrophobic nature to conduct offset printing.

Abstract: A printing form (10) having a surface (12) of pure silicon or of a silicon ceramic, which bears a pattern composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, the hydrophilic regions having a first chemical state and the hydrophobic regions having a second chemical state that differs from the first chemical state, in hydrophobic regions, the surface (12) having silicon atoms, to which at least one organic terminal group is attached in each instance. The organic terminal group may be, in particular, an unsubstituted or halogenated aryl terminal group or alkyl terminal group and be attached via an Si—C, Si—O—C or Si—O—Si—C bond. Also a method for modifying the wetting properties of the printing form, the surface (12) being brought into a first chemical state having a first wetting property, and a portion of all regions of the surface (12) being brought into a second chemical state having a second wetting property by modifying the chemical terminal groups of the surface (12).

Abstract: An image forming material, a lithographic printing plate precursor and a lithographic printing method, in which a color image with good visibility is obtained by laser exposure, are provided, wherein the image forming material and the lithographic printing plate precursor each comprising a support and a layer comprising a compound represented by formula (1) which changes from a colorless state to a colored state by the effect of heat; and a lithographic printing method comprising on-press development using the lithographic printing plate precursor:

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of preparing an inkjet ink imaged lithographic printing plate by imagewise applying an acidic inkjet ink onto a substrate coated with an inkjet ink reactive coating composition which is acid-catalyzed, to produce an imaged coated substrate wherein the inkjet ink imaged regions are more insoluble than non-imaged regions. Then the imaged and non-imaged regions of the imaged coated substrate are contacted with a developer or fountain solution to selectively remove the coating from the soluble non-imaged regions. The present invention also includes an inkjet ink imaged lithographic printing plate which is prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: Solubility transitions rather than ablation mechanisms facilitate selective removal of the imaging layer of a lithographic plate, which allows for imaging with low-power lasers that need not impart ablation-inducing energy levels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support for a lithographic printing plate, wherein an adhering amount of a rare-earth element atom to a surface thereof is 0.1 to 20 mg/mg2, and a presensitized plate provided with an image recording layer on the support for a lithographic printing plate. The presensitized plate achieving both high scum resistance and long press life can be realized, which is the same in the case the image recording layer containing an infrared absorbent, where scum would easily occur, is provided onto the support.

Abstract: The first embodiment is a support for a lithographic printing plate, wherein the surface area ratios obtained from three-dimensional data by use of an atomic force microscope meets the following requirements (1-i) to (1-iii). The second embodiment is a support for a lithographic printing plate, wherein the aforementioned surface area ratios and a steepness meets the following requirements (2-i) to (2-ii). The third embodiment is a support for a lithographic printing plate, wherein the aforementioned surface area ratios meets the following requirements (4-i) to (4-iii). (1-i) a surface area ratio ?S50(50) is 20 to 90%, (1-ii) a surface area ratio ?S50(2-50) is 1 to 30%, and (1-iii) a surface area ratio ?S50(0.2-2) is 5 to 40%, (2-i) a surface area ratio ?S50(50) is 30 to 60%, and (2-ii) a steepness a4550(0.2-2) is 5 to 40%, (4-i) a surface area ratio ?S5(5) is 20 to 90%, (4-ii) a surface area ratio ?S5(0.2-5) is 5 to 40%, and (4-iii) A surface area ratio ?S5(0.02-0.2) is 15 to 70%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a presensitized plate, comprising: an aluminum plate having an aluminum purity of not less than 99 wt %; and a photosensitive layer formed on the surface of said aluminum plate, wherein a fatigue fracture strength of the presensitized plate after a heat treatment at 300° C. for 7 minutes is not less than 75% of the fatigue fracture strength thereof before the heat treatment. The presensitized plate is excellent in efficiency and stability of a roughening treatment, and is capable of preventing generation of fatigue fracture of the lithographic printing plate during printing even if a burning treatment has been made on lithographic printing plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a planographic printing plate precursor, utilizing a support member having a hydrophilic surface excellent in hydrophilicity and durability, providing effects of improving scumming in the printing operation and capable of forming large numbers of prints of high image quality even under severe printing conditions. The precursor comprises a support including an aluminum substrate and a hydrophilic layer disposed thereon, the hydrophilic layer formed by chemically bonding a hydrophilic polymer, which includes a reactive group able to chemically bond to a surface of the aluminum substrate directly or via a structural component comprising a crosslinked structure; and a positive working recording layer disposed on the support and including a light-absorbing and heat-generating material, and a polymer compound, which is insoluble in water and soluble in alkali, wherein solubility of the recording layer in an alkaline aqueous solution increases upon exposure to light.

Abstract: The invention is a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor comprising: at least a heat insulating layer, a heat sensitive layer, and an ink repellent layer that are provided in that order on a substrate, wherein a transmittance of the heat insulating layer for a light having a wavelength within a range of 400 to 650 nm is at most 15% over the entire range of the wavelength. The invention provides a directly imageable waterless planographic printing plate precursor that allows measurement of the dot area ratio on the printing plate with a densitometer or the like.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising an aluminum substrate, an image-recording layer and a hydrophilic film, the aluminum substrate being subjected to an electrochemical surface-roughening treatment in an aqueous solution comprising hydrochloric acid and provided with the hydrophilic film having a heat conductivity of 0.05 to 0.5 W/mK and/or at least one of a density of 1,000 to 3,200 kg/m3 and a porosity of 20 to 70%; and a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising an aluminum substrate, an image-recording layer and a hydrophilic film, the aluminum substrate having a surface-roughened shape comprising a small pit wherein an average opening size of the small pit is 0.01 to 3 ?m and a ratio of an average depth of the small pit to the average opening size is 0.1 to 0.5, and being provided with the hydrophilic film having a heat conductivity of 0.05 to 0.5 W/mK and/or at least one of a density of 1,000 to 3,200 kg/m3 and a porosity of 20 to 70%.