Abstract: The UV resin used in the present invention is spread on the surface of a mother mold with lines. Illuminate UV light to harden the UV resin after it penetrated the lines completely. Thereby, to the depth and the shape of the lines of a pattern with deep lines, a complete duplication can be obtained in order to solve the deficiency of mother plate manufacturing technique at present. A seam between two mother plates is more smooth and has less influence on the lines structures at two sides thereof when a plurality of mother plate units are assembled to a big mother plate. The present invention provides an easy and novel plates assembly technique that gives consideration to both the lines in succeeding electroplating and impression procedures and required flatness for seams. Thereby, a seam between two mother plates is more smooth and has less influence on the lines structures at two sides thereof when a plurality of mother plate units are assembled to a big mother plate.

Abstract: A measured amount of a material that is crosslinkable by impingement of a suitable form of energy, especially UV light, is introduced into a two-part mould of which cavity determines the shape of a moulding to be produced. The two mould halves are held a small distance from one another so that a thin annular gap is formed between them, which gap is in communication with the mould cavity and through which gap excess material can escape. The crosslinking is triggered by impingement of the selected form of energy, the impingement being spatially restricted to the cavity by suitable masking so that material disposed outside the mould cavity is not crosslinked. In that manner mouldings are obtained that do not require subsequent mechanical processing, and the mould is reusable. The process is especially, but not, however, exclusively, suitable for the manufacture of contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in connection with processing polymer or elastomer material, wherein additive is added to the polymer or elastomer material, and the additive is subjected to the desired chemical reaction. To minimize energy consumption, infrared radiation is led to the polymer or elastomer material, the wavelength of the radiation being so chosen that the radiation penetrates optimally the polymer or elastomer material, but absorbs in the additive, producing the desired reaction in the additive.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water-absorbing shaped body that is produced easily without using a thickening agent. Light is radiated onto an aqueous solution including a photo polymerization initiator and a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer. When a desired viscosity is attained, radiation of the light is stopped temporarily. Then, the aqueous solution, which is thickened, is shaped into a desired shape. Thereafter, polymerization is completed by radiating light again.

Abstract: Provided is a nanoprint apparatus in which a substrate and a mold formed on its surface with fine concavities and convexities are heated and pressed with each other through the intermediary of a buffer member interposed therebetwen, including a mechanism for successively replacing the buffer member with new one at each time which the mold and the substate are heated and pressed, thereby it is possible to form a fine structure on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tough, wear resistant Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) prepared by the cross linking of a UHMWPE shaped article with irradiation doses higher than 4 Mrads, preferably higher than 5 Mrads, and most preferably less than 10 Mrads. The invention particularly provides total joint replacement devices and methods of making them for the hip, knee, elbow and shoulder.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a polymeric molding. A mold component includes a UV-absorptive material for preventing undesired reflection or transmission of curing energy within the mold cavity, thereby providing more precise control of the edge geometry of the molding.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermoplastic polyolefin compositions having enhanced surface durability and products thereof which include a thermoplastic polyolefin base component at least one radiation-crosslinkable component present in an amount sufficient to enhance the surface durability of the thermoplastic polyolefin component when radiation-cured and at least one photoinitiator present in an amount sufficient to initiate crosslinking of the radiation-crosslinkable component upon exposure of the thermoplastic polyolefin composition to radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluororubber molded article obtained by subjecting a fluororubber composition to crosslinking by irradiation of ionizing radiation, wherein the fluororubber composition comprises: (i) a raw rubber having a metal element content of 1.5% or less and comprising a tetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymer; and (ii) a prepolymer of triallyl isocyanurate. Also disclosed is a method for producing the fluororubber molded article.

Abstract: A slush-moulding method combined with cross-linking, including the filling of a tank with a suitable quantity of ground polymer blend and the coupling of said tank with a heated mold is provided. The closed system thus obtained is moved in order to transfer the powder onto the mold, so as to carry out on the latter a layer of completely or partially melted powder. Before and after a stage of stripping of the leather off the mold, said leather is cross-linked by means of radiations.

Abstract: A method for photopolymerizing a monomer mixture to form a lens involves photopolymerizing a mixture of lens-forming monomers that includes an initiator of the formula: wherein: Ar represents an aromatic radical; Ra represents a secondary amino radical; Rb represents an ethylenically unsaturated radical or an aromatic radical; and Rc represents a secondary amino radical.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a replica, a bondable resin composition is provided between a mold and a substrate or a blank, the resin is cured and the replica thus manufactured is removed from the mold. The replica includes the substrate and the reproduction of the mold on the substrate. The curing includes a UV light-initiated cationic polymerization.

Abstract: A curable resin composition comprises a poly(arylene ether), an acryloyl monomer, an allylic monomer, and an abrasive filler. The composition tolerates high filler contents, cures rapidly, and exhibits excellent toughness after curing. Useful articles prepared from the composition include grinding wheels and cut-off wheels having good wear characteristics.

Abstract: The compression molded article includes an outer plastic film layer, a first plastic layer adhered to the outer plastic film layer and a second plastic layer adhered to the first plastic layer. Long fibers having a length of from 8 to 100 mm are admixed with the second plastic layer. The article is formed by compression molding.

Abstract: A polymer Thick Film (“PTF”) laminate, in which selected (and advantageously all) of the layers are deployed using UV-curable inks. In one embodiment of the invention, the UV-curable PTF layers are deployed in an exemplary monolithic and membranous EL structure, in which UV-cured urethane envelope layers encapsulate UV-cured urethane electroluminescent layers. When deployed in layer form during manufacture and subsequently exposed to UV radiation, the inventive inks cure in a few seconds without any appreciable layer height shrinkage. Manufacturing cycle time is significantly optimized over traditional heat curing processes. Flexible circuitry is also disclosed herein. The flexible circuitry may be embodied using the UV-curable urethane inks disclosed herein, although the flexible circuitry is not limited to UV-curable or urethane embodiments. Successive insulating layers are deployed. The insulating layers have conductive pathways deployed thereon.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a polymeric molding. A mold component includes a transmissive portion for passing curing energy such as UV light into the mold cavity. A masking collar is engaged around the transmissive portion to block curing energy from exposing and curing polymeric material outside of the region underlying the transmissive portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and a method of using the same to form a pattern on a substrate using imprint lithography employing dark-field polymerization. To that end, the composition includes a bis vinyl ether component, and an initiator component that produces an acid in response to radiation. The bis vinyl ether component is reactive to the acid and polymerizes in response thereto.

Abstract: A method for making a composite construction panel includes at least the steps of (a) providing a mold, (b) applying a UV-curable gel coat to the mold, (c) directing UV radiation to the gel coat to cure the gel coat, (d) applying a first vail mat layer to the gel coat, (e) applying a first UV-curable wet out resin coat to the first vail mat layer, (f) directing UV radiation to the first wet out resin coat to cure the first wet out resin coat, (g) disposing a core material onto the first vail mat layer, (h) applying a second UV-curable wet out resin coat to the core material layer, (i) directing UV radiation to the second wet out resin coat to cure the second wet out resin coat and to thereby yield a composite construction panel, and (j) removing the composite construction panel from the mold.

Abstract: A method for making a composite construction panel includes at least the steps of (a) providing a mold, (b) applying a UV-curable gel coat to the mold, (c) directing UV radiation to the gel coat to cure the gel coat, (d) applying a first vail mat layer to the gel coat, (e) applying a first UV-curable wet out resin coat to the first vail mat layer, (f) directing UV radiation to the first wet out resin coat to cure the first wet out resin coat, (g) disposing a core material onto the first vail mat layer, (h) sealing the core material to provide a stand alone composite, and (i) removing the stand alone composite from the mold.

Abstract: A method of molding a decorative product packaging, comprising the steps of: molding a product container or cap; applying a UV curable liquid to surfaces and/or cavities in the container or cap; then exposing the UV curable liquid to UV radiation to form a solid coating adhered to surfaces and/or filling cavities on the container or cap. The present invention provides dramatic effects, particularly where the container or cap are clear or tinted, because the solid coating can be tinted a contrasting color, providing a striking contrast to the container or cap.

Abstract: A method for making a plastic lens and a plastic lens made thereby. The method comprises disposing a liquid monomer or a monomer mixture and a photosensitive initiator into a mold cavity and directing ultraviolet light to act on the lens forming material in the cavity to produce a lens therefrom.

Abstract: A method for molding and aligning microstructures on a patterned substrate using a microstructured mold. A slurry containing a mixture of a ceramic powder and a curable fugitive binder is placed between the microstructure of a stretchable mold and a patterned substrate. The mold can be stretched to align the microstructure of the mold with a predetermined portion of the patterned substrate. The slurry is hardened between the mold and the substrate. The mold is then removed to leave microstructures adhered to the substrate and aligned with the pattern of the substrate. The microstructures can be thermally heated to remove the binder and optimally fired to sinter the ceramic powder.

Abstract: A method of determining and correcting alignment during imprint lithography process is described. During an imprint lithographic process the template may be aligned with the substrate by the use of alignment marks disposed on both the template and substrate. The alignment may be determined and corrected for before the layer is processed.

Abstract: The first step of a method for manufacturing polymer-bonded filter bodies is to produce a mixture of a sorptive agent, a liquid, and a polymer. This mixture is then pressed into a filter body by being placed in a compression mold and simultaneously applying a hot gas to it. The evaporation temperature of the liquid is lower than the melting temperature of the polymer while the temperature of the hot gas flowing through the mixture exceeds the evaporation temperature of the liquid. This inexpensive method can provide homogeneously structured high-performance filter bodies.

Abstract: This invention relates to semiconductor devices, microelectronic devices, micro electro mechanical devices, microfluidic devices, photonic devices, and more particularly to a lithographic template, a method of forming the lithographic template and a method for forming devices with the lithographic template. The lithographic template (10) is formed having a substrate (12), a transparent conductive layer (16) formed on a surface (14) of the substrate (12) by low pressure sputtering to a thickness that allows for preferably 90% transmission of ultraviolet light therethrough, and a patterning layer (20) formed on a surface (18) of the transparent conductive layer (16).

Abstract: Described are methods for patterning a substrate by imprint lithography. Imprint lithography is a process in which a liquid is dispensed onto a substrate. A template is brought into contact with the liquid and the liquid is cured. The cured liquid includes an imprint of any patterns formed in the template. Alignment of the template with the substrate is performed prior to curing the liquid. Alignment of the template with the substrate includes rotational alignment of the template with respect to the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a micro-cup array. Such an array may find use in a number of applications such as, for example, a video display. The micro-cups find particular use in electrophoretic or liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A film layer separation device for multilayer disks is disclosed. With the help of a stamper made of magnetic materials, the film layer separation is achieved through the attractive force imposed on the stamper by electromagnetic tearing. The device contains at least: a stamper supporter for supporting the stamper, an electromagnetic attraction device, and a base fixture. To distribute the electromagnetic force on the stamper evenly, the electromagnetic attraction device can have an array of homogeneously disposed electromagnetic iron cores and a conductive coil that can generate a magnetic force. Thus, there will be no localized stress when tearing.

Abstract: A mold and a method of using a mold for forming a UV-cured article, the mold including a UV-transparent body having formed therein a mold cavity and an inlet, the inlet extending from an exterior surface of the UV-transparent body to the mold cavity. The mold cavity is configured to contain a UV-curable material, and the inlet is configured to supply UV-curable material to the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing microneedle structures is disclosed using soft lithography and photolithography, in which micromold structures made of a photoresist material or PDMS are created. The micromold manufacturing occurs quite quickly, using inexpensive materials and processes. Once the molds are available, using moldable materials such as polymers, microneedle arrays can be molded or embossed in relatively fast procedures. In some cases a sacrificial layer is provided between the forming micromold and its substrate layer, for ease of separation. The microneedles themselves can be solid projections, hollow “microtubes,” or shallow “microcups.” Electrodes can be formed on the microneedle arrays, including individual electrodes per hollow microtube.

Abstract: A medical implant made of polymeric material having an increased oxidation resistance is formed by a method including the steps of placing a resin powder in a sealed container. A substantial portion of the oxygen is removed from the sealed contained by either a vacuum, an oxygen absorbent or by flushing with inert gas. The container is then repressurized with a gas such as nitrogen, argon, helium or neon so that long term storage may be possible. On use, the resin in transferred to a forming device which both melts and forms the resin in an oxygen reduced atmosphere to produce a polymeric raw material such as a rod or bar stock. The medical implant is then formed from this raw material annealed and sealed in an airtight package in an oxygen reduced atmosphere. The implant is then radiation sterilized and thereafter annealed in the package for a predetermined time and temperature sufficient to form cross-links between any free radicals in neighboring polymeric chains.

Abstract: Chemically or biochemically active agents or other species are patterned on a substrate surface by providing a micromold having a contoured surface and forming, on a substrate surface, a chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor of a structure. A chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor also can be transferred from indentations in an applicator to a substrate surface. The substrate surface can be planar or non-planar. Fluid precursors of polymeric structures, inorganic ceramics and salts, and the like can be used to form patterned polymeric articles, inorganic salts and ceramics, reactive ion etch masks, etc. at the surface. The articles can be formed in a pattern including a portion having a lateral dimension of less than about 1 millimeter or smaller. The indentation pattern of the applicator can be used to transfer separate, distinct chemically or biochemically active agents or fluid precursors to separate, isolated regions of a substrate surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a moulding, comprising the steps:

Abstract: A photocuring resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin (a-1) having a radical polymerizing unsaturated group at its side chain and a photopolymerization initiator (a-2) and substantially not including a crosslinking compound other than (a-1), a photocuring sheet comprising a photocuring resin composition (A) laminated on a substrate sheet (B) and a process of production of the same, a photocuring decorative sheet and photocuring insert molding sheet using the same, and a process of production of a molded article using such a photocuring sheet and an insert molded article obtained by the same.

Abstract: A device for producing freely formed products through a buildup of layers of powder-form material that is solidified according to specification, comprises a (relatively) lowerable table on the one hand, and a powder feed above the table, a distribution device that spreads the powder in a predetermined thickness over the table, and an energy source that solidifies the powder of each layer on the other hand, that are horizontally movable with respect to each other. In particular, the horizontal movement of the table consists in a rotational movement around an vertical axis, which movement is combined with the descending movement into a spiral movement having a pitch corresponding to the layer thickness, the powder feed, the distribution device, and the energy source being arranged radially around the axis and being continuously active.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the surface level of a liquid residing within a relatively vertically stationary workpiece support platform disposed within a reservoir for use in stereolithographic processes wherein a layered object or structure is formed by selectively curing portions of the liquid to at least a semisolid state in multiple, at least partially superimposed layers. Providing precise control of liquid depth over the vertically stationary platform as well as focusing of a laser beam for curing the liquid at the varying surface levels thereof relative to the vertically stationary platform is effected using a laser range finder system controlled by a computer used to control the stereolithographic process in a closed loop fashion.

Abstract: A process of making a high precision microcontact printing stamp in which an elastomeric monomer or oligomer is introduced into a mold wherein a photoresist master imprinted with a microcircuit design in negative relief is predisposed. The monomer or oligomer is cured at a temperature no higher than about ambient temperature whereby a distortion-free microcontact printing stamp having the microcircuit design of the photoresist master in positive relief is formed.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing/curing a photopolymerizable monomer composition comprising at least one diepisulfide monomer which comprises the steps of: a) mixing to the monomer composition an effective amount of a cationic photopolymerization initiator, and b) irradiating the mixture of a) with an ultraviolet radiation to at least partially cationically photopolymerize the monomer composition.

Abstract: A bioprosthetic stent graft is disclosed, having a stent frame and a biomaterial sheath suturelessly bonded to the stent frame. Sutureless bonding avoids sutures and substantially reducing medical complications in implantation of the stent graft.

Abstract: An in-mold and in-line decorating method is disclosed which, using a single sheet layer, allows the placement of the highest possible quality graphics into the surface of products made from a variety of moldable thermoplastic, thermoset, and vulcanizable materials using a variety of molding processes. The methods also provide new or improved capabilities for product identification, safety, and serialized tracking.

Abstract: A method for molding and aligning microstructures on a patterned substrate using a microstructured mold. A slurry containing a mixture of a ceramic powder and a curable fugitive binder is placed between the microstructure of a stretchable mold and a patterned substrate. The mold can be stretched to align the microstructure of the mold with a predetermined portion of the patterned substrate. The slurry is hardened between the mold and the substrate. The mold is then removed to leave microstructures adhered to the substrate and aligned with the pattern of the substrate. The microstructures can be thermally heated to remove the binder and optimally fired to sinter the ceramic powder.

Abstract: A photopo1ymerisation process for the production of mouldings from methacrylate casting resins wherein 1) a methacrylate casting resin formulation containing (A1)>50% methyl methacrylate and/or a prepolymerisate containing a high proportion of methyl methacrylate, (A2) 0 to 40% other monomers than can be copolymerised with methyl methacrylate, (B) 0.1 to 10% at least one mono- or bis-acyiphosphine oxide photoinitiator, C) 0 to 10% other photoinitiators, D) 0 to 5% thermal initiators and E) optionally further customary additives is cast in a mould and 2) is fully cured by irradiation with a light source in the range of from 200 to 800 nm to form a mechanically stable moulding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for continuously producing a polymer sheet having an excellent surface smoothness, an apparatus for producing such a polymer sheet, and an optical polymer sheet produced by such a process. The process for producing a polymer sheet comprises coating or laminating, on a polymer base sheet, an ultraviolet-curing resin composition, adhering the coated or laminated polymer base sheet to a member having a smooth surface whose maximum surface roughness (Rmax) satisfies Rmax≦0.1 &mgr;m, in a state that the ultraviolet-curing resin composition is soft, and applying an ultraviolet light to transfer smoothness of the smooth surface of the member onto the polymer base sheet.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing episulfide monomers comprising the steps of: (c) mixing to an episulfide monomer or a mixture of episulfide monomers an effective amount of at least one photopolymerization catalyst selected from the group consisting of (cyclopentadienyl) ruthenium and osmium complexes and an effective amount of at least a co-catalyst selected from phosphonium salts, phosphines and amines; and (d) irradiating the mixture of (a) with an ultra-violet radiation to polymerize the mixture.

Abstract: A method for photopolymerizing a monomer mixture to form a lens involves photopolymerizing a mixture of lens-forming monomers that includes an initiator of the formula: 1

Abstract: A plastic lens material comprising a compound in which a part or all of 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylate structural units are a cis structure; a production process of the material; a plastic lens composition containing the material; a plastic lens obtained by curing the composition; and a production process of the plastic lens. A plastic lens material free of changing into a white and turbid material during storage for a long period of time is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to primer coating compositions exhibiting very good adhesion properties on a large variety of substrates, in particular plastic substrates such as ophthalmic lenses made of organic glasses and which also impart good impact resistance properties to the thus coated substrates. The invention also concerns substrates coated with these primer coating compositions as well as a method for making such coated substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polymeric compositions that exhibit Reverse Thermal Gelation (RTG) properties for use as Support Materials (SM) in the manufacture of three-dimensional objects. These polymers are Temperature Sensitive Polymers that respond with a significant change of properties to a small change in temperature. Temperature Sensitive Polymers exhibit cloud point (CP) or lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in aqueous solutions. Water-soluble Temperature Sensitive Polymers are chosen to give low viscosity liquid at low temperature when dissolved in water and by that to permit easy dispensing at low temperature. Raising the temperature above their gelation temperature (Tgel) will result in solidification of the composition. At its gel position the material has favorable characteristics as a support and building material. The gel layers have the appropriate toughness and dimensional stability to support the model layers during the building process.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are proposed for producing mouldings, in particular ophthalmic lenses, such as contact lenses for example, in which a starting material located in a mould (100, 110; 100a, 110a) is polymerized and/or crosslinked by means of exposure to light, in particular by exposure to UV light, so that a demouldable moulding is produced. The measurement of the intensity (I) of the light takes place during the production of the mouldings.

Abstract: Surface modifications of a mold used during semiconductor device fabrication provide non-stick characteristics and a mold surface that is resistant to abrasion or wear. Such surface modifications are particularly useful in a mold having a quartz planar surface adapted to contact a photocurable polymer material applied to a semiconductor wafer surface during a fabrication process. The planar surface of the mold is capable of allowing transmission of ultraviolet light therethrough to cure the polymer material. A non-stick film is formed on the planar surface of the mold by a coating or deposition process in order to modify the mold surface. The non-stick film can be formed of a fluoroalkylsilane compound. or a hard material such as diamond or diamond-like carbon. The non-stick film of diamond or diamond-like carbon provides protection against abrasion or wear on the planar surface of the mold.