Abstract: Coating compositions suitable for UV imprint lithographic applications are disclosed that include at least one vinyl ether crosslinker having at least two vinyl ether groups; at least one diluent comprising a monofunctional vinyl ether compound; and at least one photoacid generator soluble in a selected one or both of the at least one monofunctional ether compound and the at least one vinyl ether compound, wherein the at least one monofunctional ether compound and the at least one vinyl ether compound are free from fluorine and silicon substituents. Also disclosed are imprint processes.

Abstract: A method of preparing a cured coating or molded article prepared from a composition comprising an actinic-radiation curing polymer, wherein the composition is cured with actinic radiation at a temperature of at most 150° C. to form the cured coating or molded article; wherein the cured coating or molded article has a thickness of at least about 0.

Abstract: In a method of forming fine patterns, a photocurable coating layer is formed on a substrate. A first surface of a template makes contact with the photocurable coating layer. The first surface of the template includes at least two first patterns having a first dispersion degree of sizes, and at least one portion of the first surface of the template includes a photo attenuation member. A light is irradiated onto the photocurable coating layer through the template to form a cured coating layer including second patterns having a second dispersion degree of sizes. The second patterns are generated from the first patterns and the second dispersion degree is less than the first dispersion degree. The template is separate from the cured coating layer. A size dispersion degree of the patterns used in a nanoimprint lithography process may be adjusted by the light attenuation member, so that the fine patterns may be formed to have an improved size dispersion degree.

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 process for producing carbon nanotubes includes carbon plasma generation with microwave energy, plasma stabilization, and product deposition. Stabilization homogenizes the plasma energy density and concentration, leading to a more efficient reactor. A transition metal catalyst and associated catalyst support are used to form the end product. The formation region may have variations of geometry and supporting equipment that will affect the rate and purity of production. The formation region is immediately downstream from the plasma stabilization region such that the apparatus may be mounted on a robotic arm for direct deposition of product.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surface acoustic wave device comprises depositing a detecting material layer on a substrate, forming a predetermined pattern on the detecting material layer using a nanoimprint method to obtain a detecting film with a predetermined pattern formed thereon, and forming an input interdigital transducer and an output interdigital transducer on two opposite sides of the detecting material layer on the substrate, thus obtaining a surface acoustic wave device comprising the detecting film.

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern includes forming an etching object layer on a substrate, applying a resist on an etching object layer, the resist including a photo-initiator, and a liquid pre-polymer including a vinyl functional group and a hydrophilic functional group, shaping the resist using a mold plate having an imprint formed therein, and hardening the resist to form a resist pattern while the mold plate shaping the resist corresponding to the imprint.

Abstract: An ultraviolet curable composition comprising a polyfunctional meth)acrylate having three or more (meth)acryloyl groups per molecule, a difunctional (meth)acrylate having two (meth)acryloyl groups per molecule, and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate having one (meth)acryloyl group per molecule, wherein the content of the polyfunctional (meth)acrylate in the (meth)acrylates contained in the ultraviolet curable composition is 30 to 70% by mass, the content of the monofunctional (meth)acrylate is 5 to 30% by mass, the total content of a difunctional (meth)acrylate having an alicyclic structure and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate having an alicyclic structure is 10 to 50% by mass, and the content of a methacrylate is 7% by mass or more exhibits good separation when separated from a stamp. A resultant cured film can be separated from a stamp made of a general-purpose resin while maintaining useful characteristics such as heat resistance and the like for an intermediate layer of an optical disc.

Abstract: An imprint process comprising coating a selected surface of a micropatterned template with a release composition having a basic reactive moiety; wherein the template is transparent to UV radiation; imprinting the template onto a photocationically curable composition; curing the UV curable composition to form an imprinted composition, wherein the release composition having a basic reactive moiety is effective to locally inhibit curing of the composition at an interface between the template and the imprinted composition; and releasing the template from the imprinted composition.

Abstract: A method of forming features on substrates by imprinting is provided. The method comprises: (a) forming a polymer solution comprising at least one polymer dissolved in at least one polymerizable monomer; and (b) depositing the polymer solution on a substrate to form a liquid film thereon; and then either: (c) curing the liquid film by causing the monomer(s) to polymerize and optionally cross-linking the polymer(s) to thereby form a polymer film, the polymer film having a glass transition temperature (Tg); and imprinting the polymer film with a mold having a desired pattern to form a corresponding negative pattern in the polymer film, or (d) imprinting the liquid film with the mold and curing it to form the polymer film. The temperature of imprinting is as little as 10° C. above the Tg, or even less if the film is in the liquid state. The pressure of the imprinting can be within the range of 100 to 500 psi.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane wherein said membrane comprises a continuous non-porous layer comprising a polymerized composition that comprised prior to polymerization at least one type of compound having a molecular weight of at least 1500 Da and comprising at least 75 weight % of oxyethylene groups and at least two polymerizable groups each comprising a non-substituted vinyl group. The invention further relates to the use of this membrane for separating polar gases and vapors.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus includes an imprint mold including a flexible base plate with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of about 17 ppm/° C. or less, and a mold pattern formed on the base pattern.

Abstract: A nanoimprinting configuration includes a UV light diffuser that randomizes a collimated UV light beam so as to diffuse the shadowing effect from any defect object that resides in the UV optical path. In addition, a combination center circular pad and outer ring-shaped pad form a donut-shaped “non-contact” area between the two pad pieces. The size and shape of the two pad combination are designed to avoid direct gel pad contact above the patterned imprint zone on the disk substrate. The purpose of the gel pad, non-contact configuration is to eliminate any possible surface deformation incurred along the loading column and thereby avoid the elastic propagation of any deformations to the stamper resist surface.

Abstract: A keypad manufacturing method and a device thereof are disclosed. The keypad manufacturing method includes the steps of: (1) pouring materials for a keypad into a mold; (2) covering a film on the mold; (3) film printing: arranging a printed layer on the film; (4) attaching a layer of positioning plate; that's to attach the film with the printed layer on the layer of positioning plate. The device consists of a film which is a transparent layer; a keypad set formed by a plurality of keypads arranged on the film and a connecting piece is located on bottoms of two adjacent keypads; a printed layer disposed on bottom of the film to form characters or symbols corresponding to the keypads. Therefore, the manufacturing of the keypad device is easy, convenient for mass-production, with lower cost of related equipment, reduced operation time and higher yield rate. Moreover, both economic benefits and competitiveness of products are improved.

Abstract: A curable composition for photoimprints containing a photopolymerizable monomer and a photopolymerization initiator, wherein the proportion of the compound having a molecular weight of at most 190 in the composition is at most 20% by mass, and the viscosity of the composition is from 3 to 50 mPa·s at 25° C., is excellent in patterning accuracy.

Abstract: By heating, allowing to stand at normal temperature, or irradiating in the presence of a photo-polymerization initiator, a curable resin composition which contains (A) a resin material having a radical polymerizable unsaturated group and an epoxy group, (C) a radical polymerization initiator, (D) an amine compound and/or a mercaptan compound containing one or more of active hydrogen in one molecule, and (E) a compound, which is an adduct in which the (D) amine compound and/or a mercaptan compound, is reacted with the radical polymerizable unsaturated group of the (A) resin material, thereby a cured product can be obtained.

Abstract: Methods of producing collection tubes are presented. The methods include providing a separator substance that can rapidly polymerize in a short time to a desired hardness and disposing the separator substance within the lumen of the tube. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between an average density of a serum fraction of whole blood and a cell-containing fraction of whole blood, and to be flowable with whole blood. Upon centrifugation of a tube having blood, the separator substance forms a barrier between the whole blood fractions. The barrier rapidly hardens forming a solid barrier when triggered by a suitable energy source.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing a plumbing manifold for use in a water system in which the manifold after molding is subjected to cross-linking high energy radiation. The manifold is made by polyethylene or a metallocene polyethylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-step process for transferring a pattern from a template (1) to a target surface of a substrate, by creating an intermediate flexible polymer stamp (5) from the template in a primary step, and then using the polymer stamp to make an imprint in a radiation-sensitive moldable layer on the target surface in a secondary step. In the secondary step, the process steps of pressing the polymer stamp and the substrate against each other, UV exposure of the moldable layer through the polymer stamp, and postbaking of the radiated moldable layer, are all performed at a control constant temperature, in order to eliminate damages to the pattern created in the moldable layer caused by thermal expansion effects.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator is made of a rubber latex foam which has been solidified by microwave irradiation. The foam satisfies (i) a bubble fineness corresponding to 9 bubbles/mm2 or more, (ii) flexibility of 0.7 N/cm2 or less in initial Young's modulus indicated by 50% compressive stress, and (iii) bulk density of 0.14 g/cm3 or less.

Abstract: Nanoimprinting resin compositions are cured quickly and uniformly, are patterned by transferring evenly without transfer failure, and are suited for UV nanoimprinting methods and thermal nanoimprinting methods. The invention also provides micropatterned films of the compositions and processes for producing such films, magnetic disk media obtained with the films and production processes therefor, and recording/reproducing apparatuses for recording information in the magnetic disk media or for reproducing information from the magnetic disk media. The nanoimprinting resin compositions essentially contain (a) a compound having at least one polymerizable group in the molecule, and (b) organic or inorganic fine particles.

Abstract: A method of in-mold decoration (IMD) comprises the steps of providing a thin-film substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface, printing a pattern on the first surface of the thin-film substrate, coating a hard-coating layer on the pattern and applying a UV light to harden the hard-coating layer, cutting the thin-film substrate, and performing an injection molding procedure to form a plastic layer on the second surface of the thin-film substrate.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a pattern transferring mold which can provide a starting area of mold release easily and certainly and a pattern transferring apparatus with the same. A pattern transferring mold is disclosed which is used in a pattern transferring apparatus that brings the mold into contact with a photo-curing resin on a substrate and cures the photo-curing resin by light irradiation to transfer a pattern formed on the mold onto the photo-curing resin. The mold comprises a bottom face which contacts the photo-curing resin, the bottom face portion including a first area in which the pattern is formed and a second area formed outside the first area. The mold has a mold-releasing shape in the second area, the mold-releasing shape providing a starting area of mold release from the cured photo-curing resin.

Abstract: An imprint method includes applying a light curable resin on a substrate to be processed, the substrate including first and second regions on which the light curable resin is applied, contacting an imprint mold with the light curable resin, curing the light curable resin by irradiating the light curable resin with light passing through the imprint mold, generating gas by performing a predetermined process to the light curable resin applied on a region of the substrate, the region including at least the first region, wherein an amount of gas generated from the light curable resin applied on the first region is larger than an amount of gas generated from the light curable resin of the second region, and forming a pattern by separating the imprint mold from the light curable resin after the gas being generated.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method of forming a three-dimensional micro pattern or a multi-step pattern using a nano imprinting process and a method of manufacturing a mold to form such a pattern. A molding polymer may be patterned in a one-step shape on a substrate having UV barrier patterns, thereby easing the manufacture of a mold for multi-step imprinting and simplifying the formation of a multi-step pattern using the one-step shaped mold by avoiding the repetition of more complicated processes. Consequently, it may be possible to form a relatively large-area micro pattern, a relatively large-area pattern usable in flat panel displays, and a nano pattern having a size of several tens of nanometers in a semiconductor process, thereby contributing to the reduction of process costs, the reduction of process time, and the improvement of production yield.

Abstract: A collagen corneal shield for placement on the outer surface of the eye for protection of the eye, for delivery of drugs to the eye, or for both protection and drug delivery to the eye, functions without obstructing vision. The shield has a first, central portion comprising non-crosslinked collagen capable of rapid decomposition in the presence of enzymes in the tears, and a second portion comprising crosslinked collagen which decomposes slowly in the presence of enzymes in the tears so that it remains on the eye for a period of time longer than the first portion. The first portion of the shield covers the central portion of the cornea and the second portion of the shield extends outward from the first portion. As a result of decomposition of the first portion the corneal shield becomes a ring or washer shape around the central portion and at least a portion of the cornea is no longer covered by the shield so that vision is not obstructed.

Abstract: A golf ball having a polymer layer that has been subjected to impregnation treatment with an isocyanate and/or isothiocyanate-containing olefin compound exhibits at least one improved golf ball attribute, such as scuff resistance or spin performance, compared with an original golf ball that has not been treated by impregnation.

Abstract: A pattern transfer method includes first through third steps. In the first step, a desired pattern is transferred onto a resin layer formed on a substrate, a release layer being disposed between the substrate and the resin layer. In the second step, which is executed after the first step, the pattern having been transferred onto the resin layer is transferred to the substrate and the release layer is partially exposed. In the third step, which is executed after the second step, the release layer present between the substrate and the resin layer is dissolved and is thus removed from the substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a microstructured article such as barrier ribs for a display panel is described. The method employs a template to provide a discrete coating of a curable material.

Abstract: Techniques for fabricating nanowires are disclosed.

Abstract: To provide a photocurable composition from which a cured product excellent in mold release characteristics and mechanical strength can be obtained, and a method for producing a molded product excellent in durability, with a fine pattern having a reverse pattern of a mold precisely transferred on its surface. A photocurable composition 20 comprising from 15 to 60 mass % of a compound (A) which is an aromatic compound having at least two rings or an alicyclic compound having at least two rings and which has two (meth)acryloyloxy groups, from 5 to 40 mass % of a compound (B) having a fluorine atom and having at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated double bond (excluding the compound (A)), from 10 to 55 mass % of a compound (C) having one (meth)acryloyloxy group (excluding the compound (B)) and from 1 to 12 mass % of a photopolymerization initiator (D) (provided that (A)+(B)+(C)+(D)=100 mass %) is used.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a thin keypad of a keypad panel having a smooth surface, a mist surface or a lines layer, the method includes the steps of: preparing a mold with an internal bottom surface of a coarse surface, a smooth surface or a lines surface; applying an adhesive into the mold and coating a carrier onto the surface of the adhesive; rolling the surface of the carrier by a roller to level the adhesive in the mold; performing a ultraviolet projection to cure the adhesive to form a keypad layer on the carrier; filming a ground color layer, a function color layer and a font color layer sequentially on the carrier as the background of the keypad panel; and hot pressing and combining the keypad layer and silicon to produce the keypad panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element, in particular a photopolymer unit, with a rear layer and a top layer which are joined to one another to form a sealed bag in which a precursor of a plastic which can be polymerised with electromagnetic radiation is contained, in particular a photopolymer. The top layer is made from a cast plastic. The invention further relates to the production of a printing plate from this element.

Abstract: A curable composition and method for producing a tear resistant, yet soft and deformable in-the-ear product yielding the user greater comfort and durability. The curable composition incorporated into a hearing aid apparatus provides a deformable, yet tear resistant housing, which may be mated to a soft tip component. The hearing aid housing provides better comfort, durability and acoustic performance for a variety of ear canal shapes. The curable composition that provides these properties includes at least one urethane acrylate oligomer, at least one reactive diluent and a cure system. The composition when cured desirably produces a tear strength of at least about 75 pli and a hardness of about Shore A 60 to about 75.

Abstract: Method and system for making a product (1) having a solid body (2) and having one or more cavities (3, 15) inside that solid body, with a broad surface and a small thickness. A liquid material is provided within a mould (4), and solidification of the liquid material is controlled in a position dependent way from the outside of the product. When using a thermoplastic material, the system may cool said liquid material less in areas that are projections of the cavities on the outside of the product on its broad surface. When using a thermosetting material the system may include means (5, 9) for controlled heating the liquid material, excluding the projections of the intended cavities. Once part of the product has sufficiently solidified outside the intended cavities the liquid material is driven from the intended cavities by means of a fluid. In the product some cavities may be provided with a conductive layer or structure, e.g.

Abstract: A method of producing a bent rod includes impregnating fibers (1) with resin (2), introducing the impregnated fibers into a flexible plastic tube (3), bringing the flexible plastic tube to a desired bent form and crosslinking the resin with the fibers to produce the rod with the desired bent shape. The flexible plastic tube is formed from a material that has a very low friction coefficient and the flexible plastic tube remains in its position after the crosslinking to permit sliding movement of the bent rod relative to an adjacent structure.

Abstract: A fully curable jettable composition having a viscosity less than 30 cps at a temperature within the range of 15-180° C., more preferably at a temperature of 15-100° C., e.g. 60-80° C. the composition comprising: (A) at least one low viscosity reactive resin selected from the group consisting of compounds containing an oxetane ring, cycloaliphatic epoxy resins, tetrahydrofurans, hexahydropyrans and mono-functional (meth)acrylates, said resin having a molecular weight of not greater than 300 Daltons, e.g. 250 Daltons or less, and a viscosity at a temperature in the said range of less than 30 cps, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified method of film-coating articles by means of radiation curing.

Abstract: A curable composition for imprints, comprising a polymerizable monomer (Ax) represented by the following formula: wherein Ar represents a divalent or trivalent aromatic group, X represents a single bond or an organic linking group, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and n represents 2 or 3. The content of the polymerizable monomer (Ax) is 45% by mass or more, or the total content of solid polymerizable monomers and liquid polymerizable monomers with high viscosity is less than 50% by mass.

Abstract: A method cycle of a method for layerwise production of a tangible object (5) comprises the successive steps of: solidifying predetermined parts of a liquid so as to obtain a solid layer (14) having a predetermined shape; separating said solid layer from a construction shape (6); and moving, relative to one another, the separated solid layer and the construction shape to a predetermined position relative to one another. Solidifying is carried out such that the solid layer and the construction shape have nonmatching shapes in the sense that all surface portions of a solid layer side (70) that are or have been in contact with a liquid contacting side (11) of the construction shape can not simultaneously be brought in full contacting engagement with the liquid contacting side.

Abstract: The present invention is a system which improves the installation and provides a seal between tubeless tires and the rims of the wheels upon which they are mounted. A pliant sealing member or ring (10) is placed over the base (21) or rim of the wheel The ring has an opening to match the valve opening (27) of the rim. A special valve stem sleeve (15) may be provided to enhance the sealing of the valve stem. The invention features a stretch zone (19) which allows universal fit for a range of wheel sizes and also accommodates the drop centre (24) of wheels. A method of casting the ring (10) is disclosed which includes the design of a mold (40) and the production of twin rings which are cut when completed to form two separate rings (10). The sealing ring (10) may be made of vinyl having a durometer rating of between 50-75 and a thickness of 0.5-1.0 mm.

Abstract: To provide a mold having optical transparency, release properties, mechanical strength, dimension stability and a highly precise micropattern, and having less deformation of the micropattern; and a process for producing a base material with a transferred micropattern having less deformation of the transferred micropattern, capable of transferring highly precise micropattern of the mold. A mold 10 comprising a transparent substrate (A) 12 having chemical bonds based on the functional groups (x) on the surface having an interlayer (C) 14 formed, having a difference in linear expansion coefficient (absolute value) of less than 30 ppm/° C. from the linear expansion coefficient of the following fluoropolymer (I), and further having a heat distortion temperature of from 100 to 300° C.

Abstract: A scleral buckling band and a method for making the same are described. The scleral buckling band is used for an ophthalmic operation, which is biocompatible and has a slender cylindrical structure formed by a decomposable and absorbable material. When being implanted into human body, the scleral buckling band is degraded and absorbed by the human body, without causing any immune response. After the patient is recovered, the scleral buckling band does not need to be taken out through another operation. Meanwhile, the decomposition rate of the scleral buckling band within the human body can be controlled through different preparation manners, so as to cater to different recovery speeds of different patients. Furthermore, the scleral buckling band contains different medicine, and after being implanted into human body and being decomposed, the scleral buckling band releases different specific medicine as time elapsed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing photonic band gap structures operable in the optical spectrum has been presented. The method comprises the steps of filling a plurality of grooves of an elastomeric mold with a UV curable first polymer, each groove in parallel with each other and partially curing the first polymer. A second polymer is coated on the first polymer. A substrate or a multi-layer polymer structure is placed on the filled mold and the resulting structure is exposed to UV light (i.e., is UV cured). The mold is peeled away from the first and second polymers such that a layer of polymer rods is formed on the substrate/multi-layer polymer structure. The process is repeated until a desired number of layers have been formed. The multi-layer structure can be used to create ceramic and metallic photonic band gaps by infiltration, electro-deposition, and/or metal coating.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surface acoustic wave device comprises depositing a detecting material layer on a substrate, forming a predetermined pattern on the detecting material layer using a nanoimprint method to obtain a detecting film with a predetermined pattern formed thereon, and forming an input interdigital transducer and an output interdigital transducer on two opposite sides of the detecting material layer on the substrate, thus obtaining a surface acoustic wave device comprising the detecting film.

Abstract: A nanoimprinting method includes: forming at a region for performing a first nanoimprinting process on a substrate, a first patterning region with a first affinity to resin; forming at a region for performing a second nanoimprinting process on the substrate, a second patterning region with a second affinity to resin, the second affinity being lower than the first affinity; applying the resin to the first patterning region and transferring a pattern of a mold to the resin by the first nanoimprinting process; and modifying the second patterning region to a region with affinity to resin that is higher than the second affinity, then applying the resin to the modified region, and performing the second nanoimprinting process to process the second patterning region thereby connecting patterns formed at the first patterning region and the second patterning region to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method comprising disposing a functionalized patternable material on a substrate, wherein the functionalized patternable material comprises a first click chemical moiety; patterning the functionalized patternable material; and reacting the first click chemical moiety with a complementary reactant to form an functionalized patterned surface, the complementary reactant comprising a second click chemical moiety that reacts with the first click chemical moiety; the complementary reactant comprising an functional group.

Abstract: A method/process for curing imprint on a template prior to contact with a substrate. A curing process is used to adhere the imprint to a wafer or substrate. Monomer is deposited on a template and then partially cured using a UV exposure. The exposure is controlled so that the imprint is cured past the gel point, but still retains a thin liquid layer of uncured monomer at the surface that will bond with the wafer. Further, this partially cured layer enables the alignment adjustments between the template and the substrate to be performed after contact between the two without pulling any monomer out of the features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet-shaped object on which surface a regular, fine indented pattern is formed, without a decrease in accuracy of the formed pattern structure or defects caused by peeling faults. The present invention also provides a method of producing an indented sheet on which indents on an indented roller surface are transferred onto a surface of a sheet-shaped object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional objects, comprising producing a three-dimensional structure by sequential selective curing of layers of a composition curable with visible and/or ultraviolet light into a solid polymeric material by sequential exposure of the individual layers to UV and/or visible light, whereafter a three-dimensional object is produced by use of the three-dimensional structure thus formed, followed by removing the three-dimensional structure from or of the three-dimensional object, characterized in that removing the three-dimensional structure is accomplished by chemically cleaving the polymeric material as well as simultaneously or subsequently dissolving the material in a solvent or mixed solvent and/or melting the material.