3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Diane North

Andrew John Ouderkirk

Patrick R Fleming

Olester Benson, Jr

Kristin LaVelle Thunhorst

Robert L Brott

David B Olson

Patricia M Savu

William Bedingham

Richard C Allen

William J Kopecky

Kenneth Brian Wood

Bruce Brandon Wilson

James C Breister

Michael R Harms

Roger J Stumo

Yeun-Jong Chou

Eric M Peterson

Naiyong Jing

Timothy J Hebrink

Catherine A Leatherdale

Mark B O'Neill

Terence D Neavin

Christopher R Kokaisel

Huiwen Tai

Andrew J Henderson

Robert A Harkins

Michael F Weber

Audrey A Sherman

Stephen A Johnson

Barry W Robole

Michael A Johnson

Scott D Pearson

James E Aysta

Andrew T Ruff

Rajesh K Katare

Joan M Frankel

Chad J Carter

Stephen P Maki

Joel R Dufresne

Richard Yufeng Liu

Harold E Rude

Ning Zhou

Kevin D Hagen

Richard R Matner

Robert R Owings

James A Phipps

David K Mortenson

Jordan C DuCharme

Matthew A Jast

Jordan C Ducharme

Kristin L 3M Center Thunhorst

An article is described comprising a first film layer comprising polylactic acid polymer (semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; amorphous polylactic acid polymer; or a mixture thereof); a second (e.g. polyvinyl acetate) polymer having a Tg of at least 25° C.; plasticizer. In some embodiment, the film layer further comprises inorganic pigment and/or hydrolysis stabilizer. In other embodiments, the film has a net melting endotherm, ΔH, of less than 10 J/g. Also described are methods of making a graphic film.

Film comprising polylactic acid polymer suitable for graphic articles

A stretchable reflective color-shifting film comprises a stretchable transparent polymer layer; a semi-transmissive metal layer; a transparent spacer layer; a reflective metal layer; an adhesive layer; and a stretchable base film layer. When the film body is stretched by 25%, the peak total reflectance stretched is at 80% of the peak total reflectance when the film body is unstretched according to the Total Reflectivity Test.

Conformable color shifting laminates

A composition that includes a blend of a pressure sensitive adhesive and an ultraviolet light-absorbing oligomer. The oligomer has a first divalent unit having a pendent ultraviolet absorbing group and a second divalent unit represented by formula in which Ris hydrogen or methyl, and Ris alkyl having from 4 to 20 carbon atom. Articles including the composition are disclosed. For example, an assembly including a barrier film and the composition is also disclosed. 

Pressure sensitive adhesive composition including ultraviolet light-absorbing oligomer

A copolymer that includes first divalent units having a pendent ultraviolet absorbing group, second divalent units represented by formula (I):, and third divalent units represented by formula (II):. Each Ris independently hydrogen or methyl; Ris a straight-chain or branched alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; V is O or NH; W is alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and each R' is independently alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Compositions including the copolymer, for example, pressure sensitive adhesive compositions are disclosed. Articles including the compositions are disclosed. For example, an assembly including a barrier film and the pressure sensitive adhesive composition is also disclosed. 

Copolymer including ultraviolet light-absorbing group and compositions including the same

The present disclosure includes a stretchable reflective film comprising a transparent polymer layer; a continuous metal layer comprising at least one of tin or indium; a non-reactive adhesive layer; and a stretchable film layer. The stretchable reflective film has at least 30% specular reflectivity when stretched by 50% of the unstretched length according to Specular Reflectivity Test Method.

Conformable reflective film having specified reflectivity when stretched at room temperature

A composition that includes a blend of a fluoropolymer and an ultraviolet light-absorbing oligomer. The oligomer has a first divalent unit having a pendent ultraviolet absorbing group and a second divalent unit represented by formula (I): At least one of the following limitations is also met: the ultraviolet light-absorbing oligomer further comprises a third divalent unit comprising a pendent 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl group, or the composition further comprises a second oligomer comprising a third divalent unit comprising a pendent 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl group at least one of the second divalent units. Articles including the composition are disclosed. The composition can be an extruded film. A method of making such an extruded film is also disclosed. 

Fluoropolymer composition including at least one oligomer

The present disclosure generally relates to durable solar mirror films, methods of making durable solar mirror films, and constructions including durable solar mirror films. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a solar mirror film comprising: a multilayer optical film layer including having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion of less than about 30 ppm per percent relative humidity; and a reflective layer having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion.

Durable solar mirror films

Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The sample processing devices provide process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group of process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas.

Sample processing devices

A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.

Composite polymer fibers

Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The assemblies include carriers and sample processing devices with process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group pf process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas. The carriers may be used to apply selective compression to the sample processing devices.

Sample processing devices and carriers

A polarizer is formed with an arrangement of polymer fibers substantially parallel within a polymer matrix. The polymer fibers are formed of at least first and second polymer materials. At least one of the polymer matrix and the first and second polymer materials is birefringent, and provides a birefringent interface with the adjacent material. Light is reflected and/or scattered at the birefringent interfaces with sensitivity to the polarization of the light. In some embodiments, the polymer fibers are formed as composite fibers, having a plurality of scattering polymer fibers disposed within a filler to form the composite fiber. In other embodiments, the polymer fiber is a multilayered polymer fiber. The polymer fibers may be arranged within the polymer matrix as part of a fiber weave.

Reflective polarizers containing polymer fibers

Optical elements containing a polymer fiber weave

Polymer photonic crystal fibers

An optical element is formed by co-extruding to have an arrangement of polymer scattering fibers within a polymer matrix. The scattering fibers lie substantially parallel to a first axis. The scattering fibers are arranged at positions across the cross-section of the polymer matrix to scatter light transversely incident on the optical element in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The positions of the scattering fibers across the cross-section of the optical element may be selected so as to form a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure for light transversely incident on the optical element.

Polymeric photonic crystals with co-continuous phases

Growing community of inventors

Inver Grove Heights, MN, United States of America

Diane North