A laser-marked polymer workpiece is described. The workpiece has a transparent component and an opaque component applied to at least one region of the transparent component. A mark is introduced onto a surface of the opaque component facing the transparent component with at least one laser. The mark is introduced, via a laser, through the transparent component. The mark is a lightening of the surface of the opaque component on which the mark was introduced.

Methods and systems for converting an image contrast evolution of an object to a temperature contrast evolution and vice versa are disclosed, including methods for assessing an emissivity of the object; calculating an afterglow heat flux evolution; calculating a measurement region of interest temperature change; calculating a reference region of interest temperature change; calculating a reflection temperature change; calculating the image contrast evolution or the temperature contrast evolution; and converting the image contrast evolution to the temperature contrast evolution or vice versa, respectively.

A color laser markable article includes a color laser markable layer provided on a support, the laser markable layer including an infrared absorbing compound; a leuco-dye; and an acid generating compound, wherein the acid generating compound has a structure according to Formulae (I) or (II): ##STR00001##
wherein R1 and R3 independently represent an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted (hetero)cyclic alkyl group, an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group, an optionally substituted alkoxy group, an optionally substituted (hetero)cyclic alkoxy group, or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group; R2, R4 and R5 independently represent an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted (hetero)cyclic alkyl group or an optionally substituted aralkyl group; and R1 and R2, R4 and R5, R3 and R4, and R3 and R5 may represent the necessary atoms to form a ring.

Various laser marking compositions and related methods are described. The laser marking compositions include a molybdenum metal complex, a tungsten metal complex, or combinations thereof. Marks or other indicia formed on a substrate using the compositions and methods exhibit increased contrast and improved substrate bonding.

Various laser marking compositions and related methods are described. The laser marking compositions include a molybdenum metal complex, a tungsten metal complex, or combinations thereof. Marks or other indicia formed on a substrate using the compositions and methods exhibit increased contrast and improved substrate bonding.

The present disclosure relates to a device for activating thermochromatic ink. The device may include a drawing tip, a heating element, which may include a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element, communicably coupled to the drawing tip and configure to heat the drawing tip, and a power source configured to provide power to the heating element. The power source may be a lithium-ion battery. The battery may be rechargeable, and the device may have a charging port to recharge the battery from a power source coupled to the charging port. The device may have a regulator for regulating power from the power source to the heating element. The device may have a controller for directing power from the power source to the heating element. Further the heating element may be configured to heat the drawing tip to a temperature between 30-70 degrees Celsius.

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for applying writings and other markings to a frozen vial or ampoule, which is filled with biological material, and which is held at temperatures between about −70° C. and about −196° C. More particularly, the invention relates to a laser marking method that allows frozen vials to be labeled, while maintaining the integrity of the biological material contained therein.

The invention relates to compositions for forming two and three-dimensional artwork, pictures, works of design and architectural works that are interactive, responsive or able to change. These compositions can include at least one nanomaterial. They can include a light emitter that is one or a combination of: an OLED; a light-emitting display screen that is partially or entirely transparent or translucent; a light-emitting display screen capable of flexing or folding; or a thin light-emitting display screen. In different embodiments, the composition includes electronic paper; a visible tangible transparent or translucent form or display capable of aesthetic change; a visible interactive or responsive intangible hologram; or an organic transistor, a transparent transistor, an organic light-emitting transistor (OLET) or a transistor that is a combination of these; or a conductive polymer. Aesthetic works of the invention are created, developed, changed, reworked or recreated interactively, in a responsive process, repeatedly or continuously.

The invention relates to a method for marking a wrapping paper for smoking articles, comprising the following steps: (A) providing a wrapping paper for smoking articles, and (B) producing register marks on the wrapping paper by treating the surface of the wrapping paper with laser radiation having an energy density y in J-m-2, to which the following applies: y=k.Math.x, whereby x is the enthalpy of combustion per volume of the wrapping paper in J.Math.m.sup.−2.Math.μm.sup.−1, and k is at least −8 μm and at most −1 μm.

Methods and compositions are disclosed for quickly creating durable surface marks and/or decorations on substrates including metal, glass, ceramic, porcelain, natural and engineered stone, as well as plastics, polymer composites and other organic materials with color, high resolution and high contrast using inkjet technology and laser, NIR diode or UV LED energy. The improved methods and compositions are based on established and emerging sub-micron and nanoparticle technology. Most properties of nanoparticles are size dependent and do not become apparent until the particle size has been reduced to the nanometer scale. Examples of such properties include increased specific surface area, facilitating the absorption and/or scattering of visible light and laser, NIR diode or UV LED energy and the decreased melting point of such materials when their particle size is reduced to the nanometer scale. Improved results such as smoothness and durability are obtained by using nanoparticles of silica, pigments and other materials in such marking processes.