A process for curing an ultraviolet curable material comprises setting initial conditions, such as an emitted irradiance of an ultraviolet source, an initial value for an exposure time, an initial value for a break time, a stopping condition, combinations thereof, etc. The process repeatedly performs an ultraviolet cure sequence to cure a material until the stopping condition is met, where each iteration in the ultraviolet cure sequence comprises irradiating the material with the ultraviolet source at the emitted irradiance for the exposure time, and resting for the break time with no irradiation applied to the material. In some embodiments, the process adjusts a value of at least one of the emitted irradiance, the exposure time, or the break time in at least one iteration of the ultraviolet cure sequence. For instance, in some embodiments, the exposure time is adjusted, e.g., by a fixed amount, according to a gradient, etc.

This invention provides resin formulations which may be used for 3D printing and pyrolyzing to produce a ceramic matrix composite. The resin formulations contain a solid-phase filler, to provide high thermal stability and mechanical strength (e.g., fracture toughness) in the final ceramic material. The invention provides direct, free-form 3D printing of a preceramic polymer loaded with a solid-phase filler, followed by converting the preceramic polymer to a 3D-printed ceramic matrix composite with potentially complex 3D shapes or in the form of large parts. Other variations provide active solid-phase functional additives as solid-phase fillers, to perform or enhance at least one chemical, physical, mechanical, or electrical function within the ceramic structure as it is being formed as well as in the final structure. Solid-phase functional additives actively improve the final ceramic structure through one or more changes actively induced by the additives during pyrolysis or other thermal treatment.

Techniques are described for applying an edge sealant to the edge of a multi-layer optical device. In particular, embodiments provide an apparatus that performs a precision measurement of the perimeter of an eyepiece, applying the edge sealant (e.g., polymer) based on the precision-measured perimeter, and subsequently cures the edge sealant, using ultraviolet (UV) light that is directed at the edge sealant. The curing process may be performed within a short time following the application of the edge sealant, to ensure that any wicking of the edge sealant between the layers of the eyepiece is controlled to be no greater than a particular depth tolerance. In some examples, the edge sealant is applied to the optical device prevent, or at least reduce, the leakage of light from the optical device, and also to ensure and maintain the structure of the multi-layer optical device.

Methods and systems for photopatterning and miniaturization. In some examples, a method for patterning a substrate includes irradiating a pattern onto the substrate with ultraviolet light and heating the substrate, causing the substrate and the pattern to shrink in at least one dimension to form a miniaturized pattern on the substrate. In some examples, a system for patterning a substrate includes an ultraviolet light source, a heater, and a controller configured for irradiating a pattern onto the substrate with ultraviolet light and heating the substrate, causing the substrate and the pattern to shrink in at least one dimension to form a miniaturized pattern on the substrate.

There are provided a master and a method for manufacturing the master, the master having, on its outer peripheral surface, a concave-convex structure in which concavities or convexities are continuously arranged with high precision. The master includes: a substrate with a hollow cylindrical shape or cylindrical shape; and a concave-convex structure on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate. The concave-convex structure has concavities or convexities continuously arranged at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction of the substrate. The concavities or convexities are arranged with a predetermined phase difference between circumferential rows adjacent in an axial direction of the substrate.

A method for fabricating an imprint master 1 comprises a first forming step of forming micro-protrusion-and-recess structures 23 having a first average pitch on one surface of a substrate 10 and a second forming step of forming main recesses 21 or main protrusions 22 having a second average pitch larger than the first average pitch on the one surface of the substrate 10 having the micro-protrusion-and-recess structures 23 formed thereon, in a manner maintaining a shape of at least a portion of the micro-protrusion-and-recess structures 23 in the main recesses 21 or the main protrusions 22 while the main recesses 21 or the main protrusions 22 are being formed.

Described are methods for manufacturing a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such methods, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. The method for the manufacture of a plastic component includes loading a mold with a first material includes particles of an expanded material and fusing the surfaces of the particles by supplying energy. The energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.

A method of making a molded product. The method includes obtaining a mold having a cavity defined by interior surfaces and applying a gelcoat into the mold. The method further includes at least partially curing the gelcoat within the mold, dispensing a viscous polymeric material into the mold, and curing the polymeric material while the polymeric material is sandwiched between the gelcoat.

A functional polymeric cutting edge structure and methods for manufacturing cutting edge structures using polymeric materials are provided. A razor blade for use in a razor cartridge or a blade box for assembly in a razor cartridge frame may be formed using the present invention.

An ultraviolet irradiation device includes a light-emitting element, a temperature control element, and a control circuit. The light-emitting element is configured to emit an ultraviolet light. The temperature control element is configured to control a temperature of the light-emitting element. The control circuit is configured to control the temperature control element based on a voltage of the light-emitting element so as to control a peak wavelength of the ultraviolet light.