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Continuous R2R Coating Methodology to Manufacture Precision Microstructures

for Displays, High-Brightness LEDs, Traffic Signs, Solar Concentrators and other

Light Management Products

October 25, 2006

10x Technology, LLC Bringing Advanced Materials to Life

Micro-replication forms microscopic structures on the surface of a substrate such

as plastic film

§ Micro = smaller than unaided eye can see

§ Replicate = to copy continuously and accurately

Industry demands a high degree of precision, such as nano-scale accuracy for

optical products.

Typical tolerance specifications:

§ Angles accurate to 1.0 minute of arc

§ Surface flatness controlled to ¼ wavelength of light (0.07µm)

What is Micro-Replication?

DISPLAYS

TRAFFIC SIGNS

DRUG DELIVERY

MICROFLUIDICS

SOLAR COLLECTORS

Examples of Micro-Replicated Products

In 1986 the first micro-prismatic retro-reflective films for the traffic control market was commercialized by Stimsonite Corporation

Reflective Sheeting

SEM showing micro-prismatic structures in reflective sheeting for road signs

(22,000 Micro-Prisms per square inch)

Example of Micro-Replication

In 1993 the same technology produce the first pre-production prototypes of Brightness Enhancing Film (BEF) for flat panel displays; now a $3.0 billion market annually

Optically Precise BEF V-Grooves

Brightness Enhancing Film

Example of Micro-Replication

The Two Recognized Commercial Micro-replication Platforms

Hot Polymer Embossing

• Melt the polymer substrate then pressure “Emboss” on to a cylindrical mold

Cast & Cure

• Liquid-casting of polymers on to a cylindrical mold then radiation cure

Flexible metal belt (Mold)

Plastic film to be formed

Embossed film

Embossing TechnologyEmbossing Technology

MoldMoldMold

Polymer Film pressed into mold

Mold Mold

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Liquid Cast & Cure Process

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Liquid Polymer

Cylindrical Mold

Polymer Carrier Cured Polymer

Cure Source

(UV – EB – Heat)

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Hot Polymer Embossing Technology

Advantages

•Uses low cost commercially available polymers

•Continuous and accurate process

Disadvantages

•Slow processing speed

•Limited to thermoplastic polymers

•Expensive mold fabrication

•Long mold fabrication time from a master to production tooling.

(Reduces the time to market)

Liquid Cast & Cure Process

Advantages

•High process speed

•Continuous and accurate process

Disadvantages

•High raw-material cost

•Expensive mold fabrication

•Long mold fabrication time from a master to

production tooling

•Extensive Intellectual Property Coverage

•IP is generally unavailable for licensing

• The process enables the creation of entirely new classes of products outside the scope of existing technology by allowing for:

– Thicker substrates

– Higher performance polymers

– Unique geometries

– The ability to use material combinations rather than one substrate

– Reduces capital expense and footprint

• Disruptive, patent-pending manufacturing process to address current demands and new market opportunities

The NewThe New Process TechnologyProcess Technology

Powder-coating fills the mold from the bottom-up without air entrapment dramatically increasing manufacturing speed

New Process Technology

Compared to the “Cast and Cure” Process

• Customers can use own selected polymers (Commercially Available polymers or custom formulations)

• Can work with thicker substrates

• Reduced material cost (50% savings)

• Ability to address smaller initial market size

• Clean IP

Compared to the Embossing Process

• Ten times the speed advantage

• Can produce thicker and ridged designs

• Flexibility in choice of materials

• Reduced floor space, equipment cost, material cost

Relative Advantages the New TechnologyRelative Advantages the New Technology

Next-Generation

Brightness Enhancing Films

• RFID chip manufacturing

• Privacy screens for laptops

• Fiber optic light-guides

• Large display flat screens

Other Applications

Reflector Arrays for Efficient LED Lighting

Emerging Markets

Traffic-Control Products

Semiconductor/Electronic

Component fabrication Reflector arrays for LED lighting

Micro-fluidics for medical diagnosticsMicro-needles for drug delivery

Emerging Markets

Micro-Fuel Cell Components

CMP (Chemical Mechanical Planarization)

Solar Collectors

Other Applications

• Lighting (Light Pipe Guides)

• Thin film batteries

• Sky-lights

Emerging Markets

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10x Technology, LLC Bringing Advanced Materials to Life

Robert Pricone President

10x Technology LLC2105 Tempel Drive

Libertyville, IL 60048Phone: (847) 549-6283Fax: (847) 557-9164

robert@10xtechnology.comwww.10xtechnology.com

Please feel free to contact us with specific questions regardingapplications for this technology.