Patterned article including metallic bodies

A patterned article comprising a unitary polymeric layer disposed on a conductive layer, the unitary polymeric layer comprising a first major surface facing the conductive layer and an opposing second major surface, the unitary polymeric layer defining a plurality of through openings therein,

• wherein for each through opening in at least a first sub-plurality of the through openings:
• a unitary metallic body is disposed in the through opening, the unitary metallic body comprising a least one lateral sidewall, each lateral sidewall extending from the conductive layer toward or to, but not past, the second major surface of the unitary polymeric layer, the unitary metallic body being substantially coextensive with the through opening in at least one cross-section parallel to the unitary polymeric layer, the unitary metallic body filling at least 10% of a volume of the through opening,
• wherein the unitary metallic bodies are electrically connected to one another only by virtue of the conductive layer, and
• wherein for each through opening in a second sub-plurality of the through openings, no metallic body is disposed in the through opening, each through opening in the first sub-plurality of the through openings having a first length between the first and second major surfaces, each through opening in the second sub-plurality of the through openings having a second length between the first and second major surfaces, the first and second lengths being different.

A process for making a patterned article, the process comprising, in sequence:

• providing a conductive layer;
• forming a polymeric layer on the conductive layer, the polymeric layer comprising opposing first and second major surfaces and defining a plurality of through openings therein, the plurality of through openings comprising first and second sub-pluralities of the through openings, wherein the first major surface of the polymeric layer comprises a plurality of substantially planar first and second portions, the first and second portions parallel to, but not coplanar with, one another, wherein each through opening in the first sub-plurality of the through openings extends from one of the second portions of the first major surface to the second major surface, and each through opening in the second sub-plurality of the through openings extends from one of the first portions of the first major surface to the second major surface;
• depositing a metallic body in each through opening in the first sub-plurality, but not the second sub-plurality, of the through openings such that the metallic body contacts the conductive layer;
• and
• removing the conductive layer resulting in the metallic bodies being electrically isolated from one another.