Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media in which the reading beam passes through a bonding layer configured with a reactive material that transforms from an optically transparent state to an optically opaque state after exposure to a predefined stimulus, thereby inhibiting access to the data encoded on the optically readable storage media. The method includes steps of synthesizing a blocked dye combining the blocked dye with a carrier material curing the resultant combination deblocking the dye to produce a reduced dye in the resultant bonding layer exposing the optically readable storage media with the reactive material in its bonding layer to a predetermined stimulus. In a further aspect of the present invention methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media wherein the reading light passes through the bonding layer and the data encoded information is encoded on the L1 substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media in which the reading beam passes through a bonding layer configured with a reactive material that transforms from an optically transparent state to an optically opaque state after exposure to a predefined stimulus, thereby inhibiting access to the data encoded on the optically readable storage media. The method includes steps of synthesizing a blocked dye combining the blocked dye with a carrier material curing the resultant combination deblocking the dye to produce a reduced dye in the resultant bonding layer exposing the optically readable storage media with the reactive material in its bonding layer to a predetermined stimulus. In a further aspect of the present invention methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media wherein the reading light passes through the bonding layer and the data encoded information is encoded on the L1 substrate.

Abstract: There is described a nanoporous receiver element for use in thermal mass transfer imaging applications. The receiver element comprises a substrate carrying an image-receiving layer comprising particulate material and a binder material. The substrate may comprise a material having a compressibility of at least 1% under a pressure of 1 Newton per mm2 (1 MPa). Optionally, there may be provided, between the substrate and the nanoporous receiving layer, a layer having a thickness of less than about 50 &mgr;m which is comprised entirely of a material having a compressibility of less than about 1% under a pressure of 1 MPa. Alternatively, the substrate may comprise only the material having a compressibility of less than about 1% under a pressure of 1 MPa, provided that the thickness of the substrate does not exceed about 50 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A coating formulation is provided which comprises at least one polyhydroxy compound; at least one carrier; and at least one reactive material.

Abstract: An article includes an antireflection composite material, a substrate, and an inorganic layer deposited onto the substrate. The inorganic layer has a thickness of from about 1 nm to about 10 nm. The article includes a polymer layer in contact with the inorganic layer to form an outer surface of the antireflection composite material. The polymer layer has a thickness of from about 70 nm to about 120 nm.

Abstract: There is described a nanoporous receiver element for use in thermal mass transfer imaging applications. The receiver element comprises a substrate carrying an image-receiving layer comprising particulate material and a binder material. The substrate may comprise a material having a compressibility of at least 1% under a pressure of 1 Newton per mm2 (1 MPa). Optionally, there may be provided, between the substrate and the nanoporous receiving layer, a layer having a thickness of less than about 50 &mgr;m which is comprised entirely of a material having a compressibility of less than about 1% under a pressure of 1 MPa. Alternatively, the substrate may comprise only the material having a compressibility of less than about 1% under a pressure of 1 MPa, provided that the thickness of the substrate does not exceed about 50 &mgr;m.

Abstract: There is described a novel diffusion transfer film unit for use in a diffusion transfer photographic system which includes a layer comprising a polyester urethane polymer(s) which is inert to alkali, and specifically, a layer which exhibits permeability to alkali inversely dependent upon temperature. Diffusion transfer photographic systems utilizing the diffusion transfer film unit of the present invention exhibit superior hot temperature processing.

Abstract: A slide blank comprises a support at least part of which is essentially transparent; an imageable layer superposed on one face of the support, the imageable layer not being substantially photosensitive but comprising a color-forming composition, which, upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation, forms a colored material, thereby forming in the imageable layer an image which can be viewed in transmission; and a protective layer superposed on the imageable layer on the opposed side thereof from the support, at least part of the protective layer being essentially transparent; the support, imageable layer and protective layer being secured together to form a slide blank having a thickness of at least about 0.8 mm, and the thickness of the protective layer being such that no part of the imageable layer containing the color-forming composition is more than about 0.2 mm from one external surface of the slide blank. This slide blank can be imaged to produce a ready-mounted slide.

Abstract: An imaging medium capable of being imaged to form a transparency comprises a substantially transparent support having a thickness of at least about 20 .mu.m, a color-forming layer superposed on the support and comprising a color-forming composition adapted to undergo a change of color upon increase in the temperature of the color-forming layer above a color-forming temperature for a color-forming time; and a bubble-suppressant layer superposed on the color-forming layer and having a thickness of at least about 10 .mu.m. Upon imagewise increase in the temperature of the color-forming layer above the color-forming temperature for the color-forming time, in heated regions the color-forming layer undergoes its change of color but remains essentially free from bubbles, thereby providing an image in which the colored regions are not blackened when viewed in transmission.

Abstract: A multilayer diagnostic assay element wherein glyoxyl agarose, an aldehyde group - derivatized agarose, is utilized in one or more layers of the element. In a preferred embodiment the glyoxyl agarose is used to immobilize biological species such as a protein in a layer of the element.

Abstract: An imaging medium comprises a layer, depolymerizable by exposure to actinic radiation and undergoing a reduction in cohesivity upon at least partial depolymerization, disposed adjacent a layer of an imaging material, which has a cohesive strength greater than the cohesive strength of the depolymerizable layer after depolymerization. This medium is imagewise exposed to radiation, thereby causing at least partial depolymerization of the polymer in the exposed areas, so rendering these exposed areas lower in cohesivity than the unexposed areas. The exposed areas of the imaging material are then removed from the depolymerizable layer.

Abstract: Polymeric optical filter agents and products and processes using same are disclosed. The polymeric optical filter agents are pH-sensitive materials comprising a polymeric backbone having a plurality of pendant moieties of the formula (I). ##STR1## wherein X is ##STR2## and R is alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl; A is hydrogen, alkyl or the radical ##STR3## where each of Y.sup.1, Y.sup.2 and Y.sup.3 is hydrogen or an electron-withdrawing group; and each Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 is hydrogen or an electron-withdrawing group; with the proviso that, when each of Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and Z.sup.3 is hydrogen, said A is a radical ##STR4## wherein at least one of said Y.sup.1, Y.sup.2 and Y.sup.3 groups comprises an electron-withdrawing group. These agents upon contact with alkali are converted from a substantially non-light absorbing form to a highly colored light-absorbing form useful in photographic products.

Abstract: Image-receiving elements for use in photographic diffusion transfer products and processes and including a unitary image-receiving and decolorizing layer are disclosed. The unitary image-receiving and decolorizing layer comprises a mixture of gelatin, an organic monobasic or polybasic acid or anhydride and a copolymeric mordant comprising recurring units from a vinylpyridine and from a copolymerizable vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium salt. The image-receiving elements can be used in diffusion transfer products and processes for the provision of color images which appear satisfactorily to emerge from a white background and which exhibit desirable densitometric characteristics.

Abstract: A process for preparing a solution of a copolymer of a vinylpyridine and an ethylenically-unsaturated copolymerizable vinylbenzyl quaternary salt is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing, in the presence of a polymerization medium comprising water and a lower alcohol, a vinylpyridine and a copolymerizable vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium salt having the formula ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is independently alkyl; substituted alkyl; cycloalkyl; aryl; aralkyl; alkaryl, or at least two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together with the quaternary nitrogen atom to which they are bonded complete a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring. The process provides the desired copolymer in the form of a clear solution useful in the formation of polymeric coatings or layers utilized as image-receiving layers in photographic products and processes.

Abstract: Diffusion transfer films and processes are disclosed wherein the processing composition includes a light-reflecting pigment and an optical filter agent, and the image-receiving layer carries over it a layer containing a substantially non-diffusible agent adapted to decolorize optical filter agent immediately adjacent the interface between said processing composition and said decolorizing layer.

Abstract: 1,1,1-Trifluoroacetone is acetylated when an excess of an acetylating agent is allowed to react with this ketone in the presence of an excess of an amine such as pyridine.