Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments related to luminescence-based reflective display pixels. In one embodiment, among others, a luminescent-based pixel includes a luminescent layer including luminophores distributed in a matrix. The luminescent layer is configured to receive light from an ambient environment through a first side of the luminescent layer and has an index of refraction that is higher than an index of refraction of the ambient environment. The luminescent-based pixel includes a mirror disposed on a second side of the luminescent layer that is opposite the first side of the luminescent layer. The luminescent-based pixel also includes a diffusive surface to randomize the direction of incident light.

Abstract: A machine for collecting tie plates strewn along a rail bed includes a frame adapted for travel along a railroad in a forward direction. A pickup drum having magnetic properties is rotatably supported by the frame and extends over a bed portion of the railroad. A top drum is mounted at a location that is higher and forward of the pickup drum and rotates parallel to the pickup drum. An endless conveyor circulates around the pickup and top drums, and a separation drum is disposed between the pickup drum and the top drum along an ascending portion of the endless conveyor. The separation drum includes a magnetized rim that can lift ferrous objects but not tie plates from the endless conveyor.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for obtaining radiation interaction data related to an image of an object. The method involves using a detector system for detecting and collecting spectroscopically resolvable information about incident radiation, and collecting one or more datasets of information at the detector after interaction with an object. Each dataset is resolved across at least three frequency bands within the spectrum of the source. The ratio between measured intensities is evaluated for at least two pairs of such frequency bands in a given intensity dataset to obtain a numerical indicator in functional relationship with a material property. The numerical indicator is then compared with a library of data characteristics of target materials. An apparatus is also disclosed for inspection of materials.

Abstract: A display device includes a plurality of pixel components, each of which includes a first electro-optic layer positioned between a first pair of electrodes, in which the first electro-optic layer is configured to selectively absorb light in a first specified wavelength, a second electro-optic layer positioned between a second pair of electrodes, in which the second electro-optic layer is configured to selectively absorb light in a second specified wavelength band and to convert the absorbed light to at least a portion of the first specified wavelength band, in which the first electro-optic layer and the second electro-optic layer are arranged in a stack with respect to each other.

Abstract: Method for the identification of a homogeneous material (e.g. a liquid) in a container (e.g. a bottle) by measuring its X-ray or gamma spectrum and deriving its specific attenuation function. The method comprises building a database of the attenuation functions of empty containers, of containers filled with various fluid materials and of the contained fluid materials itself (by subtracting or devoluting the empty-container-attenuation-function from the filled-container-attenuation-function), recording the spectrum of an unknown material in a container and comparing this spectrum to the spectra in the database.

Abstract: Various reflective display pixels are provided. In one embodiment, among others, a reflective display pixel for modulating the return of incident visible light is provided that includes one or more stacked cells. Each cell includes a fluid containing a light absorbing medium capable of absorbing incident light in at least one specified wavelength band for that cell and a light returning medium capable of selectively returning at least a portion of the light within the specified wavelength band for that cell. In other embodiments, each cell includes a fluid containing a light absorbing medium capable of absorbing incident light in at least one specified wavelength band for that cell and a light returning medium capable of selectively returning at least a portion of visible light outside the specified wavelength band for that cell.

Abstract: An emissive semi-interpenetrating polymer network (E-semi-IPN) includes a semi-interpenetrating polymer network and an emissive material interlaced in the polymer network. The semi-interpenetrating polymer network includes in a crosslinked state one or more of a polymerized organic monomer and a polymerized organic oligomer, polymerized water soluble polymerizable agent, and one or more polymerized polyfunctional cross-linking agents. The E-semi-IPN may be employed as an E-semi-IPN layer (16, 36, 56) in organic light emitting devices (10, 20, 30, 40).

Abstract: Various plasmonic elements with waveguide trapping are provided. In one embodiment, a plasmonic element includes a waveguide layer including a first surface through which incident light enters the waveguide layer. The waveguide layer includes a medium and an array of plasmonic structures disposed within the medium. The medium has dielectric properties. The resonant frequency of the plasmonic structures is responsive to the dielectric properties of the medium. The plasmonic element is configured to trap incident light scattered by the plasmonic structures in a waveguide mode.

Abstract: A reflective display device has multiple display pixels. Each pixel has at least three color sub-pixels disposed side-by-side for three primary colors respectively. At least one color sub-pixel has a light shutter with adjustable transmission, a luminescent layer containing a luminescent material that emits light of a selected color, and a mirror for reflecting light corresponding to that selected color.

Abstract: A polymer-nanoparticle composition of formula II includes a polymer of formula I. The polymer has two portions. One portion of the polymer includes a binding group that binds to a nanoparticle. The other portion of the polymer includes a hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: Copolymers and methods using the copolymers control the stability, the homogeneity of mixtures and the chargeability of a nanoparticle. A block copolymer-nanoparticle composition includes first, second and third block units that each include repeating units of respective monomers. The monomer of the first block unit includes a binding group that binds to the nanoparticle. The monomer of the second block unit includes a hydrophobic moiety that provides steric stabilization of the nanoparticle and homogeneity of mixtures of the copolymer-nanoparticle composition in a non-polar medium. The monomer of the third block unit includes a chargeable group that imparts a charge to the nanoparticle. An order of the respective block units in the copolymer and the number of repeating units of the monomer in the respective block units control the stability, the homogeneity of mixtures and the charge of the nanoparticle.

Abstract: A machine for collecting tie plates strewn along a rail bed includes a frame adapted for travel along a railroad in a forward direction. A pickup drum having magnetic properties is rotatably supported by the frame and extends over a bed portion of the railroad. A top drum is mounted at a location that is higher and forward of the pickup drum and rotates parallel to the pickup drum. An endless conveyor circulates around the pickup and top drums, and a separation drum is disposed between the pickup drum and the top drum along an ascending portion of the endless conveyor. The separation drum includes a magnetized rim that can lift ferrous objects but not tie plates from the endless conveyor.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for obtaining radiation transmission data from a liquid in such manner that allows some data about relative proportions of constituent ingredients to be derived is described. A radiation source and a radiation detector system able to resolve transmitted intensity across a plurality of frequencies within the spectrum of the source are used to produce transmitted intensity data for each such frequency. Measured data is compared numerically to a mass attenuation data library storing mass attenuation data, individually or collectively, for a small number of expected constituent ingredients of the liquid to fit each intensity data item to the relationship given by the exponential attenuation law: I/IO=exp [?(?/?) ?t] in respect of the constituent ingredients and derive therefrom an indication of relative proportions of each constituent ingredient.

Abstract: A color-tunable, reflective, paper-like display utilizes the unique optical properties of nano-engineered metal and metal-dielectric composite structures that exhibit a plasmon resonance. By changing the dielectric properties of a medium in which these structures are embedded, or by changing the spatial relationship of these structures, their optical absorbance and scattering spectra can be tuned. This enables simpler pixel architectures with better performance than is possible with fixed-color technologies. Low power video rate operation can be achieved in a paper-like display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the identification and detection of composition of a liquid are disclosed. The invention involves detecting and collecting spectroscopically resolvable information about incident radiation, and collecting one or more datasets of intensity information at the detector system. Each dataset is resolved across at least three frequency bands within the spectrum of the source to produce an intensity data item for each band. A numerical relationship is evaluated for at least two pairs of frequency bands in a given intensity dataset to obtain a numerical indicator functionally related to a characteristic physical material property such as a material coefficient that varies functionally with radiation energy. The numerical indicator is compared with a library of data for a range of potential component liquids in order to obtain an indication of the likely composition of the liquid sample. An apparatus for use in identifying and detecting a liquid is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for obtaining radiation interaction data related to an image of an object. The method involves using a detector system for detecting and collecting spectroscopically resolvable information about incident radiation, and collecting one or more datasets of information at the detector after interaction with an object. Each dataset is resolved across at least three frequency bands within the spectrum of the source. The ratio between measured intensities is evaluated for at least two pairs of such frequency bands in a given intensity dataset to obtain a numerical indicator in functional relationship with a material property. The numerical indicator is then compared with a library of data characteristics of target materials.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical interconnect, which includes a first electrode, an interlayer of a programmable material disposed over at least a portion of the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed over the programmable material at a non-zero angle relative to the first electrode. The interlayer includes a modified region having differing electrical properties than the rest of the interlayer, sandwiched at the junction of the first electrode and the second electrode. The interlayer may be exposed to a focused beam to form the modified region.

Abstract: An electrophoretic cell and methods of switching an electrophoretic cell and moving charged species in an electrophoretic cell employ differential electrophoretic mobilities and a time-varying electric field. The methods include providing first and second charged species that are oppositely charged and have different mobilities. The method of switching further includes inducing a net motion of both of the charged species using the time-varying applied electric field. The induced net motion results in either the first charged species being moved toward the electrode and the second charged species remaining essentially motionless or both of the charged species being moved toward the same electrode. The electrophoretic cell includes the first and second charged species with opposite charge and different mobilities, and further includes the time-varying applied electric field that provides the net motion of the charged species.

Abstract: A tagging system contains first taggants and second taggants. The taggants differ from each other so that the first taggants have a first emission spectrum and a first absorption edge and the second taggants have a second emission spectrum and a second absorption edge. In the tagging system, the first taggants are arranged to be within an interaction distance of the second taggants so that energy transfer between the first taggants and the second taggants causes an emission spectrum of the tagging system to differ from a sum of the first emission spectrum and the second emission spectrum.

Abstract: A color-tunable, reflective, paper-like display utilizes the unique optical properties of nano-engineered metal and metal-dielectric composite structures that exhibit a plasmon resonance. By changing the dielectric properties of a medium in which these structures are embedded, or by changing the spatial relationship of these structures, their optical absorbance and scattering spectra can be tuned. This enables simpler pixel architectures with better performance than is possible with fixed-color technologies. Low power video rate operation can be achieved in a paper-like display.