Abstract: A method for protecting a surface of an article includes preparing or otherwise providing a reactive solution of a form of polyaniline and an acid, thereafter applying the reactive solution to the surface of the article to form an adherent conversion coating on the surface, thereafter oxidizing the adherent conversion coating to form an oxidized coating, and thereafter contacting a chromate-free, corrosion inhibiting organic compound such as a salt of a dithiocarbamate or a salt of a dimercaptothiadiazole to the oxidized coating to form a fixed conversion coating on the surface of the article. The resulting article has the fixed conversion coating adhered to the surface of the article. The fixed conversion coating has a mixture of a reduced polyaniline salt, and a fixed disulfur-linked dithiocarbamate polymer or dimer.

Abstract: A composition for a filter material includes a dye and possibly a polymer host. The dye includes a Co(II) compound, a Ni(II) compound or a mixture thereof. Filter material can have a transmittance at 500 nanometers of at least 80% and a steep cutoff absorption band with a transmittance between 600 and 700 nanometers of no more than 10%.

Abstract: A display includes a light source. The display also includes a filter positioned to receive light from the light source. The filter is a dye-based filter and attenuates light in the infrared range. The filter can be configured to have a very sharp spectral cutoff. The filter can be an NVIS filter. The display can be utilized in an avionic display system with night vision equipment. The filter can include a host polymer doped with a dye including cobalt or nickel.

Abstract: Light emitters are formed and patterned on an electrode for an organic light-emitting device by electrochemically polymerizing a monomer across the full length of the electrode. A second electrode is deposited so to define a pixel region between mutually aligned portions of the two electrodes. Electroluminescence of the emitter occurs when a voltage is applied across the electrodes of the device.

Abstract: The present invention is a reversible electrodeposition optical modulation device employing an ionic liquid electrolyte, which is comprised of a mixture of an ionic organic compound and the salt of an electrodepositable metal. The solventless ionic liquid can contain very high concentrations of electrodepositable metal ions and provides the high current carrying capability needed for fast device switching. Switching uniformity is also significantly improved since the electrolyte resistance is at least an order of magnitude higher than that of typical solvent-based electrolytes. Fast switching and good cycle life for high quality mirror electrodeposits in reversible electrochemical mirror (REM) devices was demonstrated. Best results were obtained for novel silver halide electrolytes employing pyrrolidinium and N-methylpyrrolidinium cations.

Abstract: The present invention provides co-doped zinc oxide to flat panel, light emissive display devices and vacuum microelectronic devices to improve their efficiency and lifetime. This material has a low growth temperature and is compatible with metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) processing technology. It is tranparent, chemically stable and has a low work function, which result in many advantages when being used as the cathode for the aforementioned devices. In one embodiment of the emissive display device, an organic light diode (OLED) display has a high work function metal anode, such as platinum (Pt), gold (Au) or nickel (Ni) and a low work function co-doped zinc oxide cathode. Because of the energy level alignment provided by these two materials, the potential energy barriers to injection of electrons from the cathode and holes from the anode into the organic emissive medium are minimized so the display device operates more efficiently.

Abstract: A direct displacement plating process provides a uniform, adherent coating of a relatively stable metal (e.g., nickel) on a highly reactive metal (e.g., aluminum) that is normally covered with a recalcitrant oxide layer. The displacement reaction proceeds, preferably in a nonaqueous solvent, as the oxide layer is dissolved by a fluoride activator. Halide anions are used to provide high solubility, to serve as an anhydrous source of stable metal ions, and to control the rate of the displacement reaction. A low concentration of activator species and little or no solution agitation are used to cause depletion of the activator species within pores in the surface oxide so that attack of the reactive metal substrate is minimized. Used in conjunction with electroless nickel deposition to thicken the displacement coating, this process can be used to render aluminum pads on IC chips solderable without the need for expensive masks and vacuum deposition operations.

Abstract: A reversible electrochemical mirror (REM) includes a first electrode and a second electrode, one of which is substantially transparent to at least a portion of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. An essentially nonaqueous electrolytic solution, disposed between the first and second electrodes, contains ions of an electrodepositable metal having a molar concentration of more than 0.5 M. The electrolytic solution also contains halide and/or pseudohalide anions having a total molar concentration ratio of at least 2:1 relative to the concentration of the electrodepositable metal cations. A negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the electrolytic solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode to form a mirror deposit, thereby affecting the reflectivity of the REM device for electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An O-plate compensator comprising an organic liquid crystal polymer, and methods for fabricating the same, are disclosed. The compensator is a uniaxial birefringent thin film with its extraordinary axis oriented obliquely with respect to the surface of the film. (It is noted that the birefringent thin film could be weakly biaxial.) The oblique orientation of the liquid crystal director, which is parallel to the films extraordinary axis, is achieved by casting an organic thin film onto a surface specially prepared for a orienting liquid crystals, such as obliquely deposited SiO, mechanically rubbed alignment agents. The film can either be cast from a solution of the liquid crystal polymer or from a reactive liquid crystal monomer having a nematic phase. Any solvent that may be used during the fabrication process is evaporated off and the organic thin film is held at a temperature in its nematic phase. If a reactive monomer is used, the film is then photopolymerized.

Abstract: A reversible electrochemical mirror device includes a substantially transparent first electrode having a textured surface, and a second electrode which may be distributed in localized areas. An electrolytic solution, disposed between the first and second electrodes, contains ions of a metal which can electrodeposit on the electrodes. A negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the electrolytic solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the textured surface of the first electrode, thereby affecting the reflectivity of the device for electromagnetic radiation. Because of the textured surface, light striking the first electrode is diffusely reflected, making the device desirable for architectural and automotive glass applications. A surface modification layer applied to the first electrode ensures that the electrodeposit is substantially uniform.

Abstract: An electrochemical mirror includes a transparent first electrode and a second electrode. An electrolytic solution, disposed between the first and second electrodes, contains ions of a metal which can electrodeposit on the electrodes. A negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the electrolytic solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode, thereby affecting the reflectivity of the mirror for electromagnetic radiation. A surface modification layer applied to the first electrode ensures that the electrodeposit is substantially uniform, resulting in a mirror layer which increases the reflectivity of the mirror. A positive electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the first electrode and electrodeposited from the solution onto the second electrode, thereby decreasing the reflectivity of the mirror.

Abstract: A reversible electrochemical mirror (REM) includes a first electrode and a second electrode, one of which is substantially transparent to at least a portion of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. An electrolytic solution, disposed between the first and second electrodes, contains ions of a metal which can electrodeposit on the electrodes. The electrolytic solution also contains halide and/or pseudohalide anions having a total molar concentration ratio of at least 6:1 compared to that of the electrodepositable metal. A negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the electrolytic solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode to form a mirror deposit, thereby affecting the reflectivity of the REM device for electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An O-plate compensator comprising an organic liquid crystal polymer, and methods for fabricating the same, are disclosed. The compensator is a uniaxial birefringent thin film with its extraordinary axis oriented obliquely with respect to the surface of the film. (It is noted that the birefringent thin film could be weakly biaxial.) The oblique orientation of the liquid crystal director, which is parallel to the film's extraordinary axis, is achieved by casting an organic thin film onto a surface specially prepared for orienting liquid crystals, such as obliquely deposited SiO, mechanically rubbed alignment agents. The film can either be cast from a solution of the liquid crystal polymer or from a reactive liquid crystal monomer having a nematic phase. Any solvent that may be used during the fabrication process is evaporated off and the organic thin film is held at a temperature in its nematic phase. If a reactive monomer is used, the film is then photopolymerized.

Abstract: An electrochemical mirror includes a transparent first electrode and a second electrode distributed in localized areas. An electrolytic solution is disposed between the first and second electrodes and contains ions of a metal which can electrodeposit on the first and second electrodes. A negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the electrolytic solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode, thereby affecting the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through the mirror. A surface modification layer applied to the first electrode ensures that the electrodeposit is substantially uniform, resulting in a mirror layer which increases the reflectivity of the mirror.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a transparent first electrode and a second electrode distributed in localized areas. An electrolytic solution, disposed between and in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes, contains ions of a metal which can electrodeposit on the first and second electrodes. Atoms of this metal are deposited on the first or the second electrode. A negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the electrolytic solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode, thereby affecting the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through the device. Conversely, a positive electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the first electrode and electrodeposited from the solution onto the second electrode, thereby increasing the transmissivity of the device.

Abstract: Oxide coatings are formed with a desired crystallographic texture over a large surface area. A metallic substrate is electrodeposited or vacuum deposited with a preferred crystallographic orientation, and a sol-gel/thermal process is used to form a "pseudo-epitaxial" oxide coating having crystallites that are influenced by the crystallographic orientation of the substrate. In one embodiment, p-type nickel oxide coatings with desirable electronic properties are produced by sol-gel/thermal processing on nickel substrates electrodeposited from a sulfamate nickel bath at a relatively high current density and low temperature. The electrodeposited nickel substrate has a strong Ni{100} preferred orientation. Epitaxial effects during sol-gel/thermal formation of NiO on the electrodeposited substrate enhance the extent to which the NiO{100} and NiO{111} crystal facets are aligned parallel to the coating surface, and minimize the NiO{110} orientation.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical method and apparatus are disclosed for fabricating electronic circuits. An electroplating solution is applied to the surface of a reverse biased p-type semiconductor material, such as NiO. The solution-covered NiO surface is illuminated with a light beam directed by computer aided design data to photoelectrochemically deposit a seed layer of metal in an electronic circuit pattern. The seed layer may be thickened by further deposition in a plating bath to form metallic circuit traces on the NiO. If desired, the metallic circuitry may be transferred from the NiO to an alternate substrate having a low dielectric constant. The porosity of the NiO surface can be adjusted to optimize the metallic circuit adhesion for image retention or ease of transfer. The metallic traces may also be treated to reduce adhesion of subsequently deposited metal that can be transferred readily.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical material includes a noncentrosymmetric crystal of an anionic boron complex salt containing a cation and at least one organic ligand coordinated to a boron atom. The nonlinear optical crystal may consist of a compound having the formula A[BC.sub.2 ] where A is a monocation, B is boron, and C is the organic ligand, or a compound having the formula A[BC.sub.2 ].sub.2 where A is a dication, B is boron, and C is the organic ligand. The organic ligands may also be organic molecules having .alpha.-dihydroxy functionalities. Furthermore, the organic ligands may be selected from the group consisting of .alpha.-hydroxy carboxylic acids and 1,2-diols or from the group consisting of d-malic acid, d-lactic acid, d-tartaric acid, dimethyl-d-tartrate, diethyl-d-tartrate, l-malic acid, l-lactic acid, l-tartaric acid, dimethyl-l-tartrate, diethyl-l-tartrate, and ethylene glycol.

Abstract: An electrical capacitor includes an organic electrolyte to provide high power, high energy density, and broad operating temperature range. The capacitor includes electrodes and an electrolyte system comprising a salt combined with a solvent containing a nitrile. The electrolyte system is selected to be relatively nonreactive and difficult to oxidize or reduce so as to produce a high electric potential range. As examples, the electrolyte may include a solvent selected from the group consisting of acetonitrile, succinonitrile, glutaronitrile, propylene carbonate, and ethylene carbonate; a salt cation selected from the group consisting of tetraalkylamonium (R.sub.4 N.sup.+) and alkali metals; and an anion selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3.sup.-), bistrifluoromethylsulfurylimide (N(CF.sub.3 SO.sub.2).sub.2.sup.-), tristrifluoromethylsulfurylcarbanion (C(CF.sub.3 SO.sub.2).sub.3.sup.-), tetrafluoroborate (BF.sub.4.sup.-), hexafluorophosphate (PF.sub.6.sup.

Abstract: Production of electrically conductive composites comprising a dielectric porous substance, e.g., fiberglass fabric, and a pyrrole polymer in the pores of such substance, by treating the porous substance with a liquid pyrrole, and then treating the resulting porous substance with a solution of a strong oxidant in the presence of a non-nucleophilic anion, such as ferric chloride. The pyrrole monomer is oxidized to a pyrrole polymer, which precipitates in the interstices of the porous material. Alternatively, the dielectric porous material can first be treated with a solution of strong oxidant and non-nucleophilic anion followed by treatment with liquid pyrrole, to precipitate an electrically conductive polypyrrole in the pores of the material. The resulting composite of porous material, e.g., fiberglass fabric, containing polypyrrole is electrically conductive while the other properties of such impregnated conductive porous material are substantially unaffected.