Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electrodes for use in electrochemical devices, and more particularly, to coated electrode particles for use in solid electrochemical cells, and to materials and systems for improving electronic conductivity and repulsive force characteristics of an electrode network. The present invention also relates to an article comprising a plurality of electroactive particles that form an electrode network wherein the electroactive particles are coated with a system of electrically conductive and low refractive index materials.

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: An energy storage device includes a first electrode comprising a first material and a second electrode comprising a second material, at least a portion of the first and second materials forming an interpenetrating network when dispersed in an electrolyte, the electrolyte, the first material and the second material are selected so that the first and second materials exert a repelling force on each other when combined. An electrochemical device, includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector; a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector; and an ionically conductive medium in ionic contact with said first and second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the first and second electrodes form an interpenetrating network and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode structure providing two or more pathways to its current collector.

Abstract: There is described a thermal recording system which utilizes a donor element comprising a substrate and a thermal transfer material layer having a dye-containing phase which is amorphous and wherein the dye or dyes present in the amorphous phase form a continuous film. Imagewise heating of the medium transfers portions of the transfer layer to a receiver sheet, thus forming an image. The transfer layer may also include a non-dye phase comprising a thermal solvent. During the heating of the donor element, the crystalline thermal solvent melts and dissolves or liquefies at least a portion of the dye-containing phase, thereby lowering the temperature at which transfer of the transfer layer occurs.

Abstract: A thermal printer is disclosed which includes a plurality of thermal print heads, each of the plurality of thermal print heads being operable to print a distinct one of a plurality of colors. The plurality of thermal print heads may print output at a plurality of spatial resolutions. The thermal printer may include dot size varying means for varying perceived levels of color printed by the thermal printer by varying sizes of dots printed by the plurality of thermal print heads. The printer may perform various image processing steps on an image to be printed, such as tone scale adjustment, thermal history control, and common mode voltage correction, to improve the perceived quality of the printed image. The thermal printer may be incorporated into a digital photo-printing vending machine for printing images provided by a customer.

Abstract: A method of indexing and retrieving user specified frames during recording or playback of video images by providing a hard copy representation of such images which contain encoded frame location information for accessing the images on the recording medium. The invention also provides digital transfer of user selected frames on to a digital video disc so as to provide a sequence of selected frames. It further provides a mark in the header of the video disc to enable random access of a desired frame in the sequence of selected frames.

Abstract: There is described a thermal recording system which utilizes a donor element comprising a substrate and a thermal transfer material layer having a dye-containing phase which is amorphous and wherein the dye or dyes present in the amorphous phase form a continuous film. Imagewise heating of the medium transfers portions of the transfer layer to a receiver sheet, thus forming an image. The transfer layer may also include a non-dye phase comprising a thermal solvent. During the heating of the donor element, the crystalline thermal solvent melts and dissolves or liquefies at least a portion of the dye-containing phase, thereby lowering the temperature at which transfer of the transfer layer occurs.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprises a support carrying an ink-receiving layer, this layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer, preferably poly(vinyl alcohol) and a poly(vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium salt) of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 is independently alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; each of R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 is independently alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms and the total number of carbon atoms in R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 is from 13 to 20; each M.sup.- is an anion; and each of a, b and c is the molar proportion of the respective repeating units.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprises a support carrying an ink-receiving layer, this layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer, preferably poly(vinyl alcohol) and a poly(vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium salt) of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 is independently alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; each of R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 is independently alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms and the total number of carbon atoms in R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 is from 13 to 20; each M.sup.- is an anion; and each of a, b and c is the molar proportion of the respective repeating units.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprises a support carrying an ink-receiving layer, this layer comprising a mixture of a derivatized (preferably acetoacetylated) poly(vinyl alcohol) and a non-derivatized poly(vinyl alcohol). The ink-receiving layer preferably also comprises a poly(vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium salt) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone).

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprises a support carrying an ink-receiving layer, this layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer, preferably poly(vinyl alcohol) and a poly(vinylpyridine). The images formed using this sheet display good water fastness.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprises a support carrying an ink-receiving layer, this layer comprising a mixture of a derivatized (preferably acetoacetylated) poly(vinyl alcohol) and a non-derivatized poly(vinyl alcohol). The ink-receiving layer preferably also comprises a poly(vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium salt) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone).

Abstract: A method for forming an image which comprises imagewise exposing an imaging element with a laser, said imaging element comprising a support carrying on a first surface, in sequence, a layer of microcapsules containing an ink, and a laser-absorptive, ink barrier layer; superposing an imaging-receiving layer adapted to receive ink from said microcapsules over said imaging element and rupturing said microcapsules; whereby ink from said microcapsules in the exposed areas of the imaging element diffuses to said superposed receiving layer forming an image corresponding to the laser exposure.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprising a transparent support carrying a layer of cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A printing substrate adapted to receive ink droplets to form an image generated by an ink jet printer which comprises a transparent support carrying a layer comprising at least 70 weight percent polyurethane and 5 to 30 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer, poly(ethyleneoxide), gelatin and polyacrylic acid.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprising a transparent support carrying a layer comprising up to 50% by weight of vinylpyridine/vinylbenzyl quaternary salt copolymer and a hydrophilic polymer selected from the group consisting of gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol and hydroxypropyl cellulose and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A fluid drop dispenser is fabricated from an injection moldable plastic and includes inner and outer components each having an end wall and an axially extending cylindrical wall that define a respective counterbore for each component. The inner component is assembled to the outer component with the respective outer and inner axially extending walls defining an annular fluid receiving chamber therebetween. A nozzle is provided in the outer wall through which drops are ejected on demand. A piezoelectric actuator disc is mounted within the inner component with its periphery bonded to the cylindrical wall of the inner component. When the actuator disc is electrically excited, it undergoes a radially outward expansion to cause a predetermined quantity of fluid to be ejected from the annular chamber through the nozzle.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprising a transparent support carrying a layer comprising 5-100% by weight of a coalesced block copolymer latex of polyvinyl alcohol with polyvinyl (benzyl ammonium chloride) and 0-95% by weight of a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and copolymers thereof.