Abstract: Methods of making a strengthened ultra-thin glass substrate may include forming a film including a volume expanding composition on a glass substrate, and treating the film under conditions sufficient to cause volume expansion of the volume expanding composition, thereby generating internal compressive stress in the film such that compressive stress is imparted onto the substrate and a fracture strength of the substrate is improved. In some embodiments, the volume expanding compound is converted into a different compound with a larger volume When it is treated under sufficient conditions.

Abstract: A strengthened glass substrate can include a polysiloxane film on at least one surface of the glass substrate. The polysiloxane film can be under internal compressive stress. such that the fracture strength of the glass substrate may be improved. The polysiloxane film can be a color-filtering polysiloxane film, a polarizing polysiloxane film or both.

Abstract: A cell cultivating platform includes a substrate having a surface, at least one actuator moveable relative to the substrate, and a deformable material layer positioned above at least a portion of the supporting surface and the at least one actuator. The deformable material layer positioned opposite the substrate surface includes a biocompatible supportive surface suitable for supporting cultivated cells. The supportive surface deforms or otherwise deflects in response to activation of the at least one actuator, effectively releasing at least a portion of the cultured cells from the supportive surface. Suitable actuators include piezoelectric actuators that can be selectively energized according to one or more patterns to facilitate separation of cells from the supportive surface. Such activation cycles can be repeated.

Abstract: The methods, devices, and/or compositions described herein can be used to reduce variations, such as spatial and temporal variations, in luminance intensity. Luminance variation is reduced by varying some aspect of transmittance with respect to the intensity of light.

Abstract: The methods, devices, and/or compositions described herein can used to reduce variations, such as spatial and temporal variations, in luminance intensity. Luminance variation is reduced by varying some aspect of transmittance with respect to the intensity of light.

Abstract: Dispersoids having metal-oxygen groups that are suitable for the production of metal oxide thin-films at a low temperature of 200° C. or below and for the production of homogeneous organic-inorganic hybrid materials. The dispersoid having metal-oxygen bonds may be obtained by mixing a metal compound having at least three hydrolyzable groups with at least 0.5 mole but less than 2 moles of water per mole of the metal compound in an organic solvent, in the absence of an acid, a base, and/or a dispersion stabilizer, and at a temperature at or below the temperature at which the metal compound begins to hydrolyze, then raising the temperature to at least the temperature at which hydrolysis begins.

Abstract: The present technology provides compositions that may be coated on bisphenol A-containing polymers to provide a coating or film that prevents bisphenol A from leaching from the polymer. Coatings using the present compositions also protect the bisphenol A-containing polymer from degradation by UV rays and other sources. The compositions include one or more matrix polymers having a solubility parameter of about 20 or less; and a plurality of UV-blocking nanoparticles dispersed in the one or more matrix polymers; wherein the composition is substantially free of bisphenol A. Methods of making the compositions and coatings are also provided. The coatings may be used on food and beverage containers made from bisphenol A-containing polymers.

Abstract: A cell cultivating platform includes a substrate having a surface, at least one actuator moveable relative to the substrate, and a deformable material layer positioned above at least a portion of the supporting surface and the at least one actuator. The deformable material layer positioned opposite the substrate surface includes a biocompatible supportive surface suitable for supporting cultivated cells. The supportive surface deforms or otherwise deflects in response to activation of the at least one actuator, effectively releasing at least a portion of the cultured cells from the supportive surface. Suitable actuators include piezoelectric actuators that can be selectively energized according to one or more patterns to facilitate separation of cells from the supportive surface. Such activation cycles can be repeated.

Abstract: Dispersoids having metal-oxygen groups that are suitable for the production of metal oxide thin-films at a low temperature of 200° C. or below and for the production of homogeneous organic-inorganic hybrid materials. The dispersoid having metal-oxygen bonds may be obtained by mixing a metal compound having at least three hydrolyzable groups with at least 0.5 mole but less than 2 moles of water per mole of the metal compound in an organic solvent, in the absence of an acid, a base, and/or a dispersion stabilizer, and at a temperature at or below the temperature at which the metal compound begins to hydrolyze, then raising the temperature to at least the temperature at which hydrolysis begins.

Abstract: The invention provides dispersoids having metal-oxygen groups which are suitable for the production of metal oxide thin-films at a low temperature of 200° C. or below and for the production of homogeneous organic-inorganic hybrid materials. The invention also provides metal oxide thin-films and organic-inorganic hybrid materials endowed with various capabilities, particularly organic-inorganic hybrid materials having a high refractive index and high transparency. Use is made of a dispersoid having metal-oxygen bonds which is obtained by mixing a metal compound having at least three hydrolyzable groups with at least 0.5 mole but less than 2 moles of water per mole of the metal compound in an organic solvent, in the absence of an acid, a base and/or a dispersion stabilizer, and at a temperature at or below the temperature at which the metal compound begins to hydrolyze, then raising the temperature to at least the temperature at which hydrolysis begins.

Abstract: A dispersed ingredient having metal-oxygen bonds which is obtained by hydrolyzing a metal alkoxide in an organic solvent in the absence of an acid, a base, and/or a dispersion stabilizer, either with 0.5 to less than 1 mol of water per mol of the metal alkoxide or at ?20° C. or lower with 1.0 to less than 2.0 mol of water per mol of the metal alkoxide. In the organic solvent, the dispersed ingredient is stably dispersed without aggregating. Use of the dispersed ingredient enables a thin metal oxide film and a homogeneous organic/inorganic composite to be produced at a temperature as low as 200° C. or below.

Abstract: A dispersed ingredient having metal-oxygen bonds which is obtained by hydrolyzing a metal alkoxide in an organic solvent in the absence of an acid, a base, and/or a dispersion stabilizer, either with 0.5 to less than 1 mol of water per mol of the metal alkoxide or at ?20° C. or lower with 1.0 to less than 2.0 mol of water per mol of the metal alkoxide. In the organic solvent, the dispersed ingredient is stably dispersed without aggregating. Use of the dispersed ingredient enables a thin metal oxide film and a homogeneous organic/inorganic composite to be produced at a temperature as low as 200° C. or below.

Abstract: A flexible substrate 10 of the present invention is formed of a stacked body which is constituted of an inorganic glass layer 110 and polymer layers 120A, 120B, wherein the polymer layers 120A, 120B are formed of a polymer layer which contains polyorganosilsesquioxane as a main component thereof. Due to such a constitution, the flexible substrate 10 of the present invention possesses excellent heat resistance in addition to excellent flexibility, excellent impact resistance and excellent gas barrier properties.

Abstract: The invention provides dispersoids having metal-oxygen groups which are suitable for the production of metal oxide thin-films at a low temperature of 200° C. or below and for the production of homogeneous organic-inorganic hybrid materials. The invention also provides metal oxide thin-films and organic-inorganic hybrid materials endowed with various capabilities, particularly organic-inorganic hybrid materials having a high refractive index and high transparency. Use is made of a dispersoid having metal-oxygen bonds which is obtained by mixing a metal compound having at least three hydrolyzable groups with at least 0.5 mole but less than 2 moles of water per mole of the metal compound in an organic solvent, in the absence of an acid, a base and/or a dispersion stabilizer, and at a temperature at or below the temperature at which the metal compound begins to hydrolyze, then raising the temperature to at least the temperature at which hydrolysis begins.

Abstract: A ZrO2—Al2O3 composite ceramic material having high mechanical strength and toughness as well as excellent wear resistance and hardness is provided. This ceramic material includes a first phase of ZrO2 grains containing 10 to 12 mol % of CeO2 as a stabilizer and having an average grain size of 0.1 ?m to 1 ?m, and a second phase of Al2O3 grains having an average grain size of 0.1 to 0.5 ?m.

Abstract: A dispersed ingredient having metal-oxygen bonds which is obtained by hydrolyzing a metal alkoxide in an organic solvent in the absence of an acid, a base, and/or a dispersion stabilizer, either with 0.5 to less than 1 mol of water per mol of the metal alkoxide or at −20° C. or lower with 1.0 to less than 2.0 mol of water per mol of the metal alkoxide. In the organic solvent, the dispersed ingredient is stably dispersed without aggregating. Use of the dispersed ingredient enables a thin metal oxide film and a homogeneous organic/inorganic composite to be produced at a temperature as low as 200° C. or below.

Abstract: A ZrO2—Al2O3 composite ceramic material having high mechanical strength and toughness as well as excellent wear resistance and hardness is provided. This ceramic material includes a first phase of ZrO2 grains containing 10 to 12 mol % of CeO2 as a stabilizer and having an average grain size of 0.1 &mgr;m to 1 &mgr;m, and a second phase of Al2O3 grains having an average grain size of 0.1 to 0.5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A ferroelectric element comprising a ferroelectric material containing at least two metals, the ferroelectric element having been produced by a process including a sol-gel process in the presence of a thickener and/or an association preventive from aqueous solutions of respective salts of the metals. The ferroelectric element is advantageous in that the handling of starting compounds and the production of the ferroelectric element are easy, the storage stability of the starting compound solution is good, the cost is low, the ferroelectric element can be formed as a thin layer, particles on the surface of the thin layer are fine and dense, and, hence, the surface smoothness is good. The ferroelectric element is excellent also in piezoelectric properties and therefore can be advantageously used as a piezoelectric element in a piezoelectric ink jet head.

Abstract: A ferroelectric element comprising a ferroelectric material containing at least two metals, the ferroelectric element having been produced by a process including a sol-gel process in the presence of a thickener and/or an association preventive from aqueous solutions of respective salts of the metals. The ferroelectric element is advantageous in that the handling of starting compounds and the production of the ferroelectric element are easy, the storage stability of the starting compound solution is good, the cost is low, the ferroelectric element can be formed as a thin layer, particles on the surface of the thin layer are fine and dense, and, hence, the surface smoothness is good. The ferroelectric element is excellent also in piezoelectric properties and therefore can be advantageously used as a piezoelectric element in a piezoelectric ink jet head.

Abstract: A ferroelectric element, having a ferroelectric material containing at least two metals, the ferroelectric element having been produced by a process including the steps of: providing alkoxides of the respective metals as starting compounds; hydrolyzing the metal alkoxides in the presence of a catalytic amount of a protonic acid to increase the molecular weight; and adding a film-forming polymer material to the sol-like solution prepared in the step of increasing the molecular weight to prepare a sol-like ferroelectric precursor solution. The ferroelectric element can be formed in a thick film form without creating any cracks. It can be advantageously used as a piezoelectric element in a piezoelectric ink jet head.