Abstract: Surface polarity of a ferroelectric nematic can be configured to generate vectorial control of the orientation of its bulk polarization field. The contact between a surface with in-plane polarity and a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal generates preferred in-plane orientation of the ferroelectric polarization field at that interface, which can lead to the formation of fluid or glassy monodomains of high polarization without electric field poling.

Abstract: Devices including nematic liquid crystal-forming molecules are disclosed. The molecules include one or more dipoles and exist in a ferroelectric nematic state. Exemplary devices can further include an electrode for applying an electric field in, for example, and in-plane direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cathode for use in a dye-sensitised solar cell which comprises a redox couple, wherein the cathode comprises: (a) metallic nickel; and (b) intrinsically conducting polymer that, during operation of the cell, reduces an oxidised species of the redox couple.

Abstract: Upon cooling solutions or melts of nucleic acids or other polymers in which the constituent molecules exhibit a varying tendency to form multi-strand complexes and thus liquid crystal phases, the complex-forming oligomers preferentially separate into the liquid crystal phase and condensing into liquid crystal domains. Because the tendency for liquid crystal phase formation correlates with the ability of the single strands to form duplexes, which in turn, depends on their degree of complementarity, separation of the liquid crystal domains thus constitutes a method for separating these molecules based upon their degree of complementarity.

Abstract: Upon cooling solutions or melts of nucleic acids or other polymers in which the constituent molecules exhibit a varying tendency to form multi-strand complexes and thus liquid crystal phases, the complex-forming oligomers preferentially separate into the liquid crystal phase and condensing into liquid crystal domains. Because the tendency for liquid crystal phase formation correlates with the ability of the single strands to form duplexes, which in turn, depends on their degree of complementarity, separation of the liquid crystal domains thus constitutes a method for separating these molecules based upon their degree of complementarity.

Abstract: An adjustably opaque window includes external and internal panes, an active optical material layer, passive optical material layers, and shock absorbing layers. The external pane and the internal pane provide a cavity between them. The optical material layers and the shock absorbing layers are positioned in the cavity. The optical material layers are sandwiched and supported by the shock absorbing layers. The interval between the external and internal panes can vary from about one to about two millimeters, and at least one of the internal and external panes is adapted to be attached to a substantially smooth surface. The shock absorbing layers may include first and second shock absorbing layers, and the first and second shock absorbing layers may be disposed at either side of the light transmission control layer or both are disposed at a same side of the light transmission control layer.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for the determination of the enantiomeric excess of chiral compounds. The methods involve doping a chiral analyte into an achiral liquid crystal host to form a chiral dopant/host liquid crystal mixture. An electro-optic signature of the mixture is then determined and is used to calculate the enantiomeric excess of the chiral analyte. The disclosure also provides systems for performing the disclosed methods of determining enantiomeric excess.

Abstract: An adjustably opaque window including an external pane, an internal pane, a light transmission control layer and a shock-absorbing layer is provided. The external pane and the internal pane provide a cavity between them, and the light transmission control layer and the shock-absorbing layer are positioned in the cavity. The shock-absorbing layer is a flexible sheet that supports and protects the light transmission control layer. The light transmission layer consists of liquid crystal cells. The transmission ratio of the cells can be controlled variably.

Abstract: An adjustably opaque film, including substantially flexible/transparent confining films and light transmission control layers, is provided. The inner surfaces of the first and second confining films form a confined space layer with substantially constant thickness. The adjustably opaque film is applied on a window panel which is already installed like a regular window pane on a building or an automobile. The film is not sandwiched between two window panels or panes. The film is adapted to be applied on a surface of window panels. The film is substantially flexible enough to be able to be easily handled and applied on the window panel in conventional construction site conditions. The interval between the first and second confining films is from about one (1) millimeter to about two (2) millimeters, which is an important point along with the flexibility.

Abstract: A single pill dispensing system for a bottle/vial of the type for dispensing a medication pill, where the bottle/vial has a circular body and receives a circular cap. To facilitate the dispensing of a single pill, an insert, slidably received in the circular body and circular cap is provided. The insert includes a body portion containing a circuitous channel of a size to accommodate a single pill as the user inverts or turns over the container body to capture and subsequently transfer the pill through the insert to a nesting recess in the lower surface of the circular cap.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for the determination of the enantiomeric excess of chiral compounds. The methods involve doping a chiral analyte into an achiral liquid crystal host to form a chiral dopant/host liquid crystal mixture. An electro-optic signature of the mixture is then determined and is used to calculate the enantiomeric excess of the chiral analyte. The disclosure also provides systems for performing the disclosed methods of determining enantiomeric excess.

Abstract: An adjustably opaque window including an external pane, an internal pane, a light transmission control layer and a shock-absorbing layer is provided. The external pane and the internal pane provide a cavity between them, and the light transmission control layer and the shock-absorbing layer are positioned in the cavity. The shock-absorbing layer is a flexible sheet that supports and protects the light transmission control layer. The light transmission layer consists of liquid crystal cells. The transmission ratio of the cells can be controlled variably.

Abstract: Computer system architecture transformation may be accomplished by a variety of techniques. In certain implementations, a transformation technique includes analyzing a computer system architecture to determine functions of software applications and relationships between components and determining actual use of the components by non-architecture actors. The transformation technique also includes determining how to partition the components into modules that correlate with the actual use of the architecture components and determining collaboration between the modules.

Abstract: An adjustably opaque window including an external pane, an internal pane, a light transmission control layer and a shock-absorbing layer is provided. The external pane and the internal pane provide a cavity between them, and the light transmission control layer and the shock-absorbing layer are positioned in the cavity. The shock-absorbing layer is a flexible sheet that supports and protects the light transmission control layer. The light transmission layer consists of liquid crystal cells. The transmission ratio of the cells can be controlled variably.

Abstract: A virtual image display system includes a reflective mode spatial light modulator, a light source for illuminating the spatial light modulator, and an optics arrangement for directing a predetermined portion of the light from the light source into the spatial light modulator and for directing certain portions of the light reflected from the spatial light modulator to a desired viewing area. The optics arrangement includes an overall polarizing beam splitter. The polarizing beam splitter has three layers of materials. The first layer is a layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of a first polarization and transmit light of a second polarization. The second layer is another layer of polarizing beam splitting material. The third layer is a layer of material positioned between the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials. The first, second, and third layers of materials act together to form the overall polarizing beam splitter.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device including a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between plates treated to enforce a particular ferroelectric molecular orientation to the plates. The devices employ alone or in combination non-planar boundary conditions, polar boundary conditions, boundaries with multiple physical states, intrinsic spontaneous splay distortion of the polarization orientation field, combined ferroelectric and dielectric torques, layers tilted with respect to the plates. The plates are spaced by a distance sufficiently small to ensure unwinding of the helix typical in a bulk of the material to form either monostable, bistable or multistable states which exhibit novel electro-optic properties. The liquid crystal is responsive to an externally applied electric field, temperature or the like to make a light valve or other electro-optical device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device including a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between plates treated to enforce a particular ferroelectric molecular orientation to the plates. The devices employ alone or in combination non-planar boundary conditions, polar boundary conditions, boundaries with multiple physical states, intrinsic spontaneous splay distortion of the polarization orientation field, combined ferroelectric and dielectric torques, layers tilted with respect to the plates. The plates are spaced by a distance sufficiently small to ensure unwinding of the helix typical in a bulk of the material to form either monostable, bistable or multistable states which exhibit novel electro-optic properties. The liquid crystal is responsive to an externally applied electric field, temperature or the like to make a light valve or other electro-optical device.

Abstract: The present invention describes, an electroconvective liquid crystal membrane (ECLCM), comprised of a fluid layer contained between two gas permeable electrodes, thereby forming a sandwich like configuration. The electrodes separate distinct regions having different concentrations of one or more diffusant species and are capable of being accessed by the diffusant species. The fluid layer is comprised of any fluid in which an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow can be induced, including liquid crystals and liquid crystal-like fluids. The present invention encompasses fluid layers comprised of liquid crystals, such as N-(4-methoxybenzylidine)-4-butylaniline (MBBA), or polar solvents such as 2-ethyl-hexanol (2EH) and diethyl phthalate (DEP). The ECLCM includes means for applying an electric field to the fluid layer such that an EHD flow is induced within the fluid layer. The EHD flow alters the passage of the diffusant species across the ECLCM.

Abstract: A fluid membrane is described, termed the electroconvective liquid crystal membrane (ECLCM), comprised of a sandwich-like configuration in which a fluid layer is contained within a structure. The structure containing the fluid layer separates distinct regions having different concentrations of one or more diffusant species and is capable of being accessed by the diffusant species. The fluid layer is comprised of any fluid in which an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow can be induced, including liquid crystals and liquid crystal-like fluids. The ECLCM includes means for applying an electric field to the fluid layer such that an EHD flow is induced within the fluid layer. The EHD flow alters the passage of the diffusant species across the ECLCM. The fluid layer may be modified by the addition of other components which act as carriers to the passage of selected diffusants.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device including a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between plates treated to enforce a particular ferroelectric molecular orientation to the plates. The devices employ alone or in combination non-planar boundary conditions, polar boundary conditions, boundaries with multiple physical states, intrinic spontaneous splay distortion of the polarization orientation field, combined ferroelectric and dielectric torques, layers tilted with respect to the plates. The plates are spaced by a distance sufficiently small to ensure unwinding of the helix typical in a bulk of the material to form either monostable, bistable or multistable states which exhibit novel electro-optic properties. The liquid crystal is responsive to an externally applied electric field, temperature or the like to make a light valve or other electro-optical device.