Abstract: A thermochromic effect pigment comprising a thermochromic liquid crystal material encapsulated with a polymer and coated with one or more inorganic metal oxides or nearly insoluble metal salts selected from Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SnO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, CaO, SiO.sub.2, ZnO, MgO or BaSO.sub.4. The pigment is stable in solvent-based formulations and can be used as a colorant in the form of an aqueous suspension or as a powder in lacquer compositions, plastic compositions, dyed filter compositions, dyed glass compositions, dyed cosmetic compositions, printing ink compositions, and in hair coloring agents.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel having a polymer/liquid crystal composite film (PDLCD panel). The method includes the steps of preparing an upper substrate including active circuit portions having a pixel electrode and a TFT element and a capacitor, preparing a lower substrate including a black matrix, a color filter and common electrodes, joining the upper and lower substrates with a spacer to define a cell gap therebetween, injecting a composition comprising a liquid crystal, a UV curable monomer, a photo-curing initiator and a UV absorbent into the gap, and illuminating the composition with UV light.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a pair of electrode substrates opposing each other, a polymer wall, and a liquid crystal region surrounded by the polymer wall, the polymer wall and the liquid crystal region being sandwiched by the pair of electrode substrates. At least one of a concave portion and a convex portion is formed on a surface of at least one of the pair of electrode substrates facing the liquid crystal region, and liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the liquid crystal region axial-symmetrically around the vicinity of the at least one of concave portion and convex portion as an axis vertical to the electrode substrates.

Abstract: A donor roll for transporting marking particles to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a surface is provided. The donor roll is adaptable for use with an electric field to assist in transporting the marking particles. The donor roll includes a rotatably mounted body. A portion of the body is electrically conductive. The donor roll also includes a dielectric layer mounted on a portion of the electrically conductive portion of the body. The donor roll also includes a first electrode member mounted on the body, adjacent the dielectric layer, and spaced from the electrically conductive portion of the body so that when the electric field is applied to the first electrode member a portion of the field will be transferred to the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a liquid crystal composite in which droplets of a liquid crystal material are dispersed in a polymer matrix. At least one further material separates the liquid crystal material from the polymer matrix. This construction permits the polymer matrix to be selected on the basis of its environmental properties and the further material to be selected on the basis of its orientational interactions with liquid crystal material. Light valves made from such a composite exhibit improved electro-optical properties.

Abstract: A waste ink separator is used in an ink jet printer maintenance station for management of the waste ink generated during printhead priming operations. The separator primarily consists of three main components, viz., a rigid chamber body with side walls and a top wall with an inlet and outlet therein, a chamber floor constructed of a material having a high moisture vapor transfer rate to pass moisture therethrough, and a foam material housed in the interior of the chamber body and floor for absorbing and storing waste liquid ink. The internal surface of the chamber top wall has interleaved parallel ribs which provide a serpentine floor path between the chamber inlet and outlet about the foam material for separating the liquid ink from the air.