Abstract: Transistors are formed by depositing at least one layer of semiconductor material on a substrate comprising a polyphenylene polyimide. The substrate permits the use of processing temperatures in excess of 300° C. during the processes used to form the transistors, thus allowing the formation of high quality silicon semiconductor layers. The substrate also has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, which closely matches that of silicon, thus reducing any tendency for a silicon layer to crack or delaminate.

Abstract: The invention provides a first process for addressing an electro-optic material having first and second display states differing in at least one optical characteristic and being capable of being changed from its first to its second display state by application of an electric field to the material, the process comprising applying an electrically charged fluid to a portion of at least one surface of the material, thereby changing the display state of a portion of the material. The invention also provides a second process for addressing an electro-optic material, this process comprising contacting the electro-optic material with a non-conductive brush means wet with a conductive liquid while applying a potential difference between the brush means and the electro-optic material.

Abstract: In electrophoretic media, it is advantageous to use pigment particles having about 1 to 15 percent by weight of a polymer chemically bonded to, or cross-linked around, the pigment particles. The polymer desirably has a branched chain structure with side chains extending from a main chain. Charged or chargeable groups can be incorporated into the polymer or can be bonded to the particles separately from the polymer. The polymer-coated particles can be prepared by first attaching a polymerizable or polymerization-initiating group to the particle and then reacting the particle with one or more polymerizable monomers or oligomers.

Abstract: Improvements and modifications are provided in the type of frustrated total internal reflection electrophoretic systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,215,920.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a bistable electro-optic material having a viewing surface and an opposed writing surface; a deformable member disposed adjacent but spaced from the writing surface of the electro-optic material, and bearing elongate electrodes facing the writing surface of the electro-optic material; and a movable member disposed on the opposed side of the deformable member from the electro-optic material and movable parallel to the elongate electrodes, the movable member contacting and deforming the deformable member such that a portion of each elongate electrode contacts or lies closely adjacent the writing surface of the electro-optic material.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display comprises a fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles having diameters substantially less the wavelengths of visible light such that, when the nanoparticles are in a dispersed state and uniformly dispersed throughout the fluid, the fluid presents a first optical characteristic, but when the nanoparticles are in an aggregated state in which they are gathered into aggregates substantially larger than the individual nanoparticles, the fluid presents a second optical characteristic different from the first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic display further comprises at least one electrode arranged to apply an electric field to the nanoparticle-containing fluid and thereby move the nanoparticles between their dispersed and aggregated states. Various compound particles comprising multiple nanoparticles, alone or in combination with larger objects, and processes for the preparation of such compound particles, are also described.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises first and second substrates, and an adhesive layer and a layer of electro-optic material disposed between the first and second substrates. The adhesive layer has a volume resistivity in the range of about 109 to about 1011 ohm cm and comprises a mixture of an adhesive material having a volume resistivity of at least about 5×1011 ohm cm and a filler having a volume resistivity not less than about 107 ohm cm, the filler being present in the mixture in a proportion above its percolation threshold in the adhesive material.

Abstract: A display comprises spaced first and second electrodes, and a plurality of electrochromic nanoparticles disposed between the electrodes, each of the nanoparticles having an electron-rich state and an electron-depleted state, the two states differing in at least one optical characteristic. Upon injection of charge from one of the electrodes, the nanoparticles switch between their electron-rich and electron-depleted states, thus changing an optical characteristic of the display.

Abstract: An attachment for a reciprocating saw comprises an offset member mounted on the drive head of the saw and comprising a lateral extension which holds a saw blade clear of the saw body The attachment also comprises a guard member having a planar surface adapted to engage a wall, and a slot through which the saw blade extends. The guard member is pivotally mounted on the saw body at a point spaced from the drive head. The attachment facilitates making a saw cut in a surface adjacent an inside corner.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display comprises a fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles having diameters substantially less the wavelengths of visible light such that, when the nanoparticles are in a dispersed state and uniformly dispersed throughout the fluid, the fluid presents a first optical characteristic, but when the nanoparticles are in an aggregated state in which they are gathered into aggregates substantially larger than the individual nanoparticles, the fluid presents a second optical characteristic different from the first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic display further comprises at least one electrode arranged to apply an electric field to the nanoparticle-containing fluid and thereby move the nanoparticles between their dispersed and aggregated states. Various compound particles comprising multiple nanoparticles, alone or in combination with larger objects, and processes for the preparation of such compound particles, are also described.

Abstract: An encapsulated electrophoretic medium comprises a layer of capsules, each of these capsules comprising a liquid and at least one particle disposed within the liquid and capable of movement upon application of an electric field to the medium. A plurality of spacers are dispersed among the capsules. The medium can be formed by coating a mixture of capsules and spacers on a substrate, or by first coating the capsules and thereafter incorporating the spacers into the layer of capsules.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display comprises a fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles having diameters substantially less the wavelengths of visible light such that, when the nanoparticles are in a dispersed state and uniformly dispersed throughout the fluid, the fluid presents a first optical characteristic, but when the nanoparticles are in an aggregated state in which they are gathered into aggregates substantially larger than the individual nanoparticles, the fluid presents a second optical characteristic different from the first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic display further comprises at least one electrode arranged to apply an electric field to the nanoparticle-containing fluid and thereby move the nanoparticles between their dispersed and aggregated states.

Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.

Abstract: An arrow (10) intended for dispersing olfactant (for example, for use in deer hunting) and comprising an elongate body (12) having an internal cavity (14), this cavity (14) having a container portion (18) to accommodate a frangible liquid container (20). A container rupturing device (24) is disposed within the cavity (14) adjacent the container portion (18), this device (24) being such that the arrow, with a container (20) on board, can be launched from a bow without rupturing the container (20), but that upon the arrow (10) striking a target, the device (24) will rupture the container. A wick (40) is disposed within the cavity (14) adjacent the container portion (18), this wick (40) being capable of absorbing the liquid released from the rupture of the container (20). The body (12) has apertures (42) extending from the cavity (14) to the exterior of the body (12) adjacent the wick (40), so that gas produced by evaporation of liquid absorbed on the wick (40) can diffuse out of the arrow.

Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.

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 over-the-counter type identification document is prepared by forming at least one first indicium (typically invariant data common to a large number of identification documents) on a core layer, sandwiching this core layer between a pair of substantially transparent polymer layers, providing an image-receiving layer on one or both outer surfaces of the resulting sandwich, forming a second indicium (typically variable data relating only to a single identification document) on the image-receiving layer(s) and laminating a protective layer or layers over the image-receiving layer(s). The identification document displays improved durability and security and can be rendered substantially identical in appearance to documents produced by known central issue production methods.

Abstract: An imaging medium comprises a substrate carrying a color-change layer. This color-change layer comprises two layers or phases comprising two color-forming reagents which react upon heating to cause a change in the color of the layer. The color-change layer is deactivated by exposure to actinic radiation such that after deactivation it no longer undergoes its thermal color-change. The color-change layer is detachable from the substrate by heating to a temperature lower than required to cause the color change, so that upon contact of the imaging medium with a receiving sheet each individual pixel of the color-change layer may be left attached to the substrate, transferred to the receiving sheet but left uncolored, or transferred to the receiving sheet and colored to a color level determined by the energy used in the associated thermal print head element.

Abstract: 2,4,6-Trisubstituted pyridines wherein at least one of the substituents is a para-(N,N-diarylamino)phenyl group, and the other two substituents are alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups are useful as image dyes in acid-mediated imaging media, since the colored forms of these dyes display improved photostability as compared with similar trisubstituted pyridines which lack the para-(N,N-diarylamino)phenyl group. Salts of these trisubstituted pyridines are also useful in sensitizing 'onium salts to blue visible or similar radiation.

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.