Abstract: In color printing, and in the fine arts, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) color inks are known to possess much higher color saturation and brightness than conventional pigment and dyed based inks. However, prior art CLC ink formulations are inconvenient because in the liquid phase they have to be confined in cells, and in the solid phase, they have to be applied at high temperature, and have to be aligned by some means to produce the optimum color. This invention solves the problem encountered in the CLC prior art, by making pre-aligned CLC platelets or flakes of appropriate thickness and size and mixing them in appropriate host fluids producing a novel CLC ink which can be applied at room temperature and without the need for alignment. The new pre-aligned room temperature CLC ink can be used as a substitute for conventional inks in almost all printing and plotting, and manual drawing and painting. Using the notch filter CLC platelets, the brightness is further enhanced.

Abstract: Provided herein is a logic tree for steering electromagnetic energy. The logic tree includes a plurality of stages. The first stage includes a branch for directing energy to a similar branch in each succeeding stage. Each stages contains 2n?1 branches, where n is the stage number. In particular embodiments, each branch includes an active element for directing electromagnetic energy into one of a first and a second paths, and a passive element disposed in the second path.

Abstract: A 1XN (or NX1) optical connector for steering light is provided, which may be formed into an optical cross connecter. The optical connector generally includes a plurality of N stages, each stage including a liquid crystal cell and a polarizing beam splitter. The liquid crystal cell, in certain embodiments in the form of an array of LC cells, has a first state for transmitting a first polarization component of the light and a second state for transmitting a second polarization component of the light. The polarizing beam splitter structure reflects one of the polarization states and transmits the other polarization state into one of 2N outputs. Of course, the direction of light can be reversed, forming an NX1 cell. A key advantage of the present invention is the integration of components to form a monolithic structure.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell systems are disclosed herein that are capable of selective ionic isolation, oxidant isolation, oxidant removal, moisture control, and combinations thereof. Selective ionic isolation is generally effectuated by selectively eliminating or minimizing ionic communication between an anode and a cathode of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An intelligent system and process for producing and displaying stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either real or synthetic 3-D objects, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing thereof. The system comprises a subsystem for acquiring parameters specifying the viewing process of a viewer positioned relative to a display surface associated with a stereoscopic display subsystem. A computer-based subsystem is provided for producing stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, using the acquired parameters. The stereoscopically-multiplexed images are on the display surface, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, by the viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for converting an analog voltage signal to a digital representation at high speeds, known as an analog to digital converter (A/D converter), is provided in the form of an N-bit A/D converter, made by N superconducting, preferably HTC, transmission lines. The N lines are arranged adjacently and in parallel with each other. On each line 2N?1 Josephson Junctions (JJs) are embedded in series. The JJs form a matrix over the configuration of the N superconducting transmission lines. A scanning electron beam is made to impinge on this arrangement across the lines at a high frequency, while it is deflected by the applied voltage signal along the direction of the lines. A voltage step is generated upon hitting any one of the JJs. In this manner upon each cross-scanning of the beam, an N-bit step voltage pattern is generated on the lines.

Abstract: Variable optical attenuators (VOAs) are provided, based on electrically switchable CLC reflective polarizers. The reflectivity of the described reflective VOAs can theoretically be electrically adjusted between 0% to 100%, and the reflective bandwidth can be easily adjusted. In general, the VOA includes a pair of switchable CLC polarizers and a driver for driving the polarizers. When the electric fields on both polarizers are off, the polarizers serve as two reflective mirrors. When the fields are turned on, the two polarizers are switched into two transparent sheets allowing light to transmit therethrough. Continuously changing the voltages on the two polarizers electrically adjusts the attenuation.

Abstract: A light controlling film is disclosed, comprising a polymerized polymer network varying spatially in a direction normal to the film surface, where the polymerized polymer network is a crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric material mixed with a low molecular weight nematic material exhibiting cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) order, wherein an electric field impressed in the film controls the reflection bandwidth of circularly polarized light.

Abstract: The controllable electroporation system and method described herein allows control over the size, the number, the location, and the distribution of aqueous pores, thus increasing flexibility of use. The herein described system and method for controllable electroporation generally employs at least two actuating sub-systems and sub-processes. One sub-system and sub-process employs a relatively broad effect in order to weaken the membrane, a broad effect sub-system. Another sub-system and sub-process employs a relatively narrow effect in order to localize the position of the pore in the membrane, a narrow effect sub-system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and production methods thereof, and more particularly to vertically integrated MEMS systems. Manufacturing of MEMS and vertically integrated MEMS is facilitated by forming, preferably on a wafer level, plural MEMS on a MEMS layer selectively bonded to a substrate, and removing the MEMS layer intact.

Abstract: A material for protection against injurious ambient light composed of a binder mixed with non metallic reflective flakes is disclosed.

Abstract: An optical transistor is disclosed. The optical transistor consists of a high speed photodetector region incident to a light intensity modulating region which separates a drain and source region. The disclosed optical transistor is able to exhibit high speed performance with good signal isolation and high amplification gain.

Abstract: Crystalline non-linear optical films for nonlinear-optics applications are provided. One such crystalline non-linear optical film includes a substrate and an alignment layer material disposed on said substrate. The alignment layer includes elongated polymeric molecules aligned in a substantially uniaxial direction. Further, at least one non-linear optical material is disposed on the alignment layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved beam steering and scanning devices which utilize cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) elements arranged in branches to form a logic tree structure. Each branch thereof comprises an active and passive CLC element; the former further comprising a half-wave retarder and an electrode and the latter only the CLC element. Each succeeding branch contains twice as many branches as a preceding branch and, by activating active CLC element electrodes under control of a programmable pulsed source, inputs applied to the first stage of a logic tree are delivered as a scanned line of electromagnetic energy or light to the imaging cells of the last stage of the logic tree. By stacking identical logic tree structures with a laser source for each tree, a flat panel imaging array or display panel is formed in which the transmission intensity losses are minimized.

Abstract: An electro-optical backlighting panel construction for use in portable computer-based systems having direct and projection viewing modes of operation. In the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the electro-optical backlighting panel is integrated with a LCD display panel, a micropolarization panel, and a touch-screen writing panel to provide several different types of portable computer-based systems including, for example, a portable notebook computer, a computer-driven image display device, and a portable pen-computing device. In general, each of these computer-based systems are capable of selectively displaying color video images on an actively driven display surface, or projecting such video images onto a wall surface or projection screen. These computer-based systems can be easily reconfigured for projection viewing without any sort of physical modification to the LCD display panel assembly.

Abstract: A method of producing an iridescent reflecting surface on an object is presented. Flakes of dry non metallic reflecting material such as cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material are applied to the surface so that the flakes are parallel with the surface and bound with a binder to the surface.

Abstract: A hybrid electrochemical cell system is provided. In one embodiment, the hybrid system includes a cathode, an electrolyte, and a plurality of anode portions. A first anode portion is in ionic communication with the cathode via the electrolyte, and a second anode portion in ionic communication with the cathode via the electrolyte. The first anode portion, the electrolyte, and the cathode form a power generating electrochemical cell. Further, the second anode portion, the electrolyte, and the cathode form an auxiliary electrochemical cell. In another embodiment, separate cathode portions are provided.

Abstract: A global synchronization unit (GSU) for time and space (TS) stamping of input data elements. The GSU comprises a GPS Receiver and an associated antenna for receiving GPS signals from signal sources associated with a GPS system symbolically embedded within a global reference system, and processing received GPS signals so as to automatically produce time and space (TS) stamp data element representative of the time and space coordinates of the GSU with respect to said global reference system at each data sampling instant occurring within the GSU. The GSU further comprises a central processor, operably connected to the GPS Receiver, and also a data input port, operably connected to a data input device and the central processor, for receiving an input data element from the data input device, at each data sampling instant.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical integrated circuit is disclosed. Integrated circuits are fabricated on a substrate with layers of predetermined weak and strong bond regions where deconstructed layers of integrated circuits are fabricated at or on the weak bond regions. The layers are then peeled and subsequently bonded to produce a vertical integrated circuit. An arbitrary number of layers can be bonded and stacked in to a separate vertical integrated circuit. Also disclosed are methods of creating edge interconnects and vias through the substrate to form interconnections between layers and devices thereon.

Abstract: The invention is a method for creating a micropolarizer, including providing a first plate having a first and a second surface, providing a second plate having a first and a second surface. Then coating a polyimide on each of the first surface of the two plates followed by rubbing the polyimide coated upon the first surface of the first plate along a predetermined direction and rubbing the polyimide coated upon the first surface of the second plate along a direction having a predetermined angle in relation to the predetermined direction. An alignment process includes aligning the first plate and the second plate having the first surface of the first plate and the first surface of the second plate facing each other thereby creating a space there between. In conclusion there is a filling of a liquid crystal material in the space whereby a cell, or film is created.