Abstract: A method of solvating metal ions in an aromatic organic liquid. The method includes adding an ammonium salt having an organic acid reagent to the aromatic organic liquid. The organic acid reagent comprises a carboxylate having eight (8) or less carbon atoms. Thereafter, an aqueous solution comprising a metal salt is added to the aromatic organic liquid comprising the ammonium salt and the organic acid reagent. As a result, at least 10% by weight of metal ions is solvated in the aromatic organic liquid.

Abstract: A method of solvating metal ions in an aromatic organic liquid. The method includes adding an ammonium salt having an organic acid reagent to the aromatic organic liquid. The organic acid reagent comprises a carboxylate having eight (8) or less carbon atoms. Thereafter, an aqueous solution comprising a metal salt is added to the aromatic organic liquid comprising the ammonium salt and the organic acid reagent. As a result, at least 10% by weight of metal ions is solvated in the aromatic organic liquid.

Abstract: A method of solvating metal ions in an aromatic organic liquid. The method includes adding an ammonium salt having an organic acid reagent to the aromatic organic liquid. The organic acid reagent comprises a carboxylate having eight (8) or less carbon atoms. Thereafter, an aqueous solution comprising a metal salt is added to the aromatic organic liquid comprising the ammonium salt and the organic acid reagent. As a result, at least 10% by weight of metal ions is solvated in the aromatic organic liquid.

Abstract: An optically controlled switch includes first and second electrodes, a channel extending between the electrodes, and a light source positioned to illuminate the channel. The light source produces a wavelength capable of changing the material's conductivity. The channel includes a photosensitive organic material and is configured to operate as a light controlled switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting energetic radiation from a source. The apparatus includes at least one liquid scintillator for emitting one or more optical signals in response to the energetic radiation. The one or more liquid scintillators comprise a highly metal loaded solution. The apparatus also includes at least one photodetector for detecting the one or more optical signal.

Abstract: A photorecording medium contains a polymeric matrix, typically cross-linked to provide a desired level of physical stability, and a photoimageable system containing a photoactive monomer. Unlike previous polymer media, which tend to contain a substantially homogeneous dispersion of photoimageable system and matrix polymer, the matrix and photoimageable system of the invention are phase separated, yet still exhibit low light scattering such that useful holographic properties are possible.

Abstract: A technique for forming functionalized particles, where such particles are readily formed into periodic structures. A layer of particles is formed on a substrate, a first material is deposited over at least a portion of each of the particles, and then a functionalizing agent is attached to the first material. The functionalized particles are then capable of being formed into an ordered structure, by selection of appropriate complementary functionalizing agents on a substrate and/or on other particles and/or on other regions of the same particles.

Abstract: The specification describes thin film transistor (TFT) devices with source/drain contacts made by a metallo organic deposition (MOD) method wherein a metallo organic compound/metal particulate mixture is deposited to form a base pattern, and the base pattern is then plated with gold. The porous, relatively high resistance base pattern is thereby converted to a corrosion resistant, low resistance contact. The plating covers the sidewalls of the base pattern, thus allowing the final channel length to be less than the minimum design rule used for depositing the base pattern.

Abstract: A method of solvating metal ions in an aromatic organic liquid. The method includes adding an ammonium salt having an organic acid reagent to the aromatic organic liquid. The organic acid reagent comprises a carboxylate having eight (8) or less carbon atoms. Thereafter, an aqueous solution comprising a metal salt is added to the aromatic organic liquid comprising the ammonium salt and the organic acid reagent. As a result, at least 10% by weight of metal ions is solvated in the aromatic organic liquid.

Abstract: An optically controlled switch includes first and second electrodes, a channel extending between the electrodes, and a light source positioned to illuminate the channel. The light source produces a wavelength capable of changing the material's conductivity. The channel includes a photosensitive organic material and is configured to operate as a light controlled switch.

Abstract: A reflective element, such as a mirror, includes a substrate and a reflective layer formed thereon. The substrate comprises at least one thixotropic metal alloy, which is injected into a mold to form the shape desired for the reflective element. The reflective element may also include an interface layer comprising a thermoset material, such as an epoxy resin, formed between the substrate and the reflective layer to increase the smoothness of the substrate.

Abstract: A reflective element, such as a mirror, includes a substrate and a reflective layer formed thereon. The substrate comprises at least one thixotropic metal alloy, which is injected into a mold to form the shape desired for the reflective element. The reflective element may also include an interface layer comprising a thermoset material, such as an epoxy resin, formed between the substrate and the reflective layer to increase the smoothness of the substrate.

Abstract: An improved photorecording medium suitable for use in holographic storage systems contains a glassy hybrid inorganic-organic, three dimensional matrix, in which is distributed a photoimageable system comprising one or more photoactive, organic monomers. The medium is fabricated by providing a precursor of the hybrid inorganic-organic matrix, mixing the matrix precursor with the photoimageable system, and curing the matrix precursor to form the matrix in situ. The matrix and photoimageable system exhibit independent chemistries, such that the step of matrix formation does not substantially affect the photoimageable system. The hybrid matrix precursor is typically an oligomer derived from a compound represented by RnM(OR′)4−n, where M is a metallic element having a valence of three or higher, such as silicon, titanium, germanium, zirconium, vanadium, or aluminum, R is an alkyl or aryl, R′ is a lower alkyl, and n ranges from 1 to 2.

Abstract: An improved siloxane-based composition for use as a low &kgr; dielectric material in integrated circuit applications is provided, the composition exhibiting desirable thermal mechanical stability compared to conventional siloxane-based low-&kgr; compositions. Specifically, the invention provides a modified methylsilsesquioxane composition suitable for higher temperature applications than a composition formed from only methylsilsesquioxane. The modified oligomer is characterized by the pendant group ratio A:B:C, where A represents the percentage of pendant groups that are methyl and is about 13 to about 67, B represents the percentage of pendant groups that are dimethyl and is greater than 0 to about 33, and C represents the percentage of pendant groups that are phenyl and is greater than 0 to about 67. The presence of dimethyl and phenyl pendant groups provides a molecular structure that has improved crack-resistance compared to an all-methyl silsesquioxane.

Abstract: A silica body useful for forming an optical fiber preform exhibits an ultimate strength of at least 20 MPa at 10 wt. % water loss. The body attains this strength, it is believed, by precipitation of silica at the contact sites of adjacent silica particles, thereby forming neck regions. The resultant network provides the strength to the gel body, such that the body is capable of being dried under more severe conditions than a gel body formed by previous sol-gel methods and is also more robust toward handling. The controlled precipitation is attained by inducing gelation and initiating drying at a pH of about 10.5 or higher, at which silica remains highly soluble. By gelling and drying at this pH level, the solubilized silica appears to precipitate in a controlled manner at the point of contact of adjacent silica particles, since such sites are the minimum free energy sites for precipitation.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The integrated circuit has a plurality of TFTs and an electrical interconnect structure. In the process, at least some constituents of the TFTs are formed on a first substrate. At least the interconnect structure is formed on a second substrate. The two substrates are laminated together to form the integrated circuit device having fully formed TFTs.

Abstract: A holographic medium uses a photosensitive polymer medium. The shelf life of the photosensitive polymer medium is improved by hermetically sealing the polymer between glass plates. The hermetic seal is designed so that high T.sub.g materials, or solder, can be used as the sealant without damage to the polymer already contained between the plates. The hermetic seal comprises metal foils attached to the plates with the edges thereof extending away from the plates in tab-like fashion. The foils are attached prior to filling the assembly with polymer. After filling, the outer edges of the foil tabs are the sealed with local heating away from the site of the polymer, or crimped using mechanical crimping.

Abstract: The specification describes source/drain contact material that is compatible with organic semiconductors in thin film transistor integrated circuits. The contact material is nickel/gold wherein the nickel is plated as Ni--P on a base conductor, preferably TiN.sub.x, by electroless plating, and the gold overlay is deposited by displacement plating. It was found, unexpectedly, that forming Ni/Au contacts in this way extends the lifetime of TFT devices substantially.

Abstract: A method for making a device in which a conductive polyaniline layer (polyaniline salt layer) is formed on a substrate and patterned into a desired configuration, is disclosed. The polyaniline salt containing layer is formed by applying a polyaniline salt solution which combines a mixture of polyaniline and an additive, dissolved in a solvent on the substrate. Thereafter, the polyaniline salt containing layer is patterned by delineating in such layer at least one region having a conductivity less than about 10.sup.-6 S/cm. The at least one region in the polyaniline salt containing layer having a conductivity less than about 10.sup.-6 S/cm is optionally formed by combining a photobase generator (PBG) with the polyaniline salt solution. An adhesive is optionally mixed with the polyaniline salt solution for forming an polyaniline salt/adhesive polymer layer which is patterned into the desired configuration.

Abstract: It has been found that in sol-gel processes utilizing TMAH, it is possible to treat a trimethylamine (TRIMA)-containing solution with hydrogen peroxide to form trimethylamine oxide--(CH.sub.3).sub.3 N.sup.+ --O.sup.- (TRIMAO), a water soluble compound which is less volatile and less odorous than TRIMA, and which is capable of being sent to a standard wastewater treatment plant. The hydrogen peroxide is generally added to the TRIMA-containing solution in a H.sub.2 O.sub.2 :TRIMA ratio of at least 3:1, advantageously at least 10:1. Because of the resultant TRIMAO solution's ability to be sent to a standard wastewater treatment facility, improved productivity and lowered expense of the overall fiber fabrication process are obtained. The invention is also suitable for treatment of triethylamine.