Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a thin film transistor (TFT) device on a substrate. In one aspect, the TFT device includes a gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer, and a gate insulator between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer. The oxide semiconductor layer includes at least two metal oxides, with the two metal oxides having a varying concentration relative to one another between a lower surface and an upper surface of the oxide semiconductor layer. The TFT device also includes a source metal adjacent to a portion of the oxide semiconductor layer and a drain metal adjacent to another portion of the oxide semiconductor layer. The composition of the oxide semiconductor layer can be precisely controlled by a sequential deposition technique using atomic layer deposition (ALD).

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a thin film transistor (TFT) device on a substrate. In one aspect, the TFT device includes a gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer, and a gate insulator between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer. The oxide semiconductor layer includes at least two metal oxides, with the two metal oxides having a varying concentration relative to one another between a lower surface and an upper surface of the oxide semiconductor layer. The TFT device also includes a source metal adjacent to a portion of the oxide semiconductor layer and a drain metal adjacent to another portion of the oxide semiconductor layer. The composition of the oxide semiconductor layer can be precisely controlled by a sequential deposition technique using atomic layer deposition (ALD).

Abstract: Tractable metal oxide sols are made by combining at least one metal oxide compound, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, or metal oxide sols are made by combining at least one metal oxide compound, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one of an acid catalyst and salt/complex catalyst, and a liquid. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the metal oxide sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle, metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle, metal oxide nanoparticle, and metal phosphate nanoparticle. Further disclosed are composites containing a polymer material and at least one of the metal oxide sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A composition for a filter material includes a dye and possibly a polymer host. The dye includes a Co(II) compound, a Ni(II) compound or a mixture thereof. Filter material can have a transmittance at 500 nanometers of at least 80% and a steep cutoff absorption band with a transmittance between 600 and 700 nanometers of no more than 10%.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal phosphate sols made by mixing at least one metal oxide, at least one phosphate precursor, at least one organosilane, and a liquid. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the metal phosphate sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle and metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle. The nanocomposites containing metal nanoparticles may be chalcogenized to provide nanocomposites containing metal-chalcogenide nanoparticles. Also disclosed are composites containing a dielectric material such as a polymer and at least one of the metal phosphate sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal chalcogenide nanocomposites made of guest metal chalcogenide precursors and host metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, at least one organosilane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, and chalcogenizing the mixture. Also disclosed are dielectric nano-composites containing a dielectric material such as a polymer and the metal chalcogenide nanocomposites.

Abstract: Disclosed are silica sols made by combining at least one hydrolysable silane, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, or silica sols made by combining at least one hydrolysable silane, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one acid catalyst, and a liquid to provide an intermediate sol and combining at least one base catalyst with the intermediate sol. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the silica sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle, metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle, metal oxide nanoparticle, and metal phosphate nanoparticle. Further disclosed are composites containing a polymer material and at least one of the silica sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Disclosed are silica sols made by combining at least one hydrolysable silane, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, or silica sols made by combining at least one hydrolysable silane, at least one organofunctional silane, at least one acid catalyst, and a liquid to provide an intermediate sol and combining at least one base catalyst with the intermediate sol. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the silica sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle, metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle, metal oxide nanoparticle, and metal phosphate nanoparticle. Further disclosed are composites containing a polymer material and at least one of the silica sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, wherein the metal is a transition metal, a post-transition metal, an alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal; at least one organosilane; at least one boron oxide compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, alkoxy boron compounds, hydrocarbyl boric acids, hydrocarbyl hydroxy boron alkoxides, and hydroxy boron alkoxides; and a liquid. Also disclosed are composites containing a polymer and the metal oxide sols.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal phosphate sols made by mixing at least one metal oxide, at least one phosphate precursor, at least one organosilane, and a liquid. Also disclosed are nanocomposites containing the metal phosphate sols and at least one of metal nanoparticle and metal-chalcogenide nanoparticle. The nanocomposites containing metal nanoparticles may be chalcogenized to provide nanocomposites containing metal-chalcogenide nanoparticles. Also disclosed are composites containing a dielectric material such as a polymer and at least one of the metal phosphate sol and the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A display includes a light source. The display also includes a filter positioned to receive light from the light source. The filter is a dye-based filter and attenuates light in the infrared range. The filter can be configured to have a very sharp spectral cutoff. The filter can be an NVIS filter. The display can be utilized in an avionic display system with night vision equipment. The filter can include a host polymer doped with a dye including cobalt or nickel.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal chalcogenide nanocomposites made of guest metal chalcogenide precursors and host metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, at least one organosilane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid, and chalcogenizing the mixture. Also disclosed are dielectric nano-composites containing a dielectric material such as a polymer and the metal chalcogenide nanocomposites.

Abstract: A fire retardant polymer composition is provided. The fire retardant polymer composition is formed of a polymer material, a plurality of monomers of a polycondensed partially hydrolyzed chelated metal oxide precursor, and at least one flame retardant constituent. A process for making a flame retardant polymer composition is also presented. The process includes contacting a polymer material with a metal oxide sol comprising a liquid and a condensation product of a partially hydrolyzed chelated metal oxide precursor to form a mixture. The polymer material also is contacted with at least one flame retardant constituent. The polymer material is then polymerized or solidified.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, wherein the metal is a transition metal, a post-transition metal, an alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal; at least one organosilane; at least one boron oxide compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, alkoxy boron compounds, hydrocarbyl boric acids, hydrocarbyl hydroxy boron alkoxides, and hydroxy boron alkoxides; and a liquid. Also disclosed are composites containing a polymer and the metal oxide sols.

Abstract: A fire retardant polymer composition is provided. The fire retardant polymer composition is formed of a polymer material, a plurality of monomers of a polycondensed partially hydrolyzed chelated metal oxide precursor, and at least one flame retardant constituent. A process for making a flame retardant polymer composition is also presented. The process includes contacting a polymer material with a metal oxide sol comprising a liquid and a condensation product of a partially hydrolyzed chelated metal oxide precursor to form a mixture. The polymer material also is contacted with at least one flame retardant constituent. The polymer material is then polymerized or solidified.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanocomposites made of guest metal nanoparticles and metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, at least one organosilane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid. Also disclosed are dielectric composites containing a dielectric material such as a polymer and the nanocomposites.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, wherein the metal is a transition metal, a post-transition metal, an alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal; at least one organosilane; at least one boron oxide compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, alkoxy boron compounds, hydrocarbyl boric acids, hydrocarbyl hydroxy boron alkoxides, and hydroxy boron alkoxides; and a liquid. Also disclosed are composites containing a polymer and the metal oxide sols.

Abstract: A composition for a filter material includes a dye and possibly a polymer host. The dye includes a Co(II) compound, a Ni(II) compound or a mixture thereof. Filter material can have a transmittance at 500 nanometers of at least 80% and a steep cutoff absorption band with a transmittance between 600 and 700 nanometers of no more than 10%.

Abstract: A display includes a light source. The display also includes a filter positioned to receive light from the light source. The filter is a dye-based filter and attenuates light in the infrared range. The filter can be configured to have a very sharp spectral cutoff. The filter can be an NVIS filter. The display can be utilized in an avionic display system with night vision equipment. The filter can include a host polymer doped with a dye including cobalt or nickel.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanocomposites made of guest metal nanoparticles and metal oxide sols made by mixing at least one metal alkoxide, at least one organosilane, at least one boron oxide compound, and a liquid. Also disclosed are dielectric composites containing a dielectric material such as a polymer and the nanocomposites.