Abstract: Provided is an optical waveguide comprising a core surrounded by a cladding, wherein the core is in the shape of a trapezoid with sidewall angles between 60° and 85° and an opto-electronic circuit comprising the optical waveguide. Operational characteristics of the optical waveguide are shown to be superior to those of incumbent devices.

Abstract: Compositions for forming polymer layers useful in the manufacture of optical devices, particularly optical waveguides, and methods of forming such devices are provided.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising quantum dots; said polymer composite comprising: (a) quantum dots; (b) polymerized units of a first compound having at least one readily polymerizable vinyl group, a molecular weight from 300 to 20,000 and at least one continuous acyclic hydrocarbyl chain of at least five carbon atoms; and (c) polymerized units of a second compound having at least one readily polymerizable vinyl group and a molecular weight from 100 to 750; wherein a readily polymerizable vinyl group is part of a (meth)acrylate ester group or is attached directly to an aromatic ring, and the molecular weight of the first compound minus the molecular weight of the second compound is at least 100.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising quantum dots. The polymer composite comprises: (a) quantum dots; (b) a first polymer having a molecular weight from 1,000 to 100,000 and a solubility parameter from 12 to 17 (J/cm3)1/2; (c) a second polymer comprising polymerized units of a first compound comprising at least one readily polymerizable vinyl group and having a molecular weight from 72 to 500, wherein the second polymer has a solubility parameter from 16.5 to 20 (J/cm3)1/2; and (d) a third polymer comprising polymerized units of a second compound comprising at least two readily polymerizable vinyl groups and having a molecular weight from 72 to 2000; wherein the first polymer encapsulates the quantum dots; wherein a readily polymerizable vinyl group is part of a (meth)acrylate ester group or is attached directly to an aromatic ring.

Abstract: A polymer resin comprising: (a) quantum dots, (b) a compound of formula (I) (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl and R2 is a C6-C20 aliphatic polycyclic substituent, and (c) a block or graft copolymer having Mn from 50,000 to 400,000 and comprising from 10 to 100 wt % polymerized units of styrene and from 0 to 90 wt % of a non-styrene block; wherein the non-styrene block has a van Krevelen solubility parameter from 15.0 to 17.5 (J/cm3)1/2.

Abstract: A method of preparing a semiconductor nanocrystal-silicate composite without significantly reducing the quantum yield of the semiconductor nanocrystal, a composite prepared from the method, and a film and an electronic device comprising the composite.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconducting nanoparticle comprising a one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle having a first end and a second end; where the second end is opposed to the first end; and two first endcaps, one of which contacts the first end and the other of which contacts the second end respectively of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle; where the first endcap that contacts the first end comprises a first semiconductor and where the first endcap extends from the first end of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle to form a first nanocrystal heterojunction; where the first endcap that contacts the second end comprises a second semiconductor; where the first endcap extends from the second end of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle to form a second nanocrystal heterojunction; and where the first semiconductor and the second semiconductor are chemically different from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making polymerizable monomer compositions comprising purifying a (b) monomer mixture of (i) one or more monomers having at least two polymerizable vinyl groups and (ii) one or more monomers having a single polymerizable vinyl group as part of a (meth)acrylate ester group by any one or more of treating the monomer mixture in an activated porous alumina or silica column, sieve drying the monomer mixture in a vacuum followed by drying over dried molecular sieves having average pore sizes of from 2 to 20 Angstroms, freeze-pump-thaw (FPT) treating by freezing the monomer mixture in a vessel or container to a temperature below ?75° C., degassing the monomer mixture by application of vacuum in the range of 102 to 10?2 Pa, sealing the vessel or container under vacuum, and thawing the composition to room temperature; and, combining in an inert gas atmosphere the resulting monomer mixture (b) with a composition (a) of quantum dots in dry form or organic solvent solution.

Abstract: A polymer resin comprising: (a) quantum dots, (b) a compound of formula (I) (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl and R2 is a C6-C20 aliphatic polycyclic substituent, and (c) a block or graft copolymer having Mn from 50,000 to 400,000 and comprising from 10 to 100 wt % polymerized units of styrene and from 0 to 90 wt % of a non-styrene block; wherein the non-styrene block has a van Krevelen solubility parameter from 15.0 to 17.5 (J/cm3)1/2.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising quantum dots; said polymer composite comprising: (a) quantum dots; (b) polymerized units of a first compound having at least one readily polymerizable vinyl group, a molecular weight from 300 to 20,000 and at least one continuous acyclic hydrocarbyl chain of at least five carbon atoms; and (c) polymerized units of a second compound having at least one readily polymerizable vinyl group and a molecular weight from 100 to 750; wherein a readily polymerizable vinyl group is part of a (meth)acrylate ester group or is attached directly to an aromatic ring, and the molecular weight of the first compound minus the molecular weight of the second compound is at least 100.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising quantum dots. The polymer composite comprises: (a) quantum dots; (b) a first polymer having a molecular weight from 1,000 to 100,000 and a solubility parameter from 12 to 17 (J/cm3)1/2; (c) a second polymer comprising polymerized units of a first compound comprising at least one readily polymerizable vinyl group and having a molecular weight from 72 to 500, wherein the second polymer has a solubility parameter from 16.5 to 20 (J/cm3)1/2; and (d) a third polymer comprising polymerized units of a second compound comprising at least two readily polymerizable vinyl groups and having a molecular weight from 72 to 2000; wherein the first polymer encapsulates the quantum dots; wherein a readily polymerizable vinyl group is part of a (meth)acrylate ester group or is attached directly to an aromatic ring.

Abstract: A method for encapsulating quantum dots. The method comprises steps of: (a) mixing quantum dots with a polymer having a molecular weight from 1,000 to 200,000 and a solubility parameter from 14 to 18.75 (J/cm3)1/2 and a solvent to form a mixture; and (b) spray drying the mixture to produce an encapsulated quantum dot powder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making polymerizable monomer compositions comprising purifying a (b) monomer mixture of (i) one or more monomers having at least two polymerizable vinyl groups and (ii) one or more monomers having a single polymerizable vinyl group as part of a (meth)acrylate ester group by any one or more of treating the monomer mixture in an activated porous alumina or silica column, sieve drying the monomer mixture in a vacuum followed by drying over dried molecular sieves having average pore sizes of from 2 to 20 Angstroms, freeze-pump-thaw (FPT) treating by freezing the monomer mixture in a vessel or container to a temperature below ?75° C., degassing the monomer mixture by application of vacuum in the range of 102 to 10?2 Pa, sealing the vessel or container under vacuum, and thawing the composition to room temperature; and, combining in an inert gas atmosphere the resulting monomer mixture (b) with a composition (a) of quantum dots in dry form or organic solvent solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconducting nanoparticle comprising a one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle having a first end and a second end; where the second end is opposed to the first end; a first node that comprises a first semiconductor; where the first node contacts a radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a first heterojunction at the point of contact; and a second node that comprises a second semiconductor; where the second node contacts the radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a second heterojunction at the point of contact; where the first heterojunction is compositionally different from the second heterojunction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconducting nanoparticle comprising a one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle having a first end and a second end; where the second end is opposed to the first end; and two first endcaps, one of which contacts the first end and the other of which contacts the second end respectively of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle; where the first endcap that contacts the first end comprises a first semiconductor and where the first endcap extends from the first end of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle to form a first nanocrystal heterojunction; where the first endcap that contacts the second end comprises a second semiconductor; where the first endcap extends from the second end of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle to form a second nanocrystal heterojunction; and where the first semiconductor and the second semiconductor are chemically different from each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconducting nanoparticle comprising a one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle having a first end and a second end; where the second end is opposed to the first end; a first node that comprises a first semiconductor; where the first node contacts a radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a first heterojunction at the point of contact; and a second node that comprises a second semiconductor; where the second node contacts the radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a second heterojunction at the point of contact; where the first heterojunction is compositionally different from the second heterojunction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconducting nanoparticle comprising a one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle having a first end and a second end; a first endcap contacting one of the first end or the second end; where the first endcap comprises a first semiconductor and where the first endcap extends from the one-dimensional nanoparticle to form a first nanocrystal heterojunction; and a second endcap that contacts the first endcap; where the second endcap comprises a second semiconductor and where the second endcap extends from the first endcap to form a second nanocrystal heterojunction; and where the first semiconductor is different from the second semiconductor.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing patterned conductor is provided, comprising: providing a conductivized substrate, wherein the conductivized substrate comprises a substrate and an electrically conductive layer; providing an electrically conductive layer etchant; providing a spinning material; providing a masking fiber solvent; forming a plurality of masking fibers and depositing the plurality of masking fibers onto the electrically conductive layer; exposing the electrically conductive layer to the electrically conductive layer etchant, wherein the electrically conductive layer that is uncovered by the plurality of masking fibers is removed from the substrate, leaving an interconnected conductive network on the substrate covered by the plurality of masking fibers; and, exposing the plurality of masking fibers to the masking fiber solvent, wherein the plurality of masking fibers are removed to uncover the interconnected conductive network on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconducting nanoparticle comprising a one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle having a first end and a second end; where the second end is opposed to the first end; and two first endcaps, one of which contacts the first end and the other of which contacts the second end respectively of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle; where the first endcap that contacts the first end comprises a first semiconductor and where the first endcap extends from the first end of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle to form a first nanocrystal heterojunction; where the first endcap that contacts the second end comprises a second semiconductor; where the first endcap extends from the second end of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle to form a second nanocrystal heterojunction; and where the first semiconductor and the second semiconductor are chemically different from each other.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing patterned conductor is provided, comprising: providing a conductivised substrate, wherein the conductivised substrate comprises a substrate and an electrically conductive layer; providing an electrically conductive layer etchant; providing a spinning material; providing a masking fiber solvent; forming a plurality of masking fibers and depositing the plurality of masking fibers onto the electrically conductive layer; exposing the electrically conductive layer to the electrically conductive layer etchant, wherein the electrically conductive layer that is uncovered by the plurality of masking fibers is removed from the substrate, leaving an interconnected conductive network on the substrate covered by the plurality of masking fibers; and, exposing the plurality of masking fibers to the masking fiber solvent, wherein the plurality of masking fibers are removed to uncover the interconnected conductive network on the substrate.