Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a switchable optical filter having a layer of switchable material; a light source providing light of a wavelength that causes the switchable material to transition from a faded state to a dark state, or a dark state to a faded state; and a switch for controlling activation of the light source.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are scientific instrument support systems, as well as related methods, apparatus, computing devices, and computer-readable media. For example, some embodiments provide a scientific instrument comprising an ion-beam instrument configured to generate an ion beam including first and second sub-beams; an electron-beam instrument including a charged-particle-beam (CPB) lens having an adjustable setting controlling a magnetic force applied to the first and second sub-beams; and a computing device. The computing device is configured to: acquire an image by causing the ion-beam instrument to scan the ion beam across a sample using a selected setting of the CPB lens of the electron-beam instrument, apply automated image processing to the image to quantify an amount of spatial misalignment of the first and second sub-beams at the sample, and control the CPB lens of the electron-beam instrument to a setting based on the amount of spatial misalignment within the image.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a convenient reusable handle device for a beverage can, which firmly holds the beverage can and makes it easy to carry. The beverage can handle device comprises an upper or top portion, a middle or handle portion and a lower or base portion, where the shapes of the top and base portions of the beverage can handle device are matched to that of the top rim and bottom rim, respectively, of the beverage can, so as to engage and clasp securely the beverage can. The base of the beverage can handle device is configured to linearly traverse the bottom diameter of the beverage can in a single direction when the base is contracted and to linearly traverse the bottom diameter of the beverage can in two directions (e.g., substantially perpendicular directions in a “scissor hinge”) when the base is expanded.

Abstract: Dynamic mirror assemblies are disclosed that can vary the amount of light reflected, that include a mirror and a switching material. The switching material is placed between the mirror and a viewer, and has a dark state and a light state, and switches state in at least one direction due to a photochromic reaction, and switches in the other direction due to one or more of a photochromic reaction or an electrochromic reaction or a thermal reversion above a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Dynamic mirror assemblies are disclosed that can vary the amount of light reflected, that include a mirror and a switching material. The switching material is placed between the mirror and a viewer, and has a dark state and a light state, and switches state in at least one direction due to a photochromic reaction, and switches in the other direction due to one or more of a photochromic reaction or an electrochromic reaction.

Abstract: Layered assemblies are disclosed, that include a variable transmittance layer having opposing first and second sides; at least a first reflectance color-balancing layer positioned on the first side of the variable transmittance layer; and a transmittance color-balancing layer positioned on the first side or the second side of the variable transmittance layer. The variable transmittance layer may be variable between a dark state and a light state, and may have a dark state transmittance spectrum when in the dark state and a different light state transmittance spectrum when in the light state.

Abstract: A three-dimensional grid model of a traffic scene can be determined based on grid elements. Weights can be determined for the grid elements of the three-dimensional grid model corresponding to priority regions and occluded grid elements. Grid coverage for respective stationary sensors can be determined based on the grid elements of the three-dimensional grid model. A matrix can be determined based on the grid coverage of the plurality of stationary sensors. An optimal subset of stationary sensors can be determined based on applying a greedy search algorithm to the matrix, the weights and costs corresponding to the plurality of stationary sensors to maximize the ratio of grid coverage to the cost based on poses of the plurality of stationary sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a switchable optical filter comprising a layer of switchable material, the switchable material comprising a photochromic/thermochromic, a photochromic/photochromic, or a photochromic/electrochromic compound; a first light source providing light of a wavelength that causes the switchable material to transition from a faded state to a dark state, or a dark state to a faded state; and a switch for controlling activation of the first light source

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a switchable optical filter comprising a layer of switchable material, the switchable material comprising a photochromic/thermochromic, a photochromic/photochromic, or a photochromic/electrochromic compound; a first light source providing light of a wavelength that causes the switchable material to transition from a faded state to a dark state, or a dark state to a faded state; and a switch for controlling activation of the first light source.

Abstract: A diarylethene compound reversibly convertible under photochromic and electrochromic conditions between a ring-open isomer of Formula (1A) and a ring-closed isomer of Formula (IB) wherein R5 is a substituted phenyl ring and Re is a substituted thiophene ring is provided. The photochromic-electrochromic diarylethene compound of Formula (1A)/(1B) have improved photochromic, electrochromic or photochromic and electrochromic properties, and is useful to provide variation of the light transmission properties of optical filters. The compound also possesses improved solubility making it suitable for incorporation in commercial products.

Abstract: A compound according to Formula IA and IB, reversibly convertible under photochromic and electrochromic conditions between a ring-open isomer A and a ring-closed isomer B is provided. For substitutent groups, Z is N, O or S; each R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, or halo; each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, a polymer backbone, alkyl or aryl; or, when both R2 together form —CH?CH— and form part of a polymer backbone; each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl or aryl; each R4 is aryl; and each R5 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl or aryl.

Abstract: An optical filter comprising a variable transmittance layer having a first spectrum in a dark state, and a second spectrum in a faded state; and a color balancing layer having a third spectrum; each of the first, second and third spectra comprising a visible portion; the first and third spectra combining to provide a dark state spectrum approximating a dark state target color, and the second and third spectra combining to provide a faded state spectrum approximating a faded state target color. The optical filter may further comprise a light attenuating layer. The optical filter may further comprise part of a laminated glass.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a switchable optical filter comprising a layer of switchable material, the switchable material comprising a photochromic/thermochromic, a photochromic/photochromic, or a photochromic/electrochromic compound; a first light source providing light of a wavelength that causes the switchable material to transition from a faded state to a dark state, or a dark state to a faded state; and a switch for controlling activation of the first light source

Abstract: A dual beam system having a charged particle beam (CPB) lens and an ion beam column can operate in an analysis mode. In the analysis mode, an ion beam from the ion beam column can be deflected by the CPB into one or more component beams including a primary ion beam and one or more non-primary ion beams. The dual-beam system can identify the ion species of the non-primary ion beams.

Abstract: A dual beam system having a charged particle beam (CPB) lens and an ion beam column can operate in an analysis mode. In the analysis mode, an ion beam from the ion beam column can be deflected by the CPB into one or more component beams including a primary ion beam and one or more non-primary ion beams. The dual-beam system can identify the ion species of the non-primary ion beams.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a switchable optical filter comprising a layer of switchable material, the switchable material comprising a photochromic/thermochromic, a photochromic/photochromic, or a photochromic/electrochromic compound; a first light source providing light of a wavelength that causes the switchable material to transition from a faded state to a dark state, or a dark state to a faded state; and a switch for controlling activation of the first light source

Abstract: A composition comprising a diarylethene photochromic anodic species, a cathodic species and an electrolyte that comprises a supporting electrolyte and a solvent. Electrochromic devices such as optical filters are prepared from such compositions.

Abstract: A compound according to Formula IA and IB, reversibly convertible under photochromic and electrochromic conditions between a ring-open isomer A and a ring-closed isomer B is provided. For substitutent groups, Z is N, O or S; each R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, or halo; each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, a polymer backbone, alkyl or aryl; or, when both R2 together form —CH?CH— and form part of a polymer backbone; each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl or aryl; each R4 is aryl; and each R5 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo, alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl or aryl.

Abstract: An optical filter comprising a variable transmittance layer having a first spectrum in a dark state, and a second spectrum in a faded state; and a color balancing layer having a third spectrum; each of the first, second and third spectra comprising a visible portion; the first and third spectra combining to provide a dark state spectrum approximating a dark state target color, and the second and third spectra combining to provide a faded state spectrum approximating a faded state target color. The optical filter may further comprise a light attenuating layer. The optical filter may further comprise part of a laminated glass.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a switchable optical filter comprising a layer of switchable material, the switchable material comprising a photochromic/thermochromic, a photochromic/photochromic, or a photochromic/electrochromic compound; a first light source providing light of a wavelength that causes the switchable material to transition from a faded state to a dark state, or a dark state to a faded state; and a switch for controlling activation of the first light source