Abstract: The present invention relates to lenses that are capable of post-fabrication power modifications. In general, the inventive lenses comprise (i) a first polymer matrix and (ii) a refraction modulating composition that is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization dispersed therein. When at least a portion of the lens is exposed to an appropriate stimulus, the refraction modulating composition forms a second polymer matrix. The amount and location of the second polymer matrix may modify a lens characteristic such as lens power by changing its refractive index and/or by altering its shape. The inventive lenses have a number of applications in the electronics and medical fields as data storage means and as medical lenses, particularly intraocular lenses, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions useful for optically recording or storing data by stimulating a composition having a refraction modulating composition, where a stimulated region of the composition represents one kind of data and a non-stimulated region of the composition represents another kind of data. The present invention also relates to methods of optically recording data utilizing the compositions of the present invention, as well as to optical data storage devices and optical data storage elements which utilize the optical data storage compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of implementing an optical element having a refraction modulating composition. The methods include using a wavefront sensor to provide an optical measurement of the optical element. The present invention also relates to systems comprising an optical element having a refraction modulating composition and a wavefront sensor.

Abstract: An electro-optically active polymer gel material comprising a high molecular weight alignment polymer adapted to be homogeneously dispersed throughout a liquid crystal to control the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules and/or confer mechanical stability is provided. The electro-optically active polymer gel comprises a homogenous gel in which the polymer strands of the gel are provided in low concentration and are well solvated by the small molecule liquid crystal without producing unacceptable slowing of its electrooptic response. During formation of the gel, a desired orientation is locked into the gel by physical or chemical cross-linking of the polymer chains. The electro-optically active polymer is then utilized to direct the orientation in the liquid crystal gel in the “field off” state of a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A apparatus for studying the effects of steady and transient flow fields on a sample. The apparatus includes: (a) a flow chamber through which a sample can flow comprising a port arranged to accommodate an analytical probe for measuring the properties of the sample as it moves through the flow chamber; (b) a temperature-controlled thermal reservoir that houses the flow chamber; (c) a sample reservoir comprising a chamber in communication with the flow chamber; (d) a displacement piston arranged to apply pressure, upon activation, to a sample residing in the chamber of the sample reservoir to force the sample into the flow chamber; and (e) an actuator arranged to apply pressure to the displacement piston to activate the displacement piston.

Abstract: A polarization-modulation scanning laser microscope includes a conventional laser scanning microscope, which has been improved by addition of: a polarization state generator; a polarization state analyzer; a photo-detector for receiving laser light transmitted though a sample; a signal demodulator providing two signals in response to the transmitted laser light, one of the signals being indicative of polarization orientation, and the other signal being indicative of magnitude of the transmitted polarized light. A relay interface toggles between the two signals provided by the signal demodulator and at least one other signal provided either by the photodiode of the laser scanning microscope, or by an external optical beam induced current, or both. A signal processing unit provides an image output to a display device.

Abstract: A method for converting an opaque portion of a side-group liquid crystalline polymer body into a transparent portion. The method involves applying sufficient shear force to the polymer body for a sufficient time to convert the opaque portion into a transparent portion. The method provides for erasure of opaque optical pixels from data storage disks without requiring the use of electrical or magnetic fields.

Abstract: Biological reactions are carried out with a unitary structure, preferably formed of a ceramic material, having a plurality of flow passages including first and second sets of flow passages arranged so that individual passages of the first set are adjacent individual passages of the second set and are separated by walls formed of the ceramic material. The ceramic material is porous to provide mass transfer of gaseous oxygen and biological reaction products while containing liquid in the second set of passages. Walls of the passages may be covered with a gaseous oxygen permeable membrane. Inside walls of the second set of passages may coated with a compound adapted to immobilize biological reaction materials.