Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to structurant polymers based on polyurethane/polyurea chemistry, which efficiently thicken or gel (i.e., provide structure to) oils and oil mixtures. The disclosed technology further relates to structurant polymers based on polyurethane/polyurea chemistry that are oil soluble or oil dispersible and that provide beneficial properties, such as, for example, desirable clarity and/or feel. In addition, the technology relates to cosmetically and/or household acceptable formulations containing an oil as well as a structurant polymer based on polyurethane/poly-urea chemistry.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to structurant polymers based on polyurethane/polyurea chemistry, which efficiently thicken or gel (i.e., provide structure to) oils and oil mixtures. The disclosed technology further relates to structurant polymers based on polyurethane/polyurea chemistry that are oil soluble or oil dispersible and that provide beneficial properties, such as, for example, desirable clarity and/or feel. In addition, the technology relates to cosmetically and/or household acceptable formulations containing an oil as well as a structurant polymer based on polyurethane/poly-urea chemistry.

Abstract: A water-borne latex paint system and a method of formulating a water borne latex paint system having viscosity color stability. The system includes a base paint, at least one associative thickener, a colorant compound, and at least 0.1% dry weight of a block copolymer ABLBA composition. The block copolymer acts as a viscosity stabilizer in the presence of associative thickeners. The A component includes a monomer unit containing a moiety such as an alkyl group, an aryl group or an alkyl aryl group; the B component includes a polyethylene oxide polymer or a polyethylene-polypropylene oxide copolymer; and the L component includes a dianhydride unit or a diisocyanate unit.

Abstract: A water-borne latex paint system, comprising a base paint, an associative thickener, a colorant compound, and at least 0.1% dry weight of a block copolymer ABCBA composition. For the ABCBA polymer wherein the A component is a hydrophobic group A, the B component is a hydrophilic polymer B and the C component is a low molecular weight hydrophobic group C. The ABCBA-type polymer includes an A component which is a monomer unit containing a moiety selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an aryl group or an alkyl aryl group, the B component includes poly(ethylene glycol), and the C component is selected from the group of diols consisting of poly(tetrahydrofuran), poly(caprolactone) poly(carbonate), ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and 1,2-dodecanediol. The block copolymer acts as a viscosity stabilizer in the presence of associative thickeners.

Abstract: An optical switch has an array of fibers, an optional lens, and a mirror with two-dimensional tilt adjustment. Light from the array passes through the lens, is reflected by the mirror, and passes again through the lens back towards the array. The input/output fibers are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern designed to avoid undesirable crosstalk between fibers. The pattern may include a plurality of fibers positioned around a central fiber in a circular arrangement. For a 1×8 or 8×1 switch, nine fibers are preferably positioned in a circle around the central fiber, thereby providing geometry that substantially avoids undesirable crosstalk between fibers in the array. In another implementation, the fiber array is implemented using a tapered ferrule housing a central fiber, surrounded by an intermediate layer of six fibers, surrounded by an outer layer of twelve fibers.

Abstract: An organic field effect transistor (FET) is described with an active dielectric layer comprising a low-temperature cured dielectric film of a liquid-deposited silsesquioxane precursor. The dielectric film comprises a silsesquioxane having a dielectric constant of greater than 2. The silsesquioxane dielectric film is advantageously prepared by curing oligomers having alkyl(methyl) and/or alkyl(methyl) pendant groups. The invention also embraces a process for making an organic FET comprising providing a substrate suitable for an organic FET; applying a liquid-phase solution of silsesquioxane precursors over the surface of the substrate; and curing the solution to form a silsesquioxane active dielectric layer. The organic FET thus produced has a high-dielectric, silsesquioxane film with a dielectric constant of greater than about 2, and advantageously, the substrate comprises an indium-tin oxide coated plastic substrate.

Abstract: The invention addresses a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) device, or an array of such devices, for use in an optical communication system and a method of manufacture therefore. An embodiment of the device includes a moveable element support structure, a moveable element and torsional members that couple the moveable element support structure and the moveable element and allow the moveable element to gimbal with respect to the support structure. The inventive device includes torsional members that are substantially free of corrosion thereby producing a device with improved response characteristics. The method includes using an etchant that substantially inhibits corrosion of the torsional members.

Abstract: An optical switch has an array of fibers, an optional lens, and a mirror with two-dimensional tilt adjustment. Light from the array passes through the lens, is reflected by the mirror, and passes again through the lens back towards the array. The input/output fibers are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern designed to avoid undesirable crosstalk between fibers. The pattern may include a plurality of fibers positioned around a central fiber in a circular arrangement. For a 1×8 or 8×1 switch, nine fibers are preferably positioned in a circle around the central fiber, thereby providing geometry that substantially avoids undesirable crosstalk between fibers in the array. In another implementation, the fiber array is implemented using a tapered ferrule housing a central fiber, surrounded by an intermediate layer of six fibers, surrounded by an outer layer of twelve fibers.

Abstract: The invention addresses a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) device, or an array of such devices, for use in an optical communication system and a method of manufacture therefore. An embodiment of the device includes a moveable element support structure, a moveable element and torsional members that couple the moveable element support structure and the moveable element and allow the moveable element to gimbal with respect to the support structure. The inventive device includes torsional members that are substantially free of corrosion thereby producing a device with improved response characteristics. The method includes using an etchant that substantially inhibits corrosion of the torsional members.

Abstract: Recognizing the rate-determining nature of the coating removal and recoating steps, applicants have demonstrated that with proper combination of low absorbing polymer, glass and low intensity radiation, UV-induced gratings can be side-written into polymer coated fibers without removing the polymer, thus permitting up the possibility of high speed fabrication of fiber gratings.