Abstract: A film suitable for use as a light-modulating unit of a suspended particle device light valve, comprising a plurality of particles dispersed in a liquid suspending medium, distributed within an optionally crosslinked matrix polymer. The suspending medium is substantially immiscible with the matrix polymer, has a boiling point greater than about 100° C., has an electrical resistivity of at least about 0.8×106 ohms per square, and has an in endex of refraction at 25° C. which differs from that of the matrix polymer by no more than about 0.002.

Abstract: A film suitable for use as a light-modulating unit of a suspended particle device light valve. The film comprises a matrix polymer and has droplets of a liquid light valve suspension comprising a plurality of particles dispersed in a liquid suspending medium distributed within the matrix. The suspending medium (a) is substantially immiscible with the matrix polymer, (b) has a boiling point at atmospheric pressure greater than about 100° C., (c) has an electrical resistivity of at least about 0.8×106 ohms per square, and (d) has an index of refraction at 25° C. which differs from that of the matrix polymer, measured at substantially the same temperature, by no more than about 0.002.

Abstract: An electro-optical device, such as a light valve, has a cell formed of opposed cell walls, a light-modulating unit comprising a suspension containing anisometric particles suspended in a liquid suspending medium between the cell walls, and opposed electrodes operatively associated with the cell walls for applying an electrical field across the suspension, the anisometrically shaped particles having an average particle size of about 0.1 microns or less.

Abstract: Light valve suspensions and light valve films are provided with a UV absorber.

Abstract: A light valve including suspending materials which have an ability to prevent or substantially retard agglomeration of the particles in suspension during the application of a voltage to the suspension. The materials include aromatic esters which are derivable from aromatic alcohols, such as phenyl acetate, cresyl acetate, para-butylphenyl acetate, para-nonylphenyl acetate, and structurally similar compounds. The suspension also includes, as an additional suspending material, a polymer such as a branched polymeric coating material to coat the particles in suspension and act in combination with the aromatic ester suspending materials to prevent or substantially reduce agglomeration of the particles when a voltage is applied to the suspension. Other suspending materials such as non-aqueous liquids or solids may also form part of the suspending medium of this invention.

Abstract: A light valve including suspending materials which have an ability to prevent or substantially retard agglomeration of the particles in suspension during the application of a voltage to the suspension. The materials comprise aromatic esters which are derivable from aromatic alcohols, such as phenyl acetate, cresyl acetate and structurally similar compounds. Other suspending material such as non-aqueous liquids or solids may also form part of the suspending medium of this invention, used to suspend the particles. The suspension also may include a coating material to coat the particles in suspension and act in combination with the suspending materials to prevent or substantially reduce agglomeration of the particles when a voltage is applied to the suspension.