Abstract: A variable thermal insulation assembly includes at least one array comprising a plurality of sheets of film, wherein the plurality of sheets are in a stacked arrangement and each sheet is bonded to an adjacent sheet along a plurality of longitudinally extending regions such that each pair of adjacent sheets form a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities between adjacent regions of the adjacent sheets, a support frame comprising end elements, wherein the support frame frames the plurality of sheets, wherein support frame is coupled to the array to support the array such that the array may transition between an expanded state in which the array is expanded, and a compressed state in which the array is compressed, within the plane of the frame along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the longitudinally extending cavities are expanded or compressed, wherein in the expanded state, the front edge conforms to one of the second end of the support frame or a second front edge of a se

Abstract: Total internal reflection (TIR) based image displays comprise at least one high refractive index (>˜1.5) convex protrusion interfaced with a low refractive index (<˜1.5) medium. Total internal reflection of light is frustrated at this interface by movement of electrophoretically mobile particles into and out of the evanescent wave region. The size, shape and arrangement of the convex protrusions, typically in the shape of lenses, affects TIR at the interface and ultimately the brightness of the display. The brightness is a critical aspect of reflective displays. The degree of brightness determines what applications the displays may be used for and their ultimate acceptance by consumers. For example, high brightness displays allow for the use of color filter arrays for applications requiring color. The shape of the convex protrusions may be described by a polar coordinate system.

Abstract: A variable thermal insulation assembly includes at least one array comprising a plurality of sheets of film, wherein the plurality of sheets are in a stacked arrangement and each sheet is bonded to an adjacent sheet along a plurality of longitudinally extending regions such that each pair of adjacent sheets form a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities between adjacent regions of the adjacent sheets, a support frame comprising end elements, wherein the support frame frames the plurality of sheets, wherein support frame is coupled to the array to support the array such that the array may transition between an expanded state in which the array is expanded, and a compressed state in which the array is compressed, within the plane of the frame along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the longitudinally extending cavities are expanded or compressed, wherein in the expanded state, the front edge conforms to one of the second end of the support frame or a second front edge of a se

Abstract: A brightness enhancement film having a monolayer of approximately hemispherical, transparent, closely packed larger diameter hemi-beads. Due to the hemi-beads' hemispherical shape, gaps remain between adjacent ones of the larger diameter hemi-beads. A substantial number of the gaps are provided with at least one approximately hemispherical, transparent hemi-bead having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the larger diameter hemi-beads. Provision of smaller diameter hemi-beads within the gaps increases the film's reflectance value, such that the film's apparent brightness declines as a relatively smooth, continuous function of viewing angle, for viewing angles ranging from 0° (normal incidence) to about 40°, which is the preferred angular viewing range.