Abstract: A nanocomposite material having a plurality of core particles formed of a core material. The core material has a first glass transition temperature. A shell encapsulates each core particle. The shell is formed of a shell material that has a second glass transition temperature less than the first glass transition temperature. When subjected to a temperature greater than the second glass transition temperature and less than the first glass transition temperature, the shells form a continuous matrix surrounding the core particles. The shell material includes a functional component that can be activated in response to an external excitation. This functional component can include either photosensitive, semiconductor, magnetic, piezoelectric or electro-active components just to mention a few. The different components may be chemically or physically bound to the shell or cores. These nanocomposite materials are used as storage media.

Abstract: A method for providing three dimensional optical memory storage for computers. The method comprises subjecting a nanocomposite to irradiation. The nanocomposite comprises a matrix of particles of a liquid core resin within an inner shell resin and an outer shell resin. The inner shell resin retains the liquid core resin while the outer shell resin forms a continuous phase of the matrix. The particles of core resin contain at least one photosensitive compound and are in an array in the matrix. The continuous phase is substantially free of photosensitive compound. The irradiation may be a single beam of irradiation selectively focused on individual particles in the array to effect photobleaching of individual particles or a two-photon irradiation of a wavelength to effect photobleaching.

Abstract: A method of producing three dimensional ordered arrays of particles. The method may be used for the preparation of nanocomposite materials with highly periodic structures. More particularly the invention provides a method of producing three dimensional arrays based on applying a controlled oscillatory motion to settling dispersions of colloid particles. The controlled oscillatory motion is characterized by G=A&ohgr;2/g, wherein g is the gravitational constant, A is the displacement and &ohgr; is angular frequency. G is maintained in the desired range by varying values of A within an effective range of displacements and &ugr; within an effective range of frequencies.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material having a plurality of core particles formed of a core material. The core material has a first glass transition temperature. A shell encapsulates each core particle. The shell is formed of a shell material that has a second glass transition temperature less than the first glass transition temperature. When subjected to a temperature greater than the second glass transition temperature and less than the first glass transition temperature, the shells form a continuous matrix surrounding the core particles. The shell material includes a functional component that can be activated in response to an external excitation. This functional component can include either photosensitive, semiconductor, magnetic, piezoelectric or electro-active components just to mention a few. The different components may be chemically or physically bound to the shell or cores. These nanocomposite materials are used as storage media.

Abstract: A method for providing three dimensional optical memory storage for computers. The method comprises subjecting a nanocomposite to irradiation. The nanocomposite comprises a matrix of particles of a liquid core resin within an inner shell resin and an outer shell resin. The inner shell resin retains the liquid core resin while the outer shell resin forms a continuous phase of the matrix. The particles of core resin contain at least one photosensitive compound and are in an array in the matrix. The continuous phase is substantially free of photosensitive compound. The irradiation may be a single beam of irradiation selectively focused on individual particles in the array to effect photobleaching of individual particles or a two-photon irradiation of a wavelength to effect photobleaching.

Abstract: A composition including a matrix comprised of particles comprised of a core resin and a shell resin thereover, wherein the core resin contains a covalently bonded photosensitive compound, and wherein the shell resin is the continuous phase of the matrix.

Abstract: A composition including a matrix comprised of particles comprised of a core resin and a shell resin thereover, wherein the core resin contains a covalently bonded photosensitive compound, and wherein the shell resin is the continuous phase of the matrix.