Abstract: Conductive polymers having a star structure comprising a central core with multiple attachment sites and conjugated charge transporting arms radiating therefrom. The cores are derived from hyperbranched polymers, dendrimers, or other molecules with a multiplicity of attachment sites. The arms are derived from conjugated oligomers and polymers such as polythiophene, polyaniline or polyphenylene. The subject polymers allow assembly of the macromolecules in all three dimensions in the solid state. A ramification of the compact assembly is the realization of highly reflective, smooth coatings simply applied from solution. A preferred embodiment having a 1,3,5 hyperbranched polyphenylene core and poly (3-hexylthiophene) arms provides lustrous reflective gold coatings.

Abstract: A thin film matrix for biomolecules, suitable for forming electrochemical and biosensors comprising a general class of materials known as hydrous metal oxides which are also conductive or semiconductive of electrons and which have been shown to have excellent stability against dissolution or irreversible reaction in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions. The composites are bifunctional, providing both amperometric and potentiometric (pH) transduction. The thin film composites of the oxides and biological molecules such as enzymes, antibodies, antigens and DNA strands can be used for both amperometric and potentiometric sensing. Hydrous Ir oxide is the preferred matrix embodiment, but conducting or semiconducting oxides, of Ru, Pd, Pt, Zr, Ti and Rh and mixtures thereof have similar features. The hydrous oxides are very stable against oxidation damage.

Abstract: Polymer electrolytes comprising co-polymers of vinylic, protonic acids and N,N' dialkyl substituted acrylamides and methacrylamides with high anodic stability, reduced acidity and high mechanical stiffness suitable for electrochromic devices, such as windows, mirrors and information displays. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a co-polymer with a composition of 30% 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid, 50% N,N dimethyl acrylamide and 20% water by weight.

Abstract: A method for preparing an oxidatively coloring electrochromic layer of composition M.sub.y CrO.sub.2+x (0.33.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2.0 and x.ltoreq.2) where M=Li, Na or K and an electrochromic devise employing this layer with improved transmittance modulation, improved thermal and environmental stability, and improved resistance to degradation in organic liquid and polymeric electrolytes. The M.sub.y CrO.sub.2+x provides complementary optical modulation to cathodically coloring materials in thin-film electrochromic glazings and electrochromic devices employing polymeric Li.sup.+ ion conductors.

Abstract: A substrate and apparatus for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting constituents of an environment by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The substrate is composed of two separate phases: an adsorbing phase which has an affinity for the molecular constituents of interest, and a metallic phase that possesses the specific geometry, chemical and electromagnetic properties required to enhance emission of Raman signal frequencies of adsorbed molecules. An apparatus is provided which includes a monochromatic light source, a means to transmit the desired wavelength from the light source to the surface substrate surface, a means to collect the scattered Raman signal frequencies and transmit them to a detector, and a means to analyze the recorded response.

Abstract: A fiber-optic probe which is useful for measuring Raman spectra of samples remote from the light source and detector. The probe head contains optical components which selectively remove unwanted fluorescence and Raman scattering arising from the interaction between the Raman excitation source radiation and the input optical fiber. The optics also filter the Raman excitation source into a return optical fiber leading to a spectrometer or detector. In one embodiment, the disposition of optical components provides a compact probe geometry with parallel input and output fibers at one end and a sampling port at the other end. An encasement for the optics is also disclosed, for sealing the components against the environment, and for coupling the probe to specialized sampling attachments, such as for conducting Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.

Abstract: An oxidatively coloring electrochromic layer of composition M.sub.y CrO.sub.2+x (0.33.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2.0 and x.ltoreq.2) where M=Li, Na or K with improved transmittance modulation, improved thermal and environmental stability, and improved resistance to degradation in organic liquid and polymeric electrolytes. The M.sub.y CrO.sub.2+x provides complementary optical modulation to cathodically coloring materials in thin-film electrochromic glazings and electrochromic devices employing polymeric Li.sup.+ ion conductors.

Abstract: A process, based on sputtering from metal sources, is disclosed for forming a stable, reduced electrochromic layer in contact with an ionically conducting oxide. A deposited electrochromic layer is reduced by sputtering onto it an alloy or composite metallic thin film capable of injecting insertion atoms into the electrochromic layer. The metallic thin film, now partially depleted in insertion atoms, is converted into an electronically insulating but ionically conducting oxide layer in an oxidizing atmosphere. The resultant two-layer structure, consisting of the reduced electrochromic layer capped by the insulating oxide, may be used as on component in an all solid-state electrochromic device.

Abstract: An all solid-state variable transmission electrochromic device has a source of charge compensating ions. An inorganic oxide counterelectrode film which on reduction with the accompanying insertion of the charge compensating ions increases its transmission of light of predetermined wavelength is separated from a primary electrochromic film which on reduction with the accompanying insertion of the charge compensating ions decreases its transmission of light of predetermined wavelength by an insulating electrolyte film that transports the charge compensating ions. First and second electrodes are contiguous with the inorganic oxide counter electrode film and the primary electrochromic film, respectively, and separated by the three films.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a chemical substance includes an insertion element having a structure which enables insertion of the chemical substance with a resulting change in the bulk electrical characteristics of the insertion element under conditions sufficient to permit effective insertion; the change in the bulk electrical characteristics of the insertion element is detected as an indication of the presence of the chemical substance.

Abstract: In a device for transmitting light, means for controlling the transmissivity of the device, including a ceramic, reversibly electrochromic, crystalline element having a highly reflective state when injected with electrons and charge compensating ions and a highly transmissive state when the electrons and ions are removed, the crystalline element being characterized as having a reflectivity of at least 50% in the reflective state and not greater than 10% in the transmissive state, and means for modulating the crystalline element between the reflective and transmissive states by injecting ions into the crystalline element in response to an applied electrical current of a first polarity and removing the ions in response to an applied electrical current of a second polarity.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell comprising a sealed container having a light-transmitting window for admitting light into the container across a light-admitting plane, an electrolyte in the container, a photoelectrode in the container having a light-absorbing surface arranged to receive light from the window and in contact with the electrolyte, the surface having a plurality of spaced portions oblique to the plane, each portion having dimensions at least an order of magnitude larger than the maximum wavelength of incident sunlight, the total surface area of the surface being larger than the area of the plane bounded by the container, and a counter electrode in the container in contact with the electrolyte.

Abstract: An all solid-state variable transmission electrochromic device has a source of charge compensating ions. An inorganic oxide counterelectrode film which on reduction with the accompanying insertion of the charge compensating ions increases its transmission of light of predetermined wavelength is separated from a primary electrochromic film which on reduction with the accompanying insertion of the charge compensating ions decreases its transmission of light of predetermined wavelength by an insulating electrolyte film that transports the charge compensating ions. First and second electrodes are contiguous with the inorganic oxide counter electrode film and the primary electrochromic film, respectively, and separated by the three films.