Abstract: The present invention provides a switchable pressure activated electronic device. The switchable electronic device includes a composite material disposed between two conductors. The composite material electrically connects the two conductors when pressure is applied between them, and electrically isolates the two conductors when pressure is not applied between them. The composite includes conductive particles at least partially embedded in an insulating material. The conductive particles are disposed so that substantially all electrical connections made between the first and second conductors are through single particles.

Abstract: Provided is a dispenser for dispensing particles onto a surface comprising a hopper for receiving particles, wherein the hopper has an opening at its bottom, a screen having openings and located adjacent the opening of the hopper, wherein the screen openings are uniformly sized and spaced and are sufficiently large to let the largest particles pass through during dispensing yet sufficiently small to hold the particles back when the dispenser is not operating, and means, located outside of the hopper, for moving particles from the hopper through the screen, and onto the surface. Also provided is a method of making a web with embedded particles comprising the sequential steps of making the web receptive to the particles by heating, eliminating static charges present on the web, dispensing the particles onto the web, dispersing the particles to minimize particle clumping in the web, and embedding the dispensed particles in the web.

Abstract: A method for dispensing particles onto a surface. The steps of the process include holding the particles in a hopper having a dispensing opening covered by a screen which has uniformly sized openings that are sufficiently large to allow the largest particles to pass through, yet sufficiently small to hold the particles back when the dispenser is not operating; rotating, outside the hopper, a cylindrical brush covered with regularly spaced bristles and positioned such that the bristles protrude through openings in the screen and draw particles through the screen to dispense them onto the surface; and varying the dispensing rate of the particles by at least one of (a) varying the rotation speed of the brush, (b) adjusting the distance from the screen to the central longitudinal axis of the brush, (c) adjusting the screen opening size, (d) adjusting the brush-to-screen pressure, or (e) adjusting the tension of the screen. A method of making a web with embedded particles.

Abstract: A method of coating a polymer substrate with a dry composition comprising particles is provided. The particles have a Mohs hardness between 1 and 2.5 and preferably a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. The particles are buffed on the substrate with an applicator which moves in a manner parallel to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for dispensing particles onto a surface. The apparatus includes a hopper for receiving particles. The hopper includes a hopper opening. The screen is disposed over the hopper opening so as to cover the opening. A brush is disposed approximate to the screen such that bristles on the brush contact the screen.

Abstract: A detector plate for use in a radiation imaging system includes a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, a photoconductive layer and a second conductive layer, arranged as a stack in that order. The first conductive layer and the dielectric layer are substantially transparent to radiation energy so as to allow the energy to pass therethrough to be received by the photoconductive layer. The first conductive layer has a periphery defined by a first edge and the dielectric layer has a periphery defined by a second edge, wherein the first edge is offset inward of the second edge defining a margin between the first and second edges. In use, this margin helps inhibit electrical arcing from the first conductive layer to the second conductive layer when a high voltage is applied between these two layers.

Abstract: Compositions of the formula MX.sub.2 :Y, wherein MX.sub.2 is a layer type transition metal dichalcogenide, M is a metal selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, molybdenum and tungsten, X is a chalcogen selected from the group consisting of sulfur and selenium and Y is a material located between layers of MX.sub.2. The compositions may be prepared by the steps of first forming a suspension of the MX.sub.2 in a body of water. A liquid which is immiscible with water is added to the suspension. The suspension and immiscible liquid are agitated together to form a temporary emulsion. The emulsion is allowed to rest until the water and the liquid separate with an interface therebetween. A sheet-like composition of MX.sub.2 :Y forms at the interface. Preferably, the MX.sub.2 is in exfoliated, singular molecular thickness layers suspended in the water.