Abstract: Methods of driving a display matrix and matrix waveforms for driving said display matrix between color states are provided. Additionally, reflective displays incorporating a waveform generator to generate a waveform to drive the display from a first color state to a second color state are also provided. The reflective displays can include a display matrix having a plurality of row electrodes and a plurality of column electrodes; a plurality of display elements with an actuator to modify a color of the display element upon actuation; a fixed voltage source; and a waveform generator for determining an amount of time to apply the fixed voltage to each display element to drive the display element from a first color state to a second color state. The reflective display can be based on moving colored inks into and out of the viewable area of each display element to control the color.

Abstract: Display devices and actuators and other components for a display device are provided. Display devices are provided configured to alter an optical property by moving an amount of a first fluid through which light can pass. In some aspects, the first fluid is movable within a cavity by varying an amount of pressure on the cavity; and the display includes a means of varying the amount of pressure. The means can include an actuator. An actuator is provided that has a first cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in part by a first elastomer; a second cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in by part by a second elastomer; a channel connecting the first cavity to the second cavity; and a valve configured to be electrically operated into an open state or a closed state and thereby allow or block flow of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: Display devices and actuators and other components for a display device are provided. Display devices are provided configured to alter an optical property by moving an amount of a first fluid through which light can pass. In some aspects, the first fluid is movable within a cavity by varying an amount of pressure on the cavity; and the display includes a means of varying the amount of pressure. The means can include an actuator. An actuator is provided that has a first cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in part by a first elastomer; a second cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in by part by a second elastomer; a channel connecting the first cavity to the second cavity; and a valve configured to be electrically operated into an open state or a closed state and thereby allow or block flow of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: Display devices and actuators and other components for a display device are provided. Display devices are provided configured to alter an optical property by moving an amount of a first fluid through which light can pass. In some aspects, the first fluid is movable within a cavity by varying an amount of pressure on the cavity; and the display includes a means of varying the amount of pressure. The means can include an actuator. An actuator is provided that has a first cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in part by a first elastomer; a second cavity containing fluid and bounded at least in by part by a second elastomer; a channel connecting the first cavity to the second cavity; and a valve configured to be electrically operated into an open state or a closed state and thereby allow or block flow of the fluid through the channel.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an adaptive lens is provided. One such adaptive lens comprises at least one fluid-filled chamber located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens, and at least one elastomeric and substantially optically and/or acoustically transparent membrane, located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens and at least partially bounding one or more of the at least one fluid-filled chambers, wherein one or more of the at least one membranes is configured such that a shape of the membrane is altered upon receipt of an electric field. Some aspects provide a method of producing a lens comprising providing at least one chamber bounded at least in part by first and second membranes, and providing a fluid into the at least one chamber such that the fluid is located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens.

Abstract: A pixel device using optically active fluid contained within elastomeric materials and actuated through dielectric elastomer membrane is disclosed. The underlying mechanism of optical contrast in this display pixel is the spread and contraction of the fluid contained within a pre-stretched elastomer membrane and a substrate. The actuation mechanism for the fluid flow is a dielectric elastomer membrane coated with compliant electrodes on both sides. When both electrodes are connected to a voltage source, the oppositely charged electrodes attract each other, compressing the sandwiched elastomer membrane in the thickness direction but increasing its lateral dimension. Due to geometrical constraint, the change in the membrane lateral dimension results in the net volume change of the fluid reservoir, causing optically active fluid to move from the display cavity into the fluid reservoir or vice versa.

Abstract: According to some aspects, an adaptive lens is provided. One such adaptive lens comprises at least one fluid-filled chamber located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens, and at least one elastomeric and substantially optically and/or acoustically transparent membrane, located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens and at least partially bounding one or more of the at least one fluid-filled chambers, wherein one or more of the at least one membranes is configured such that a shape of the membrane is altered upon receipt of an electric field. Some aspects provide a method of producing a lens comprising providing at least one chamber bounded at least in part by first and second membranes, and providing a fluid into the at least one chamber such that the fluid is located within an optical and/or acoustic path of the lens.

Abstract: A pixel device using optically active fluid contained within elastomeric materials and actuated through dielectric elastomer membrane is disclosed. The underlying mechanism of optical contrast in this display pixel is the spread and contraction of the fluid contained within a pre-stretched elastomer membrane and a substrate. The actuation mechanism for the fluid flow is a dielectric elastomer membrane coated with compliant electrodes on both sides. When both electrodes are connected to a voltage source, the oppositely charged electrodes attract each other, compressing the sandwiched elastomer membrane in the thickness direction but increasing its lateral dimension. Due to geometrical constraint, the change in the membrane lateral dimension results in the net volume change of the fluid reservoir, causing optically active fluid to move from the display cavity into the fluid reservoir or vice versa.

Abstract: An x-ray image of a body can be modified by absorption of laser radiation that causes thermal gradients to be generated in portions of the body. If an object within the body has a higher optical absorption than the surrounding medium, the effect of absorption of the laser radiation is to cause the production of thermal gradients. Thermal gradients give rise to density gradients, which modify an x-ray image through changes in x-ray index of refraction at the site of the thermal gradient. The overall effect of the laser heating is to produce an x-ray contrast mechanism wherein the x-ray image becomes sensitive to differences in the optical absorption within a body. An application of the invention is for detection of tumors that are highly vascularized, using a laser operating in the near infrared.

Abstract: A security system is described wherein radio frequency or microwave radiation of high intensity is used to disable or trigger denotation of explosive devices in a controlled environment. The electromagnetic radiation transmitted from a generator is imposed on a circuit creating a voltage spike in the circuit of greater magnitude than the components in the circuit are capable of handling, resulting in damage to active or passive circuit components, or to cause the circuit to fire in a controlled environment. The invention acts to disable or cause premature detonation of concealed devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method that permits consumers to find sought after items in a retail store by accessing a computer provided with a data base containing names of items for sale and the locations of those items is described. The customer enters the name of the sought after item with a keyboard, and on execution of the program, the computer accesses a data base and returns the location of the item in the store on a screen. The database for the computer is made up using a second computer program, or a subprogram of the first program, and consists of entries of product names and their individual locations within the store.