Abstract: Method for employing optical state-change organic polymer films as information-storage layers in optoelectronic, high-density memories, and high-density optoelectronic memories produced by the method. In certain embodiments, the optical state-change organic polymer films can be manufactured to exhibit two different, stable optical states, one transparent, and one light-absorbing and/or light-reflecting, that can be locally, stably, and reversibly induced by application of an electrical field. In various embodiments, information is digitally encoded in an information-storage layer as bits, the value of each bit represented by the optical state of an area of the information-storage layer corresponding to the bit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a rewritable disk memory using an electro-optical molecular recording layer. In the manner of nanotechnology, each molecule is an individual multi-position switch having at least two distinct optical characteristic states. Localized electrical field injection is used to switch each molecule to one of at least two bistable position states such that each is representative of a storable data bit.

Abstract: An optical sensor is provided, comprising (a) a silicon nanowire of finite length having an electrical contact pad at each end thereof; and (b) a plurality of self-assembled molecules on a surface of the silicon nanowire, the molecules serving to modulate electrical conductivity of the silicon nanowire by either a reversible change in dipole moment of the molecules or by a reversible molecule-assisted electron/energy transfer from the molecules onto the silicon nanowire. Further, a method of making the optical sensor is provided. The concept of molecular self-assembly is applied in attaching functional molecules onto silicon nanowire surfaces, and the requirement of molecule modification (hydroxy group in molecules) is minimal from the point view of synthetic difficulty and compatibility. Self-assembly will produce well-ordered ultra-thin films with strong chemical bonding on a surface that cannot be easily achieved by other conventional methods.

Abstract: Fuse-type and antifuse-type semiconducting-organic-polymer-film-based memory elements for use in memory devices are disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention employ a number of different techniques to alter the electrical conductance or, equivalently, the resistance, of organic-polymer-film memory elements in order to produce detectable memory-state changes in the memory elements. The techniques involve altering the electronic properties of the organic polymers by application of heat or electric fields, often in combination with additional chemical compounds, to either increase or decrease the resistance of the organic polymers.

Abstract: A self-assembled molecular color switch is formed on a substrate and comprises coupled coaxial rotors and non-coaxial stators, with each rotor rotatably connected to two stators, to form molecular planes wherein all rotors at rest are parallel to the substrate and orthogonal to an electric field. The color switch employs a novel chemistry for producing a molecular film having a field switchable color. More particularly, it is a chemistry that provides for relatively thick self-assembled molecular layers collectively having print-like optical density. Further, a means for bi-stable color switching is provided.

Abstract: A particle display device having a monolayer of a bistable polarizable molecule on either side of a gap filled with a liquid containing suspended particles. The monolayers and the liquid filled gap are disposed between patterned electrodes that are used to apply an electric field across the layers of the gap, thus influencing the orientation or the distribution of the suspended particles. The optical transmission or reflectance of the gap is dependent upon the applied electric field. The polarizable monolayers respond to the applied electric field by assuming one of two stable polarized states. The field provided by the dipoles of the molecules in the monolayer remains after the external field is removed, thereby sustaining the electric field influence on the suspended particles of the display device.

Abstract: A particle display device having a monolayer of a bistable polarizable molecule on either side of a gap filled with a liquid containing suspended particles. The monolayers and the liquid filled gap are disposed between patterned electrodes that are used to apply an electric field across the layers of the gap, thus influencing the orientation or the distribution of the suspended particles. The optical transmission or reflectance of the gap is dependent upon the applied electric field. The polarizable monolayers respond to the applied electric field by assuming one of two stable polarized states. The field provided by the dipoles of the molecules in the monolayer remains after the external field is removed, thereby sustaining the electric field influence on the suspended particles of the display device.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method of proofreading text in a computer system includes receiving text from a user into a text editing module. At least a portion of the text is converted to an audio signal upon the detection of an indicator, the indicator defining a boundary in the text by either being embodied therein or comprising delays in receiving text. The audio signal is played through a speaker to the user to provide feedback.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method of proofreading text in a computer system includes receiving text from a user into a text editing module. At least a portion of the text is converted to an audio signal. The audio signal is played through a speaker to the user to provide feedback.