Abstract: The light control device has an array of prism elements, thereby forming a series of interleaving peaks and valleys along a major surface of the light control device, where the surface of the prism elements has bulging bumps and/or the bottoms of the valleys are raised. The bumps are randomly distributed; and the height of the valley bottoms can be randomly distributed, or patterned in accordance with a planar light intensity distribution along a plane. In addition, the light control device can have integrated color correcting and/or diffusing function by dispersing appropriate additives uniformly in the prism elements and/or in the substrate of the light control device. The light control device can have diffusing elements on the other major surface so that the degree of haze/surface roughness is either uniform or patterned.

Abstract: The light control device provides fillings in the valleys of the prism elements, be it uniformly or non-uniformly arranged, which is made of UV and/or thermal curable resins of an appropriate refractive index different from that of the prism elements. The optical performance of the original prism elements can be altered by the following approaches. First, the refractive index of the fillings can be appropriately chosen. Second, the fillings can be up to an appropriate height (but never overruns the surrounding prism elements). Third, the distribution of the height or the refractive index of the fillings across the light emission plane can be “patterned,” that is, in accordance with the planar light intensity distribution produced by the light source.

Abstract: A multi-function, multi-layer optical film is disclosed herein. The most basic structure of the optical film contains a first hard coat layer on a front surface of a transparent substrate. The first hard coat layer can integrate in itself the anti-glare, anti-smudge, anti-UV, and anti-static functions by blending appropriate amount of specific chemicals into the acrylate resin of the first hard coat layer. The first hard coat layer is made of acrylate resin containing an appropriate amount of polyoxetane polymers with pendant side chain having at least a fluorocarbon (C—F) bond. The constituent fluorine modifies the surface energy of the first hard coat layer so that additional function-enhancing layers can be developed from the front surface of the basic structure reliably.

Abstract: A light control device for a light source unit having a specific spatial intensity and/or spectral distribution is provided herein. The light control device is positioned on the path of the light from the light source unit and contains at least one of three light control functions, namely the diffusion, collimation, and color mixing, which has a spatial distribution of its processing power corresponding to the spatial intensity and/or spectral distribution of the incident light. The light control device could also directly or interactively combine two or more of the light control functions into a single device. At least one of the combined light control functions of the device has a spatial distribution of its processing power corresponding to the spatial intensity and/or spectral distribution of the incident light to the device.

Abstract: An improved catheter of the type used for mechanically removing arterial plaque employs shape memory alloy structures in the form of an integral portion of the catheter housing for compression against the artery wall and storage of pieces of plaque and at least one actuatable door for selectively opening and closing a window in the housing. The shape memory alloy material is heated by a remotely located current source connected to the catheter by conductors for selective activation of the alloy for a reversible change in shape such as expansion and elongation.

Abstract: An apparatus using a shape memory alloy such as nickel-titanium as a die material in one embodiment is used for performing pseudo-isostatic pressing by using a uniaxial mechanical press to densify a powder mixture, preform or presinter with or without the use of pressure transmitting powder. The apparatus can also be used to perform thermal mechanical work on any article to obtain near net shape. With controlled thermal mechanical processing and fabrication of the shape memory alloy into a die configuration, its shape can be changed from a low temperature configuration to a high temperature configuration after being heated. As a result, near net shape parts can be cold or hot pressed pseudo-isostatically without using an expensive and sophisticated press apparatus of the prior art. In a second embodiment, the shape memory alloy is employed as the expansion tooling for near net shape forming of composite materials.

Abstract: A push rod for use in launching tubular projectiles employs a pyrophoric sintered mesh cloth machined to mate with the aft end of the tubular projectile within the gun barrel. The mesh cloth is configured to be entirely consumed during the initial portion of the external ballistic cycle and to push the projectile during the internal ballistic cycle. A preselected thickness of cellulose impregnated paper sheet, adhesively bonded to the aft end of the mesh cloth, delays combustion of the push rod until after the projectile and push rod have left the gun barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus using a shape memory alloy such as nickel-titanium as a die material for performing pseudo-isostatic pressing by using a uniaxial mechanical press to densify a powder mixture, preform or presinter with or without the use of pressure transmitting powder. The process can also be used to perform thermal mechanical work on any article to obtain near net shape. With controlled thermal mechanical processing and fabrication of the shape memory alloy into a die configuration, its shape can be changed from a low temperature configuration to a high temperature configuration after being heated. The shape transformation temperature for nickel-titanium alloy in particular, ranges from about -200 degrees Centigrade to +100 degrees Centigrade depending primarily upon alloy composition.

Abstract: An apparatus using a shape memory alloy such as nickel-titanium as a reaction vessel for self-sustaining combustion (SSC) reaction synthesis of ceramics, intermetallics, metal or ceramic matrix composites and the like and as a die material for pseudo-isostatic hot pressing by providing a uniaxial mechanical press to density the reaction products with or without the use of pressure transmitting powder. The process can also be used to perform thermal mechanical work on any article synthesized by the self-sustaining combustion reaction to obtain near net shape. With controlled thermal mechanical processing and fabrication of the shape memory alloy into a die configuration, its shape can be changed from a low temperature configuration to a high temperature configuration after being heated. The shape transformation temperature for nickel-titanium alloy in particular, ranges from about -200 degrees Centigrade to +100 degrees Centigrade depending primarily upon alloy composition.