Abstract: Changes in the infrared reflection spectrum of a thin film of silica-like resinous material sandwiched between metal electrodes can be induced by applying an electric potential to a top electrode which is semitransparent. Characteristic infrared absorption lines change in proportion to a small electric current flowing through the material. These changes occur with response times of the order of seconds, and show time constants of the order of minutes to reach stationary values.

Abstract: Changes in the infrared reflection spectrum of a thin film of silica-like resinous material sandwiched between metal electrodes can be induced by applying an electric potential to a top electrode which is semitransparent. Characteristic infrared absorption lines change in proportion to a small electric current flowing through the material. These changes occur with response times of the order of seconds, and show time constants of the order of minutes to reach stationary values.

Abstract: A photoluminescent material is prepared by preparing a gel from a solution of the resin in a solvent, and pyrolyzing the resin gel in oxygen by heating the gel to a temperature above approximately 400° C. for about two hours.

Abstract: Nanoparticles of silicon oxide alloys (i.e., oxides of SiMo, SiPt, and SiAl) are produced by laser vaporization of a silicon target and a target of a metal (i.e., Mo, Pt, or Al), in an oxygen containing atmosphere in a diffusion cloud chamber, where the target metal vapors aggregate into novel three-dimensional porous web structures. The structures have a homogeneous composition with a uniform ratio of silicon to the metal.

Abstract: A photoluminescent material is prepared by burning hydrogen silsesquioxane resin powder in a crucible in oxygen or ammonia atmosphere at a temperature above 400.degree. C. for about two hours. The photoluminescent material has a smooth compact surface surrounding a porous and loosely packed interior, the smooth compact surface exhibiting blue photoluminescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and the interior portion exhibits photoluminescence at longer wavelengths when irradiated under the same conditions with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Photoluminescent polydisilacyclobutanes are made by reacting a dialkenyldihalocarbosilane with an organolithium reagent in the presence of a solvent at 0-25 .degree. C.

Abstract: A method of making silicon oxide nanoparticles possessing photoluminescence in the blue and green part of the visible spectrum when irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light. The silicon oxide nanoparticles are formed in a chamber containing a direct current (dc) electric arc that generates a plasma in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. In the chamber, silicon is used as the anode, and the cathode can be copper (Cu) or tungsten (W). The use of silicon as an electrode is enabled by doping silicon with boron to a sufficiently high electronic conductivity, and orienting the two electrodes vertically in the chamber, so that the silicon anode is lowermost to contain silicon in the anode when it melts and vaporizes in the arc. The silicon oxide nanoparticles are collected on a cold plate adjacent to the arc.

Abstract: A curable silicone is used to encapsulate porous, photoluminescing silica nanoparticles having three-dimensional, web-like structures. The encapsulation protects the silica nanoparticles, preserves their photoluminescent effect, and can be used as a coating. The composition is used to prepare articles of manufacture by casting it on a substrate such as glass or a silicon wafer and curing it. Special effects can be obtained by using a mask on the substrate prior to deposit of nanoparticles and curing the silicone matrix.

Abstract: Photoluminescent polydisilacyclobutanes are made by reacting a dialkenyldihalosilane with an organolithium reagent in the presence of a solvent at 0-25.degree. C. Optional reactants such as aromatic acetylenic hydrocarbons or bicyclic dienes may also be included.

Abstract: Photoluminescent bicyclic polydisilacyclobutanes are made by reacting a dialkenyldihalocarbosilane with an organolithium reagent in the presence of a solvent at 0.degree.-25.degree. C.

Abstract: Silacyclobutene monomers, and polymers based on silacyclobutene building blocks, exhibit photoluminescence in the blue region of the visible spectrum when excited by ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A method of making silicon oxide nanoparticles possessing photoluminescence in the blue and green part of the visible spectrum when irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light. The silicon oxide nanoparticles are formed in a chamber containing a direct current (dc) electric arc that generates a plasma in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. In the chamber, silicon is used as the anode, and the cathode can be copper (Cu) or tungsten (W). The use of silicon as an electrode is enabled by doping silicon with boron to a sufficiently high electronic conductivity, and orienting the two electrodes vertically in the chamber, so that the silicon anode is lowermost to contain silicon in the anode when it melts and vaporizes in the arc. The silicon oxide nanoparticles are collected on a cold plate adjacent to the arc.

Abstract: A web-like nanoparticle silicon is produced by laser vaporization of silicon metal in an oxygen-free atmosphere in a diffusion cloud chamber where it aggregates into novel web-like microstructures. The aggregates are porous, and bright yellow to orange photoluminescence from the web-like nanoparticle silicon is observed upon irradiation with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming luminescent coatings on substrates and the substrates coated thereby. The method comprises applying a coating comprising hydrogen silsesquioxane resin and a phosphor filler on a substrate and heating the coated substrate at a temperature sufficient to convert the hydrogen silsesquioxane resin to a ceramic coating.

Abstract: A web-like nanoparticle silica is produced by laser vaporization of silicon metal in a helium/oxygen atmosphere in a diffusion cloud chamber where it aggregates into novel web-like microstructures. The aggregates are porous and have a surface area greater than 300 m.sup.2 /g. Bright blue photoluminescence from the web-like nanoparticle silica is observed upon irradiation with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising hydrogen silsesquioxane resin and a phosphor filler diluted in a solvent. These compositions are used to form luminescent coatings on substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed are powders containing silica precursors having metals deposited on their surface. The powders are produced by vacuum evaporation of the metal onto the surface of the powder. These powders are useful for forming colloidal dispersion, gels and ceramics with metals dispersed therein.

Abstract: A synthetic neural network having a plurality of neuronal elements arranged in an input layer, an output layer, and a hidden layer between the input layer and the output layer. The network has a first plurality of synaptic weighting elements interconnecting the neuronal elements of the input layer with the neuronal elements of the hidden layer, and a second plurality of synaptic weighting elements interconnecting the neuronal elements of the hidden layer with the neuronal elements of the output layer. The improvement involves the synaptic weighting elements in the synthetic neural network being in the form of a silicon dioxide film derived from a hydrogen silsesquioxane resin. Such a silicon dioxide film is characterized by a jV curve which includes both linear and non-linear regions.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence or measuring the concentration, of a reactive gas in an inert ambient gas by (i) placing a silicon dioxide film derived from the oxidation of a hydrogen silsesquioxane resin in the inert ambient gas; (ii) passing the inert ambient gas over the film; (iii) monitoring a change in the current flow through the film at a voltage below and above a threshold voltage, as an indication of the presence in the inert ambient gas of a reactive gas; and (iv) determining the threshold voltage of the film as a measure of the concentration of the reactive gas in the inert ambient gas. The silicon dioxide film is characterized by a current-voltage curve which includes both linear and non-linear regions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a threshold switching device which exhibits negative differential resistance, and which is made by depositing a silicon dioxide film derived from hydrogen silsesquioxane resin between at least two electrodes and then applying a voltage above a threshold voltage across the electrodes.