Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions that exhibit little or no toxicity with respect to cells include liquid crystals with chemical functional groups such as fluorine atoms, fluorophenyl groups, or difluorophenyl groups. Liquid crystals with little or no toxicity to cell lines may be added to cell culture media or added to components used in cell culture media. Cells may be grown in cell culture media that includes liquid crystals that exhibit little or no toxicity to cells.

Abstract: Alkanethiols of formula (1) and the enantiomers of the alkanethiol of formula (1): HS-L-Q-T??(1), and disulfides of formula (3) and the enantiomers of the disulfide of formula (3): T-Q-L S-S-J??(3), where -T is a moiety of formula (2) R1 and R2 are each individually selected from the group consisting of H and OH; a is 0 to 3; b is 0 to 3; and indicates that the chirality of the carbon atom to which it is attached is either R or S; may form inert surfaces that prevent the unwanted adsorption of proteins and cells.

Abstract: Alkanethiols of formula (1) and the enantimomers of the alkanethiol of formula (1): HS-L-Q-T??(1), and disulfides of formula (3) and the enantimomers of the disulfide of formula (3): T-Q-L-S—S-J??(3), where -T is a moiety of formula (2) R1 and R2 are each individually selected from the group consisting of H and OH; a is 0 to 3; b is 0 to 3; and indicates that the chirality of the carbon atom to which it is attached is either R or S; may form inert surfaces that prevent the unwanted adsorption of proteins and cells.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions that exhibit little or no toxicity with respect to cells include liquid crystals with chemical functional groups such as fluorine atoms, fluorophenyl groups, or difluorophenyl groups. Liquid crystals with little or no toxicity to cell lines may be added to cell culture media or added to components used in cell culture media. Cells may be grown in cell culture media that includes liquid crystals that exhibit little or no toxicity to cells.

Abstract: A method for preparing a metallized surface that possesses gradients in surface topography includes obliquely depositing a metal from a metal source onto a surface of a support. The surface of the support includes a first end, a second end, and a region between the first and second ends. The second end of the surface is located nearer to the metal source than is the first end, and the metal is deposited onto the first end of the surface at a first angle of incidence and the metal is deposited onto the second end of the surface at a second angle of incidence. The first angle of incidence is greater than the second angle of incidence, and the metal is deposited onto the region between the first and second ends at angles of incidence that vary over the region to produce the metallized surface with gradients in surface topography. The angles of incidence are measured from the normal of the support.

Abstract: The invention provides liquid crystal switching devices, liquid crystal cells made from the switching devices, and electrooptical cells made from the switching devices. The invention further provides methods for methods for changing the orientation of a liquid crystal in a liquid crystal switching device. The liquid crystal switching devices are constructed from a redox-active material supported by a substrate and a liquid crystal having a salt dispersed therein disposed atop the redox-active material.

Abstract: A method for preparing a metallized surface that possesses gradients in surface topography includes obliquely depositing a metal from a metal source onto a surface of a support. The surface of the support includes a first end, a second end, and a region between the first and second ends. The second end of the surface is located nearer to the metal source than is the first end, and the metal is deposited onto the first end of the surface at a first angle of incidence and the metal is deposited onto the second end of the surface at a second angle of incidence. The first angle of incidence is greater than the second angle of incidence, and the metal is deposited onto the region between the first and second ends at angles of incidence that vary over the region to produce the metallized surface with gradients in surface topography. The angles of incidence are measured from the normal of the support.

Abstract: The invention provides liquid crystal switching devices, liquid crystal cells made from the switching devices, and electrooptical cells made from the switching devices. The invention further provides methods for methods for changing the orientation of a liquid crystal in a liquid crystal switching device. The liquid crystal switching devices are constructed from a redox-active material supported by a substrate and a liquid crystal having a salt dispersed therein disposed atop the redox-active material.