Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of preparing anti-oxidant-modified latex particulates, ink-jet inks, and coating compositions. The present invention is also drawn to related latexes and ink-jet inks. The method can include steps of generating an emulsion with a hydrophilic continuous phase and a hydrophobic discontinuous phase, wherein the hydrophobic discontinuous phase includes monomers for polymerization, at least one monomer being modified by an anti-oxidant moiety; and polymerizing the monomers in the hydrophobic discontinuous phase using a biocatalytic polymerization process.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an aqueous emulsion composition. The composition includes an aqueous phase and a hydrophobic phase dispersed in the aqueous phase, which includes a plurality of hydrophobic monomers. The monomers are acid-functionalized and hydrophobic, with less than 10% solubility in water. In one aspect, the monomers can be aromatic. Such monomers can be polymerized with other monomers to form latex particulates. A latex can include latex particulates dispersed in an aqueous fluid medium. In one embodiment, latex particulates can include from about 0.1 wt % to about 25 wt % of polymerized hydrophobic acid-functionalized monomer, and at least one other polymerized film-forming monomer. The latex can be formulated as an ink-jet ink.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to compositions and methods of generating active ester functionalized latex particulates in a liquid suspension, as well as compositions and methods of preparing ink-jet inks. Steps of the methods can include synthesizing polymerizable monomers with active ester groups and polymerizing these monomers with other monomers to form functionalized latex particulates having active ester group. These latex particulates can be used in a wide variety of applications, including in ink-jet ink printing applications.

Abstract: Classes of molecules are disclosed which can, for example, be used in molecular switches. The classes of molecules include at least three segments—an electronic donor (“D”), a switchable bridge (“B”), and an electronic acceptor (“A”)—chemically connected and linearly arranged (e.g., D-B-A). The electronic donor can be an aromatic ring system with at least one electron donating group covalently attached; an aromatic ring system with an electron withdrawing group covalently attached is usually employed as the electronic acceptor; and the switchable bridge can be a pi system that can be switched on or off using an external electric field.

Abstract: An electronically addressable display comprises a substrate, at least one polarization-type, electrical field switchable molecular colorant associated with the substrate, and an addressing device mounted for selectively switching the at least one molecular colorant between at least two visually distinguishable states. Electronic devices including the electronically addressable displays and methods of manufacturing the electronically addressable display are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the use of blocked maleimide monomers for the preparation of latex particles, including those having active maleimide surface groups. In accordance with this, a method of forming latex particulates can comprise the steps of preparing a monomer emulsion including an aqueous phase and an organic monomer phase, wherein the organic monomer phase includes at least one blocked maleimide monomer; polymerizing the organic monomer phase to form blocked maleimide latex particulates dispersed in the aqueous phase; and unblocking the blocked maleimide latex particulates to form latex particulates with active maleimide groups at least on the surface of the latex particulates.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a molecular switch, comprising: a donor subunit; an acceptor subunit; and an aromatic bridging subunit comprising one or more bridging groups for bonding the donor subunit to the aromatic bridging subunit and for bonding the acceptor subunit to the aromatic bridging subunit wherein the aromatic bridging subunit is conformable in a manner effective for polarizing and de-polarizing the molecular switch at a low electric field voltage.

Abstract: A method of attaching a molecular layer to a substrate includes attaching a temporary protecting group(s) to a molecule having a molecular switching moiety with first and second connecting groups attached to opposed ends thereof. The temporary protecting group(s) is attached to the first and/or second connecting group so as to cause the opposed ends of the switching moiety to exhibit a difference in hydrophilicity such that one of the ends remains at at least one of a water/solvent interface and a water/air interface, and the other end remains in air during a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) process. An LB film is formed on the interface. The temporary protecting group(s) is removed. The substrate is passed through the LB film to form the molecular layer chemically bonded on the substrate. The difference in hydrophilicity between the opposed ends causes formation of a substantially well-oriented, uniform LB film at the interface.

Abstract: Langmuir-Blodgett films are provided in which a molecule is chemically bonded with a bottom electrode substrate as part of a crossed wire device comprising two electrodes and a molecular layer therebetween. The molecule, which comprises a switchable moiety and a connecting moiety, is provided with a photolabile capping group attached to the connecting moiety. The photolabile capping group temporarily caps the reactive connecting group of the molecule. The capped molecules are processed to form a LB film on the water-air interface of water. The films are then exposed to UV light. The photolabile capping group decomposes to give back the connecting group, which remains in the water. As the uncapped LB films are transferred to a bottom electrode substrate, the surface of the electrode reacts with the reactive connecting group of the molecule to form a chemically bonded LB layer on the substrate, thereby providing improved LB films.

Abstract: Nanocrystal-polymer composite materials include nanocrystals chemically attached to molecules of a polymer matrix material by way of a chemical complex or a covalent bond. Electronic devices include an anode, a cathode, and such nanocrystal-polymer composite materials disposed between the anode and the cathode. Methods of chemically attaching each of a plurality of nanocrystals to at least one molecule of a polymer matrix material include coating the nanocrystals with ligands that each include a binding group and a first functional group, providing a polymer material having a second functional group covalently bonded thereto, and reacting the first functional groups with the second functional groups to form covalently bonded links. Additional methods include providing a polymer material having binding groups covalently attached to molecules thereof, providing a plurality of nanocrystals, and forming a chemical complex or a covalent bond between each nanocrystal and a bind group.

Abstract: A driving circuit of a plasma display panel (PDP) and a reset circuit thereof are disclosed. The above-mentioned driving circuit includes a reset circuit and a sustaining circuit. The reset circuit is connected to a display cell of the PDP and generates a reset signal for the above-mentioned display cell by means of an LC resonance. The sustaining circuit provides a sustaining voltage to the above-described display cell during the sustaining period of the display cell.

Abstract: A molecular system that is reversibly switchable between four states includes two or more ends. At least three rotors and at least two stators are located between the ends. Each of the rotors is capable of rotating when under the influence of an electric field having a predetermined strength. The predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating one of the rotors is different than that of the predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating each of the other rotors. One or more conjugated connecting units links at least one of the at least three rotors and at least one of the at least two stators. The rotation of at least one of the at least three rotors switches the molecular system to one of the four states.

Abstract: An air filtering device for protection suits includes a case in which a fan unit is received and a filtering unit is engaged with a hole in a wall of the case and located outside of the case. A duct of the fan unit extends through a top of the case and is in communication with a muffler connected on the top of the case. A hose is connected with an aperture of the muffler. The fan unit can be driven by AC or DC power and the noise from the fan unit can be reduced by the muffler.

Abstract: A method for reversibly switching a molecular system between three or four states is disclosed. The method includes exposing a photochromic compound within the molecular system to at least one radiation and at least one of an acid and a base. Upon such exposure, the photochromic compound switches from one of the three or four states to an other of the three or four states.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of printing metallic elements, comprising steps of forming a photo-degradable polymer template comprising a photo-degradable polymer, depositing a metal layer on the template, and adhering at least a portion of the metal layer to a substrate. Additional steps include exposing the template to photo energy to cause the photo-degradable polymer to degrade, and leaving at least a portion of the metal layer adhered to the substrate to form printed metallic elements.

Abstract: A thermo-sensitve copolymer of following formula; is disclosed; wherein R1 is hydrogen, or —C(?O)—R2; R2 is C7-30 alkyl substituted or unsubstituted with functional groups; R3 is hydrogen, or C1-6 alkyl; and x, y or z individually is an integer greater than 0. The thermo-sensitive copolymers disclosed here are easy to be implanted into a human body through injection. The biodegradability is greatly improved and the cytotoxicity of the copolymers is low.

Abstract: Bistable molecules are provided with at least one photosensitive functional group. As thus constituted, the bistable molecules are photopatternable, thereby allowing fabrication of micrometer-scale and nanometer-scale circuits in discrete areas without relying on a top conductor as a mask. The bistable molecules may comprise molecules that undergo redox reactions, such as rotaxanes and catenanes, or may comprise molecules that undergo an electric-field-induced band gap change that causes the molecules, or a portion thereof, to rotate, bend, twist, or otherwise change from a substantially fully conjugated state to a less conjugated state. The change in states in the latter case results in a change in electrical conductivity.

Abstract: Bistable molecules are provided with at least one photosensitive functional group. As thus constituted, the bistable molecules are photopatternable, thereby allowing fabrication of micrometer-scale and nanometer-scale circuits in discrete areas without relying on a top conductor as a mask. The bistable molecules may comprise molecules that undergo redox reactions, such as rotaxanes and catenanes, or may comprise molecules that undergo an electric-field-induced band gap change that causes the molecules, or a portion thereof, to rotate, bend, twist, or otherwise change from a substantially fully conjugated state to a less conjugated state. The change in states in the latter case results in a change in electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A sensor array for sensing at least one of chemical moieties and biological moieties is provided. The sensor array comprises a plurality of working electrodes electrically associated with a reference electrode, each working electrode in combination with the reference electrode forming a transducer. Each working electrode is provided with a coating of a sensing element comprised of an ionizable moiety and a functional group sensitive to one of the chemical and/or biological moieties.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a composition or layered composite for absorbing and utilizing radiant energy in a solar cell. The composition can comprise a blend of a push-pull copolymer including at least one electron donor entity and at least one electron acceptor entity, and a fullerene composition. The layered composite can comprise a push-pull copolymer including at least one electron donor entity and at least one electron acceptor entity configured in a first layer, and a fullerene composition configured in a second layer. The first layer is typically in contact with the second layer.