Abstract: Fibers having at least one near-infrared fluorescing compound associated therewith are prepared by contacting the fibers with the fluorescing compound(s) dissolved in an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include ketones and alcohols. The fibers may subsequently be air-dried to remove any remaining volatiles. Fibers coated with the marker solution desirably have less than 1 weight percent of the marker coated thereon.

Abstract: Electrochromic display devices, whose plates having conductive coatings are subdivided into segments which are electrically separated from one another, can be contacted individually and, between the plates, contain a solvent, specific electrochromic substances and optionally conductive salts, are distinguished by excellent edge definition and high contrast.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when the traveling of an automatic guided vehicle is optically controlled, a traveling controlling means containing a luminescent compound satisfying the following formula (1) is placed in a predetermined range for traveling of the automatic guided vehicle: A−B≧150 nm  (1) wherein, A represents the minimum wavelength end (nm) of the luminescent compound, and B represents the maximum wavelength end (nm) of an irradiation light used for the traveling controlling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for directly determining the concentration of a target species, such as Fries product, in a composition comprising aromatic carbonate chain units. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of irradiating a portion of the composition with electromagnetic radiation at an excitation wavelength sufficient to cause the target species to emit a fluorescence spectrum; detecting at least a portion of the fluorescence spectrum; and determining the concentration of the target species from the fluorescence spectrum. In addition to detecting Fries product in formed polycarbonate materials, the method can also be utilized to directly determine the concentration of a target species in parallel polycarbonate reactor systems.

Abstract: Electroluminescent phosphor powders and a method for making phosphor powders. The phosphor powders have a small particle size, narrow particle size distribution and are substantially spherical. The method of the invention advantageously permits the economic production of such powders. The invention also relates to improved devices, such as electroluminescent display devices, incorporating the phosphor powders.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electrochrome system comprising a mixture of reducible and oxidizable substances RED1 and OX2, at lest one RED1′-OX2′ pair being covalently interlinked via a bridge and, for at least one RED1″ or OX2″ substance, the reciprocal conversion of the oxidized form and the reduced form being brought about by the fracture or formation of a &sgr;-bond. The electrochrome system is characterized by simplified electron transfer and reduced secondary reactions.

Abstract: Aqueous, fluorescent red ink jet inks which meet US Postal Service requirements for metered mail are disclosed and comprise an aqueous vehicle, a red or magenta pigment, a polymeric dispersant, a fluorescent dye and, optionally a hydrotrope additive.