Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention relates to the use of a UV-polymerizable composition as an embedding medium for biological samples. The UV-polymerizable composition is a composition with a refractive index ranging from n=1.45 to n=1.6 after a polymerization process. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing embedded biological samples using said UV-polymerizable composition and to the embedded biological samples themselves. The biological samples can be used in a wide variety of areas, such as diagnostics among others, and are suitable in particular for RNA-based diagnostics.

Abstract: One aspect is contemplated for providing a device having a liquid crystal material exhibiting a dielectric constant of 1000 or more at a temperature at which a specific liquid crystal phase is developed, and a unit configured to apply voltage to the liquid crystal material at the temperature at which the specific liquid crystal phase is developed.

Abstract: A light controlling apparatus includes first and second substrates facing each other; a first electrode on the first substrate; a second electrode on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the liquid crystal layer including cholesteric liquid crystals, wherein the cholesteric liquid crystals have a focal conic state in a light shielding mode in case where no voltage is applied, and have a homeotropic state in a transparent mode in case where a voltage is applied.

Abstract: A curved liquid crystal display (“LCD”) includes a thin film transistor (“TFT”) array substrate, a counter substrate facing the TFT array substrate, a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules of negative dielectric anisotropy and disposed between the TFT array substrate and the counter substrate, a liquid crystal alignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the counter substrate, a liquid crystal alignment base layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the TFT array substrate, and a liquid crystal alignment stabilization layer including projections spaced apart from each other on the liquid crystal alignment base layer between the liquid crystal layer and the liquid crystal alignment base layer, wherein the projections include reactive mesogen polymers, and one of the liquid crystal alignment layer and the liquid crystal alignment base layer includes the reactive mesogen polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent display device in which a light shield rate is not lowered by partition walls in a light shield mode, and moreover, a light transmittance is not lowered in a transmissive mode. The transparent display device includes a transparent display panel including a plurality of transmissive areas transmitting incident light and a plurality of emissive areas emitting light, and a light control device disposed on a rear surface of the transparent display panel. The light control device is configured to be driven in a transmissive mode where the incident light is transmitted and a light shield mode where the incident light is blocked.

Abstract: Provided are an encapsulation film, an organic electronic device comprising the same, and a method of manufacturing the organic electronic device. When the organic electronic device is encapsulated using the encapsulation film, an excellent moisture barrier property may be realized, and as reflection or scattering of light is prevented by absorbing and blocking internal or external light, external defects of the organic electronic device may be prevented.

Abstract: Provided herewith is a liquid crystal display device comprising a substrate; first and second electrodes on a first surface of the substrate, the first and second electrodes being spaced apart from each other; a liquid crystal capsule layer on the first and second electrodes; and a dielectric layer on the liquid crystal capsule layer. In this liquid crystal display device the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer is lower than the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal capsule layer.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to transparent display apparatus including a transparent display panel. The transparent display panel includes a plurality of transmissive areas transmitting incident light and a plurality of emissive areas emitting light and a light control device disposed on one surface of the transparent display panel to execute a transmissive mode, where incident light is transmitted, and a light shield mode where incident light is blocked. The light control device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a liquid crystal cell provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a partition wall maintaining a cell gap of the liquid crystal cell. The partition wall has a honeycomb structure, and a plurality of column spacers are disposed between partition walls.

Abstract: Provided are an encapsulation film, an organic electronic device comprising the same, and a method of manufacturing the organic electronic device. When the organic electronic device is encapsulated using the encapsulation film, an excellent moisture barrier property may be realized, and as reflection or scattering of light is prevented by absorbing and blocking internal or external light, external defects of the organic electronic device may be prevented.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a display panel including first and second substrates opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates; a reflective polarizer disposed outside the first substrate; and a backlight unit disposed outside the first substrate to provide light to the display panel, where the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules and dichroic dye molecules, and the liquid crystal layer has a first arrangement state in which the liquid crystal molecules and the dichroic dye molecules are arranged at random.

Abstract: A polymeric dispersed liquid crystal light shutter device and system and method for forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, a catoptric form having a shape is subjacently positioned below a pre-cure or un-cured polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) light shutter device having liquid crystals dispersed in a polymer binder system between two substrates. Light is applied during curing. The liquid crystal microdroplet sizes vary according to the shape of the catoptric form such that domains of smaller liquid crystal microdroplet sizes correspond to the shape and domains of larger liquid crystal microdroplet sizes correspond to negative space relative to the shape. Upon tuning an electric field, the PDLC light shutter device changes states from presenting a surface having an image formed by non-scattering regions contrasted against opaque scattering regions, to a surface characterized by mostly or entirely clear, non-scattering light transmittance.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) can have a phosphonate conformal-coating to protect the WGP from at least one of the following: corrosion, dust, and damage due to tensile forces in a liquid on the WGP. The conformal-coating can include a chemical: where R1 can include a hydrophobic group, Z can include a bond to the ribs, and R5 can be any suitable chemical element or group. A method of applying a phosphonate conformal-coating over a WGP can include exposing the WGP to (R1)iPO(R4)j(R5)k, where: i is 1 or 2, j is 1 or 2, k is 0 or 1, and i+j+k=3; each R1 can independently include a hydrophobic group; R4 can include a phosphonate-reactive-group; each R6 can independently include an alkyl group, an aryl group, or combinations thereof; and each R5, if any, can independently be any suitable chemical element or group.

Abstract: A curved liquid crystal display comprises, a first curved substrate; a second curved substrate facing the first curved substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first curved substrate and the second curved substrate; a first curved liquid crystal alignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the first curved substrate and containing a light stabilizer; and a second curved liquid crystal alignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the second curved substrate.

Abstract: A wide viewing angle liquid crystal display includes color filters having a quantum dot and scattering particles and liquid crystal layer disposed in a microcavity, a distance between the color filter and the liquid crystal layer being sized to minimize display deterioration due to parallax.

Abstract: A dual frequency liquid crystal may be stabilized in the blue phase by a polymer matrix to provide an improved blue phase temperature range having a magnitude of at least about 65° C. Polymer-stabilized, blue phase dual frequency liquid crystal compositions and methods for producing polymer-stabilized, blue phase dual frequency liquid crystals are disclosed.

Abstract: A light emitting device having a structure in which oxygen and moisture are prevented from reaching light emitting elements, and a method of manufacturing the same, are provided. Further, the light emitting elements are sealed by using a small number of process steps, without enclosing a drying agent. The present invention has a top surface emission structure. A substrate on which the light emitting elements are formed is bonded to a transparent sealing substrate. The structure is one in which a transparent second sealing material covers the entire surface of a pixel region when bonding the two substrates, and a first sealing material (having a higher viscosity than the second sealing material), which contains a gap material (filler, fine particles, or the like) for protecting a gap between the two substrates, surrounds the pixel region. The two substrates are sealed by the first sealing material and the second sealing material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pixel unit, which comprises a pixel defining layer defining a pixel region, a first electrode within a central area of the pixel region, an organic-light-emitting-display-device functional layer formed within the pixel region and on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the organic-light-emitting-display-device functional layer, an area of a bottom plane of the organic-light-emitting-display-device functional layer being larger than that of an upper surface of the first electrode. The pixel defining layer comprises first and second pixel defining portions having ring-shaped structures, the first pixel defining portion has an inner side surface defining the pixel region, and the second pixel defining portion has an outer side surface in contact with the inner side surface of the first pixel defining portion, and is disposed around the first electrode. The first pixel defining portion has a thickness greater than the second pixel defining portion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lighting device provided with an electronic lamp cover (30) surrounding a light emitting component (20). The electronic lamp cover (30) can present different light transmitting states according to different voltage values applied thereto within an operation voltage range so as to change the illumination angle and illumination brightness of the illumination light of the lighting device.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting a targeted analyte, such as volatile organic compound (VOCs), are disclosed. Specifically, a cholesteric liquid crystal composition comprising a nematic liquid crystal and a chiral dopant transitions to a liquid crystal blue phase or undergoes other optical changes when in contact with a sample containing the analyte. The phase transition can be readily detected with the naked eye. The disclosed methods and compositions may be used in, for example, dosimeters for detecting analyte (e.g., VOC) exposure. Methods and compositions for producing arrays of liquid crystal thin films are also disclosed. The surface between the microwells in a microwell array is coated with a liquid-crystal-phobic material, such as a fluorinated polymer or a fluorinated silane, creating isolated microwell domains that are preferentially wetted by liquid crystal. Liquid crystal can be added to the microwell domains by simple techniques such as spin coating.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a viewing angle switchable back light unit in which the general mode and the privacy mode in a liquid crystal display can be selected. The present disclosure suggests a thin film type back light unit comprising: a light guide film including a light entering part disposed at one side, a light changing part disposed at other side and a light guiding part connecting the light entering part and the light changing part; a light radiating part disposed on an upper surface of the light guide film; and a light source disposed at the light entering part of the light guide film. The light entering part includes a wedge light coupler and a light deflection element. The light changing part includes a light reflecting pattern. The light radiating part includes a light radiating film providing some of the collimated lights as back lights.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus to provide coated microbubbles, particularly but not exclusively microbubbles at least partially coated with a component, for example a clinically active component. Systems of the present invention use electromagnetic fields to move microbubbles between streams of liquids in order to perform coating or washing steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a PDLC display device and a PDLC display device. The method for manufacturing a PDLC display device according to the present invention includes mixing PDLC with graphene nanoparticles to improve the response speed of the PDLC and reduce a driving voltage of the PDLC, and also combines QDs to make a novel high color saturation display device, which requires no alignment layer and polarizer, providing a simple manufacturing process, showing an innovated and unique displaying effect, demonstrating at least four displaying modes of red, green, blue, and indistinctness, and overcoming light leakage of pixels and color mixture occurring in an existing PDLC display device.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an illumination optical unit for projection lithography, which illuminates an object field with illumination light. The illumination optical unit includes a field facet mirror with a plurality of field facets and a pupil facet mirror with a plurality of pupil facets. The field facets are imaged in the object field by a transfer optical unit. The pupil facet mirror includes a pupil facet mirror polarization section and a pupil facet mirror neutral section. The polarization section is arranged so that the illumination light is reflected in the region of a Brewster angle. The neutral section is arranged so that the illumination light is reflected in the region of a normal incidence.

Abstract: A color filter array is provided in an electro-optic display by ink jet printing a plurality of colored areas (22R, 22G, 22B) on one surface of a layer of electro-optic material (12), an adhesive layer or a protective layer. Alternatively, the ink jet printing may be effected on the same layers in various sub-assemblies used to produce electro-optic displays.

Abstract: An electrophoretic insulated glass unit (IGU) comprises an electrophoretic laminate and a pane spaced apart from the electrophoretic laminate, the respective inner faces of the laminate and the pane defining a sealed cavity there between. An outer face of the electrophoretic laminate is in contact with an environment. One inner face of the cavity has a coating that is transparent to visible light and which rejects infrared light greater than a cut-off wavelength.

Abstract: An active diffuser for reducing a speckle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: an electroactive polymer film having at least one or more scattering patterns; a first transparent electrode coated on one surface of the electroactive polymer film; and a second transparent electrode coated on the other surface of the electroactive polymer film, and a shape of the scattering pattern of the electroactive polymer film is varied by voltage applied through the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode.

Abstract: An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes: a display substrate; at least one thin film transistor (TFT) on the display substrate; an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) electrically connected to the TFT, the OLED including: a first electrode on each sub-pixel on the display substrate; an intermediate layer on the first electrode; and a second electrode on the intermediate layer; an encapsulation substrate covering the OLED; a filler filling a space between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate, the filler including scatterers having optical anisotropy; and a color filter between the encapsulation substrate and the filler, the color filter including a color filter electrode at a surface of the color filter.

Abstract: The present application relates to a liquid crystal cell, a method for preparing a liquid crystal cell and a display device. An exemplary liquid crystal cell may be applied to various types of display devices so as to control a viewing angle or light transmittance of the display device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an ultrathin organic light-emitting device and, more specifically, to a method for manufacturing an ultrathin organic light-emitting device capable of dramatically reducing the thickness thereof, in addition to improving light extraction efficiency.

Abstract: An assembly useful for producing an encapsulated electrophoretic display is prepared from an electrophoretic medium comprising a plurality of discrete droplets (904) in a polymeric binder (906), each droplet comprising a plurality of charged particles dispersed in a fluid, and a front sub-assembly comprising a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer (902) and a color filter array (920). The electrophoretic medium is laminated to the front-assembly (902, 920) at a temperature at which the polymeric binder (906) will flow and secure the electrophoretic medium to the front sub-assembly to form the final assembly, with the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer (902) disposed between the color filter array (920) and the electrophoretic medium (904, 906).

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal layer and an increase in the ion density (ID) are prevented and problems of display defects such as white streaks, alignment unevenness, and image sticking are overcome. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention in which a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) of a liquid crystal layer and an increase in the ion density (ID) are prevented and problems of display defects such as image sticking are overcome is particularly useful for active matrix driving liquid crystal display devices with an IPS mode and an FFS mode and can be applied to liquid crystal display devices of liquid crystal televisions, monitors, cellular phones, and smart phones.

Abstract: An electrochromic structure, a method and a display apparatus. The electrochromic structure includes a display layer including a first substrate (9), a color layer (7) and a second substrate (5); and a background layer including a controllable layer (3) and a third substrate (1); and the display layer is over the background layer. The electrochromic structure has clear hierarchy and simple structure, and can be made into display devices of larger size.

Abstract: The disclosed technology involves a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film including: a first base substrate, a second base substrate, and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film between the first base substrate and the second base substrate, wherein a first transparent conductive layer is formed on the first base substrate, the first transparent conductive layer is contacted with the first light permeable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is adhered to the first base substrate through the first light permeable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; and a second transparent conductive layer is formed on the second base substrate, the second transparent conductive layer is contacted with the second light permeable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is adhered to the second base substrate through the second light permeable pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display device that includes a liquid crystal composition and a color filter having a particular slope parameter that indicates the degree of aggregation of an organic pigment. The liquid crystal display device prevents a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) and an increase in the ion density (ID) in a liquid crystal layer and resolves the problems of display defects, such as white streaks, variations in alignment, and image sticking. The liquid crystal display device prevents a decrease in the voltage holding ratio (VHR) and an increase in the ion density (ID) in a liquid crystal layer and suppressing display defects such as image sticking. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device is useful for active matrix driving liquid crystal display devices with an IPS mode or an FFS mode and can be applied to liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal blend having a higher perpendicular dielectric constant, as well as a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display device comprising the liquid crystal blend. Since the liquid crystal blend of the present invention contains negative liquid crystal material and has a perpendicular dielectric constant between 3.5 to 4.5, it can improve the transmittance of the liquid crystal layer obtained thereby, compared with the liquid crystal blend without negative liquid crystal material, while other relative properties thereof such as clearing point, response time of the display obtained therefrom, and image sticking at high temperature can also meet the requirements of liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a light field camera uses a light field dictionary to reconstruct a 4D light field from a single photograph. The light field includes both angular and spatial information and has a spatial resolution equal to the spatial resolution of the imaging sensor. Light from a scene passes through a coded spatial light modulator (SLM) before reaching an imaging sensor. Computer processors reconstruct a light field. This reconstruction includes computing a sparse or compressible coefficient vector using a light field dictionary matrix. Each column vector of the dictionary matrix is a light field atom. These light field atoms each, respectively, comprise information about a small 4D region of a light field. Reconstruction quality may be improved by using an SLM that is as orthogonal as possible to the dictionary.

Abstract: A display device capable of emitting sufficient fluorescence is provided without an increase in the thickness of the liquid crystal layer. The device includes: a fluorescent emission layer (23) having fluorescent pigment molecules that absorb light to emit fluorescence; and a liquid crystal layer (4) capable of switching between a transparent state and a scattering state. The fluorescent pigment molecules are dichroic fluorescent pigment molecules (23a) with different emission intensities depending on the direction of emission. The dichroic fluorescent pigment molecules (23a) in the fluorescent emission layer (23) are oriented so as to have transition dipole moments with the same direction.

Abstract: Capacitive coupling between a gate electrode and underlying portions of the source and drain regions can be enhanced while suppressing capacitive coupling between the gate electrode and laterally spaced elements such as contact via structures for the source and drain regions. A transistor including a gate electrode and source and drain regions is formed employing a disposable gate spacer. The disposable gate spacer is removed to form a spacer cavity, which is filled with an anisotropic dielectric material to form an anisotropic gate spacer. The anisotropic dielectric material is aligned with an electrical field such that lengthwise directions of the molecules of the anisotropic dielectric material are aligned vertically within the spacer cavity. The anisotropic gate spacer provides a higher dielectric constant along the vertical direction and a lower dielectric constant along the horizontal direction.

Abstract: New optic control systems are provided that manage camera, user or environmental movement and other factors impacting optical and resulting image quality. In some aspects of the invention, a variably, directionally shadable screen and actuating system is provided, which prevents and limits problematic glare for an observation point. In other aspects of the invention, a matrix of specialized pixels creates variably-directed light from a plurality of angle-directable, shiftable sources, which aids in creating virtual, 3-D objects of greater realism than conventional 3-D imaging methods and aid in reducing the appearance of distracting interceding objects (e.g., finger blocking a touch screen). In these aspects, existing images and objects viewed through a screen may be enhanced and overlaid with effects and demonstrative information related to the overlaid images and objects and an environment.

Abstract: An alignment method of an alignment film is provided, including: providing a substrate and manufacturing an alignment film on the substrate; implementing laser engraving to the alignment film to form a plurality of micro trenches which are directionally consistent on the alignment film; cleaning the substrate and the alignment film to remove the powders generated by laser engraving; and implementing a following liquid crystal cell process. The method is easy to handle and is capable of preventing the non-uniform rubbing issue existing in the alignment method according to prior art to raise the stability of the alignment and promote the effect of the alignment.

Abstract: An active filter includes a transparent area and a non-transparent area; a first cavity arranged in the transparent area and formed between a first pair of electrode plates; a second cavity arranged in the non-transparent area and formed between a second pair of electrode plates, wherein the second cavity connects to the first cavity through a first passage; a first liquid flowing between the first cavity and the second cavity for filtering light within a first wavelength range; and a controller for selectively applying a voltage difference to the first pair of electrode plates or the second pair of electrode plates to make the first liquid flow into one of the first cavity and the second cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical filter arrangement that have a cut wavelength for light passing there through. The optical filter arrangement comprises a stack of a first optical layer and a second optical layer. Further, the optical filter arrangement comprises an electro active polymer material arranged between the first and second layers such that the cut wavelength is adjusted upon application of an electrical voltage to the electro active polymer material.

Abstract: A dual-frequency bistable liquid crystal display and the liquid crystal mixture thereof includes liquid crystal cell filled with a liquid crystal mixture which contains dual-frequency liquid crystal, chiral compound, and nematic liquid crystal mixture. The liquid crystal mixture has the characteristics of both the dual-frequency liquid crystal and cholesteric liquid crystal. The dual-frequency bistable liquid crystal display is driven in a frequency modulation mode and can be switched between two optical states by taking advantage of the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal, which results in a short switching time and sharp contrast between two optical states. Furthermore, the maintaining of the two optical states requires no voltage, which does not require the use of a high voltage to destabilize the helical structure of the cholesteric liquid crystal, and does not have to go through a metastable stage. Hence, power consumption and switching time are reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus including first and second layers of electrically conductive material separated by a layer of electrically insulating material, wherein one or both layers of electrically conductive material include graphene, and wherein the apparatus is configured such that electrons are able to tunnel from the first layer of electrically conductive material through the layer of electrically insulating material to the second layer of electrically conductive material.

Abstract: Thermochromic liquid crystal filters are fabricated by providing two polarizers oriented at offset polarity with respect to each other; providing alignment structures adjacent the inner surfaces of the polarizers; placing a plurality of spacers between the polarizers; and filling a space created by the spacers with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a wave block in an isotropic state and acts to rotate the polarization of light in a nematic state. Alternatively, the filters can be created by encapsulating a thermochromic liquid crystal with a polymer material to form a flexible film and orienting the thermochromic liquid crystal in the polymer material to create a structure that functions as a thermochromic optical filter. Such filters can control the flow of light and radiant heat through selective reflection, transmission, absorption, and/or re-emission.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diacetylene derivative represented by the following formula (A) which exhibits liquid crystallinity by itself and has a large refractive index anisotropy or does not exhibit liquid crystallinity by itself but exhibits a large refractive index anisotropy when added to a liquid crystalline compound: R1-Sp1-(Ar1)p-(Ar3)q-(Phe)r-C?C—C?C-(Phe)r-(Ar4)q-(Ar2)p-Sp2-R2??(A) (wherein R1 and R2 are a hydrogen, halogen, cyano, isothiocyanate, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or reactive group, SP1 and SP2 are each a spacer group, Ar1 and Ar2 are each a non-substituted or substituted aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group, Ar3 and Ar4 are each a non-substituted or substituted heterocyclic group, Phe is a non-substituted or substituted 1,4-phenylene group, and p, q and r are each 0 or 1.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a single substrate display panel and fabricating method thereof and relates to a field of display. The single substrate display panel comprises: a parallel electric field substrate; and a display medium layer above the parallel electric field substrate. The display medium layer comprises liquid crystal molecules and a matrix, the matrix encapsulates the liquid crystal molecules so that the liquid crystal molecules form liquid crystal groups. The present disclosure also provides a fabricating method of the single substrate display panel. The present disclosure can achieve single substrate display so as to reduce the weight and thickness of the liquid crystal display panel and improve display quality.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mixture for liquid crystal medium and a liquid crystal display using the same. The mixture for liquid crystal medium comprises: at least one anisotropic liquid crystal material and two or more polymerizable monomers which will polymerize under UV irradiation. The liquid crystal material comprises an alkenyl compound which is stable to the polymerization reaction during the polymerization of the polymerizable monomers. The weight percentage of the polymerizable monomers accounts for 0.1% to 1% of the total mixture for liquid crystal medium.

Abstract: A tunable photonic crystal composition comprising: tunable photonic crystal particles having a polymer network with a periodic modulation of refractive indices, the polymer network having a reflectance wavelength, wherein the periodic modulation of refractive indices is responsive to an external stimulus and the reflectance wavelength is shifted in response to the external stimulus; and a carrier in which the particles are dispersed.

Abstract: Provided is an oriented polymeric sheet comprising a photochromic-dichroic material, wherein the sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. Also provided is a multilayer composite comprising at least a support layer; and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric sheet having two opposing surfaces and comprising a photochromic-dichroic material. The sheet exhibits dichroism in an activated state. At least one surface of the sheet is connected to at least a portion of the support layer. The present invention also relates to an optical element comprising the multilayer composite. Related methods also are disclosed.