Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for tunable photonic harvesting for solar energy conversion and dynamic shading tolerance are provided herein. An apparatus includes a solar photovoltaic module; a sensor device operative to determine portions of the solar photovoltaic module that are underperforming in relation to separate portions; reflective surfaces of a first type, each physically connected to the solar photovoltaic module at a given angle in relation to the surface of the solar photovoltaic module; and reflective surfaces of a second type, each physically connected to a respective one of the reflective surfaces of the first type; wherein the reflective surfaces of the first type and second type are configurable based on a determination of the underperforming portions of the solar photovoltaic module to collect and distributed direct solar radiation and diffuse solar radiation across the solar photovoltaic module to offset the underperforming portions by a given amount.

Abstract: A tool holder includes a support stand which provides support for a protective wall that at least in part defines an enclosure within which a tool may be stored, the protective wall including a sheet of heat resistant material which at least in part is selectively releasable from and securable to the support stand, the sheet of heat resistant material being a flexible sheet whereby in a first orientation it serves as the protective wall but at least in part may be released from the support stand to provide a substantially flat heat resistant mat on which to rest a heated tool during periods of use of the tool.

Abstract: There is provided an article a binder resin layer comprising an aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprising a plurality of soft segments, and a plurality of hard segments, where the soft segments comprise polycarbonate polyol; and a plurality of microspheres partially embedded and adhered to a first major surface of the binder resin layer, wherein the specific chemical identities and relative amounts of the segments and moieties of the aliphatic polyurethane polymer are sufficient to impart a glass transition temperature of 10° C. or less in the article and a storage modulus in the article that changes less than 15 MPa from 25° C. to 175° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved thermoplastic polyurethane compositions, articles, and related methods. These compositions include aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes having a hard segment content ranging from 57 percent to 80 percent by weight. The hard coat compositions have a Shore D hardness of at least 70 and can display an Elongation at Break test result at 25 degrees Celsius of at least 150 percent. These materials, when hardened, can serve decorative and/or protective functions while displaying both a high degree of elongation at moderate temperatures and high hardness.

Abstract: There is provided a filler-filled film, a sheet film, a stacked film, a bonded body, and a method for producing a filler-filled film, the filler-filled film including: a film main body; a plurality of concavities formed on a surface of the film main body; and a filler put in each of the concavities. A diameter of an opening surface of the concavity is at least larger than a visible light wavelength, an arrangement pattern of the concavities has periodicity along a length direction of the film main body, and the difference between the rate of filling of the fillers in one end portion of the film main body and the rate of filling of the fillers in another portion of the film main body is less than 0.5%.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a retroreflective film for removable application to a three-dimensional object. The film comprises a transparent film layer; a first transparent adhesive layer; a retroreflective layer comprising glass microspheres and a binder; a metalized coating layer comprising aluminum applied on the retroreflective layer; a removable adhesive layer having a peel force of 2 lbs/inch or less. When the film is elongated by 50% it retains at least 50% of its unstretched coefficient of retroreflection as measured at the 0.2 degree observation angle and ?4 degree entrance angle. When the film is elongated by 50% it retains at least 50% of its unstretched gloss when measured at a 20 degree angle.

Abstract: A signage overlay article includes a polymeric substrate having a thickness in a range from 75 to 1000 micrometers, an optically active sign sheeting fixed to the polymeric substrate, and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the polymeric substrate. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer has a thickness in a range from 350 to 3000 micrometers.

Abstract: To obtain a white reflective film that is hard to warp and can ameliorate unevenness in the luminance even when used in such a manner as to be superimposed on a chassis having convex and concave portions for placing circuits and the like or used with an LED, and can prevent uneven close contact with a light guide plate and damage of the light guide plate, the white reflective film for edge-lit backlight is made to meets the requirements (i) to (iii): (i) the stiffness is 2 to 10 mN·m; (ii) convex portions are formed on at least one surface (A) and the maximum height of the convex portion is 15 to 60 ?m; and (iii) the cushion rate at the side of a surface (B) opposite to the surface (A) is 12% or more.

Abstract: A method by which portions of a wafer level fabrication can be selectively heated by forming plasmon generating layers of specific size, shape, orientation and material on the fabrication and then illuminating the formation with electromagnetic radiation of such wavelength and polarization as will optimally be absorbed by the plasmon generating layers so as to generate plasmons therein. The generated plasmons thereupon produce thermal energy which is transferred to portions of the fabrication with which the plasmon generation layer has thermal contact. This method is particularly advantageous for producing multiple anneals and different magnetic pinning directions for the anti-ferromagnetic pinning layer in each of an array of GMR or TMR devices. In that process, the anti-ferromagnetic layer must be raised above its Curie temperature at which point it loses its anti-ferromagnetic properties and can have a magnetization imposed by application of an external magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a reflector wrap on a highway cable barrier. The device solves a limitation currently found with the cable system—visibility. The cable barrier reflector wrap is comprised of a support structure to support a reflective object, the structure having an open end and a slit or aperture longitudinal to the structure; a reflective surface structure; and a manner to secure the reflective surface structure to the support structure whereby the cable barrier reflective device is connected to items including a cable barrier system, sign posts, fences and other barrier structures to improve and enhance the reflectivity and improve the visibility of the items.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles, such as retroreflective sheeting articles that comprise a release coating. Also described are release coatings and hydrophilic components suitable for use in release coatings. The release coatings comprise a polyorganosiloxane polymer and at least 10 or 15 wt-% of hydrophilic units.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a retroreflective member that can improve the visibility further. The retroreflective member includes a reflective layer and transparent microscopic beads 13. The retroreflective member gives a phase difference corresponding to a visible light wavelength to at least a part of incident light and recombines, emphasizes a light component having the visible light wavelength by interference, and returns coherent light having a visible light wavelength depending on the incident angle in the traveling direction of the incident light. The reflective layer includes a light-transmissive interference layer 14, and the interference layer 14 each has an optical layer thickness of 100 to 600 nm so as to generate an interference color having a visible light wavelength depending on the incident angle of light.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheet and a fabrication method thereof are provided, the retroreflective sheet including a base, a bonding layer formed on the base, a colored layer formed to be thicker in a non-reflective region NRA2 than in a reflective region RA2 to have a concavo-convex surface on the bonding layer, and having a fluorescent function or a phosphorescent function or having the both fluorescent and phosphorescent functions, a reflective layer formed in the concave portion of the reflective region RA2 on the surface of the colored layer, and a light concentrating layer having a plurality of beads aligned therein on the reflective layer. Thus, since a step is not generated between the reflective region and the non-reflective region, the light reflective member can be prevented from being delaminated from the body when used, and also, the light reflective member can be simply formed in the reflective region of the colored layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an anti-counterfeiting film and process for preparation thereof. The anti-counterfeiting film comprises a directional retroreflective layer (1), an optical-angle-based color-changing information layer (2), a reflective layer (3) and a support layer (4) which are combined in this turn. The support layer (4) is made of a polymer resin material, the reflective layer (3) is made of a material with high reflectivity and has a thickness of nanoscale, the information layer (2) is made of an optical-angle-based color-changing chiral polymer material having a helical structure or made of an optical-angle-based color-changing cellulose material. The optical-angle-based color-changing chiral polymer material having a helical structure is a condensation product of a chiral compound and a compound with functional group. The optical-angle-based color-changing cellulose material is composed of a cellulose derivative and a polymerisable monomer.

Abstract: Temporary graphic films that may be applied to rough, outdoor surfaces such as concrete or asphalt pavement are provided. The temporary graphic films are durable, yet easily removed and may include a fracturable material that permits fluid flow to reduce slip and fall situations.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R-S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure and wherein the polymeric film as a Vicat softening point of about 90° or greater.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R-S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure.

Abstract: Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises embossing at least a first side of a first substrate to produce an optically functional material and then cutting the optically functional material into pieces to produce a plurality of engineered particles. The plurality of engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to produce a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen.

Abstract: This invention provides a retroreflective sheeting which at least comprises a printed image-incorporated retroreflective sheeting and an optical element array sheet in which a large number of light-transmissive optical elements are regularly disposed at least at a fixed location; more particularly a printed image-incorporated retroreflective sheeting which reveals a stereoscopic image when the printed image is seen through a lenticular lens sheet or a convex lens array sheet; and a reflective sheeting which uses the stereoscopic image for tamper prevention.

Abstract: The structure, manufacturing method, and applications of a reflective material are disclosed. The disclosed reflective material is a color reflective material having a composite layered structure made by sequentially stacking a PET film, a PU layer, micro glass beads, another PU layer, a highly light-permeable color layer, an elastic PU layer, a metallic reflective layer, another elastic PU layer, and an adhesive layer. The reflective material is applicable to safety helmets, reflective clothing, and reflective signs.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles are provided in the form of garments, fibers and filaments made with retroreflective elements that each include a solid spherical core (110) with an outer core surface, the outer core surface (115). providing a first interface; a first complete concentric optical interference layer (120) having an inner surface overlying the outer core surface (115) and an outer surface (125), the outer surface of the first complete concentric optical interference layer providing a second interface. In some embodiments, the retroreflective elements each include a second complete concentric optical interference layer having an inner surface overlying the outer surface of the first complete concentric optical interference layer and an outer surface, the outer surface of the second complete concentric optical interference layer providing a third interface.

Abstract: This invention provides a retroreflective sheeting provided with a destructive layer, which comprises at least a surface layer, retroreflective element layer and adhesive layer, characterized in that at least one destructive layer is provided between the layers constituting the retroreflective sheeting, that the resin constituting said destructive layer is alicyclic polyolefin resin or alicyclic acrylic resin; and when the retroreflective sheeting which is once stuck on a substrate is peeled off from the substrate, that the peeling takes place at the interface of the destructive layer and the layer which is in intimate contact therewith and/or by destruction of the destructive layer.

Abstract: The hue variable retroreflective sheet of the present invention includes: a surface layer (1) composed of at least one layer; and a plurality of retroreflective elements (3, 4, 5) that are positioned beneath the surface layer, wherein the retroreflective elements (3, 4, 5) retroreflect incident light toward a light source direction, at least one layer of the surface layer (1) is an optical coherent layer that changes in color depending on a point of view, and in which an optical coherent coloring material with a core material having a surface that is covered with one or more substantially transparent coating layer is dispersed, and mirror-reflects the incident light toward a direction opposite to the light source side, at least one layer of the retroreflective sheet is a colored layer containing a coloring material that colors retroreflected light, and the retroreflected light and the mirror-reflected light provide different hues.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a security laminate comprising a retroreflective layer comprising a plurality of retroreflective microbeads partially embedded in and protruding from a beadbond layer and having image receptive material disposed around the protruding microspheres. In another embodiment, the security laminate further comprises indicia patterns viewable in retroreflective light. In another embodiment, the security laminate is imaged on the image receptive material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrophoretic displays and materials useful in fabricating such displays. In particular, novel encapsulated displays are disclosed. Particles encapsulated therein are dispersed within a suspending, or electrophoretic, fluid. This fluid may be a mixture of two or more fluids or may be a single fluid. The displays may further comprise particles dispersed in a suspending fluid, wherein the particles contain a liquid. In either case, the suspending fluid may have a density or refractive index substantially matched to that of the particles dispersed therein. Finally, also disclosed herein are electro-osmotic displays. These displays comprise at least one capsule containing either a cellulosic or gel-like internal phase and a liquid phase, or containing two or more immiscible fluids. Application of electric fields to any of the electrophoretic displays described herein affects an optical property of the display.

Abstract: A exposed-lens retroreflective article exhibiting retroreflection under dry and wet conditions is provided. The inventive article comprises a first set of optical elements having a first reflective layer disposed on the embedded portion of the elements. The first set contributes mainly to dry retroreflection. The article further comprises a second set of optical elements having a second reflective layer behind a spacing layer. The second set contributes mainly to wet retroreflection. In one embodiment, the first and second sets of optical elements have substantially the same average diameters, refractive index, and density.

Abstract: A light reflective film having a multi-layered structure including a light reflective membrane layer on a web. A plurality of transparent spherical glass beads are provided on the light reflective membrane layer. A transparent film layer is provided on the glass beads and is spaced away from the light reflective membrane layer by an air gap. A transparent coating encapsulates all of the component layers to form the light reflective film. The light reflective film is flexible and durable, and effectively reflects light when under water.

Abstract: Glass microspheres and rear projection screens containing glass microspheres, which combine a desirable index of refraction (preferably, no greater than about 1.70) and low levels of defects (e.g., bubbles, visible haziness, frostiness, or opacity, substantially nonspherical shapes) upon formation are provided. Also provided is a coating method of placing microspheres on a film for use in a rear projection screen.

Abstract: A heat sink device having light-emitting components comprises a heat sink, a fan and a plurality of light-emitting components. The heat sink is made of heat conductive material. The fan is received in a recession of the heat sink. The light-emitting components are symmetrically arranged in equi-spaced manner around the recession of the heat sink. Thus, when the fan is rotated, the light-emitting components can emit light performing various colors, flash frequency, reflection and refraction.

Abstract: A reflective device has a fluorescent sheet with reflective material, e.g. in the shape of strips, attached thereto, for mounting on a vehicle. The sheet has tabs extending from it for positioning in a closable aperture of the vehicle. The tabs may have rods to prevent the tabs from being pulled out of the aperture when closed. Tape strips may provide additional means of attachment. Tape loops and bungy strips provide means for fixing the sheet to lower portions of the vehicle. The sheet may be in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube. The reflective device may also be a sock which fits over a wing mirror, or a sheet with opposing edges that can be temporarily connected to form a sleeve which fits over parts of the vehicle.

Abstract: In an optical sheet 10 having a prism surface 16 formed by providing unit prisms 14 on the upper surface of a transparent base material 12, a coating layer 18 is provided on the reverse surface of the transparent base material opposite to the prism surface 16, spherical beads 20 are arranged projecting from the surface of the coating layer 18 by 1 to 10 &mgr;m in height, and the coating layer 18 is brought into contact with the flat and smooth surface 22A of the light-transmissive material 22 through the spherical beads 20 which are put between them. The spherical beads are 1 &mgr;m or less in half bandwidth of the distribution of particle diameters and are made uniform in height projecting from the coating layer 18.

Abstract: Many embodiments of the present invention are imbued with both sight-facilitative and touch-facilitative characteristics. The invention's unitary resinous matrix configuration encompasses, in the form of small discrete bodies, three genres (luminescent, reflective, retroreflective) of visually enhancing material along with tactilely enhancing material. The retroreflective and abrasive bodies partially project at a light-exposable surface of the resinous matrix material; the luminescent and reflective (diffuse and/or specular) bodies lie beneath the light-exposable surface. The luminescent, reflective and retroreflective bodies are complementarily and cumulatively effective; in particular, they versatilely afford increased visibility at practically all angular lines of sight as well as under practically all deficient illuminative conditions. The abrasive bodies afford vehicular skid prevention, surefootedness and the capability to manually and/or pedally “feel one's way” to safety.

Abstract: An article comprising (a) a curved substrate having a surface energy below about 38 dynes/cm2; (b) flexible retroreflective sheeting; and (c) a crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive adhering the sheeting to the curved substrate. The adhesive contains sufficient polar monomer and tackifier, and is sufficiently crosslinked, to (i) have a glass transition temperature less than −15° C., (ii) permit the sheeting to remain firmly bonded to a low density polyethylene barrel without buckling when cooled from 49° C. to −1° C., and (iii) provide an adhesive bond to the barrel that exhibits increased energy absorption when tested for impact resistance at 0° C. according to ASTM D4272. The adhesive can be manufactured by partially polymerizing some of the ingredients in a pouch using UV radiation, dispersing the pouch and its contents in the other ingredients using an extruder, extrusion coating the adhesive and then UV crosslinking the coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate and an article comprising a retroreflective layer having a retroreflective viewing surface and an opposing surface and a tear resistant film disposed on the retroreflective layer. The finished article is preferably flexible and suitable for use as roll-up signs, flags, banners and other retroreflective articles requiring similar flexibility including other traffic warning and personal safety items.

Abstract: Encapsulated-lens retroreflective sheeting is described which contains an improved binder layer. The binder layer is obtained from a film-forming mixture which comprises: (A) a vinyl chloride copolymer, (B) a thermoplastic polyurethane, and (C) an aminoplast resin. Such binder layer exhibits improved adhesion to metallized beads and to a variety of cover films such as acrylic films.

Abstract: In an optical sheet 10 having a prism surface 16 formed by providing unit prisms 14 on the upper surface of a transparent base material 12, a coating layer 18 is provided on the reverse surface of the transparent base material opposite to the prism surface 16, spherical beads 20 are arranged projecting from the surface of the coating layer 18 by 1 to 10 &mgr;m in height, and the coating layer 18 is brought into contact with the flat and smooth surface 22A of the light-transmissive material 22 through the spherical beads 20 which are put between them. The spherical beads are 1 &mgr;m or less in half bandwidth of the distribution of particle diameters and are made uniform in height projecting from the coating layer 18.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved and novel removable sheeting, having a specular reflective layer, and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adjacent the specular reflective layer. The adhesive layer of this sheeting includes an organofunctional coupling agent. In preferred embodiments the sheeting is retroreflective and further includes an array of retroreflective elements.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting (1) comprises a reflective base (2), a transparent film layer (4) which is colored different from the color of reflected light of the reflective base (2) and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (3). The transparent film layer (4) is removably provided on the reflective base (2) via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (3). Part (4′) of the transparent film layer (4) is to be cut out on use so that the transparent film layer (4) may form a desired image. The peel strength between the transparent film layer (4) and the reflective base (2) is 25 to 400 gf/25 mm. After the transparent film layer (4) is pressed to the reflective base (2) under a pressure of 5 kgf/cm2, the peel strength between the transparent film layer (4) and the reflective base (2) is 700 gf/25 mm or greater.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise pavement marking articles which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The articles comprise a monolayer of exposed-lens optical elements, a spacing layer, and a reflective layer. The present invention also provides a method of making said pavement marking articles.

Abstract: To provide a retroreflective sheet which is suitable for co-molding by injection molding or the like, wherein the retroreflective sheet can be laid within a mold and molded with a resin to form a molded product, and, after molding, the sheet retains a significant portion of its reflection luminance and appearance as compared with the reflection luminance value before molding. A retroreflective sheet used for a co-molding, comprising a metallic reflective layer, a microspherical lens layer disposed as a single layer, and a transparent focal resin layer disposed between the reflective layer and the microspherical lens layer, in which the focal resin layer comprises a mixture of cellulose ester and polyvinyl butyral resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing a cautionary warning on water-going vessels. The method comprises the step of placing a plurality of reflective warning markers on at least one side of the vessel. These warning markers preferably comprise a front, reflective (that is, reflecting incident light) surface and a rear surface. The rear surface comprises an attachment mechanism adapted to attach to the surface of the side of the vessel. Preferably the attachment mechanism is coextensive with at least the perimeter of the front, reflective surface. The present invention also provides a removable informative marker. This marker comprises a resilient, front reflective surface and a resilient, back magnetic surface. The resilient back magnetic surface is preferably substantially coextensive with at least the perimeter of the resilient, front reflective surface to assist in assuring a firm attachment of the marker to a metallic surface.

Abstract: Exposed lens retroreflective appliques incorporate a monolayer of beads and a dielectric mirror proximate the beads. A pigmented or otherwise colored bead bond layer in which the beads are partially embedded is visible through the dielectric mirror, giving the article a highly colored daytime appearance. The appliques exhibit an initial reflectivity. By appropriate materials selection, the appliques can be made to retain at least 75%, and in most instances at least 90%, of the initial reflectivity if subjected to fifty home laundering cycles. In one case the dielectric mirror includes zinc sulfide as a relatively high refractive index material and calcium fluoride as a relatively low refractive index material. In another case the dielectric mirror includes zinc sulfide as the relatively high refractive index material and silicon dioxide as the relatively low refractive index material.

Abstract: A retroreflective adhesive material has a retroreflective composition including retroreflective elements protruding from a first surface of a binder layer. A carrier web is secured to a second surface of the binder layer. The retroreflective adhesive material also includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. In certain preferred embodiments, a removable release liner covers the pressure sensitive adhesive. Retroreflective pattern elements are formed by the retroreflective composition, and the retroreflective material is clean-edge hand tearable. In certain embodiments, the carrier web is formed of fabric.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise pavement marking articles which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The articles comprise a monolayer of exposed-lens optical elements, a spacing layer, and a reflective layer. The present invention also provides a method of making said pavement marking articles.

Abstract: This invention relates to retroreflective sheeting which has an image, such as an image. More specifically, the image has varying appearance at different angles of view. The retroreflective sheeting has a layer of transparent microsphere lenses, a transparent polymeric spacing layer underlying, contacting, and conforming to the bottom of the lenses, the spacing and conformation of which is critical to the optimal performance of the retroreflective article, a reflective layer having a top surface in contact with the back surface of the spacing layer and a topcoat and/or cover sheet overlying and conforming to the top surfaces of the lenses and having a flat top surface or face. In another embodiment, the retroreflective sheeting includes a pressure sensitive adhesive underlying and in contact with the reflective layer. The retroreflective sheeting has an image whose proportions are determined by a nonconformity of the reflective and spacing layer to the bottom of the lenses.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus is provide whereby light diffusion within the light measurement toll has been eliminated. A layer of Anti Reflective Coating is deposited on the outside of the second surface of a quartz mask thereby preventing light that is reflected internally to the quartz mask from exiting the mask. All reflected light is therefor eliminated and, with that, the source of light diffusion is eliminated.

Abstract: In an optical sheet 10 having a prism surface 16 formed by providing unit prisms 14 on the upper surface of a transparent base material 12, a coating layer 18 is provided on the reverse surface of the transparent base material opposite to the prism surface 16, spherical beads 20 are arranged projecting from the surface of the coating layer 18 by 1 to 10 &mgr;m in height, and the coating layer 18 is brought into contact with the flat and smooth surface 22A of the light-transmissive material 22 through the spherical beads 20 which are put between them. The spherical beads are 1 &mgr;m or less in half bandwidth of the distribution of particle diameters and are made uniform in height projecting from the coating layer 18.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrophoretic displays and materials useful in fabricating such displays. In particular, novel encapsulated displays are disclosed. Particles encapsulated therein are dispersed within a suspending, or electrophoretic, fluid. This fluid may be a mixture of two or more fluids or may be a single fluid. The displays may further comprise particles dispersed in a suspending fluid, wherein the particles contain a liquid. In either case, the suspending fluid may have a density or refractive index substantially matched to that of the particles dispersed therein. Finally, also disclosed herein are electro-osmotic displays. These displays comprise at least one capsule containing either a cellulosic or gel-like internal phase and a liquid phase, or containing two or more immiscible fluids. Application of electric fields to any of the electrophoretic displays described herein affects an optical property of the display.

Abstract: Glass microspheres and rear projection screens containing glass microspheres, which combine a desirable index of refraction (preferably, no greater than about 1.70) and low levels of defects (e.g., bubbles, visible haziness, frostiness, or opacity, substantially nonspherical shapes) upon formation are provided. Also provided is a coating method of placing microspheres on a film for use in a rear projection screen.