Research Frontiers Inc.

Rsearch Frontiers Incorporated

Robert L Saxe

Steven M Slovak

Robert I Thompson

Matthew Forlini

Srinivasan Chakrapani

Barry Fanning

Dongyan Wang

Joseph A Check, Iii

Xiao-Ping Chen

Seth Van Voorhees

Joseph M Harary

Joseph A Check

Albert P Malvino

Michael Witte

Huifang Zhuang

Robert I Thompson, Deceased

Gregory M Sottile

Joseph Aloysius Check

A laminated glazing including a moisture-sensitive functional insert included within the glazing, the laminated glazing comprising a stack comprised of a plurality of glass or plastic plies, the plies being joined together by interlayers located between the plies, wherein a central area of the stack comprises at least one optically clear interlayer; the stack further including a moisture-sensitive functional insert; wherein an inner perimeter of the laminated glazing is formed with a frame comprised of a hydrophobic moisture-resistant material, the frame having a thickness substantially corresponding to a combined thickness of the interlayers within the glazing plus the insert. In addition, a method of reducing or eliminating exposure of a moisture-sensitive insert within a laminated glazing constructed as above is also described herein.

Laminated glazings with improved moisture protection

A display device comprising a Suspended Particle Device film or other material for controlling the amount of illumination transmitted to an object from one or more light sources to protect the object from degradation by light is described. The display is capable of being dark when the object is not being viewed and being highly transmissive when the object is to be viewed. If desired, the display device may be controlled so as to provide a substantially constant amount of illumination when the object is viewed or intended to be viewed. A method of protecting an object using the display device is also provided.

Method and device for protecting objects from degradation by light with suspended particle device light valves

A moisture-resistant suspended particle device film comprising a cured suspended particle device emulsion having a plurality of uncrosslinked droplets of a liquid light valve suspension distributed throughout the cured emulsion; first and second glass or plastic sheets located outwardly from and sandwiching the cured emulsion, wherein located on an inner aspect of each sheet, adjacent the cured emulsion, is a thin, transparent, electrically conductive coating, the coating serving as an electrode to permit passage of an applied electric field through the cured emulsion; and a moisture-resistant barrier located around an entire outer peripheral edge portion of the film, wherein the barrier is comprised of a barrier material that eliminates or at least reduces passage of moisture from outside the film into the cured emulsion, thus preventing development of a light-frame pattern in the film that would otherwise be caused by the moisture. The disclosure also discloses forming a laminate comprising the above-described film, as well as methods of forming such films and laminates.

SPD films and light valve laminates with improved durability

An electro-optical device, e.g., a suspended particle device (SPD) adapted for controlling the transmission of radiation wherein the device is provided with at least one layer of an overcoating adapted to enhance adhesion on at least a portion of a surface between a film serving as a light modulating element and electrode means for applying an electrical field to said film, wherein the overcoating is formed from a material comprising a member selected from the group consisting of (a) titanium dioxide (TiO) alone and (b) a combination of SiOand an inorganic material having an index of refraction at 589 nm greater than 1.54. A method of producing the device with the application of such overcoating is additionally described.

SPD films and light valves incorporating overcoatings which enhance film adhesion to substrates, have good cohesion and protect against electrical short circuits

An emulsifier for use in forming a film for a suspended particle device (SPD) wherein the film is comprised of a cross-linked matrix polymer having a plurality of droplets of a liquid light valve suspension distributed therein. The emulsifier is formed of a copolymer material comprising at least first and second segments, the segments differing from one another in at least one of their chemical affinities, their compositions and their polarities. A first one of the segments is soluble in an uncured liquid matrix polymer used in forming the film, but insoluble in a liquid suspension medium of which the droplets are dispersed. A second segment is soluble in the liquid suspending medium in the droplets and insoluble in the uncured liquid matrix polymer. The first and second segments have substantially the same index of refraction and the index of refraction of the segments is within 0.010 of that of each phase of an emulsion formed with the emulsifier.

Materials and methods for improving properties of SPD emulsions and films

A film suitable for use as the light-modulating element of an SPD light valve. The film comprises a cross-linked polymer matrix and has droplets of a liquid light valve suspension distributed in the cross-linked polymer matrix. The liquid light valve suspension comprises particles suspended in a liquid suspending medium, wherein the polymer matrix includes at least one siloxane co-polymer comprised of one or more of each of the following units, The film exhibits a greater degree of adhesion to substrates it contacts than films which do not include a unit as recited in (c) above. Additional embodiments include a suspended particle device incorporating the film as a light modulating element, as well as a method of preparing the film according to the invention.

SPD light valves incorporating films comprising improved matrix polymers and methods for making such matrix polymers

The invention is directed to a method for laminating a suspended particle device (SPD) film which comprises forming a suspended particle device film; positioning the suspended particle device film within an unlaminated stack of components for forming a laminated suspended particle device film, wherein the stack comprises at least one hot melt adhesive sheet or film contacting an outer surface of the suspended particle device film; subjecting the unlaminated stack to at least a partial vacuum, preheating the unlaminated stack of components under the vacuum for a time and at a temperature selected to permit at least partial degassing of the stack and applying a sufficient net pressure to the stack at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to produce a laminated suspended particle device film from the unlaminated stack.

Methods for laminating films for SPD light valves and SPD light valves incorporating such laminated films

The invention contemplates anisometrically shaped carbon-containing particles for use as the particles of a liquid light valve suspension, films and light valves. The anisometric carbon-containing particles are crystalline or amorphous particles and can have various geometrical shapes including, for example, flakes. The above object is achieved by carefully controlling the size and shape of such particles.

Anisometrically shaped carbon and/or graphite particles, liquid suspensions and films thereof and light valves comprising same

A film suitable for use as a light-modulating unit of a suspended particle device light valve, comprising a plurality of particles dispersed in a liquid suspending medium, distributed within an optionally crosslinked matrix polymer. The suspending medium is substantially immiscible with the matrix polymer, has a boiling point greater than about 100&#xb0; C., has an electrical resistivity of at least about 0.8&#xd7;10ohms per square, and has an in endex of refraction at 25&#xb0; C. which differs from that of the matrix polymer by no more than about 0.002.

Suspended particle device light valve film

A voltage controlling device includes an AC terminal receiving an AC voltage signal, a voltage dividing device adapted to divide the AC voltage signal into a plurality of distinct voltage signals within a predetermined range, a controller adapted to control the voltage dividing device to provide a selected voltage level based on voltage level information and an SPD terminal for providing the selected voltage level to a suspended particle device. Voltage level information may be provided via an input device and/or from a photocell that monitors a light level at the suspended particle device. A separate AC power supply may also be provided. The controller may also monitor an SPD load voltage to control the voltage level provided to the SPD terminal in order to prevent shocking of a user.

Method and device for controlling voltage provided to a suspended particle device

An electro-optical device including a cell formed of opposed cell walls, a light modulating unit comprising a suspension containing anisometrically-shaped particles formed of a heat-reflective mixed metal oxide, e.g., bismuth manganese oxide, suspended in a liquid suspending medium between the cell walls, and opposed electrodes operatively associated with the cell walls for applying an electrical field across the suspension, wherein the particles have an average length in a range between about 1 micron and about 50 nanometers.

SPD films and light valves comprising liquid suspensions of heat-reflective particles of mixed metal oxides and methods of making such particles

The invention contemplates anisometrically shaped carbon-containing particles for use as the particles of a liquid light valve suspension, films and light valves. The anisometric carbon-containing particles are crystalline or amorphous particles and can have various geometrical shapes including, for example, fibrils. The above object is achieved by carefully controlling the size and shape of such particles.

The invention is directed to the use of anisometrically shaped metal particles in liquid light valve suspensions, light valve films and light valves. The anisometric metal particles may have various geometric shapes including, for example, fibrils, and an average length in the range between about 1 micron and 50 nanometers.

Anisometrically shaped metal particles, liquid suspensions and films thereof and light valves comprising same

A polyhalide light-polarizing material comprising a complex obtained by reacting: (a) elemental iodine; (b) a hydrohalide acid or an ammonium halide, alkali metal halide or alkaline earth metal halide; (c) a first compound capable of chelating hydrogen, ammonium or metal ions; and (d) a second compound comprising at least one chelating group present in the first compound and either (1) at least one group of the first compound is changed to a different group or (2) the second compound comprises at least one additional group.

Polyhalide particles and light valves comprising same

A method for retrofitting a window by combining the window with a switchable or non-switchable window enhancement. The method includes providing a window comprising at least one relatively transparent viewing pane with first and second opposed viewing surfaces, and optionally a frame portion adapted to support and position the viewing pane(s); providing at least one mounting means adapted for securing the enhancement to the window; and securing a window enhancement to the window with at least one mounting means so that the enhancement overlies at least a portion of the viewing pane, and wherein a gap is produced between the window and the enhancement equal in width to the thickness of the mounting means. The enhancement may be mounted on either the viewing pane itself, or alternately upon the frame portion of the window. If desired, the enhancement may be laminated to a relatively rigid substrate prior to application to the window. The invention is further directed to improved, retrofitted windows produced by the method of the invention.

Growing community of inventors

New York, NY, United States of America

Robert L Saxe