Research Frontiers Inc.

Cornell Research Foundation Inc.

Xiao-Ping Chen

Steven M Slovak

Robert L Saxe

Dongyan Wang

Dotsevi Y Sogah

Jianbo Di

Seth Van Voorhees

A light valve film forming a light-modulating element of a light valve, the film comprised of a cross-linked polymer matrix with a plurality of droplets of a liquid light valve suspension distributed therein. The film has a phase ratio: % particle number value calculated by the formula: In one embodiment the light valve film has a relatively low visible transmittance in the unpowered Off state such that the film has a % T of &#x3c;0.05 and a &#x394;T of &#x3e;42%. In another embodiment the light valve film has a relatively high visible transmittance in the On state such that the film has a % T of &#x3e;70% and a &#x394;T of &#x3e;57%.

SPD films with darker off-state transmittances and lighter on-state transmittances

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

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

Photoinitiator modified silicate and ethylenically unsaturated monomer are reacted in solvent to cause living polymerization of monomer and exfoliation of silicate layers and cause attachment of silicate layers to polymer chains, thereby providing dispersed homopolymer or block copolymer silicate nanocomposites.

Growing community of inventors

East Meadow, NY, United States of America

Xiao-Ping Chen