Essentially water-free polymerized crystalline colloidal array composites having tunable radiation diffracting properties

The present invention is directed to a composite having tunable radiation diffracting properties which includes a flexible, water-free polymeric matrix and a crystalline colloidal array of particles having a lattice spacing, the array being embedded in the polymeric matrix and the lattice spacing changing responsive to stress applied to the polymeric matrix, thereby causing the radiation diffracting properties to change, wherein the polymeric matrix, the lattice spacing and the radiation diffracting properties all return to their original state essentially immediately upon removal of the stress. The present inventive composite is preferably made by a process, which involves forming a preliminary hydrogel polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA), dehydrating the PCCA, and then forming a final, encapsulating polymeric matrix

Essentially water-free polymerized crystalline colloidal array composites having tunable radiation diffracting properties and process for making

The present invention is directed to a composite having tunable radiation diffracting properties which includes a flexible, water-free polymeric matrix and a crystalline colloidal array of particles having a lattice spacing, the array being embedded in the polymeric matrix and the lattice spacing changing responsive to stress applied to the polymeric matrix, thereby causing the radiation diffracting properties to change, wherein the polymeric matrix, the lattice spacing and the radiation diffracting properties all return to their original state essentially immediately upon removal of the stress. The present inventive composite is preferably made by a process, which involves forming a preliminary hydrogel polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA), dehydrating the PCCA, and then forming a final, encapsulating polymeric matrix

Electrochromic inks including conducting polymer colloidal nanocomposites, devices including the electrochromic inks and methods of forming same

Disclosed are electrochromic inks and devices incorporating the inks as well as methods for forming the inks and the devices. The disclosed inks include a dispersion of colloidal nanocomposite particles in a liquid carrier. The colloidal nanocomposites of the disclosed inks include nanoparticle templates, e.g., silica nanoparticles, and an intrinsically conductive polymer polymerized at the template nanoparticles. The inks can include a dispersion of the colloidal nanocomposites in a liquid carrier such as an aprotic polar organic solvent. The disclosed inks can be formulated to be utilized in any desired printing process such as inkjet printing processes. Products encompassed by the invention include all-polymer electronic, optic, photonic, electro-optic, and energy devices such as sensors, OFETs, RFID tags, printed circuit board, electrochromic devices, non-volatile memory devices, photovoltaics, and the like

Random copolymer compositions

Fluoropolymers consisting of alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aryl ether linkages possess suitable properties for optical waveguides and other devices using refractive properties of the polymers. Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymers having aryl groups alternating on an ether chain have shown useful physical properties for optical waveguide applications. Processes for micromolding such polymeric films by replicating a pattern or image directly from a silicon master, rather than from a polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) mold, are disclosed

Fluoropolymer compositions, optical devices, and methods for fabricating optical devices

Optical waveguides interconnect optical information processing devices, or connect such devices with other optical communication links such as glass optical fibers. Fluoropolymers consisting of alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aryl ether linkages possess suitable properties for optical waveguides and other devices due to tunability in optical properties of the copolymers. Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) copolymer may be employed in solutions that exhibit a high solids content. Such solutions show useful physical properties for optical waveguide devices since the solutions are capable of achieving single step film thicknesses, when applied to a substrate, of greater than about 0.6 microns, and sometimes may achieve a thickness of 10 microns or more

Diffraction devices and methods

Fluoropolymers consisting of alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aryl ether linkages possess suitable properties for optical waveguides and other devices using refractive properties of the polymers. Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymers having aryl groups alternating on an ether chain have shown useful physical properties for optical waveguide applications. Processes for micromolding such polymeric films by replicating a pattern or image directly from a silicon master, rather than from a polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) mold) are disclosed

Fluoropolymers and methods of applying fluoropolymers in molding processes

Fluoropolymers consisting of alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aryl ether linkages possess suitable properties for optical waveguides and other devices using refractive properties of the polymers. Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymers having aryl groups alternating on an ether chain have shown useful physical properties for optical waveguide applications. Processes for micromolding such polymeric films by replicating a pattern or image directly from a silicon master, rather than from a polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) mold, are disclosed

Conducting Polymer Ink

Disclosed are conductive polymer inks and methods for forming the inks. The disclosed inks include a dispersion of conductive core/shell nanoparticles. The core/shell nanoparticles include a polymeric core and a shell formed of a conducting polymer. The inks can include a dispersion of the core/shell nanoparticles in a liquid carrier, such as an alcohol. The disclosed inks can be formulated to high viscosities and can be utilized in high-speed printing processes including rotogravure and flexographic printing processes. Products encompassed by the disclosure include polymer devices such as sensors, OFETs, RFID tags, printed circuit board, electrochromic devices, non-volatile memory devices, photovoltaics, and the like

Halogen containing-polymer nanocomposite compositions, methods, and products employing such compositions

The disclosure provides compositions prepared by combining nanomaterials with a halide-containing polymer, thereby forming a combined polymer matrix having dispersed nanomaterials within the matrix. The nanomaterials may be carbon-based nanotubes, in some applications. A halide-containing monomer is combined with nanotubes, and then polymerized in some compositions. In other applications, a halide-containing polymer is solution processed with nanotubes to form useful compositions in the invention. Also disclosed are probes for near field detection of radiation

Halogen containing-polymer nanocomposite compositions, methods, and products employing such compositions

The disclosure provides compositions prepared by combining nanomaterials with a halide-containing polymer, thereby forming a combined polymer matrix having dispersed nanomaterials within the matrix. The nanomaterials may be carbon-based nanotubes, in some applications. A halide-containing monomer is combined with nanotubes, and then polymerized in some compositions. In other applications, a halide-containing polymer is solution processed with nanotubes to form useful compositions in the invention. Also disclosed are probes for near field detection of radiation