An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an optical element including a first polarizer and a second polarizer disposed to be perpendicular to each other, and a cell disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer. The cell includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, an electrode positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a dispersion disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including at least one of peeled -ZrP particles and peeled -TiP particles. The peeled -ZrP particles and the peeled -TiP particles are in a nematic state. The orientation of at least one of the -ZrP particles or the -TiP particles is changed by an electric field applied to the electrode.

A quantum rod panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a pixel electrode and a common electrode over the first substrate and spaced apart from each other, and a quantum rod layer between the pixel electrode and the common electrode and including quantum rods and metal particles.

A device for generating thrust using the dynamic Casimir effect comprising: an epitaxial stack of closely spaced parallel semiconductor laminae; and a voltage source; wherein each said semiconductor lamina is connected to said voltage source such that said voltage source can apply voltage to each semiconductor lamina.

A switchable hydride smart window solid thin film coating having variable opacity and the methods for producing the same is described. The coating includes the following layers deposited on substrate such as glass: a switchable layer, an optional barrier layer, a catalyst layer, an optional barrier layer, a solid electrode, an ion storage layer, an optional insulating layer and a transparent conductor layer. The switchable layer is preferably formed of a magnesium alloy and ore preferable, a ternary alloy of magnesium along with two additional rare earth metals such as yttrium (Y) and Titanium (Ti), i.e., MgYTi.