A suspended-particle device with improved adhesion between the active and conductive layers is disclosed. The conductive layers are coated with an adhesion promoter that comprises at least one organosilane that covalently bonds to the surface of the conductive layer and comprises a cross-linkable moiety such as an acrylate. The active layer comprises a suspension of active particles in a polymer matrix that comprises a polymer having pendant cross-linkable moieties such as acrylates. Upon curing (e.g. by irradiation by ultraviolet light), the polymer matrix of the active layer cross-links with the cross-linkable moieties of the adhesion promoter, thereby binding the active and conductive layers.

An electrokinetic device is configured as a dynamic lens cover and/or filter for an imaging assembly, e.g., of a mobile device, to selectively allow electromagnetic radiation to pass through a lens of the imaging assembly when the dynamic lens cover is in a first operating state or to prevent electromagnetic radiation from reaching the lens of the imaging assembly when the dynamic lens cover is in a second operating state. The electrokinetic device includes transparent first and second substrates, and a compaction trench surrounding the lens of the imaging assembly. The compaction trench stores pigment when the dynamic lens cover is in the first operating state. In the second operating state pigment is dispersed within a carrier fluid between the first and second substrates.

An electrokinetic device is configured as a dynamic lens cover and/or filter for an imaging assembly, e.g., of a mobile device, to selectively allow electromagnetic radiation to pass through a lens of the imaging assembly when the dynamic lens cover is in a first operating state or to prevent electromagnetic radiation from reaching the lens of the imaging assembly when the dynamic lens cover is in a second operating state. The electrokinetic device includes transparent first and second substrates, and a compaction trench surrounding the lens of the imaging assembly. The compaction trench stores pigment when the dynamic lens cover is in the first operating state. In the second operating state pigment is dispersed within a carrier fluid between the first and second substrates.

The invention pertains to an optical device comprising at least one glass or polymer area, whereby an active matrix is located in contact with the at least one glass or polymer area, the optical device comprises a power supply system located between a first auxiliary plane and a second auxiliary-plane parallel to a glass or polymer area, and a distance L from a third auxiliary-plane or a fourth auxiliary-plane approximately perpendicular to the glass or polymer area. The invention pertains also to a power supply system for such an optical device.

A laminated light valve film comprising: (a) a film having first and second opposed outer surfaces; (b) a first layer of a polymeric interlayer material upon at least a portion of each opposed outer surface; (c) a first pair of substrates, one of which is adhered to the interlayer material upon the first outer opposed surface of the light valve film and the second is adhered to the interlayer material upon the second outer opposed surface of the light valve film, these substrates being formed from plastic or glass; (d) a second layer of polymeric interlayer material applied to at least a portion of an outer surface of each one of the first pair of substrates; and (e) a second pair of substrates, one being adhered to the interlayer upon the outer surface of one of the first pair of substrates and a second one adhered to the interlayer material on the outer surface of a second one of the first pair of substrates, the second pair of substrates being formed from plastic or glass, with the proviso that when the first pair of substrates is formed of plastic, the second pair of substrates is formed of glass, and vice-versa.

Disclosed is an inorganic-organic hybrid core-shell nanorod (200) and a light valve having the nanorod (200). The nanorod (200) comprises a nanorod inner core composed of a metal oxide and a nanorod shell composed of an inorganic-organic complex containing carbon and nitrogen atoms. The nanorod inner core is titanium dioxide TiO.sub.2. The core-shell nanorod employs the metal oxide as a core body and the inorganic-organic complex as a shell to account for the many advantages of inorganic-organic hybrid materials, nanomaterials, and the core-shell structure. The synergistic effect of multiple characteristics allows the material to have unique properties. The light valve made of the material has excellent performance, can adjust the light transmittance in a wider range, and has excellent application prospects.

Disclosed is an inorganic-organic hybrid core-shell nanorod (200) and a light valve having the nanorod (200). The nanorod (200) comprises a nanorod inner core composed of a metal oxide and a nanorod shell composed of an inorganic-organic complex containing carbon and nitrogen atoms. The nanorod inner core is titanium dioxide TiO.sub.2. The core-shell nanorod employs the metal oxide as a core body and the inorganic-organic complex as a shell to account for the many advantages of inorganic-organic hybrid materials, nanomaterials, and the core-shell structure. The synergistic effect of multiple characteristics allows the material to have unique properties. The light valve made of the material has excellent performance, can adjust the light transmittance in a wider range, and has excellent application prospects.

The optical device includes an optical modulator positioned on a base. The modulator includes a ridge extending upward from the base. The ridge includes an electro-absorption medium through which light signals are guided. A thermal conductor is positioned so as to conduct thermal energy away from the ridge. The distance between the thermal conductor and the ridge changes along a length of at least a portion of the ridge.

The optical device includes an optical modulator positioned on a base. The modulator includes a ridge extending upward from the base. The ridge includes an electro-absorption medium through which light signals are guided. A thermal conductor is positioned so as to conduct thermal energy away from the ridge. The distance between the thermal conductor and the ridge changes along a length of at least a portion of the ridge.

Disclosed is an optical assembly having a first variable transmission layer comprising a first electro-optically active material between a first pair of substrates, a second variable transmission layer comprising a second electro-optically active material between a second pair of substrates, and an electronically switchable birefringent layer, that is capable of altering the phase of incident light, situated between the first and second variable transmission layers. The layers are arranged such that light passing through the optical assembly can be altered based on the voltage applied to each layer. The light transmission levels can be altered between maximally transmissive, minimally transmissive, and semi-transparent levels between the maximally and minimally transmissive levels.