Nippon Telegraph & Telephone, Tokyo, has developed a new material created by mixing a liquid

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone, Tokyo, has developed a new material created by mixing a liquid crystal with a resin, which increases the switching speed of optical signals moving through optical networks. The coefficient of refraction of the resin is changed when a voltage is applied, changing the direction of travel of any incoming light beam. According to the company, the resin boasts double the rate of change of refractive index of previously known materials.