Abstract: A container includes a surface defining a volume of the container, a first resonance portion disposed on a first portion of the surface of the container using one or more first carbon-based inks, and a second resonance portion disposed on a second portion of the surface of the container using one or more second carbon-based inks different than the one or more first carbon-based inks. The first resonance portion can resonate within a first range of frequencies in response to one or more electromagnetic pings received from a user device, and the second resonance portion can resonate within a second range of frequencies in response to the one or more electromagnetic pings, the second range of frequencies being different than the first range of frequencies. In some instances, the user device may be a smartphone, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, or a near-field communication (NFC) device.

Abstract: A wireless device can transmit, over a communications network to a server, a request to download an application associated with obtaining information pertaining to a package. The wireless device can receive the requested application from the server, and can execute the application using the one or more processors. The wireless device can transmit one or more electromagnetic pings in a vicinity of the package, receive a first return signal from the first resonance portion, and receive a second return signal from the second resonance portion. The first return signal has a frequency based on the one or more electromagnetic pings and a first resonant frequency of the first resonance portion, and the second return signal has a frequency based on the one or more electromagnetic pings and a second resonant frequency of the second resonance portion.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to create porous surface coatings. In use, a material layer includes synthesized carbon-containing composite materials, wherein the synthesized carbon-containing composite materials comprise a porosity characteristic, and at least one of: heat transfer characteristics, resistance to corrosion characteristics, or non-ablative erosion characteristics. Additionally, a bonding layer comprising at least some of the synthesized carbon-containing composite materials is bonded by at least one of, a carbon-to-carbon bond, or a metal-to-carbon bond to a substrate. Further, a surface interfacial layer comprising at least some of the synthesized carbon-containing composite materials is hydraulically smooth.

Abstract: A system for producing carbonaceous materials is disclosed that includes an energy source configured to emit microwave energy and a plasma reactor coupled to receive the microwave energy and configured to produce plasma in response to exposure of one or more process gases to the microwave energy. In some instances, the plasma reactor includes a first chamber having a rectangular cross-section and configured to receive the microwave energy from the energy source as sinusoidal waveform, a second chamber having a cylindrical cross-section and configured to receive microwave energy from the first chamber as a radial waveform having an energy maxima at a radial center of the cylindrical cross-section, the second chamber including an opening to receive one or more process gases and configured to ignite a plasma plume, and a gas-solid separator configured to separate solid materials from the plasma plume.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a carbon-containing glass material are disclosed. The method includes flowing a hydrocarbon gas and silane into a reactor, and providing an additive to the reactor. The method includes generating a non-thermal equilibrium plasma based on excitement of the hydrocarbon gas and the silane by a microwave energy, where the non-thermal equilibrium plasma includes a plurality of methyl radicals. The method includes ion-bombarding the glass material with at least the methyl radicals to create an interphase region. The method includes forming a plurality of FLG nanoplatelets within the interphase region based on recombination or self-nucleation of the methyl radicals. The FLG nanoplatelets may be dispersed throughout the interphase region in a non-periodic orientation that at least partially inhibits formation of cracks in the glass material.

Abstract: A battery-powered analyte sensing system includes a printed battery and an analyte sensor. The printed battery includes an anode composed of a non-toxic biocompatible metal, a first carbon-based current collector in electrical contact with the anode, a three-dimensional hierarchical mesoporous carbon-based cathode, a second carbon-based current collector, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode and the cathode, the electrolyte layer configured to activate the printed battery when the electrolyte is released into one or both the anode and the cathode. The analyte sensor includes a sensing material and a reactive chemistry additive in the sensing material.

Abstract: Inventive techniques for forming unique compositions of matter are disclosed, as well as various advantageous physical characteristics, and associated properties of the resultant materials. In particular, metal(s) (including various alloys, such as Inconel superalloys) are characterized by having carbon disposed within the metal lattice structure thereof. The carbon is primarily, or entirely, present at interstitial sites of the metal lattice, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 15 wt % to about 90 wt %. The carbon, moreover, forms non-polar covalent bonds with both metal atoms of the lattice and other carbon atoms present in the lattice. This facilitates substantially homogeneous dispersal of the carbon throughout the resultant material, conveying unique and advantageous properties such as strength-to-weight ratio, density, mechanical toughness, sheer strength, flex strength, hardness, anti-corrosiveness, electrical and/or thermal conductivity, etc. as described herein.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to create porous surface coatings. In use, a method is included for receiving, at a plasma spray torch, inputs comprising metallic particles and carbon particles, using the plasma spray torch to cause in-situ nucleation of the inputs to synthesize carbon-containing composite materials, and flowing the synthesized carbon-containing composite materials onto a substrate. Some or all of the synthesized carbon-containing composite materials may include a surface layer and/or a bonding layer. Additionally, the method may include tuning the inputs based on tuning characteristics, the tuning characteristics including one or more of: porosity, heat transfer, or resistance to corrosion. Further, the method may include tuning the inputs to optimize temperature redistribution across a surface layer of some or all of the synthesized carbon-containing composite materials.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode an anode positioned opposite the cathode. The anode includes a hybrid artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (A-SEI) layer encapsulating the anode. The hybrid A-SEI layer includes a first active component, a second active component disposed on the first active component, and a plurality of carbon-containing aggregates interwoven throughout the first and second active components and configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The cathode includes a porous carbon-based structure configured to expand in a presence of polysulfide (PS) shuttle within one or more portions of the battery. An electrolyte is dispersed between the anode and the cathode and in contact with both the anode and the cathode. The plurality of carbon-containing aggregates can include a polymer, which includes a cross-linked polymeric network.

Abstract: Disclosed apparatuses, systems, and materials relate to the disassociation of feedstock species (such as those in gaseous form) into constituent components, and may include an energy generator configured to provide a microwave energy. A first chamber defines a first volume and is configured to guide the microwave energy along the first chamber as a sinusoidal wave having an energy maxima at a point along the first chamber. A second chamber contains a plasma plume and is positioned substantially proximal to the first chamber, and is configured to enable propagation of the microwave energy through the first chamber and the second chamber such that the microwave energy demonstrates, at a radial center of the second chamber, a coaxial energy maxima configured to ignite the plasma plume contained in the second chamber. Carbon-containing materials may be formed by controlling flow parameters of the feedstock species into the first or second chamber.

Abstract: A container includes a surface and a first resonance portion. The surface defines a volume of the container, and the first resonance portion includes an assembly of three-dimensional (3D) carbon-containing structures printed on the surface of the container using one or more first carbon-based inks. The first resonance portion is configured to indicate a presence of an item within the container by resonating at one or more predetermined frequencies in response to an electromagnetic radiation ping associated with a user device located a distance from the container. In some implementations, the container may include a second resonance portion including an assembly of 3D carbon-containing structures printed on the surface of the container using one or more second carbon-based inks, the one or more second carbon-based inks being different than the one or more first carbon-based inks.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode, an anode positioned opposite the cathode and a carbon interface layer. The carbon interface layer includes an electrically insulating flaky carbon layer conformally encapsulating the anode. A plurality of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) defining a plurality of interstitial pore volumes are interspersed throughout the electrically insulating flaky carbon layer. An electrolyte is in contact with the carbon interface layer and the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The electrically insulating flaky carbon layer can include graphene oxide (GO). The plurality of interstitial pore volumes can be configured to transport lithium (Li) ions between the anode and the cathode via the plurality of interstitial pore volumes in a bulk phase of the electrolyte. The carbon interface layer can be configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery including an anode, a cathode, a separator, and an electrolyte dispersed throughout the lithium-sulfur battery is provided. The anode may output lithium ions. The cathode may be positioned opposite to the anode and have an overall porosity as defined by multiple non-hollow carbon spherical (NHCS) particles joined together to form tubular NHCS particle agglomerate. Pores may be associated with the overall porosity of the cathode and interspersed uniformly throughout the NHCS particles. In some aspects, each pore having a diameter between 1 nm and 10 nm; and each tubular NCHS agglomerate has a length between 5 micrometers (?m) and 35 ?m. Interconnected channels defined in shape by the NHCS particles may be joined to each other and the pores, where some interconnected channels may be pre-loaded with an elemental sulfur and retain polysulfides (PS). Retention of the polysulfides may be based on some NHCS particles.

Abstract: A cathode may be formed with one or more regions positioned adjacent to one another. At least one region may include particles, where each particle includes carbon fragments and a deformable perimeter that may coalesce with adjacent particles. At least one region may include aggregates, where each aggregate may be formed of several particles joined to one another. Pores may be interspersed throughout the aggregates. At least one region may include agglomerates, where each agglomerate may be formed of a multitude of the aggregates joined to one other. At least one region further comprises a selectively permeable shell configured to form a separated liquid phase on the selectively permeable shell. The cathode may include at least one electrically-conductive region. At least one region has an electrical conductivity in an approximate range between 500 S/m to 20,000 S/m at a pressure of 12,000 pounds per square in (psi).

Abstract: A disclosed construction structure unit may include at least one split-ring resonator, which may be embedded within a material. The split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. The split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, the split-ring resonator may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.

Abstract: A battery system comprising: an anode composed of a non-toxic biocompatible metal; a first printable carbon-based current collector comprising biocompatible multiple few layer graphene (FLG) sheets in electrical contact with and extending from the anode; a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical mesoporous carbon-based cathode including an open porous structure configured to catalyze an active material via gas diffusion; a polymer-based barrier film deposited on the 3D hierarchical mesoporous carbon-based cathode, the polymer-based barrier film configured to prevent oxygen from entering the open porous structure while deposited on the 3D hierarchical mesoporous carbon-based cathode; a second printable carbon-based current collector comprising biocompatible multiple few layer graphene (FLG) sheets in electrical contact with and extending from the cathode; and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode and the cathode, the electrolyte layer configured to activate the battery system when released into one or bo

Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery comprising a cathode and an anode positioned opposite the cathode. A hybrid artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (A-SEI) layer is deposited on the anode and includes a plurality of active components. A blended material is interwoven throughout the plurality of active components and configured to inhibit growth of Lithium (Li) dendritic structures from the anode to the cathode. The blended material includes a combination of crystalline sp2-bound carbon domains of graphene sheets and a plurality of flexible wrinkle areas positioned at joinder points of two of more of the crystalline sp2-bound carbon domains of graphene sheets and a polymeric matrix configured to bind the plurality of active components and the blended material together. An electrolyte is in contact with the hybrid A-SEI and the cathode and a separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The blended material includes curable carboxylate salts of metals.

Abstract: A container includes a surface and a first resonance portion. The surface defines a volume of the container, and the first resonance portion includes an assembly of three-dimensional (3D) carbon-containing structures printed on the surface of the container using one or more first carbon-based inks. The first resonance portion is configured to indicate a presence of an item within the container by resonating at one or more predetermined frequencies in response to an electromagnetic radiation ping associated with a user device located a distance from the container. In some implementations, the container may include a second resonance portion including an assembly of 3D carbon-containing structures printed on the surface of the container using one or more second carbon-based inks, the one or more second carbon-based inks being different than the one or more first carbon-based inks.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an electrophoretic display system including a first electrode disposed on a substrate and a three-dimensional (3D) carbon-based structure configured to guide a migration of electrically charged electrophoretic ink particles dispersed therein that are configured to be responsive to application of a voltage to the first electrode. The 3D carbon-based structure includes a plurality of 3D aggregates defined by a morphology of graphene nanoplatelets orthogonally fused together and cross-linked by a polymer; and, a plurality of channels interspersed throughout the 3D carbon-based structure defined by the morphology. The plurality of channels includes a plurality of inter-particle pathways and a plurality of intra-particle pathways. Each inter-particle pathway can include a smaller dimension than each inter-particle pathway. A second electrode is disposed on the 3D carbon-based structure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a battery including a cathode, an anode positioned opposite the cathode and a carbon interface layer. The carbon interface layer includes an electrically insulating flaky carbon layer conformally encapsulating the anode. A plurality of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) defining a plurality of interstitial pore volumes are interspersed throughout the electrically insulating flaky carbon layer. An electrolyte is in contact with the carbon interface layer and the cathode. A separator is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The electrically insulating flaky carbon layer can include graphene oxide (GO). The plurality of interstitial pore volumes can be configured to transport lithium (Li) ions between the anode and the cathode via the plurality of interstitial pore volumes in a bulk phase of the electrolyte. The carbon interface layer can be configured to inhibit growth of Li dendritic structures from the anode towards the cathode.