Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining particle size, and optionally, the complex index of refraction for particle suspended in a gas or liquid are provided. The particle to be analyzed is caused to travel through a laser beam having a modified Gaussian profile. The particle causes light from the laser beam to scatter. The scattered light is measured by one or more photodetectors disposed at a particular scattering angle relative to the center of the laser beam. The apparatus and methods can be used in sensors configured to monitor air quality in enclosed environments, such as on-board aircraft and within buildings, and/or detect environmental contaminants.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that are capable of mass production of particulate materials, such as graphene particulates. The apparatus comprises an ignition assembly that comprises readily interchangeable electrode cassettes and that may be configured to self-clean in between the combustion cycles in which the particulate materials are generated. Methods of generating the particulate materials require low energy inputs in order to initiate the combustion reaction, which is then self-sustaining until the reactants are depleted.

Abstract: Methods of preparing graphene/graphene oxide particulates under mild conditions, comprising reacting pristine graphene with hydrogen peroxide and a source of iron to oxidize the outer surface of the pristine graphene particulates in solution and yield graphene/graphene oxide particulates. Methods and articles incorporating the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining particle size, and optionally, the complex index of refraction for particle suspended in a gas or liquid are provided. The particle to be analyzed is caused to travel through a laser beam having a modified Gaussian profile. The particle causes light from the laser beam to scatter. The scattered light is measured by one or more photodetectors disposed at a particular scattering angle relative to the center of the laser beam. The apparatus and methods can be used in sensors configured to monitor air quality in enclosed environments, such as on-board aircraft and within buildings, and/or detect environmental contaminants.

Abstract: A method of producing pristine graphene particles through a one-step, gas-phase, catalyst-free detonation of a mixture of one or more carbon-containing compounds hydrocarbon compounds and one or more oxidizing agents is provided. The detonation reaction occurs very quickly and at relatively high temperature, greater than 3000 K, to generate graphene nanosheets that can be recovered from the reaction vessel, such as in the form of an aerosol. The graphene nanosheets may be stacked in single, double, or triple layers, for example, and may have an average particle size of between about 35 to about 250 nm.

Abstract: A method of producing pristine graphene particles through a one-step, gas-phase, catalyst-free detonation of a mixture of one or more carbon-containing compounds hydrocarbon compounds and one or more oxidizing agents is provided. The detonation reaction occurs very quickly and at relatively high temperature, greater than 3000 K, to generate graphene nanosheets that can be recovered from the reaction vessel, such as in the form of an aerosol. The graphene nanosheets may be stacked in single, double, or triple layers, for example, and may have an average particle size of between about 35 to about 250 nm.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of ultralow density, high specific surface area gel products is provided which comprises providing, in an enclosed chamber, a mixture made up of small particles of material suspended in gas; the particles are then caused to aggregate in the chamber to form ramified fractal aggregate gels. The particles should have a radius (a) of up to about 50 nm and the aerosol should have a volume fraction (fv) of at least 10?4. In preferred practice, the mixture is created by a spark-induced explosion of a precursor material (e.g., a hydrocarbon) and oxygen within the chamber. New compositions of matter are disclosed having densities below 3.0 mg/cc.

Abstract: Novel siloxanes are provided in the form of nanoscale bodies having discrete, observable structures, such as elongated wires, tubes, filaments and coils, having a length of at least about 100 nm and a diameter of from about 2-200 nm. The siloxanes are synthesized by reacting a substituted silane in a solvent system comprising water and a polar organic solvent, and in the presence of a metallic nanoparticle catalyst such as gold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system including control means and a user interface, the user interface including means for communication of control signals from a user to the control means, the user interface being adaptive. According to the invention the user may interact with the user interface and thereby establish signals to be communicated to the control means for further processing and subsequently be converted into a certain intended action.

Abstract: The invention relates to a user interface including: motion detection means , output means adaption means adapted for the receipt of motion detection signals obtained by the motion detection means, establishing an interpretation frame on the basis of the motion detection signals and establishing and outputting communication signals to the output means on the basis of the motion detection signals and said interpretation frame. According to the invention, the user interface has been established for the use of interpreting motion provided by a user of the user interface.

Abstract: Novel siloxanes are provided in the form of nanoscale bodies having discrete, observable structures, such as elongated wires, tubes, filaments and coils, having a length of at least about 100 nm and a diameter of from about 2-200 nm. The siloxanes are synthesized by reacting a substituted silane in a solvent system comprising water and a polar organic solvent, and in the presence of a metallic nanoparticle catalyst such as gold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-lingual communication method and apparatus, wherein a physical or physiological signal consciously created by a first subject (1) is detected and converted into a transmitted output signal presented to a second subject (7) in order to communicate information from the first subject (1) to the second subject (7). The invention further relates to rehabilitation of handicapped people.

Abstract: Glass/nanoparticle composites are provided which include a glass matrix with a high density of heterologous nanoparticles embedded therein adjacent the outer surfaces of the composite. Preferably, the glass matrix is formed of porous glass and the nanoparticles are yttrium-iron nanocrystals which exhibit the property of altering the polarization of incident electromagnetic radiation; the composites are thus suitable for use in electrooptical recording media. In practice, a glass matrix having suitable porosity is contacted with a colloidal dispersion containing amorphous yttrium-iron nanoparticles in order to embed the nanoparticles within the surface pores of the matrix. The treated glass matrix is then heated under time-temperature conditions to convert the amorphous nanoparticles into a crystalline state while also fusing the glass matrix pores.

Abstract: A method of forming ligated nanoparticles of the formula Y(Z)x where Y is a nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of elemental metals having atomic numbers ranging from 21-34, 39-52, 57-83 and 89-102, all inclusive, the halides, oxides and sulfides of such metals, and the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal halides, and Z represents ligand moieties such as the alkyl thiols. In the method, a first colloidal dispersion is formed made up of nanoparticles solvated in a molar excess of a first solvent (preferably a ketone such as acetone), a second solvent different than the first solvent (preferably an organic aryl solvent such as toluene) and a quantity of ligand moieties; the first solvent is then removed under vacuum and the ligand moieties ligate to the nanoparticles to give a second colloidal dispersion of the ligated nanoparticles solvated in the second solvent. If substantially monodispersed nanoparticles are desired, the second dispersion is subjected to a digestive ripening process.

Abstract: A method of forming ligated nanoparticles of the formula Y(Z)x where Y is a nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of elemental metals having atomic numbers ranging from 21-34, 39-52, 57-83 and 89-102, all inclusive, the halides, oxides and sulfides of such metals, and the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal halides, and Z represents ligand moieties such as the alkyl thiols. In the method, a first colloidal dispersion is formed made up of nanoparticles solvated in a molar excess of a first solvent (preferably a ketone such as acetone), a second solvent different than the first solvent (preferably an organic aryl solvent such as toluene) and a quantity of ligand moieties; the first solvent is then removed under vacuum and the ligand moieties ligate to the nanoparticles to give a second colloidal dispersion of the ligated nanoparticles solvated in the second solvent. If substantially monodispersed nanoparticles are desired, the second dispersion is subjected to a digestive ripening process.

Abstract: A method of forming ligated nanoparticles of the formula Y(Z)x where Y is a nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of elemental metals having atomic numbers ranging from 21-34, 39-52, 57-83 and 89-102, all inclusive, the halides, oxides and sulfides of such metals, and the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal halides, and Z represents ligand moieties such as the alkyl thiols. In the method, a first colloidal dispersion is formed made up of nanoparticles solvated in a molar excess of a first solvent (preferably a ketone such as acetone), a second solvent different than the first solvent (preferably an organic aryl solvent such as toluene) and a quantity of ligand moieties; the first solvent is then removed under vacuum and the ligand moieties ligate to the nanoparticles to give a second colloidal dispersion of the ligated nanoparticles solvated in the second solvent. If substantially monodispersed nanoparticles are desired, the second dispersion is subjected to a digestive ripening process.

Abstract: A method of forming ligated nanoparticles of the formula Y(Z)x, where Y is a nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of elemental metals having atomic numbers ranging from 21-34, 39-52, 57-83 and 89-102, all inclusive, the halides, oxides and sulfides of such metals, and the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal halides, and Z represents ligand moieties such as the alkyl thiols. In the method, a first colloidal dispersion is formed made up of nanoparticles solvated in a molar excess of a first solvent (preferably a ketone such as acetone), a second solvent different than the first solvent (preferably an organic aryl solvent such as toluene) and a quantity of ligand moieties; the first solvent is then removed under vacuum and the ligand moieties ligate to the nanoparticles to give a second colloidal dispersion of the ligated nanoparticles solvated in the second solvent. If substantially monodispersed nanoparticles are desired, the second dispersion is subjected to a digestive ripening process.

Abstract: Composite nanoparticles comprising an elemental metal core surrounded by a metal-containing shell material are described wherein the particles have an average diameter of from about 5-500 nm; the core metal is preferably selected from the group consisting of the transition metals and especially Fe, Co and Ni, whereas the shell material is advantageously a metal such as an alkaline earth metal, or a metal salt such as a metal oxide or metal halide. The shell material is preferably more oxophilic than the elemental core material, enabling the core metal to remain purely metallic. These core/shell composite particles can be used to fabricate magnetizable recording media such as tapes and disks.