Abstract: A method for the fabrication of nanostructured semiconducting, photoconductive, photovoltaic, optoelectronic and electrical battery thin films and materials at low temperature, with no molecular template and no organic contaminants. High-quality metal oxide semiconductor, photovoltaic and optoelectronic materials can be fabricated with nanometer-scale dimensions and high dopant densities through the use of low-temperature biologically inspired synthesis routes, without the use of any biological or biochemical templates.

Abstract: A method of growing electrochemically active materials in situ within a dispersed conductive matrix to yield nanocomposite cathodes or anodes for electrochemical devices, such as lithium-ion batteries. The method involves an in situ formation of a precursor of the electrochemically active materials within the dispersed conductive matrix followed by a chemical reaction to subsequently produce the nanocomposite cathodes or anodes, wherein: the electrochemically active materials comprise nanocrystalline or microcrystalline electrochemically active metal oxides, metal phosphates or other electrochemically active materials; the dispersed conductive matrix forms an interconnected percolation network of electrically conductive filaments or particles, such as carbon nanotubes; and the nanocomposite cathodes or anodes comprise a homogeneous distribution of the electrochemically active materials within the dispersed conductive matrix.

Abstract: A novel method for preparing unique composition high-performance anode materials with high energy density, high power density, high stability, and excellent cyclability for electrochemical energy storage devices, in particular for lithium ion batteries, wherein this method and material circumvent and surpass the limitations of those methods and materials currently available.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to compositions and devices operable for infra-red transmission and blocking comprising a layered structure having a first electrically conducting layer, a conjugated electrochromic polymer layer, an electrolyte layer and a second electrically conducting layer, wherein the first and second electrically conducting layers have an infrared transparency and the conjugated electrochromic polymers may be operable to be electrically switched between a transparent state that transmits infrared light to an opaque state that does not transmit infrared light. In some embodiments, a device of the disclosure may also have one or more outer substrates sandwiching the other layers. Some embodiments relate to single-layered devices. Some embodiments relate to combined layers. Compositions and devices of the disclosure may be integrated into a wide variety of infrared systems for transmission, shuttering and calibration applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to compositions and devices operable for infra-red transmission and blocking comprising a layered structure having a first electrically conducting layer, a conjugated electrochromic polymer layer, an electrolyte layer and a second electrically conducting layer, wherein the first and second electrically conducting layers have an infrared transparency and the conjugated electrochromic polymers may be operable to be electrically switched between a transparent state that transmits infrared light to an opaque state that does not transmit infrared light. In some embodiments, a device of the disclosure may also have one or more outer substrates sandwiching the other layers. Some embodiments relate to single-layered devices. Some embodiments relate to combined layers. Compositions and devices of the disclosure may be integrated into a wide variety of infrared systems for transmission, shuttering and calibration applications.

Abstract: The in vitro polymerization of silica, silicone, non-silicon metalloid-oxane and metallo-oxane polymer networks, by combining a catalyst and a substrate to polymerize the substrate to form silica, polysiloxanes, polymetalloid-oxanes polymetallo-oxanes (metal oxides), polyorganometalloid oxanes, polyorganometallo oxanes, and the polyhydrido derivatives thereof, at about neutral pH.

Abstract: Self-healing copolymeric materials comprising a plurality of intermediate strength crosslinks are provided. The copolymeric materials comprise a silicon component and a plurality of crosslinking components. The crosslinking components comprise a polymeric structure forming a structure held together by ionic and/or hydrogen bonding with a net intermediate strength. The plurality of intermediate strength crosslinks provide toughness to the material, and allow for rehealing by allowing reforming of the crosslinks after a disruptive stress incidence. The material is also suited for recasting, and can be used as an active matrix by incorporating additional substances. Articles of manufacture incorporating such materials, and methods of recasting such materials are also provided.

Abstract: Unique catalyst compositions and methods of using the compositions wherein the catalysts include a nucleophilic functionality and a hydrogen-bonding acceptor group and are used in the synthesis of silica, glass, silicones, and polymetallooxanes at low temperatures and at about neutral pH.

Abstract: Self-healing copolymeric materials comprising a plurality of intermediate strength crosslinks are provided. The copolymeric materials comprise a silicon component and a plurality of crosslinking components. The crosslinking components comprise a polymeric structure forming a structure held together by ionic and/or hydrogen bonding with a net intermediate strength. The plurality of intermediate strength crosslinks provide toughness to the material, and allow for rehealing by allowing reforming of the crosslinks after a disruptive stress incidence. The material is also suited for recasting, and can be used as an active matrix by incorporating additional substances. Articles of manufacture incorporating such materials, and methods of recasting such materials are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and biomimetic catalysts, such as silicateins and block copolypeptides, used to catalyze and spatially direct the polycondensation of silicon alkoxides, metal alkoxides, and their organic conjugates to make silica, polysiloxanes, polymetallo-oxanes, and mixed poly(silicon/metalklo)oxane materials under environmentally benign conditions.

Abstract: A method that utilizes a family of catalysts to produce metal, non-silicon metalloid and rare earth oxides and nitrides, and their organic or hydrido conjugates and derivatives from corresponding alkoxide-like precursors while simultaneously directing the nanostructure of the resulting material. The family of catalysts include the silicateins, a family of enzymes responsible for the structure-directing polycondensation of silica in biological systems. Silicateins catalyze the formation of structurally organized silica polymers. Other suitable catalysts include a large group of enzymes that mimic the action of silicateins, peptide biomimetics of silicateins, and other chemical entities that act catalytically by a mechanism related to that of the silicateins.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for binding histidine containing proteins to substrates are provided. A substrate having reactive groups is contacted with a substrate modifier comprising a silane, a linker, and an active site to form an activated substrate. The activated substrate is then reacted with a reagent that binds to the active site and comprises a ligand that can bind to a metal ion to form a chelator which is then chelated to a metal ion to form a metal-chelated substrate. A histidine-containing protein having an arrangement of histidine residues that can bind to two available cis valencies on the chelated metal ion is then incubated with the metal-chelated substrate to form a protein-substrate complex. The protein can be deposited in a pattern through any suitable technique. The protein is bound in an active form allowing it to perform native functions, including enzymatic functions.

Abstract: Modular, energy-dissipating material prevents failure of adhesives, fibers and composite and other structures. The modules comprise folded subunits or domains that unfold in a stepped fashion at forces below that necessary to break the backbone of the material and, with adhesive material, below that necessary to break the bonds that fasten the material to surfaces being glued.

Abstract: Addition of an oxidizing agent which yields electronically activated oxygen, such as hydrogen peroxide, to seawater induces spawning and reproduction in shellfish, such as abalones, mussels, scallops and oysters. Such oxidizing agent, e.g. hydrogen peroxide, activates the enzymatic synthesis of prostaglandin-endoperoxide in reproductive tissues of shellfish, such as abalone.