Abstract: Forming a conductive film comprising depositing a non-conductive film on a surface of a substrate, wherein the film contains a plurality of copper nanoparticles and exposing at least a portion of the film to light to make the exposed portion conductive. Exposing of the film to light photosinters or fuses the copper nanoparticles.

Abstract: Polymers, co-polymers, and monomers using CO2 as a reagent and methods of production thereof are described. Polymerization methods include converting CO2 into a polymerizable monomer by exciting the CO2 with a light source.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for monitoring volatile chemicals. A system includes an radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag composed of a patterned metal. The patterned metal is configured to absorb a volatile chemical. The RFID tag includes a non-volatile memory configured to store identification data. The RFID tag also includes a receiver that receives a signal at a frequency in a frequency range. The frequency is based upon an amount of the volatile chemical absorbed in the patterned metal. A transmitter of the RFID tag transmits the identification data in response to receiving the signal. The strength of the transmitted identification data is based upon an amount of the absorbed volatile chemical.

Abstract: A solution of metal ink is mixed and then printed or dispensed onto the substrate using the dispenser. The film then is dried to eliminate water or solvents. In some cases, a thermal curing step can be introduced subsequent to dispensing the film and prior to the photo-curing step. The substrate and deposited film can be cured using an oven or by placing the substrate on the surface of a heater, such as a hot plate. Following the drying and/or thermal curing step, a laser beam or focused light from the light source is directed onto the surface of the film in a process known as direct writing. The light serves to photo-cure the film such that it has low resistivity.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for monitoring volatile chemicals. A system includes an radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag composed of a patterned metal. The patterned metal is configured to absorb a volatile chemical. The RFID tag includes a non-volatile memory configured to store identification data. The RFID tag also includes a receiver that receives a signal at a frequency in a frequency range. The frequency is based upon an amount of the volatile chemical absorbed in the patterned metal. A transmitter of the RFID tag transmits the identification data in response to receiving the signal. The strength of the transmitted identification data is based upon an amount of the absorbed volatile chemical.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for monitoring volatile chemicals. A system includes an radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag composed of a patterned metal. The patterned metal is configured to absorb a volatile chemical. The RFID tag includes a non-volatile memory configured to store identification data. The RFID tag also includes a receiver that receives a signal at a frequency in a frequency range. The frequency is based upon an amount of the volatile chemical absorbed in the patterned metal. A transmitter of the RFID tag transmits the identification data in response to receiving the signal. The strength of the transmitted identification data is based upon an amount of the absorbed volatile chemical.

Abstract: The present technology provides an illustrative method for preparing shaped nanoparticles. The method includes passing a metal vapor to a shaping apparatus and condensing the metal vapor within the shaping apparatus to form selectively-shaped metal nanoparticles. The method may also include forming the metal vapor by heating a bulk metal. In an embodiment, the shaping apparatus comprises a mesh separator that include a plurality of nano-sized, square-shaped pores or a plurality of shaping cups that includes a plurality of recesses.

Abstract: Systems having at least one photonic antenna molecule and at least one catalyst for degrading a sugar to degradation products using light energy are disclosed. Also disclosed are the devices and methods that use the systems for photocatalytically degrading a sugar into degradation products.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for monitoring volatile chemicals. A system includes an radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag composed of a patterned metal. The patterned metal is configured to absorb a volatile chemical. The RFID tag includes a non-volatile memory configured to store identification data. The RFID tag also includes a receiver that receives a signal at a frequency in a frequency range. The frequency is based upon an amount of the volatile chemical absorbed in the patterned metal. A transmitter of the RFID tag transmits the identification data in response to receiving the signal. The strength of the transmitted identification data is based upon an amount of the absorbed volatile chemical.

Abstract: Polymers, co-polymers, and monomers using CO2 as a reagent and methods of production thereof are described. Polymerization methods include converting CO2 into a polymerizable monomer by exciting the CO2 with a light source.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for forming graphene and structures including graphene. In an example, a system effective to form graphene may include a source of carbon atoms and a reaction chamber configured in communication with the source of carbon atoms. The reaction chamber may include a first and second layer of a host material. The host material may include a crystalline compound with a layer structure with a layer spacing in a range from about 1.5 ? to about 33 ?. The reaction chamber may be adapted effective to move at least six carbon atoms from the source into the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber may be configured effective to move the at least six carbon atoms in between the first and the second layer. The reaction chamber may be adapted effective to react the carbon atoms under reaction conditions sufficient to form the graphene.

Abstract: A silicon solar cell is formed with an N-type silicon layer on a P-type silicon semiconductor substrate. An aluminum ink composition is printed on the back of the silicon wafer to form back contact electrodes. The back contact electrodes are sintered to produce an ohmic contact between the electrodes and the silicon layers. The aluminum ink composition may include aluminum powders, a vehicle, an inorganic polymer, and a dispersant. Other electrodes on the solar cell can be produced in a similar manner with the aluminum ink composition.

Abstract: The present technology provides an illustrative method for preparing shaped nanoparticles. The method includes passing a metal vapor to a shaping apparatus and condensing the metal vapor within the shaping apparatus to form selectively-shaped metal nanoparticles. The method may also include forming the metal vapor by heating a bulk metal. In an embodiment, the shaping apparatus comprises a mesh separator that include a plurality of nano-sized, square-shaped pores or a plurality of shaping cups that includes a plurality of recesses.

Abstract: A conductive ink includes metallic nanoparticles, a polymeric dispersant, and a solvent. The polymeric dispersant may be ionic, non-ionic, or any combination of ionic and non-ionic polymeric dispersants. The solvent may include water, an organic solvent, or any combination thereof. The conductive ink may include a stabilizing agent, an adhesion promoter, a surface tension modifier, a defoaming agent, a leveling additive, a rheology modifier, a wetting agent, an ionic strength modifier, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a structure, and method and system effective to print a metallic conductor on a substrate. In some examples, the method may include providing a substrate. The method may further include attaching a first layer including at least one metal oxide to the substrate. The method may further include attaching a second layer including a first ink to the first layer, where the first ink includes a metal. The method may further include attaching a third layer including a second ink to the second layer. The method may further include sintering the third layer to form the metallic conductor.

Abstract: A metallic ink including a vehicle, a multiplicity of copper nanoparticles, and an alcohol. The conductive metallic ink may be deposited on a substrate by methods including inkjet printing and draw-down printing. The ink may be pre-cured and cured to form a conductor on the substrate.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for forming graphene and structures including graphene. In an example, a system effective to form graphene may include a source of carbon atoms and a reaction chamber configured in communication with the source of carbon atoms. The reaction chamber may include a first and second layer of a host material. The host material may include a crystalline compound with a layer structure with a layer spacing in a range from about 1.5 ? to about 33 ?. The reaction chamber may be adapted effective to move at least six carbon atoms from the source into the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber may be configured effective to move the at least six carbon atoms in between the first and the second layer. The reaction chamber may be adapted effective to react the carbon atoms under reaction conditions sufficient to form the graphene.

Abstract: A silicon solar cell is formed with an N-type silicon layer on a P-type silicon semiconductor substrate. An antireflective and passivation layer is deposited on the N-type silicon layer, and then an aluminum ink composition is printed on the back of the silicon wafer to form the back contact electrode. The back contact electrode is sintered to produce an ohmic contact between the electrode and the P-type silicon layer. The aluminum ink composition may include aluminum powders, a vehicle, an inorganic polymer, and a dispersant. Other electrodes on the solar cell can be produced in a similar manner with the aluminum ink composition.

Abstract: A metallic composition including a solvent and a plurality of metal nanoparticles dispersed therein is formulated such that curing of the metallic composition on a substrate provides a metallic conductor with a resistivity of about 5×10?4 ?·cm or less. Electrical components of an assembly can be interconnected by a metallic conductor formed by curing the metallic composition on a substrate. A metallic composition including metal nanoparticles can be deposited on a substrate and solidified. The metallic composition can be contacted with a metal wire before or after solidification of the metallic composition and secured to the solidified metallic composition.

Abstract: A solution of metal ink is mixed and then printed or dispensed onto the substrate using the dispenser. The film then is dried to eliminate water or solvents. In some cases, a thermal curing step can be introduced subsequent to dispensing the film and prior to the photo-curing step. The substrate and deposited film can be cured using an oven or by placing the substrate on the surface of a heater, such as a hot plate. Following the drying and/or thermal curing step, a laser beam or focused light from the light source is directed onto the surface of the film in a process known as direct writing. The light serves to photo-cure the film such that it has low resistivity.