Abstract: A method of forming a chemically reactive membrane includes applying a first solution to a structure, the first solution includes a macrocyclic ligand having electron-donating ligands and a side functional group for crosslinking, crosslinking a plurality of the macrocyclic ligand to form a first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands, and applying a second solution to the structure, the second solution comprising a catalytic center. Each catalytic center complexes with the electron-donating ligands of each macrocyclic ligand to form catalytic sites in the first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands.

Abstract: Fluidic and electrofluidic devices comprising carbon nanotubes and methods of making and using the same are provided. The carbon nanotubes may be densely bundled to span an aperture in a substrate. A polymeric coating over the substrate may contain reservoir(s) etched therein, the reservoir(s) in fluid connectivity with the carbon nanotubes. X-rays may be directed through the aperture and fluid-filled carbon nanotubes with x-ray analysis providing data on fluid structure and dynamics inside the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A membrane includes a first layer, and a second layer coupled to the first layer. The second layer includes a network of catalytic sites, each catalytic site having a catalytic center characterized by promoting a chemical reaction of a target material. A method of forming a chemically reactive membrane includes applying a first solution to a structure, the first solution includes a macrocyclic ligand having electron-donating ligands and a side functional group for crosslinking, crosslinking a plurality of the macrocyclic ligand to form a first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands, and applying a second solution to the structure, the second solution comprising a catalytic center. Each catalytic center complexes with the electron-donating ligands of each macrocyclic ligand to form catalytic sites in the first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) forests are grown directly on a base material for an anode. The CNTs are filled with Li metal. The filling behavior of the CNTs with Li metal is governed by the density, height, and diameter of the CNTs in the forest. These parameters are controlled by modifying the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) recipe used to grow the CNT forest along with adjusting the catalyst stack design to tune the aspect ratio, density, and rigidity of the CNT forest.

Abstract: A product includes a nanoporous membrane having a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a fill material in interstitial spaces between the carbon nanotubes for limiting or preventing fluidic transfer between opposite sides of the nanoporous membrane except through interiors of the carbon nanotubes. The longitudinal axes of the carbon nanotubes are substantially parallel, an average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes is about 20 nanometers or less, and both ends of at least some of the carbon nanotubes are open. Moreover, the fill material is impermeable or having an average porosity that is less than the average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A membrane includes a first layer, and a second layer coupled to the first layer. The second layer includes a network of catalytic sites, each catalytic site having a catalytic center characterized by promoting a chemical reaction of a target material. A method of forming a chemically reactive membrane includes applying a first solution to a structure, the first solution includes a macrocyclic ligand having electron-donating ligands and a side functional group for crosslinking, crosslinking a plurality of the macrocyclic ligand to form a first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands, and applying a second solution to the structure, the second solution comprising a catalytic center. Each catalytic center complexes with the electron-donating ligands of each macrocyclic ligand to form catalytic sites in the first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect inexpensive and scalable methods of fabricating porous membranes comprising vertically aligned carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A product includes a nanoporous membrane having a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a fill material in interstitial spaces between the carbon nanotubes for limiting or preventing fluidic transfer between opposite sides of the nanoporous membrane except through interiors of the carbon nanotubes. The longitudinal axes of the carbon nanotubes are substantially parallel, an average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes is about 20 nanometers or less, and both ends of at least some of the carbon nanotubes are open. Moreover, the fill material is impermeable or having an average porosity that is less than the average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a product includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a fill material in interstitial spaces between the carbon nanotubes for limiting or preventing fluidic transfer between opposite sides of the product except through interiors of the carbon nanotubes. Moreover, the longitudinal axes of the carbon nanotubes are substantially parallel, where an average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes is about 20 nanometers or less. In addition, the ends of the carbon nanotubes are open and the fill material is impermeable or having an average porosity that is less than the average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Fluidic and electrofluidic devices comprising carbon nanotubes and methods of making and using the same are provided. The carbon nanotubes may be densely bundled to span an aperture in a substrate. A polymeric coating over the substrate may contain reservoir(s) etched therein, the reservoir(s) in fluid connectivity with the carbon nanotubes. X-rays may be directed through the aperture and fluid-filled carbon nanotubes with x-ray analysis providing data on fluid structure and dynamics inside the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a product includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a fill material in interstitial spaces between the carbon nanotubes for limiting or preventing fluidic transfer between opposite sides of the product except through interiors of the carbon nanotubes. Moreover, the longitudinal axes of the carbon nanotubes are substantially parallel, where an average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes is about 20 nanometers or less. In addition, the ends of the carbon nanotubes are open and the fill material is impermeable or having an average porosity that is less than the average inner diameter of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from fresh water and salt water, including a first porous electrode having first pores, a second porous electrode having second pores, a non-conducting permeable separator between the first porous electrode and the second porous electrode, a system for applying an electric potential difference between the first porous electrode, and the second porous electrode, and a system for flowing the fresh water and the salt water through the first porous electrode having first pores, through the non-conducting permeable separator, and through the second porous electrode having second pores thereby harvesting energy from the fresh water and the salt water.

Abstract: Provided herein composition and methods for nanoporous membranes comprising single walled, double walled, or multi-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in a matrix material. Average pore size of the carbon nanotube can be 6 nm or less. These membranes are a robust platform for the study of confined molecular transport, with applications in liquid and gas separations and chemical sensing including desalination, dialysis, and fabric formation.

Abstract: A system and method for forming conductive lines on a substrate comprising depositing a precursor onto at least a portion of the substrate, depositing a thin layer of conductive material over the precursor, forming a negative-patterned mask over a portion of the thin layer of conductive material to form an exposed pattern, forming conductive lines in the exposed pattern, removing the patterned mask thereby uncovering an exposed portion of the conductive layer that substantially corresponds to the negative pattern portion, and removing the exposed portion of the conductive layer so as to uncover substrate that substantially corresponds to the exposed portion.

Abstract: A system and method for forming conductive lines on a substrate comprising depositing a precursor onto at least a portion of the substrate, depositing a thin layer of conductive material over the precursor, forming a negative-patterned mask over a portion of the thin layer of conductive material to form an exposed pattern, forming conductive lines in the exposed pattern, removing the patterned mask thereby uncovering an exposed portion of the conductive layer that substantially corresponds to the negative pattern portion, and removing the exposed portion of the conductive layer so as to uncover substrate that substantially corresponds to the exposed portion.

Abstract: Provided herein composition and methods for nanoporous membranes comprising single walled, double walled, or multi-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in a matrix material. Average pore size of the carbon nanotube can be 6 nm or less. These membranes are a robust platform for the study of confined molecular transport, with applications in liquid and gas separations and chemical sensing including desalination, dialysis, and fabric formation.

Abstract: Provided herein composition and methods for nanoporous membranes comprising single walled, double walled, or multi-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in a matrix material. Average pore size of the carbon nanotube can be 6 nm or less. These membranes are a robust platform for the study of confined molecular transport, with applications in liquid and gas separations and chemical sensing including desalination, dialysis, and fabric formation.