Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of forming polyimide gels. The methods generally include forming a polyamic acid and dehydrating the polyamic acid with a dehydrating agent in the presence of water. The resulting polyimide gels may be converted to polyimide or carbon xerogels or aerogels. The methods are advantageous in providing rapid or even instantaneous gelation, which may be particularly useful in formation of beads comprising the polyimide gels. Polyimide or carbon gel materials prepared according to the disclosed method are suitable for use in environments containing electrochemical reactions, for example as an electrode material within a lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof are provided. Embodiments include a silicon-doped anode material for a lithium-ion battery, where the anode material includes beads of polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes silicon particles and accommodates expansion of the silicon particles during lithiation. The anode material provides optimal properties for use within the lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof are provided. Embodiments include a silicon-doped anode material for a lithium-ion battery, where the anode material includes beads of polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes silicon particles and accommodates expansion of the silicon particles during lithiation. The anode material provides optimal properties for use within the lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of forming polyimide gels. The methods generally include forming a polyamic acid and dehydrating the polyamic acid with a dehydrating agent in the presence of water. The resulting polyimide gels may be converted to polyimide or carbon xerogels or aerogels. The methods are advantageous in providing rapid or even instantaneous gelation, which may be particularly useful in formation of beads comprising the polyimide gels. Polyimide or carbon gel materials prepared according to the disclosed method are suitable for use in environments containing electrochemical reactions, for example as an electrode material within a lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of forming polyamic acid and polyimide gels in water. The resulting polyamic acid and polyimide gels may be converted to aerogels, which may further be converted to carbon aerogels. Such carbon aerogels have the same physical properties as carbon aerogels prepared from polyimide aerogels obtained according to conventional methods, i.e., organic solvent-based. The disclosed methods are advantageous in reducing or avoiding costs associated with use and disposal of potentially toxic solvents and byproducts. Gel materials prepared according to the disclosed methods are suitable for use in environments involving electrochemical reactions, for example as an electrode material within a lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof are provided. Embodiments include a silicon-doped anode material for a lithium-ion battery, where the anode material includes beads of a polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel may further include silicon particles and accommodates expansion of the silicon particles during lithiation. The anode material provides optimal properties for use within the lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof are provided. Embodiments include a silicon-doped anode material for a lithium-ion battery, where the anode material includes beads of polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes silicon particles and accommodates expansion of the silicon particles during lithiation. The anode material provides optimal properties for use within the lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: An RF fluorescent lamp comprising an electric ballast comprising an inverter circuit operating at a first frequency that provides the voltage and current with reference to local ground to a switching node connected to a first end of a winding of a power coupler, a timing circuit operating at a second frequency equal to or less than half the first frequency, and an enable circuit activated by the timing circuit that enables and disables the inverter circuit.

Abstract: An RF fluorescent lamp comprising an electric ballast comprising an inverter circuit operating at a first frequency that provides the voltage and current with reference to local ground to a switching node connected to a first end of a winding of a power coupler, a timing circuit operating at a second frequency equal to or less than half the first frequency, and an enable circuit activated by the timing circuit that enables and disables the inverter circuit.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp, including a vitreous portion of the fluorescent lamp comprising a vitreous envelope filled with a working gas mixture, the vitreous envelope having an inner surface facing the working gas mixture side of the vitreous portion; a first coating deposited on the inner surface, the first coating comprising a first metal oxide; a second coating deposited on top of the first coating, the second coating comprising a phosphor; and a third coating deposited on top of the second coating, the third coating comprising a second metal oxide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of removing epoxy-based photoresist from a manufactured metallic microstructure or deep etched via, comprising the steps of (1) providing a form comprising an epoxy-based photoresist and a manufactured metallic microstructure; (2) optionally exposing the form to a solvent, aqueous alkali, or amine-based photoresist stripper; (3) exposing the form to an alkali permanganate oxidizing solution to remove the form from the manufactured metallic microstructure, the alkali permanganate oxidizing solution comprising from about 4% to about 9% permanganate by weight, based on the total weight of the alkali permanganate solution, and from about 3% to about 6% alkali by weight, based on the total weight of the alkali permanganate solution; and (4) exposing the manufactured metallic microstructure to a neutralizing solution comprising from about 5% to about 10% by weight of an acid and from about 1% to about 10% by weight of a reducing agent, all weight percents being based on

Abstract: Different techniques may be used to realize the simultaneous provision of bonding material at a controlled height on a wafer level. These techniques include photolithographically patterning a layer of bonding material and providing spacer elements on a wafer then contacting another surface having the bonding material provided thereon to transfer the bonding material to the spacer elements. The patterning of the bonding material may include using a mask direct contact with or spaced from the bonding material. The providing of the spacer elements may include forming the spacers in the wafer itself or attaching spacer elements, particularly a wafer of spacer elements. The resultant integrated structure has controlled spacing between the bonded elements.

Abstract: A substrate (typically a solid state imager or a liquid crystal display device) is provided with a filter by forming a layer of photoresist on the substrate, and exposing and developing the photoresist to produce filter elements from the portions of the layer of photoresist remaining after the development. After development of the layer of photoresist, the substrate is treated with a silylation compound capable of cross-linking the photoresist and of promoting adhesion of the photoresist to the substrate. A preferred silylation compound is hexamethylcyclotrisilizane.

Abstract: An aqueous photographic tri-color processing monobath, which includes a color developer and a fixing agent, and which has a pH of about 10.6, is capable of color developing and fixing an exposed photographic film, without requiring any bleaching of the developed film. Moreover, apparently due to the compact morphology of the residual silver, it has been discovered that a monobath of the type disclosed is suitable for producing both an unobscured dye image and a silver plus dye sound track in a single processing step.