Abstract: A silicon nanoparticle fluid including a) a set of silicon nanoparticles present in an amount of between about 1 wt % and about 20 wt % of the silicon nanoparticie fluid; b) a set of HMW binder molecules present in an amount of between about 0 wt % and about 10 wt % of the silicon nanoparticle fluid; and c) a set of capping agent molecules, such that at least some capping agent molecules are attached to the set of silicon nanoparticles. Preferably, the silicon nanoparticle fluid is a shear thinning fluid.

Abstract: A composition for the fabrication of reflective features using a direct-write tool is disclosed. The composition comprises metal nanoparticles having an average particle size less than 300 nm and which carry thereon a polymer for substantially preventing agglomeration of the nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles exhibit a metal-polymer weight ratio of 100:1 to 10:1. The composition further includes a vehicle for forming a dispersion with the metal nanoparticles. A number of electronic devices comprising a reflective layer formed from the composition are also disclosed. One example case provides an electronic device having a reflective electrode. The reflective electrode comprises a percolation network of the metal nanoparticles embedded in a matrix of the polymer and having an average particle size of less than 300 nm, wherein the reflective electrode is reflective in the visible light range and does not diffract incident light.

Abstract: Processes for the production of metal nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention is to a process comprising the steps of mixing a heated first solution comprising a base and/or a reducing agent (e.g., a non-polyol reducing agent), a polyol, and a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a second solution comprising a metal precursor that is capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol. In another aspect, the invention is to a process that includes the steps of heating a powder of a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone; forming a first solution comprising the powder and a polyol; and mixing the first solution with a second solution comprising a metal precursor capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol.

Abstract: A metal nanoparticle composition for the fabrication of conductive features. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously has a low viscosity permitting deposition of the composition by direct-write tools. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously also has a low conversion temperature, permitting its deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on polymeric substrates.

Abstract: A metal nanoparticle composition for the fabrication of conductive features. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously has a low viscosity permitting deposition of the composition by direct-write tools. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously also has a low conversion temperature, permitting its deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on polymeric substrates.

Abstract: The invention is to processes for producing a nanoglass powder batches and to powder batches formed by such processes. In one embodiment, the process comprises the steps of providing a precursor medium comprising a first metal oxide precursor to a first metal oxide, a second metal oxide precursor to a second metal oxide, and a liquid vehicle; and flame spraying the precursor medium under conditions effective to form aggregated nanoglass particles comprising the first and second metal oxides, wherein the aggregated nanoglass particles have an average primary particle size of from 25 nm to 500 nm. The aggregated nanoglass particles preferably have an average aggregate particle size of from 50 nm to 1000 nm and may be amorphous or crystalline.

Abstract: A Group IV based nanoparticle fluid is disclosed. The nanoparticle fluid includes a set of nanoparticles—comprising a set of Group IV atoms, wherein the set of nanoparticles is present in an amount of between about 1 wt % and about 20 wt % of the nanoparticle fluid. The nanoparticle fluid also includes a set of HMW molecules, wherein the set of HMW molecules is present in an amount of between about 0 wt % and about 5 wt % of the nanoparticle fluid. The nanoparticle fluid further includes a set of capping agent molecules, wherein at least some capping agent molecules of the set of capping agent molecules are attached to the set of nanoparticles.

Abstract: A Group IV based nanoparticle fluid is disclosed. The nanoparticle fluid includes a set of nanoparticles-comprising a set of Group IV atoms, wherein the set of nanoparticles is present in an amount of between about 1 wt % and about 20 wt % of the nanoparticle fluid. The nanoparticle fluid also includes a set of HMW molecules, wherein the set of HMW molecules is present in an amount of between about 0 wt % and about 5 wt % of the nanoparticle fluid. The nanoparticle fluid further includes a set of capping agent molecules, wherein at least some capping agent molecules of the set of capping agent molecules are attached to the set of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Processes for the production of metal nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention is to a process comprising the steps of mixing a heated first solution comprising a base and/or a reducing agent (e.g., a non-polyol reducing agent), a polyol, and a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a second solution comprising a metal precursor that is capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol. In another aspect, the invention is to a process that includes the steps of heating a powder of a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone; forming a first solution comprising the powder and a polyol; and mixing the first solution with a second solution comprising a metal precursor capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol.

Abstract: Processes for the production of metal nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention is to a process comprising the steps of mixing a heated first solution comprising a base and/or a reducing agent (e.g., a non-polyol reducing agent), a polyol, and a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a second solution comprising a metal precursor that is capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol. In another aspect, the invention is to a process that includes the steps of heating a powder of a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone; forming a first solution comprising the powder and a polyol; and mixing the first solution with a second solution comprising a metal precursor capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol.

Abstract: A process for the production of metal nanoparticles. The process comprises a rapid mixing of a solution of at least about 0.1 mole of a metal compound that is capable of being reduced to a metal by a polyol with a heated solution of a polyol and a substance that is capable of being adsorbed on the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Multifunctional nanocomposites are provided including a core of either a magnetic material or an inorganic semiconductor, and, a shell of either a magnetic material or an inorganic semiconductor, wherein the core and the shell are of differing materials, such multifunctional nanocomposites having multifunctional properties including magnetic properties from the magnetic material and optical properties from the inorganic semiconductor material. Various applications of such multifunctional nanocomposites are also provided.

Abstract: A Group IV based nanoparticle fluid is disclosed. The nanoparticle fluid includes a set of nanoparticles—comprising a set of Group IV atoms, wherein the set of nanoparticles is present in an amount of between about 1 wt % and about 20 wt % of the nanoparticle fluid. The nanoparticle fluid also includes a set of HMW molecules, wherein the set of HMW molecules is present in an amount of between about 0 wt % and about 5 wt % of the nanoparticle fluid. The nanoparticle fluid further includes a set of capping agent molecules, wherein at least some capping agent molecules of the set of capping agent molecules are attached to the set of nanoparticles.

Abstract: An ultra wide band receiver system comprising a ultra wide band antenna and an active circuit. The ultra wide band antenna including a power feed operable to receive electromagnetic energy. The ultra wide band antenna further includes a radiator operable to be excited by the electromagnetic energy fed through the power feed to radiate an electromagnetic wave. The radiator has a metal layer. The active circuit includes a pair of parallel coupled lines arranged on a first side of the radiator. The pair of parallel coupled lines is operable to block DC current. The active circuit further includes at least one defected ground structure formed on a second side of the radiator. The defected ground structure is formed on an etched out part of the metal layer.

Abstract: Metallic nanoparticles and processes for forming metallic nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention is to a process for forming nanoparticles comprising the step of heating a solution comprising a first metal precursor and a nucleating agent (e.g., nucleate nanoparticles or a nucleate precursor) in the presence of a base under conditions effective to form the nanoparticles. The first metal precursor preferably comprises a cationic metal species having a low reduction potential. The invention is also to a nanoparticle or plurality of nanoparticles, each nanoparticle comprising a core having a largest dimension less than about 10 nm; and a metal layer substantially surrounding the core and having a largest dimension less than about 200 nm.

Abstract: A DC block with a band-notch characteristic using a defected ground structure (DGS), includes a pair of coupled lines for being formed parallel to each other on one surface of a dielectric and blocking a flow of a DC, and at least one DGS for being formed on an area of the rear surface of the dielectric corresponding to each coupled line and comprising an etched region formed by etching a part of a ground surface bonded to the dielectric and a metal region formed in the etched region. Accordingly, the stop band of the desired bandwidth in the desired communications band can be formed and the size of the communications system can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention is to processes for producing a nanoglass powder batches and to powder batches formed by such processes. In one embodiment, the process comprises the steps of providing a precursor medium comprising a first metal oxide precursor to a first metal oxide, a second metal oxide precursor to a second metal oxide, and a liquid vehicle; and flame spraying the precursor medium under conditions effective to form aggregated nanoglass particles comprising the first and second metal oxides, wherein the aggregated nanoglass particles have an average primary particle size of from 25 nm to 500 nm. The aggregated nanoglass particles preferably have an average aggregate particle size of from 50 nm to 1000 nm and may be amorphous or crystalline.

Abstract: Photovoltaic conductive features and processes for forming photovoltaic conductive features are described. The process comprises (a) depositing a composition onto at least a portion of a substrate, wherein the composition comprises metal-containing particles having a primary particle size of from about 10 nanometers to less than 500 nanometers and including a continuous or non-continuous coating of a ceramic material; and (b) heating the composition such that the precursor composition forms at least a portion of a photovoltaic conductive feature. The metal-containing particles are preferably produced by flame spraying.

Abstract: Multifunctional nanocomposites are provided including a core of either a magnetic material or an inorganic semiconductor, and, a shell of either a magnetic material or an inorganic semiconductor, wherein the core and the shell are of differing materials, such multifunctional nanocomposites having multifunctional properties including magnetic properties from the magnetic material and optical properties from the inorganic semiconductor material. Various applications of such multifunctional nanocomposites are also provided.

Abstract: Processes for the production of metal nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention is to a process comprising the steps of mixing a heated first solution comprising a base and/or a reducing agent (e.g., a non-polyol reducing agent), a polyol, and a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a second solution comprising a metal precursor that is capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol. In another aspect, the invention is to a process that includes the steps of heating a powder of a polymer of vinyl pyrrolidone; forming a first solution comprising the powder and a polyol; and mixing the first solution with a second solution comprising a metal precursor capable of being reduced to a metal by the polyol.