Abstract: A two-dimensional heterostructure is synthesized by producing a patterned first two-dimensional material on a growth substrate. The first two-dimensional material is patterned to define at least one void through which an exposed region of the growth substrate is exposed. Seed molecules are selectively deposited either on the exposed region of the growth substrate or on the patterned first two-dimensional material. A second two-dimensional material that is distinct from the first two-dimensional material is then grown from the deposited seed molecules.

Abstract: Aromatic molecules are seeded on a surface of a growth substrate; and a layer (e.g., a monolayer) of a metal dichalcogenide is grown via chemical vapor deposition on the growth substrate surface seeded with aromatic molecules. The seeded aromatic molecules are contacted with a solvent that releases the metal dichalcogenide layer from the growth substrate. The metal dichalcogenide layer can be released with an adhered transfer medium and can be deposited on a target substrate.

Abstract: A re-dispersible, dry graphene powder can be formed by producing a solution of graphene sheets in solvent, adding surfactant to the solution, and then drying the solution to produce dry graphene sheets coated with surfactant.

Abstract: A method for preparing a core-shell nanocrystal can include mixing an M-containing precursor solution, an X-containing precursor solution, and an acid or alcohol in an inert atmosphere at a first temperature to form a reaction mixture; maintaining the reaction mixture at the first temperature to grow the MX core of the nanocrystal; raising the temperature of the reaction mixture to a second temperature; and maintaining the reaction mixture at the second temperature to grow a shell of the nanocrystal.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of making an aerogel, comprising: (A) increasing a concentration of a suspension comprising a gel precursor under a condition that promotes formation of a gel, wherein the gel precursor comprises particulates having an asymmetric geometry; and (B) removing a liquid from the gel to form the aerogel, wherein the aerogel and the gel have substantially the same geometry. An aerogel comprising desirable properties are also provided.

Abstract: A transparent electrode can include a graphene sheet on a substrate, a layer including a conductive polymer disposed over the graphene sheet, and a plurality of semiconducting nanowires, such as ZnO nanowires, disposed over the layer including the conductive polymer.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices comprising graphene and a conductive polymer (e.g., poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)), and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, the conductive polymer is formed by oxidative chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of making an aerogel, comprising: (A) subjecting a suspension or a solution comprising a concentration of at least one chemical reactant to at least one of a hydrothermal and a solvothermal process for at least a reaction time to form an in-situ hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel comprises particulates having an asymmetric geometry, and (B) removing a liquid from the hydrogel to form an aerogel.

Abstract: A metal dichalcogenide layer is produced on a transfer substrate by seeding F16CuPc molecules on a surface of a growth substrate, growing a layer (e.g., a monolayer) of a metal dichalcogenide via chemical vapor deposition on the growth substrate surface seeded with F16CuPc molecules, and contacting the F16CuPc-molecule and metal-dichalcogenide coated growth substrate with a composition that releases the metal dichalcogenide from the growth substrate.

Abstract: A process of removing SO2 from a flue gas with a trickling filter using modified ceramsite packing is described. The biological flue gas desulfurization process includes: feeding the flue gas containing sulfur dioxide through the column bottom into the biomembrane trickling filter at certain temperature, contacting with the modified ceramsite biomembrane packing and purifying, which purified flue gas is discharged via the column top; and spraying the nutrient fluid rich in high concentration of the desulfurization strain through the top to the modified ceramsite biomembrane packing, thereby the sulfur-bearing pollution source in the flue gas is degraded, so as to discharge a purified flue gas satisfying the environmental requirements.

Abstract: Aromatic molecules are seeded on a surface of a growth substrate; and a layer (e.g., a monolayer) of a metal dichalcogenide is grown via chemical vapor deposition on the growth substrate surface seeded with aromatic molecules. The seeded aromatic molecules are contacted with a solvent that releases the metal dichalcogenide layer from the growth substrate. The metal dichalcogenide layer can be released with an adhered transfer medium and can be deposited on a target substrate.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices comprising graphene and a conductive polymer (e.g., poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)), and related systems and methods. In some embodiments, the conductive polymer is formed by oxidative chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A hexagonal boron nitride thin film is grown on a metal surface of a growth substrate and then annealed. The hexagonal boron nitride thin film is coated with a protective support layer and released from the metal surface. The boron nitride thin film together with the protective support layer can then be transferred to any of a variety of arbitrary substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated, absorbent, freestanding assemblies comprising inorganic nanowires, articles of manufacture comprising the same, processes of producing the same and methods of use thereof. The assemblies of this invention are useful in various applications, including removal of organics or hydrophobic materials, and waterproofing applications.

Abstract: A film of single-layer to few-layer graphene is formed by depositing a graphene film via chemical vapor deposition on a surface of a growth substrate. The surface on which the graphene is deposited can be a polycrystalline nickel film, which is deposited by evaporation on a SiO2/Si substrate. A protective support layer is then coated on the graphene film to provide support for the graphene film and to maintain its integrity when it is removed from the growth substrate. The surface of the growth substrate is then etched to release the graphene film and the protective support layer from the growth substrate, wherein the protective support layer maintains the integrity of the graphene film during and after its release from the growth substrate. After being released from the growth substrate, the graphene film and protective support layer can be applied onto an arbitrary target substrate for evaluation or use in any of a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of making an aerogel, comprising: (A) increasing a concentration of a suspension comprising a gel precursor under a condition that promotes formation of a gel, wherein the gel precursor comprises particulates having an asymmetric geometry; and (B) removing a liquid from the gel to form the aerogel, wherein the aerogel and the gel have substantially the same geometry. An aerogel comprising desirable properties are also provided.

Abstract: A graphene pattern is fabricated by forming a pattern of passivation material on a growth substrate. The pattern of passivation material defines an inverse pattern of exposed surface on the growth substrate. A carbon-containing gas is supplied to the inverse pattern of the exposed surface of the growth substrate, and patterned graphene is formed from the carbon. The passivation material does not facilitate graphene growth, and the inverse pattern of exposed surface of the growth substrate facilitates graphene growth on the exposed surface of the growth substrate.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive screen and a resistance touch-sensitive device using the same, wherein said screen comprises: an insulating substrate, a rectangular conducting layer formed on said insulating substrate, a conducting layer electrode array formed on the four edges of said conducting layer, a conductive coat formed on said conducting layer, and a conductive coat electrode wherein, at least 3 pairs of the conducting layer electrodes are deployed in said conducting layer electrode array; each pair of the conducting layer electrodes are deployed on the parallel edges of the conducting layer symmetrically; and the conducting layer electrode is set on each edge of the conducting layer. As the conducting layer electrodes are deployed symmetrically on the parallel edges of the conducting layer, the electric filed lines tends to be evenly distributed when the voltage is loaded onto the edges of the conducting layer; thus the linearity of the equipotential lines is enhanced.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for retrieving a sample of oil from an engine, comprising, a chamber having an inside wall and at least one oil inlet, a piston head received in said chamber and slidable between an empty position in which it is disposed substantially at said inlet and a filled position in which it is a first distance from said inlet, a handle affixed to said chamber, and a piston member extending between said handle and said piston head, said piston member comprising a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being affixed to said piston head.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method in connection with a multi-touch detection system is disclosed. The multi-touch detection system includes a touch-sensitive device, a microcontroller coupled to the touch sensitive device, and an electronic application coupled to the microcontroller. The touch-sensitive device has multiple electrically isolated conductive regions. In response to detecting multiple simultaneous contacts a user has with the conductive regions, the touch-sensitive device generates multiple output signals, one signal for each of the multiple simultaneous contacts, and transmits the output signals to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to generate one or more control signals in response to the output signals and transmit the control signals to the electronic application. The electronic application includes a screen displaying multiple human-machine interactive objects.