Abstract: The invention provides homogeneous mesoporous metal oxide nanoenergetic composites. A composite of the invention has a regular and uniform nanostructure of metal oxide, which is structured by a surfactant. Metal fuel nanoparticles are homogenously distributed through the regular and uniform nanostructure. The invention further provides methods for making homogeneous metal oxide nanoenergetic composites. A method of the invention forms a metal oxide nanostructure via a sol-gel process with surfactant templating. Metal nanoparticles into the metal oxide nanostructure via wet impregnation.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanoporous film pattern on a substrate comprising imparting differential surface energy to a surface of a substrate to define first areas having a first surface energy conducive to maintenance of a nanoporous film thereon and second areas having a second surface energy non-conducive to maintenance of a nanoporous film thereon, said first and second areas defining a differential surface energy pattern on the substrate; depositing a nanoporous film precursor onto the differential surface energy pattern; and curing the nanoporous film precursor to form the nanoporous film pattern.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: Preparation of Free-Flowing Organosilica Nanoparticles by Forming a solution of an organosilica nanoparticle precursor in a mixed solvent system comprising a first solvent and a second solvent, wherein the first solvent is different from the second solvent, wherein the second solvent has a boiling point which is greater than a boiling point of the first solvent, and wherein the nanoparticle precursor has a greater solubility in the first solvent than in the second solvent; removing at least 50% of the first solvent to form nanoparticles having a mean particle size less than about 25 nanometers dispersed in the solution; adding a coupling agent to the solution to facilitate reacting of the coupling agent with the nanoparticles; and recovering the nanoparticles from the solution, wherein the recovered nanoparticles have the mean particle size of less than about 25 nanometers

Abstract: A method of generating power uses a nanoenergetic material. The nanoenergetic material comprising thermite is obtained and deposited on a substrate. An igniter is placed on the nanoenergetic material. When power is desired, the nanoenergetic material is ignited. A transducer receives thermal, sonic, magnetic, optic and/or mechanical energy from combustion of the nanoenergetic material and converts it into electrical energy. Preferably, the transducer is a thermoelectric, piezoelectric or magneto device. Preferably, multiple transducers are integrated in one power generators to maximize the power from nanoenergetic thermites.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a thruster that utilizes a nanothermite material as a propellant. The thruster generally includes a body having at least one sidewall and a bottom wall that define a propellant chamber having a closed repulsion end and an opposing open exhaust end. The thruster additionally includes a nanothermite propellant configured within the propellant chamber to have a selected density that dictates a reaction propagation rate of the nanothermite propellant such that the reaction propagation rate will have a selected one of two distinctly different force-time profiles.

Abstract: A structured, self-assembled nanoenergetic material is disclosed that includes a nanostructure comprising at least one of the group consisting of a fuel and an oxidizer and a plurality of substantially spherical nanoparticles comprising at least the other of the group consisting of a fuel and an oxidizer. The spherical particles are arranged around the exterior surface area of said nanorod. This structured particle assures that the oxidizer and the fuel have a high interfacial surface area between them. Preferably, the nanostructure is at least one of a nanorod, nanowire and a nanowell, and the second shaped nanoparticle is a nanosphere.

Abstract: Nanoparticles having a mean particle size of less than about 25 nanometers and a mean pore size of less than 10 nanometers, and a mean surface area of at least 500 m2/g; nanoporous films of such nanoparticles; and composites and devices containing such nanoparticles and nanoporous films.

Abstract: The present process for rapidly heating and cooling a target material without damaging the substrate upon which it has been deposited. More specifically, target material is coated onto a first substrate. A self-propagating nanoenergetic material is selected that combusts at temperatures sufficient to change the target material and creates a flame front that propagates sufficiently quickly that the first substrate is not substantially heated. The nanoenergetic material is deposited on the target material, such that the target material and the nanoenergetic material is sandwiched between the substrate and the target material. The nanoenergetic material is ignited and the flame front of the nanoenergetic material is allowed to propagate over the second substrate and change the target material.

Abstract: The invention provides homogeneous mesoporous metal oxide nanoenergetic composites. A composite of the invention has a regular and uniform nanostructure of metal oxide, which is structured by a surfactant. Metal fuel nanoparticles are homogenously distributed through the regular and uniform nanostructure. The invention further provides methods for making homogeneous metal oxide nanoenergetic composites. A method of the invention forms a metal oxide nanostructure via a sol-gel process with surfactant templating. Metal nanoparticles into the metal oxide nanostructure via wet impregnation.

Abstract: Nanoparticles having a mean particle size of less than about 25 nanometers and a mean pore size of less than 10 nanometers, and a mean surface area of at least 500 m2/g; nanoporous films of such nanoparticles; and composites and devices containing such nanoparticles and nanoporous films.

Abstract: The present process for rapidly heating and cooling a target material without damaging the substrate upon which it has been deposited. More specifically, target material is coated onto a first substrate. A self-propagating nanoenergetic material is selected that combusts at temperatures sufficient to change the target material and creates a flame front that propagates sufficiently quickly that the first substrate is not substantially heated. The nanoenergetic material is deposited on the target material, such that the target material and the nanoenergetic material is sandwiched between the substrate and the target material. The nanoenergetic material is ignited and the flame front of the nanoenergetic material is allowed to propagate over the second substrate and change the target material.

Abstract: A method of generating power uses a nanoenergetic material. The nanoenergetic material comprising thermite is obtained and deposited on a substrate. An igniter is placed on the nanoenergetic material. When power is desired, the nanoenergetic material is ignited. A transducer receives thermal, sonic, magnetic, optic and/or mechanical energy from combustion of the nanoenergetic material and converts it into electrical energy. Preferably, the transducer is a thermoelectric, piezoelectric or magneto device. Preferably, multiple transducers are integrated in one power generators to maximize the power from nanoenergetic thermites.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: A miniature device for generating shock waves using the energy of combustion of a nanoenergetic material and directing the shock waves into biological tissues is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods of using electrophoresis separation matrices. The invention provides nano-particle comprising separation matrices having increased conductivity at low voltage.

Abstract: The invention provides metastable intermolecular composites that have good thermite properties while also being relatively insensitive to electrostatic discharge ignition. A preferred embodiment metastable intermolecular composite has a metal oxide nanostructure, which can be coated with an energetic polymer via a molecular linker or loaded with a gas generating polymer. Metal fuel nanoparticles coated with an energetic polymer via a molecular linker are closely associated with said metal oxide nanostructure. Methods of making metastable intermolecular composites are also provided by the invention.

Abstract: A structured, self-assembled nanoenergetic material is disclosed that includes a nanostructure comprising at least one of the group consisting of a fuel and an oxidizer and a plurality of substantially spherical nanoparticles comprising at least the other of the group consisting of a fuel and an oxidizer. The spherical particles are arranged around the exterior surface area of said nanorod. This structured particle assures that the oxidizer and the fuel have a high interfacial surface area between them. Preferably, the nanostructure is at least one of a nanorod, nanowire and a nanowell, and the second shaped nanoparticle is a nanosphere.