Abstract: A metal-ceramic composite includes a ceramic matrix defining a multiplicity of pores, and a metal electrodeposited in the multiplicity of pores. A ceramic slurry includes ceramic microstructures or nanostructures, silica nanopowder, a dispersant, and a binder. Repairing a void in a metal-ceramic composite, wherein the void is defined by at least a first metal surface and a second metal surface of the metal-ceramic composite, includes introducing a solution including metal ions into the void, and electrodepositing the metal ions on the first metal surface and the second surface to yield a metal phase, thereby filling the void.

Abstract: Scalable 3D-printing of ceramics includes dispensing a preceramic polymer at the tip of a moving nozzle into a gel that can reversibly switch between fluid and solid states, and subsequently thermally cross-linking the entire printed part “at-once” while still inside the same gel. The solid gel, including mineral oil and silica nanoparticles, converts to fluid at the tip of the moving nozzle, allows the polymer solution to be dispensed, and quickly returns to a solid state to maintain the geometry of the printed polymer both during printing and the subsequent high temperature (160° C.) cross-linking. The cross-linked part is retrieved from the gel and converted to ceramic by high temperature pyrolysis. This scalable process opens new opportunities for low-cost, high-speed production of complex 3-dimensional ceramic parts, and will be widely used for high temperature and corrosive environment applications, including electronics and sensors, microelectromechanical systems, energy, and structural applications.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for high resolution imaging of a material immersed in liquid by scanning probe microscopy. The methods further relate to imaging a material submersed in liquid by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM), wherein the AFM has a microfabricated AFM probe comprising a nanoneedle probe connected to a cantilever beam. The nanoneedle probe is immersed in the liquid, and the rest of the AFM probe, including the cantilever beam to which the nanoneedle probe is attached, remains outside the liquid. The cantilever is oscillated and the nanoneedle probe tip taps the material to image the material immersed in liquid. In an aspect, the material is supported on a shaped substrate to provide a spatially-varying immersion depth with specially defined regions for imaging by any of the methods and systems of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for high resolution imaging of a material immersed in liquid by scanning probe microscopy. The methods further relate to imaging a material submersed in liquid by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM), wherein the AFM has a microfabricated AFM probe comprising a nanoneedle probe connected to a cantilever beam. The nanoneedle probe is immersed in the liquid, and the rest of the AFM probe, including the cantilever beam to which the nanoneedle probe is attached, remains outside the liquid. The cantilever is oscillated and the nanoneedle probe tip taps the material to image the material immersed in liquid. In an aspect, the material is supported on a shaped substrate to provide a spatially-varying immersion depth with specially defined regions for imaging by any of the methods and systems of the present invention.