Abstract: A method includes positioning a porous structure in a pressure cell; injecting an inert pressure medium within the pressure cell; and pressurizing the pressure cell to a pressure that thermodynamically favors a crystalline phase of the porous structure over an amorphous phase of the porous structure to transition the amorphous phase of the porous structure into the crystalline phase of the porous structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a separation membrane includes: a porous support structure; and at least one alkali metal hydroxide disposed within pores of the porous support structure. In another embodiment, a method for separating acidic gases from a gas mixture includes exposing the gas mixture to a separation membrane at an elevated temperature, where the separation membrane includes a porous support and at least one molten alkali metal hydroxide disposed within pores of the porous support.

Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic according to one embodiment includes electrophoretically depositing a plurality of layers of particles of a non-cubic material. The particles of the deposited non-cubic material are oriented in a common direction.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method for making an architected three-dimensional aerogel, comprising providing a photoresin comprising a solvent, a photoinitiator, a crosslinkable polymer precursor, and a precursor for graphene, metal oxide or metal chalcogenide; curing the photoresin using projection microstereolithography layer-by-layer to produce a wet gel having a pre-designed three dimensional structure; drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce an architected three-dimensional aerogel. Also disclosure is a photoresin for projection microstereolithography, comprising a solvent, a photoinitiator, a crosslinkable polymer precursor, and graphene oxide.

Abstract: Generation of energy and storage of energy for subsequent use is provided by electromethanogenesis of carbon dioxide into a fuel gas and the storage of the fuel gas for subsequent use. An electromethanogenic reactor includes an anode conductor and a cathode conductor wherein the cathode conductor includes submicron to micron scale pores. Electromethanogenesis microbes and/or enzymes are located in the micron scale pores of the cathode electrode conductor. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the electromethanogenic reactor and the electromethanogenesis microbes/enzymes and the carbon dioxide interact and produce a fuel gas. The fuel gas is stored for subsequent use, for example use in power generation.

Abstract: Fabrication of functional polymer-based particles by crosslinking UV-curable polymer drops in mid-air and collecting crosslinked particles in a solid container, a liquid suspension, or an air flow. The particles can contain different phases in the form or layered structures that contain one to multiple cores, or structures that are blended with dissolved or emulsified smaller domains. A curing system produces ultraviolet rays that are directed onto the particles in the jet stream from one side. A reflector positioned on other side of the jet stream reflects the ultraviolet rays back onto the particles in the jet stream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a ceramic, metal, or cermet includes: providing a first solution comprising a first solvent and a first material to a device including an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) chamber; applying a voltage difference across a first electrode and a second electrode of the device; electrophoretically depositing the first material above the first electrode to form a first layer; introducing a second solution including a second solvent and a second material to the EPD chamber; applying a voltage difference across the first electrode and the second electrode; and electrophoretically depositing the second material above the first electrode to form a second layer. The first layer has a first composition, a first microstructure, and a first density, while the second layer has a second composition, a second microstructure, and a second density. At least one of the foregoing features of the first and second layers are different.

Abstract: Described here is a metal-carbon composite, comprising (a) a porous three-dimensional scaffold comprising one or more of carbon nanotubes, graphene and graphene oxide, and (b) metal nanoparticles disposed on said porous scaffold, wherein the metal-carbon composite has a density of 1 g/cm3 or less, and wherein the metal nanoparticles account for 1 wt. % or more of the metal-carbon composite. Also described are methods for making the metal-carbon composite.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a composition comprising a nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel, wherein the nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel comprises a polymerization product of formaldehyde and at least one nitrogen-containing resorcinol analog. Also disclosed is a supercapacitor comprising the nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method for making an architected three-dimensional aerogel, comprising providing a photoresin comprising a solvent, a photoinitiator, a crosslinkable polymer precursor, and a precursor for graphene, metal oxide or metal chalcogenide; curing the photoresin using projection microstereolithography layer-by-layer to produce a wet gel having a pre-designed three dimensional structure; drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce an architected three-dimensional aerogel. Also disclosure is a photoresin for projection microstereolithography, comprising a solvent, a photoinitiator, a crosslinkable polymer precursor, and graphene oxide.

Abstract: A method includes providing a plurality of particles of an energetic material suspended in a dispersion liquid to an EPD chamber or configuration; applying a voltage difference across a first pair of electrodes to generate a first electric field in the EPD chamber; and depositing at least some of the particles of the energetic material on at least one surface of a substrate, the substrate being one of the electrodes or being coupled to one of the electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method for making a monolithic rare earth oxide (REO) aerogel, comprising: preparing a reaction mixture comprising at least one rare earth metal nitrate, at least one epoxide, at least one base catalyst, and at least one organic solvent; curing the mixture to produce a wet gel; drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and thermally annealing the dry gel to produce the monolithic REO aerogel. Also disclosed is an REO aerogel comprising a network of REO nanostructures, wherein the REO aerogel is a monolith having at least one lateral dimension of at least 1 cm, wherein the REO aerogel has a density of about 40-500 mg/cm3 and/or a BET surface area of at least about 20 m2/g, and wherein the REO aerogel is substantially free of oxychloride.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method for making a monolithic rare earth oxide (REO) aerogel, comprising: preparing a reaction mixture comprising at least one rare earth metal nitrate, at least one epoxide, at least one base catalyst, and at least one organic solvent; curing the mixture to produce a wet gel; drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and thermally annealing the dry gel to produce the monolithic REO aerogel. Also disclosed is an REO aerogel comprising a network of REO nanostructures, wherein the REO aerogel is a monolith having at least one lateral dimension of at least 1 cm, wherein the REO aerogel has a density of about 40-500 mg/cm3 and/or a BET surface area of at least about 20 m2/g, and wherein the REO aerogel is substantially free of oxychloride.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method for sensing temperature-dependent electrical switching response, comprising: exposing a polymer-carbon composite to a temperature change, wherein the polymer-carbon composite comprises (a) a semi-conductive or conductive carbon network intercalated with (b) a polymer matrix, wherein the carbon network comprises at least one covalently bonded carbon material, and wherein the polymer matrix comprises at least one polymer having a net electron withdrawing character and adapted to apply a gating effect on the conductive carbon; and detecting a change in electrical conductivity of the polymer-carbon composite of at least three orders of magnitude. Also disclosed is a smart switching device comprising the polymer-carbon composite and a switch triggerable by an increase or decrease in electrical conductivity of the polymer-carbon composite of at least three orders or magnitude.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a three dimensional, hierarchical, porous metal structure with deterministically controlled 3D multiscale pore architectures. The method may involve providing a feedstock able to be applied in an additive manufacturing process, and using an additive manufacturing process to produce a three dimensional (3D) structure using the feedstock. The method may involve further processing the 3D structure through at least a de-alloying operation to form a metallic 3D structure having an engineered, digitally controlled macropore morphology with integrated nanoporosity.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a composition comprising at least one graphene aerogel comprising a three-dimensional structure of graphene sheets, wherein the graphene sheets are covalently interconnected, and wherein the graphene aerogel is highly crystalline. Also described is a method for making a graphene aerogel, comprising preparing a mixture comprising a graphene oxide suspension and at least one catalyst; curing the reaction mixture to produce a wet gel; drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and pyrolyzing the dry gel at a temperature of 1500-3500° C. to produce the graphene aerogel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes creating a three-dimensional, carbon-containing structure using an additive manufacturing technique and converting the three-dimensional, carbon-containing structure to a substantially pure carbon structure. Moreover, the substantially pure carbon structure has an average feature diameter of less than about 100 nm. In another embodiment, a product includes a substantially pure carbon structure having an average feature diameter of less than about 100 nm. In yet another embodiment, a product includes an aerogel having inner channels corresponding to outer walls of a three-dimensional printed template around which the aerogel was formed. In addition, the inner channels have an average feature diameter of less than about 100 nm.

Abstract: Making a carbon aerogel involves 3-D printing an ink to make a printed part, removing the solvent from the printed part, and carbonizing the printed part (with the solvent removed) to make the aerogel. The ink is based on a solution of a resorcinol-formaldehyde resin (RF resin), water, and an organic thickener. Advantageously, the RF resin contains an acid catalyst, which tends to produce carbon aerogels with higher surface areas upon activation than those produced from methods involving an ink composition containing a base catalyzed resin.

Abstract: Described herein is a highly effective route towards the controlled and isotropic reduction in size-scale, of complex 3D structures using silicone network polymer chemistry. In particular, a class of silicone structures were developed that once patterned and cured can ‘shrink’ micron scale additive manufactured and lithographically patterned structures by as much as 1 order of magnitude while preserving the dimensions and integrity of these parts. This class of silicone materials is compatible with existing additive manufacture and soft lithographic fabrication processes and will allow access to a hitherto unobtainable dimensionality of fabrication.

Abstract: Provided here is a method for making a graphene-supported metal oxide monolith, comprising: providing a graphene aerogel monolith; immersing said graphene aerogel monolith in a solution comprising at least one metal salt to form a mixture; curing said mixture to obtain a gel; optionally, heating said gel to obtain a graphene-supported metal oxide monolith.