Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing sintered materials are disclosed. Metal nano- and microparticles can be sintered to form thin films. The metals are sintered in the presence of a binder such as a tar, e.g., steam cracker tar (SCT), which has strong absorbing and antioxidant properties that allow the metal particles to retain heat. Retention of heat by the binder can allow the sintering to occur at ambient temperatures. In some embodiments, the mixture and/or the resulting films can be used in additive manufacturing processes to build various components from the layers of thin film manufactured from the presently disclosed methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing sintered materials are disclosed. Metal nano- and microparticles can be sintered to form thin films. The metals are sintered in the presence of a binder such as a tar, e.g., steam cracker tar (SCT), which has strong absorbing and antioxidant properties that allow the metal particles to retain heat. Retention of heat by the binder can allow the sintering to occur at ambient temperatures. In some embodiments, the mixture and/or the resulting films can be used in additive manufacturing processes to build various components from the layers of thin film manufactured from the presently disclosed methods.

Abstract: Methods for forming nanoporous semiconductor materials are described. The methods allow for the formation of micron-scale arrays of sub-10nm nanopores in semiconductor materials with narrow size distributions and aspect ratios of over 400:1.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to processes for forming or otherwise creating a transparent, conductive film from a heavy hydrocarbon material. It allows for what is often considered to be waste material to be transformed into a useful product, such as a heating element. Such heating elements can be incorporated into many contexts where it can be important to have transparency and/or a thin heating element, such as in windshields. The process involves dissolving a heavy hydrocarbon material in a solvent, casting the heavy hydrocarbon solution that results from the dissolving onto a substrate to form a film, and then annealing the film. The disclosure also provides for objects in which such resulting films can be used, such as Joule heaters.

Abstract: Methods for forming nanoporous semiconductor materials are described. The methods allow for the formation of micron-scale arrays of sub-10nm nanopores in semiconductor materials with narrow size distributions and aspect ratios of over 400:1.

Abstract: Methods for forming nanoporous semiconductor materials are described. The methods allow for the formation of micron-scale arrays of sub-10 nm nanopores in semiconductor materials with narrow size distributions and aspect ratios of over 400:1.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to porous materials that may be employed in various filtration, purification, and/or separation applications. In some cases, the porous materials may be thin, flexible, and fabricated with control over average pore size and/or the spatial distribution of pores. Such porous materials may be useful in, for example, desalination.

Abstract: Methods for forming nanoporous semiconductor materials are described. The methods allow for the formation of micron-scale arrays of sub-10 nm nanopores in semiconductor materials with narrow size distributions and aspect ratios of over 400:1.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to porous materials that may be employed in various filtration, purification, and/or separation applications. In some cases, the porous materials may be thin, flexible, and fabricated with control over average pore size and/or the spatial distribution of pores. Such porous materials may be useful in, for example, desalination.

Abstract: Three-dimensional photovoltaic devices and power conversion structures associated therewith are provided.