Abstract: An apparatus and method of indirectly cooling an optomechanical resonator, comprising impinging a laser on an optomechanical resonator attached to a substrate, wherein the optomechanical resonator comprises a cantilever, a cooling end of the cantilever, having a cooling end comprising a laser-induced cooling element, an attachment end of the cantilever, attached to a substrate, and wherein the laser has a peak wavelength in the near-infrared band.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling an optical fiber, comprising impinging electromagnetic radiation from a laser on an optical fiber comprising a core, in which the electromagnetic radiation is substantially confined, and a cladding, in thermal communication with the core, configured to provide optically activated cooling of the core via the electromagnetic radiation from the laser.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a composition of matter includes a crystalline porous structure having a density in a range from about 30 to about 50 mg/cm3. In another embodiment, a kit includes an amorphous, porous material, an inert pressure medium, a heating source, and a sample chamber configured to withstand an applied pressure of at least about 20 GPa. Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.

Abstract: A method of making molecularly doped nanodiamond. A versatile method for doping diamond by adding dopants into a carbon precursor and producing diamond at high pressure, high temperature conditions. Molecularly doped nanodiamonds that have direct incorporation of dopants and therefore without the need for ion implantation. Molecularly-doped diamonds that have fewer lattice defects than those made with ion implantation.

Abstract: A method of making molecularly doped nanodiamond. A versatile method for doping diamond by adding dopants into a carbon precursor and producing diamond at high pressure, high temperature conditions. Molecularly doped nanodiamonds that have direct incorporation of dopants and therefore without the need for ion implantation. Molecularly-doped diamonds that have fewer lattice defects than those made with ion implantation.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes radiation-assisted, substrate-free, and solution-based nanostructure (e.g., a nanotube and/or a nanowire (NW)) growth processes. The processes use the high absorption coefficient and high density of free charge carriers in particle seeds (e.g., nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, and/or metal nanocrystals) to photothermally drive semiconductor nanostructure growth. The processes can be performed at atmospheric pressure, without specialized equipment such as specialized heating equipment and/or high-pressure reaction vessels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling an optical fiber, comprising impinging electromagnetic radiation from a laser on an optical fiber comprising a core, in which the electromagnetic radiation is substantially confined, and a cladding, in thermal communication with the core, configured to provide optically activated cooling of the core via the electromagnetic radiation from the laser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of indirectly cooling an optomechanical resonator, comprising impinging a laser on an optomechanical resonator attached to a substrate, wherein the optomechanical resonator comprises a cantilever, a cooling end of the cantilever, having a cooling end comprising a laser-induced cooling element, an attachment end of the cantilever, attached to a substrate, and wherein the laser has a peak wavelength in the near-infrared band.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a composition of matter includes a crystalline porous structure having a density in a range from about 30 to about 50 mg/cm3. In another embodiment, a kit includes an amorphous, porous material, an inert pressure medium, a heating source, and a sample chamber configured to withstand an applied pressure of at least about 20 GPa. Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.

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: A method of making molecularly doped nanodiamond. A versatile method for doping diamond by adding dopants into a carbon precursor and producing diamond at high pressure, high temperature conditions. Molecularly doped nanodiamonds that have direct incorporation of dopants and therefore without the need for ion implantation. Molecularly-doped diamonds that have fewer lattice defects than those made with ion implantation.

Abstract: Graphene aerogels with high conductivity and surface areas including a method for making a graphene aerogel, including the following steps: (1) preparing a reaction mixture comprising a graphene oxide suspension and at least one catalyst; (2) curing the reaction mixture to produce a wet gel; (3) drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and (4) pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce a graphene aerogel. Applications include electrical energy storage including batteries and supercapacitors.

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: Disclosed herein are nanodiamond composites and methods for their synthesis. In particular, the nanodiamond composites include large-surface-area polymer composites that include a polymer and nanodiamond dispersed and bound therein. The resulting composites having certain properties of diamond (e.g., drug-loading sites with low toxicity) yet are inexpensive and relatively easy to fabricate. Aerogels formed using a polycondensation polymer are particularly described herein, although many polymer systems are compatible. Synthesis of the nanodiamond composites is achieved by polymerizing a mixture of nanodiamond and a polymer precursor.

Abstract: Graphene aerogels with high conductivity and surface areas including a method for making a graphene aerogel, including the following steps: (1) preparing a reaction mixture comprising a graphene oxide suspension and at least one catalyst; (2) curing the reaction mixture to produce a wet gel; (3) drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and (4) pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce a graphene aerogel. Applications include electrical energy storage including batteries and supercapacitors.

Abstract: Graphene aerogels with high conductivity and surface areas including a method for making a graphene aerogel, including the following steps: (1) preparing a reaction mixture comprising a graphene oxide suspension and at least one catalyst; (2) curing the reaction mixture to produce a wet gel; (3) drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and (4) pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce a graphene aerogel. Applications include electrical energy storage including batteries and supercapacitors.

Abstract: Graphene aerogels with high conductivity and surface areas including a method for making a graphene aerogel, including the following steps: (1) preparing a reaction mixture comprising a graphene oxide suspension and at least one catalyst; (2) curing the reaction mixture to produce a wet gel; (3) drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel; and (4) pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce a graphene aerogel. Applications include electrical energy storage including batteries and supercapacitors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a pressure cell adapted for enclosing a porous structure; an inert pressure medium within the pressure cell; and a heat source for heating the porous structure. In another embodiment, a composition of matter includes a crystalline porous structure having a density of about 30 to about 50 mg/cm3. A method according to one embodiment includes positioning an amorphous 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 porous structure into a crystalline porous structure. Additional embodiments are also presented.