Abstract: A nanofluid includes a base fluid and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in the base fluid. The MWCNTs have an outer surface provided with polar functional groups. The outer surface has decorated portions covered with nanoparticles and undecorated portions where the polar functional groups are exposed. A method prepares a nanofluid. In a first step, MWCNTs are grown on substrates by catalyst-free thermal chemical vapor deposition. In the following step, the MWCNTs' outer surface is functionalized to form polar functional groups covalently bonded thereto. Then, nanoparticles are deposited on the MWCNTs' outer surface such that the outer surface has decorated portions covered with the nanoparticles, while leaving undecorated portions where the polar functional groups are exposed. The resulting nanoparticle-decorated functionalized MWCNTs are then detached from the substrates and dispersed in a base fluid.

Abstract: Methods for producing an anodic aluminum oxide template having a plurality of pores arranged unevenly along substantially parallel lines, embodiments of the method comprising: providing a substrate of a commercial grade aluminum alloy, the substrate having substantially parallel lines formed in at least one surface; and anodizing the commercial grade aluminum alloy substrate to form the anodic oxide template. An anodic aluminum oxide template comprising a plurality of pores arranged unevenly along substantially parallel lines extending across a surface of the anodic aluminum oxide template. An ordered carbon nanotube array comprising carbon nanotubes extending from pores of an anodic aluminum oxide template as defined above and in which the aluminum substrate is intact.

Abstract: A low-power atmospheric pressure plasma source, comprising a plasma-forming region for injection of a plasma-forming gas; an excitation region for injection of a source of reactive species downstream of the plasma-forming region; and a narrow converging plasma exit for producing a narrow plasma jet, the source being electrically decoupled from a substrate under treatment by the plasma jet. The present source may find applications for example for skin treatment, etching of skin cancer cells, detachment of cells, removal of skin pigmentation and deposition of temporary organic films.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed lamp having at least one seal-material-free bond. The seal material-free bond may be a material diffusion bond, a mechanically deformed bond such as a cold weld or crimp, a focused heat bond such as a laser bond, or any other such bond. For example, the hermetically sealed lamp may have one or more endcaps diffusion bonded to an arc envelope, such as a ceramic tube or bulb. The hermetically sealed lamp also may have one or more tubular structures, such as dosing tubes, which are mechanically closed via cold welding or crimping. Localized heating, such as the heat provided by an intense laser, also may be used to enhance any of the foregoing bonds.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed lamp having at least one seal-material-free bond. The seal material-free bond may be a material diffusion bond, a mechanically deformed bond such as a cold weld or crimp, a focused heat bond such as a laser bond, or any other such bond. For example, the hermetically sealed lamp may have one or more endcaps diffusion bonded to an arc envelope, such as a ceramic tube or bulb. The hermetically sealed lamp also may have one or more tubular structures, such as dosing tubes, which are mechanically closed via cold welding or crimping. Localized heating, such as the heat provided by an intense laser, also may be used to enhance any of the foregoing bonds.

Abstract: A low-power atmospheric pressure plasma source, comprising a plasma-forming region for injection of a plasma-forming gas; an excitation region for injection of a source reactive species downstream of the plasma-forming region; and a narrow converging plasma exit for producing a narrow plasma jet, the source being electrically decoupled from a substrate under treatment by the plasma jet. The present source may found applications for example for skin treatment, etching of skin cancer cells, detachment of cells, removal of skin pigmentation and deposition of temporary organic films.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed lamp having at least one end-to-end seal. The end-to-end seal may be a material diffusion bond, a seal-material bond, or any other suitable bond. For example, the hermetically sealed lamp may have one or more endcaps butt-sealed to an arc envelope, such as a ceramic tube or bulb. The hermetically sealed lamp also may have one or more tubular structures, such as dosing tubes, which are butt-sealed to the endcap and/or arc envelope. Localized heating, such as the heat provided by an intense laser, also may be used to enhance any of the foregoing bonds.