Abstract: A composition for stabilizing dispersed particles in an ionically charged solution is disclosed. The composition includes a carbonaceous substrate, the carbonaceous substrate operable to undergo a grafting-to approach for functionalization. The composition also includes a covalently bound stabilizing polymer, the covalently bound stabilizing polymer operable to be prepared as a diazonium salt for grafting to the carbonaceous substrate and a plurality of positively and negatively charged subgroups, the plurality of positively and negatively charged subgroups positioned within the covalently bound stabilizing polymer, where the plurality of positively and negatively charged subgroups are operable to stabilize the dispersed particles amongst positively and negatively charged ions within the ionically charged solution.

Abstract: A sensor can include a conductive region in electrical communication with at least two electrodes, the conductive region can include a complex, and the complex can include a carbon nanotube that is functionalized by a porphyrin.

Abstract: Methods described herein may be useful in the fabrication and/or screening of devices (e.g., sensors, circuits, etc.) including conductive materials. In some embodiments, a conductive material is formed on a substrate using mechanical abrasion. The methods described herein may be useful in fabricating sensors, circuits, tags for remotely-monitored sensors or human/object labeling and tracking, among other devices. In some cases, devices for determining analytes are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to compositions including bridged bicyclic compounds such as iptycene-based structures and extended iptycene structures. In some embodiments, the compositions may be useful in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photovoltaics, and other devices.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to compositions, devices, and methods for the alignment of certain materials including liquid crystals. In some cases, a photoresponsive material include a moiety capable of undergoing a di-pi-methane rearrangement. Methods described herein may provide chemically and/or thermally stable alignment materials for use in a various technologies, including transistors, luminescent devices, and liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to emissive materials, devices, and related methods. In some cases, the present invention provides sensors and methods for the determination of analytes, wherein the analytes may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of an emissive material upon exposure to an analyte. The analyte and the emissive material may interact via a chemical reaction, such as an oxidative addition reaction, or other chemical, biochemical or biological interaction (e.g., recognition), to form a new emissive species. In some cases, the present invention may be useful in the detection of a wide variety of analytes, such as toxins, chemical warfare agents, and explosives. The present invention also provides emissive compounds, and related methods, including metal complexes that are capable of interacting with an analyte to produce a change in the emission of the compound.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide devices and methods for the determination of analytes. The device typically includes an absorbent material that allows for an analyte sample to be concentrated and analyzed simultaneously and within a short period of time (e.g., less than 10 seconds). Embodiments described herein can provide portable and easily operable devices for on-site, real time field monitoring with high sensitivity, selectivity, and fast response time.

Abstract: Methods for depositing materials on patterned substrates, and related devices, are generally provided. In some embodiments, a material is deposited on a patterned substrate. In certain embodiments, the substrate comprises a first portion with a material deposited on the first portion and a second portion of the substrate essentially free of the material. The methods described herein may be useful in fabricating sensors, circuits, tags, among other devices. In some cases, devices for determining analytes are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide materials and methods for the absorption or filtration of various species and analytes. In some cases, the materials may be used to remove or reduce the amount of a substance in vapor sample (e.g., cigarette smoke).

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, devices and methods related to the alignment of materials including polymers. In some cases, the present invention comprises the assembly of molecules (e.g., polymers) via intermolecular interactions to produce extended networks, which may have enhanced properties relative to the individual molecules. Such networks may be advantageous for use in electronics, photovoltaics, sensor applications, and the like. In some embodiments, the present invention may enhance the performance of certain optical devices, such as liquid crystal displays (e.g., color liquid crystal displays) by providing enhanced contrast ratio, faster response times, and/or lower operating voltage.

Abstract: A detector can detect an analyte including a carbon-carbon multiple bond moiety and capable of undergoing Diels-Alder reaction with a heteroaromatic compound having an extrudable group. The detector can detect, differentiate, and quantify ethylene.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to colloids and methods for changing the arrangement of droplet phases. In some embodiments, the colloids and methods comprise a plurality of droplets comprising two or more components, such that the two or more components can change arrangement of the components in the presence of an external stimulus. In some embodiments, the change in component arrangement is reversible. In certain embodiments, the change in component arrangement forms Janus droplets.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions, articles, and methods for down-converting light and other applications. In some embodiments, the articles comprise a substrate and a composition comprising one or more types of polymers and one or more additives. In certain embodiments, the one or more additives comprise a light-emitting dye and/or a diluent matrix.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for forming droplets and/or emulsions. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods comprise two or more components miscible at a first temperature and immiscible at a second temperature, dispersed in an outer phase.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides devices, systems, and methods for determination of one or more analytes. The analyte may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an electrical, optical, or other signal of a material (e.g., sensor material) present within the device, upon exposure to the analyte. The signal may be an electrical and/or optical property of the device. In some cases, devices described herein may be useful as sensors for the determination of analytes such as explosives, chemical warfare agents, and/or toxins.

Abstract: A sensor including a fluorinated receptor can be used to identify an analyte through shift in 19F NMR resonance of the receptor when the receptor interacts with the analyte.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides devices, systems, and methods for determination of one or more analytes. The analyte may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an electrical, optical, or other signal of a material (e.g., sensor material) present within the device, upon exposure to the analyte. The signal may be an electrical and/or optical property of the device. In some cases, devices described herein may be useful as sensors for the determination of analytes such as explosives, chemical warfare agents, and/or toxins.

Abstract: Electromechanical devices described herein may employ tunneling phenomena to function as low-voltage switches. Opposing electrodes may be separated by an elastically deformable layer which, in some cases, may be made up of a non-electrically conductive material. In some embodiments, the elastically deformable layer is substantially free of electrically conductive material. When a sufficient actuation voltage and/or force is applied, the electrodes are brought toward one another and, accordingly, the elastically deformable layer is compressed. Though, the elastically deformable layer prevents the electrodes from making direct contact with one another. Rather, when the electrodes are close enough to one another, a tunneling current arises therebetween. The elastically deformable layer may exhibit spring-like behavior such that, upon release of the actuation voltage and/or force, the separation distance between electrodes is restored.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising and methods for forming functionalized carbon-based nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions, methods, and systems comprising polymers that are fluorous-soluble and/or organize at interfaces between a fluorous phase and a non-fluorous phase. In some embodiments, emulsions or films are provided comprising a polymer. The polymers, emulsions, and films can be used in many applications, including for determining, treating, and/or imaging a condition and/or disease in a subject. The polymer may also be incorporated into various optoelectronic device such as photovoltaic cells, organic light-emitting diodes, organic field effect transistors, or the like. In some embodiments, the polymers comprise pi-conjugated backbones, and in some cases, are highly emissive.