Abstract: A hybrid carbon nanotube and clay nanofiller is produced by a freeze-drying process performed on clay platelets, and carbon nanotubes grown on the clay platelets using a chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to the remote detection of explosives and other harmful materials. In some such embodiments, such remote detection involves the use of semiconducting nanoparticles. In some or other such embodiments, such remote detection involves the use of photoacoustic detection and/or spectroscopy. In some such latter embodiments, the photoacoustic system comprises a light source 201 that passes through a chopper 202 and into a photoacoustic cell 203 comprising the analyte gas. Pressure waves within the cell are detected as sound waves by microphones 204. The signal produced by the microphones can then be amplified and transmitted to a remote location, typically via a wireless means.

Abstract: A device for sensing hydrogen based on palladium or palladium alloy nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are deposited on a resistive substrate, to permit sensing of less than 1% hydrogen; wherein the nanoparticles are deposited as islands on a continuous resistive layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing an analyte gas is provided. The apparatus may include a signal amplifier that may include a thin film transistor that may include a semiconducting film that may include a metal oxide capable of chemical interaction with the analyte gas, such as carbon monoxide. The apparatus may be tuned for detecting the analyte gas by varying the gate voltage of the transistor.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor and/or switch fabricated from an array of nanowires or a nanoparticle thick film composed of metal or metal alloys. The sensor and/or switch demonstrates a wide operating temperature range and shortened response time due to fabrication materials and methods. The nanowires or nanoparticle thick films demonstrate an increase in conductivity in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for detecting biological and chemical species in liquid and gaseous phase. The systems and methods utilize carbon nanotubes to enhance sensitivity and selectivity towards the reacting species by decreasing interference and detecting a wide range of concentrations.

Abstract: A combination of MWNTs (herein, MWNTs have more than 2 walls) and DWNTs significantly improves the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites. A small amount of DWNTs reinforcement (<1 wt. %) significantly improves the flexural strength of epoxy matrix nanocomposites. A same or similar amount of MWNTs reinforcement significantly improves the flexural modulus (stiffness) of epoxy matrix nanocomposites. Both flexural strength and flexural modulus of the MWNTs and DWNTs-coreinforced epoxy nanocomposites are further improved compared with same amount of either DWNTs or MWNTs-reinforced epoxy nanocomposites. In this epoxy/DWNTs/MWNTs nanocomposite system, SWNTs may also work instead of DWNTs. Besides epoxy, other thermoset polymers may also work.

Abstract: Forming a conductive film comprising depositing a non-conductive film on a surface of a substrate, wherein the film contains a plurality of copper nanoparticles and exposing at least a portion of the film to light to make the exposed portion conductive. Exposing of the film to light photosinters or fuses the copper nanoparticles.

Abstract: A smoke detector replaces the americium source of alpha particles with a field emission device using carbon nanotubes as the field emitters, or some other field emitter, in order to provide an ionization of die air potentially caring smoke particles through the smoke detector.

Abstract: Sensing a gas includes introducing a gas into a chamber, forming a standing acoustic wave in the chamber, and irradiating the chamber with electromagnetic radiation. Some of the electromagnetic radiation passes into the chamber, through the standing acoustic wave in the chamber, and out of the chamber. An amount of electromagnetic radiation that passes out of the chamber, or is transmitted through the chamber, is detected. A concentration of the gas in the chamber can be assessed.

Abstract: A method for forming a coating of nano-sized material on the surface of another material using a micromachining bead-blasting machine for implantation of nanoparticles is disclosed. The method can be practiced with a wide range of target materials, nanoparticles (such as carbon-nanotubes, CNTs), and environmental conditions, using a wide range of carrier bead sizes and materials, or without carrier beads. The claimed implantation method can be used to fabricate a surface-activated CNT-cathode for use in a field emission device. The implantation method can also be used for chemically reacting any of the materials present near the point of impact with each other.

Abstract: Fabrication of thin-film transistor devices on polymer substrate films that is low-temperature and fully compatible with polymer substrate materials. The process produces micron-sized gate length structures that can be fabricated using inkjet and other standard printing techniques. The process is based on microcrack technology developed for surface conduction emitter configurations for field emission devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for detecting biological and chemical species in liquid and gaseous phase. The systems and methods utilize carbon nanotubes to enhance sensitivity and selectivity towards the reacting species by decreasing interference and detecting a wide range of concentrations.

Abstract: A gas ionizer includes a photocatalyst activated with an electric field to emit electrons. The photocatalyst is also illuminated with an ultraviolet light source. The ionized gas is passed through a chamber between the photocatalyst and the ultraviolet light source. The photocatalyst may be titanium oxide.

Abstract: The present invention is for a porous silicon powder comprising silicon particles wherein the outermost layers of said particles are porous. The present invention is also directed to a method of making this porous silicon powder using a stain etch method. The present invention is also directed to a method of making silicon nanoparticles from the porous silicon powders using a process of ultrasonic agitation. The present invention also includes methods of processing these silicon nanoparticles for use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A thin buffer layer is used to coat on the multi-filament wrapped string to fill the gaps. The polymers of the buffer-layer coating have a high melt-flow (low viscosity) during coating process to fill all the gaps between the filaments, and the filaments are fixed by the coatings onto base core materials.

Abstract: Very low loading of impact modifier less than 4% can significantly improve elongation and impact strength of N6/clay nanocomposites and keep the high tensile strength and modulus. This rubber modified nylon nanocomposites have potential applications in fabricating high-strength fibers for textile industry, coatings for strings or polymer parts, and packaging industry.

Abstract: The present invention provides for variable-range hydrogen sensors and methods for making same. Such variable-range hydrogen sensors comprise a series of fabricated Pd—Ag (palladium-silver) nanowires—each wire of the series having a different Ag to Pd ratio—with nanobreakjunctions in them and wherein the nanowires have predefined dimensions and orientation. When the nanowires are exposed to H2, their lattice swells when the H2 concentration reaches a threshold value (unique to that particular ratio of Pd to Ag). This causes the nanobreakjunctions to close leading to a 6-8 orders of magnitude decrease in the resistance along the length of the wire and providing a sensing mechanism for a range of hydrogen concentrations.

Abstract: Improved mechanical properties of both clay and carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced polymer matrix nanocomposites are obtained by dispersing those nanoparticles using a microfluidic process. Well-dispersed particles are obtained that sufficiently improve mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, such as flexural strength and modulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides for variable-range hydrogen sensors and methods for making same. Such variable-range hydrogen sensors comprise a series of fabricated Pd—Ag (palladium-silver) nanowires—each wire of the series having a different Ag to Pd ratio—with nanobreakjunctions in them and wherein the nanowires have predefined dimensions and orientation. When the nanowires are exposed to H2, their lattace swells when the H2 concentration reaches a threshold value (unique to that particular ratio of Pd to Ag). This causes the nanobreakjunctions to close leading to a 6-8 orders of magnitude decrease in the resistance along the length of the wire and providing a sensing mechanism for a range of hydrogen concentrations.