Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of immobilizing carbon nanotubes on a surface, wherein the method comprises: (1) mixing carbon nanotubes with a superacid to form a carbon nanotube solution; and (2) exposing the carbon nanotube solution to the surface. The exposing results in the immobilization of the carbon nanotubes on the surface. In some embodiments, the method occurs without the utilization of carbon nanotube wrapping molecules. Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to systems that comprise immobilized carbon nanotubes on a surface, as developed by the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including an image generation unit that, from photographic images that are captured using multiple photographic parameters, generates an image of which values of the multiple photographic parameters are different from values of the photographic image.

Abstract: Mechanisms for operating a prover device and a verifier device so that the verifier device can verify the authenticity of the prover device. The prover device generates a data string by: (a) submitting a challenge to a physical unclonable function (PUF) to obtain a response string, (b) selecting a substring from the response string, (c) injecting the selected substring into the data string, and (d) injecting random bits into bit positions of the data string not assigned to the selected substring. The verifier: (e) generates an estimated response string by evaluating a computational model of the PUF based on the challenge; (f) performs a search process to identify the selected substring within the data string using the estimated response string; and (g) determines whether the prover device is authentic based on a measure of similarity between the identified substring and a corresponding substring of the estimated response string.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of monitoring dioxane biodegradation in an environment by: (1) exposing a sample from the environment to an oligonucleotide probe that targets at least one bacterial nucleotide sequence; (2) detecting the presence of the at least one bacterial nucleotide sequence in the sample from the environment; and (3) correlating the presence of the at least one bacterial nucleotide sequence to dioxane biodegradation in the environment. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure can be used to determine whether monitored natural attenuation (MNA) of dioxane will occur in the environment. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure can be used to determine whether dioxane decontamination is needed. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to oligonucleotide probes for monitoring dioxane biodegradation in an environment.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a system and method for supporting a carbon nanotube array that involve an entangled carbon nanotube mat integral with the array, where the mat is embedded in an embedding material. The embedding material may be depositable on a carbon nanotube. A depositable material may be metallic or nonmetallic. The embedding material may be an adhesive material. The adhesive material may optionally be mixed with a metal powder. The embedding material may be supported by a substrate or self-supportive. The embedding material may be conductive or nonconductive. The system and method provide superior mechanical and, when applicable, electrical, contact between the carbon nanotubes in the array and the embedding material. The optional use of a conductive material for the embedding material provides a mechanism useful for integration of carbon nanotube arrays into electronic devices.

Abstract: A method for the encapsulation and triggered-release of water-soluble or water-dispersible materials. The method comprises a) providing an amount of electrolyte having a charge, b) providing an amount of counterion having a valence of at least 2, c) combining the polyelectrolyte and the counterion in a solution such that the polyelectrolyte self-assembles to form aggregates, d) adding a compound to be encapsulated, and e) adding nanoparticles to the solution such that nanoparticles arrange themselves around the aggregates. Release of the encapsulated species is triggered by disassembly or deformation of the microcapsules though disruption of the charge interactions. This method is specifically useful for the controlled viscosity reduction of the fracturing fluids commonly utilized in the oil field.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to the ultrasmall MOx nanoparticles that are made in a solvothermal method using water soluble inorganic ammonium salt precursors of the MOx and organic amines, and slow heating to generate uniform ultrasmall MOx nanoparticles of 5 nm or less, as well as methods to make and use same.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the resistive memory cells and arrays discussed herein comprise: (1) a first electrode; (2) a second electrode; (3) resistive memory material; and (4) a diode. The resistive memory material is selected from the group consisting of SiOx, SiOxH, SiOxNy, SiOxNyH, SiOxCz, SiOxCzH, and combinations thereof, wherein each of x, y and z are equal or greater than 1 or equal or less than 2. The diode may be any suitable diode, such as n-p diodes, p-n diodes, and Schottky diodes.

Abstract: Magnetic nanoparticles are utilized for magnetically detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure. The magnetic nanoparticles generally include a core particle and a temperature responsive polymer associated with the core particle. The temperature responsive polymer may include polyacrylamides, polyethylene glycols, or combinations thereof. The temperature responsive polymer facilitates an agglomeration of the nanoparticles in a fluid at an organic/aqueous interface of the fluid, an organic phase of the fluid, or combinations thereof. The agglomeration may occur at a specific temperature or temperature range.

Abstract: Methods for targeting a protein by providing an inhibitor covalently linked to a rhodium(II) complex, introducing the inhibitor to the target protein and allowing the inhibitor and protein to interact. The rhodium(II) complex covalently linked to the inhibitor binds the target protein both inorganically and organically and forms stabilizing secondary contacts between the rhodium(II) complex and the protein.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a resolution of a multidimensional imaging system includes taking a first hyperspectral snapshot by the multidimensional imaging system comprising a light processor comprising a plurality of optical fibers having a first end with an input spacing and a second end with an adjustable output spacing; adjusting the adjustable output spacing of the light processor to a new output spacing; and taking a second hyperspectral snapshot after adjusting the adjustable spacing of the multidimensional imagining system.

Abstract: A composition of matter, and method to make same, for a nano-based material including a nanocarbon support to which is attached an aliphatic amine. In particular, the composition of matter is an aliphatic amine-nanocarbon material that includes a nanocarbon (NC) support, such as C60, nano-graphite, graphene, nanocarbon ribbons, graphite intercalation compounds, graphite oxide, nano-coal, nanohorns, and combinations thereof, and further includes an aliphatic amine, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI).

Abstract: A method for powering a cooling unit. The method including applying electromagnetic (EM) radiation to a complex, where the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat, transforming, using the heat generated by the complex, a fluid to vapor, and sending the vapor from the vessel to a turbine coupled to a generator by a shaft, where the vapor causes the turbine to rotate, which turns the shaft and causes the generator to generate the electric power, wherein the electric powers supplements the power needed to power the cooling unit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of detecting strain associated with an object by: (1) irradiating a composition that has been applied to the object, where the composition comprises semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes; (2) measuring an emission from the irradiated composition, where the emission comprises near infrared emission; and (3) correlating the near infrared emission to the presence or absence of strain associated with the object. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without physically contacting the object or the composition. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without utilizing Raman spectroscopy. Further embodiments of the present invention also include a step of applying the composition to the object.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making magnetic carbon nanoribbons. Such methods generally include: (1) forming carbon nanoribbons by splitting carbon nanomaterials; and (2) associating graphene nanoribbons with magnetic materials, precursors of magnetic materials, or combinations thereof. Further embodiments of the present disclosure also include a step of reducing the precursors of magnetic materials to magnetic materials. In various embodiments, the associating occurs before, during or after the splitting of the carbon nanomaterials. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of (3) functionalizing the carbon nanoribbons with functionalizing agents. In more specific embodiments, the functionalizing occurs in situ during the splitting of carbon nanomaterials. In further embodiments, the carbon nanoribbons are edge-functionalized.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of capturing a gas from an environment by associating the environment (e.g., a pressurized environment) with a porous carbon material that comprises a plurality of pores and a plurality of nucleophilic moieties. In some embodiments, the associating results in sorption of gas components (e.g., CO2 or H2S) to the porous carbon materials. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of releasing captured gas components from porous carbon materials. In some embodiments, the releasing occurs without any heating steps by decreasing environmental pressure. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of disposing released gas components and reusing porous carbon materials. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to porous carbon materials that are used for gas capture.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of capturing a gas from an environment by associating the environment with a porous carbon material that includes, without limitation, protein-derived porous carbon materials, carbohydrate-derived porous carbon materials, cotton-derived porous carbon materials, fat-derived porous carbon materials, waste-derived porous carbon materials, asphalt-derived porous carbon materials, coal-derived porous carbon materials, coke-derived porous carbon materials, asphaltene-derived porous carbon materials, oil product-derived porous carbon materials, bitumen-derived porous carbon materials, tar-derived porous carbon materials, pitch-derived porous carbon materials, anthracite-derived porous carbon materials, melamine-derived porous carbon materials, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the associating results in sorption of gas components (e.g., CO2, H2S, and combinations thereof) to the porous carbon material.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of selectively removing one or more graphene layers from a graphene material by: (1) applying a metal to a surface of the graphene material; and (2) applying a hydrogen containing solution to the surface of the graphene material that is associated with the metal. The hydrogen containing solution dissolves the metal along with one or more layers of graphene associated with the metal, thereby removing the layer(s) of graphene from the graphene material. In some embodiments, the hydrogen containing solution is an acidic solution, such as hydrochloric acid. In some embodiments, the metal is zinc. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention are utilized to selectively remove one or more layers of graphene from one or more targeted sites on the surface of a graphene material.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes processes for preparing functionalized graphene nanoribbons from carbon nanotubes. In general, the processes include exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent and thereafter adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons. Exposing the carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent, generally while being heated, results in opening of the carbon nanotubes substantially parallel to their longitudinal axis, which may occur in a spiralwise manner in an embodiment. The graphene nanoribbons of the present disclosure are functionalized on at least their edges and are substantially defect free. As a result, the functionalized graphene nanoribbons described herein display a very high electrical conductivity that is comparable to that of mechanically exfoliated graphene.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing infection at a surgical site comprising a bony defect and an implanted metal device is disclosed. Biodegradable microspheres are placed at the site and are capable of near-linear controlled release of an antibiotic agent for a predetermined period of time. The microspheres are configured to be large enough to avoid being phagocytosed and removed from the body, and small enough in diameter to not physically inhibit bone growth at said bony defect site. The microspheres are formed of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), with or without polyethylene glycol (PEG), and sufficient antibiotic agent to produce bactericidal levels in body tissues. The microspheres exhibit near-linear delivery of the antibiotic agent for at least 4 weeks at levels exceeding the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for organisms commonly found to be the cause of infections, and facilitate bone ingrowth or regrowth at the site.