Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to compositions including discrete nanostructures (e.g., nanostructures including a functionalized graphene layer and a core species bound to the functionalized graphene layer), and related articles and methods. A composition may have a coefficient of friction of less than or equal to 0.02. Discrete nanostructures may have a substantially non-planar configuration. A core species may reversibly covalently bind a first portion of a functionalized graphene layer to a second portion of the functionalized graphene layer. Articles, e.g., articles including a plurality of discrete nanostructures and a means for depositing the plurality of discrete nanostructures on a surface, are also provided. Methods (e.g., methods of forming a layer) are also provided, including depositing a composition onto a substrate surface and/or applying a mechanical force to the composition, e.g., such that the composition exhibits a coefficient of friction of less than or equal to 0.02.

Abstract: In a method provided herein for forming a chalcogenide film on a substrate, an elemental solid is exposed to a hydrogen halide gas in a heated reaction environment at a temperature at which the hydrogen halide gas promotes the elemental solid to evolve into an elemental halide-based gas. The elemental halide-based gas is then exposed to a chalcogen gas provided in the heated reaction environment, at a temperature at which the elemental halide-based gas is reactive with the chalcogen gas to produce a solid chalcogenide reaction product. A substrate is provided in the heated reaction environment for deposition thereon of a solid film of the solid chalcogenide reaction product that results from exposure of the elemental halide-based gas to the chalcogen gas in the heated reaction environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes.

Abstract: A method of detecting a stimulus can include detecting an output from a radio frequency identification tag including a sensor. A smartphone-based sensing strategy can use chemiresponsive nanomaterials integrated into the circuitry of commercial Near Field Communication tags to achieve non-line-of-sight, portable, and inexpensive detection and discrimination of gas phase chemicals (e.g., ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, cyclohexanone, and water) at part-per-thousand and part-per-million concentrations.

Abstract: A nozzle deposits a filament of viscous, molten glass onto a print bed, while the print bed rotates about a vertical axis and translates in x, y, and z directions. The deposition is computer controlled, such that the resulting deposited filament forms a desired glass object that is solid after it anneals. One or more motors rotate the print bed such that the direction of deposition of the molten glass is constant relative to the nozzle, even though the print bed is translating in different directions relative to the nozzle. Keeping the direction of deposition constant relative to the nozzle tends to prevent the extruded filament of molten glass from experiencing large, changing, tensile and shear forces that would otherwise occur and that would otherwise damage the filament.

Abstract: Energy storage systems are disclosed. The systems may store energy as heat in a high temperature liquid, and the heat may be converted to electricity by absorbing radiation emitted from the high temperature liquid via one or more photovoltaic devices when the high temperature liquid is transported through an array of conduits. Some aspects described herein relate to reducing deposition of sublimated material from the conduits onto the photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A sensor can include a conductive region in electrical communication with at least two electrodes, the conductive region including a conductive material and an alkene-interacting metal complex.

Abstract: A device for measuring a mechanical property of a tissue includes a probe configured to perturb the tissue with movement relative to a surface of the tissue, an actuator coupled to the probe to move the probe, a detector configured to measure a response of the tissue to the perturbation, and a controller coupled to the actuator and the detector. The controller drives the actuator using a stochastic sequence and determines the mechanical property of the tissue using the measured response received from the detector. The probe can be coupled to the tissue surface. The device can include a reference surface configured to contact the tissue surface. The probe may include a set of interchangeable heads, the set including a head for lateral movement of the probe and a head for perpendicular movement of the probe. The perturbation can include extension of the tissue with the probe or sliding the probe across the tissue surface and may also include indentation of the tissue with the probe.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for separating a target species (e.g., CO2) from a gas mixture (e.g., gas stream) via an electrochemical process.

Abstract: A two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenide layer is grown by reacting a non- or low-volatile source material with a volatilized halogen or halide compound to produce a volatilized composition comprising at least one reaction product. The volatilized composition is flowed through an open chamber of a tube furnace with a temperature gradient, wherein the temperature changes along a path through which the volatilized composition flows through the open chamber of the tube furnace. Where the temperature along the path in the open chamber is in a reaction-temperature range, the volatilized composition is deposited as a two-dimensional crystalline transition-metal dichalcogenide layer.

Abstract: A biotemplated nanomaterial can include a crystalline perovskite.

Abstract: A tangible social network system comprises at least two interactive physical objects adapted for communicatively linking with each other, a visualization application for providing a visual representation of a user's tangible social network, and an object communication frame. An interactive physical object comprises a controller for forming a communicatively linked relationship with another interactive physical object and for receiving and responding to commands and data received from a linked object, and an audio or visual response subsystem. An object communication frame comprises a housing adapted to receive interactive physical objects, a communications subsystem for managing communications with installed objects and with interactive physical objects communicatively linked with installed objects, a controller, and a power subsystem for powering installed objects.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for tuning a memristive property of a device. The device (500) includes a layer of a dielectric material (507) disposed over and forming an interface with a layer of an electrically conductive material (506), and a gate electrode (508) disposed over the dielectric material. The dielectric material layer includes at least one ionic species (302) having a high ion mobility. The electrically conductive material is configured such that a potential difference applied to the device can cause the at least one ionic species to migrate reversibly across the interface into or out of the electrically conductive material layer, to modify the resistive state of the electrically conductive material layer.

Abstract: A closed-loop adaptive material deposition apparatus and method uses a scanning system to monitor an additively manufactured object as it is being fabricated and adapting the geometric shape and material composition of the subsequent layers based on the scan data. The scanning system repeatedly captures geometric and/or material information of a partially manufactured object with optional auxiliary objects inserted during the manufacturing process. Based on this information, the actual surface geometry and/or actual material composition is computed. Surface geometry may be offset and used as a slicing surface for the next portion of the digital model. The shape of the slicing surface may then be recomputed each time the system scans the partially fabricated object.

Abstract: Liquid crystal photonic devices and microcavities filled with liquid crystal materials are becoming increasingly popular. These devices often present a challenge when it comes to creating a robust alignment layer in pre-assembled cells. Previous research on photo-definable alignment layers has shown that they have limited stability, particularly against subsequent light exposure. A method of infusing a dye into a microcavity to produce an effective photo-definable alignment layer is described, along with a method of utilizing a pre-polymer infused into the microcavity mixed with the liquid crystal to provide photostability. In this method, the polymer layer, formed under optical irradiation of liquid crystal cells, is effectively localized to a thin region near the substrate surface and thus provides a significant improvement in the photostability of the liquid crystal alignment.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include integrated erbium-doped waveguide lasers designed for silicon photonic systems. In some examples, these lasers include laser cavities defined by distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) formed in silicon nitride-based waveguides. These DBRs may include grating features defined by wafer-scale immersion lithography, with an upper layer of erbium-doped aluminum oxide deposited as the final step in the fabrication process. The resulting inverted ridge-waveguide yields high optical intensity overlap with the active medium for both the 980 nm pump (89%) and 1.5 ?m laser (87%) wavelengths with a pump-laser intensity overlap of over 93%. The output powers can be 5 mW or higher and show lasing at widely-spaced wavelengths within both the C- and L-bands of the erbium gain spectrum (1536, 1561 and 1596 nm).

Abstract: A system and method for generating ultrasound images of a subject without physically contacting the subject is provided. A photoacoustic excitation source may be employed that directed into a scanning mirror to transmit acoustic disturbances into a patient to induce propagating photoacoustic waves. The acoustic disturbances are translated along the patient in a defined direction to cause coherent summation of the propagating photoacoustic waves and, thereby, a resultant acoustic and/or elastic wave to probe structures within the patient. Vibrations created by the backscatter of the resultant wave are detected at the surface of the patient and ultrasound images of the structures within the patient are generated. Detection of the vibrations may be performed using a laser vibrometer. The excitation and detection systems may be used separately or in combination.

Abstract: Multi-resolution encoded files are stored on a plurality of disk drives using systematic network coded storage. In some embodiments, the stored files are used to provide video streaming services for users.

Abstract: A flat-panel holographic video display includes a control layer and waveguide elements. Each waveguide element has a light-guiding substrate and an array of transducers configured to produce a diffraction grating comprising surface acoustic waves. The grating causes the waveguide to outcouple light, focusing it to, or producing wavefront curvatures consistent with it having emanated from, one or more points, in order to form a holographic image. The transducer array may include a large number of densely packed, vertically-adjacent transducers for each hogel for full parallax or may include a small number of vertically-adjacent transducers and a cylindrical optical element for each hogel. A spatial filter may be used to block noise. The display may be edge-illuminated by a collinear multicolor source. The substrate exit face may have nanopatterned areas alternated with flat areas in order to create regions of optimal internal reflection next to regions of low reflection.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates induction of immunological tolerance thereby providing permanent allograft acceptance. This method obviates the need for a lifelong regimen of immunosuppressive agents which can increase the risk of infection, autoimmunity, and cancer. Immunological tolerance is thought to be mediated by regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg cells) with immunosuppressive capabilities. A therapeutically relevant platform comprising artificial constructs are contemplated comprising numerous soluble and surface bound Treg cell stimulating factors that may induce tolerance following allograft transplantation. Such artificial constructs, being the size of a cell, have surface bound monoclonal antibodies specific to regulatory T-cell surface moieties and encapsulated soluble regulatory T-cell modulating factors.