Abstract: Polymeric membranes are modified via SIS to promote membrane resilience, prolong membrane lifetime, and mitigate fouling. Modified membranes include an inorganic material within an outer portion of the modified membrane and a polymeric core that remains unmodified by the inorganic material. The polymer may be removed leaving an inorganic material patterned from an initial unmodified polymeric membrane.

Abstract: A secondary electron emissive layer resistant to infiltration and fouling. A barrier layer is formed by atomic layer deposition. The barrier layer may be an emissive layer and/or an interlayer. The barrier layer may form an interlayer that is a part of an electron amplifier positioned between an emissive layer and a resistive layer. The barrier layer is resistive to fluorine migration from either the emissive layer or the resistive layer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring stored spent fuel rods is provided, the system comprising: canisters containing the spent fuel rods; and temperature measuring means positioned on external surfaces of the canisters. Also provided is a method for monitoring stored spent fuel rods contained in canisters, the method comprising measuring temperature of the canisters at a plurality of external surfaces of each of the canisters, recording time of temperature differences between said external surfaces, determining time of oxidation initiation of the spent fuel rods based on the recording time, and preventing oxidation from occurring.

Abstract: A polymer-ceramic composite membrane and methods of making the same. The composite membrane includes a polymer scaffold and a ceramic nanoparticle disposed within the polymer scaffold.

Abstract: A method of making a thin film can include bombarding a substrate with first ions supplied from a first ion beam; and sputtering from a metal sputtering target substantially simultaneously with the bombardment to deposit a metal-ion film onto the substrate, wherein the method is performed without applied heat, and the metal sputtering target comprises one or more of a metal, a transition metal, a semi-metal, alloys thereof and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A nanofibrous catalyst for in the electrolyzer and methods of making the catalyst. The catalysts are composed of highly porous transition metal carbonitrides, metal oxides or perovskites derived from the metal-organic frameworks and integrated into a 3D porous nano-network electrode architecture. The catalysts are low-cost, highly active toward OER, with excellent conductivity yet resistant to the oxidation under high potential operable under both acidic and alkaline environments.

Abstract: Described herein are borate salts useful as additives, binders, and electrolyte salts for solid state lithium ion batteries. In particular, the borate salts of Formula (I), Formula (II) and Formula (III) as described herein: can be bound to an existing polymer to provide polymeric binders for ceramic solid state electrolytes that are themselves capable of ion transport independent of the ceramic.

Abstract: A method for fabricating, and curing, nanocomposite adhesives including introducing nanoheater elements into a heat-curing adhesive to fabricate a nanocomposite adhesive, and providing a radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic wave to the nanocomposite adhesive to heat, and cure the nanocomposite adhesive. The nanocomposite adhesive is physically applied to first and second materials to bond the first and second materials upon curing of the nanocomposite adhesive, and the RF electromagnetic wave has a frequency in the radio-frequency range, having energy that is transferred to the nanoheater elements by electromagnetic wave interactions with permanent and induced dipoles, intrinsic photon-phonon interaction, or interactions with nanoheater defects and grain structures.

Abstract: Spectroscopy systems require a crystal having specific properties for analyzing a spectrum of a sample, which is typically performed for measuring the presence of one element at a time. A two-dimensional (2D) crystal mount for performing simultaneous spectroscopy measurements includes a crystal holder having multiple rows of crystal mounts. Each crystal mount is positioned and orientated to physically support a crystal at a fixed position and fixed orientation relative to an optical axis. A sample provides radiation to analyzer crystals disposed in the crystal mounts, and a detector may detect radiation reflected from the analyzer crystals, for performing multiple simultaneous spectroscopy measurements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and storage media for thwarting cyber-attacks and data theft. A computing system receives packets and compares with a configuration resource. The computing system determines that the packet does not match the configuration resource and transmits a packet to a decoy environment via an SDN switch. The decoy environment is configured to generate time-out, service unavailable, or restricted access messages. In some embodiments, the computing system determines the packet does match the configuration and transmits the packet to a production network via an SDN switch. The SDN switch is communicatively connected to the decoy environment through a first channel and communicatively connected to a production environment through a separate second channel. The computing system is further configured to create and transmit to the SDN switch, rules to manage transmitting the packet to either the decoy environment or the production environment.

Abstract: The fabrication of robust interfaces between transition metal oxides and non-aqueous electrolytes is one of the great challenges of lithium ion batteries. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of aluminum tungsten fluoride (AlWxFy) improves the electrochemical stability of LiCoO2. AlWxFy thin films were deposited by combining trimethylaluminum and tungsten hexafluoride. in-situ quartz crystal microbalance and transmission electron microscopy studies show that the films grow in a layer-by-layer fashion and are amorphous nature. Ultrathin AlWxFy coatings (<10 ?) on LiCoO2 significantly enhance stability relative to bare LiCoO2 when cycled to 4.4 V. The coated LiCoO2 exhibited superior rate capability (up to 400 mA/g) and discharge capacities at a current of 400 mA/g were 51% and 92% of the first cycle capacities for the bare and AlWxFy coated materials.

Abstract: Further described herein are extensions to the basic concept of LHs as electrode materials, include both new materials for use with LHs and higher order poly-layer hydroxides (PLHs) as well as methods for synthesizing improved LH material such as with conductive supports or through the use of cross-linking. Finally, also described herein are embodiments enabling the use of LHs as flow electrodes as well as the use of 2-d LH materials for surface redox reactions.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of preparing an ionic liquid comprising a nitrogen or phosphorus cation and a bis(fluorosulfonyl)imidate (FSI) counter anion; the method comprising contacting a precursor selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine, a tertiary phosphine, and an aromatic nitrogen heterocycle, with an alkyl bis(fluorosulfonyl)imidate in an aprotic solvent to alkylate the nitrogen or phosphorus of the precursor, and directly form a nitrogen or phosphorus cation with an FSI counter anion.

Abstract: Coated nanofibers and methods for forming the same. A magnetic nanofiber is formed and a barrier coating is deposited on the magnetic nanofiber by atomic layer deposition (“ALD”) process. The coated nanofiber may include a reduced magnetic nanostructure and a barrier coating comprising a first oxide coating on the nanofiber, the coating being non-reactive with the magnetic polymer nanofiber, the barrier coating have a thickness of 2 nm to 12 nm.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process comprising reacting a metal salt of bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide with an effective amount of di(C1-3 alkyl) sulfate or di(C2-3 alkenyl) sulfate in a solvent substantially free of dioxane to provide an N—(C1-3 alkyl) or an N—(C2-3 alkenyl) bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, wherein the metal salt is an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt, the effective amount ranges from a molar excess to 10 molar equivalents of di(C1-3 alkyl) or di(C2-3 alkenyl) sulfate, and the solvent is selected from acyclic C4-12 ethers and/or C4-12 esters.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and continuous processes of preparing tricyanoimidazole (a compound of Formula (A)) or a salt (e.g., a potassium or lithium salt) thereof.

Abstract: A method of upcycling polymers to useful hydrocarbon materials. A catalyst with nanoparticles on a substrate selectively docks and cleaves hydrocarbon chains forming shorter hydrocarbon chains. The catalyst includes metal nanoparticles, such as monometallic nickel or ruthenium nanoparticles or a plurality of nanoparticles of two or more metals, on a metal oxide substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel engineered target-biomolecule-producing bacterial strains and methods of producing the same. To engineer bacterial strains capable of producing substantial levels of a target biomolecule, the methods may implement the use of metabolic modeling and machine learning methods. The methods and bacterial strains produced by the methods may be implemented in further optimizing a biosynthetic pathway, e.g., to improve the production of a target biomolecule of interest, e.g., an amino acid, such as threonine.

Abstract: A system and method for mechanical processing of cells includes using a frame (102) forming an inlet channel (104), an outlet channel (106), and a processing chamber (108) fluidly connected between the inlet and outlet channels, wherein the processing chamber includes an anvil surface (112) formed on the frame. A hammer (110) mounted on the frame has a processing surface disposed in opposed relation to the anvil surface. The hammer is configured to move relative to the anvil surface. An actuator connected to the frame and operably associated with the hammer operates to move the hammer relative to the anvil surface and in close proximity to the anvil surface, wherein the hammer operates between a retracted position in which the processing surface is at a distance from the anvil surface, and an extended position in which the processing surface abuts the anvil surface.

Abstract: The sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) and Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) of metal and/or metal oxides on personal medical equipment (PPE). The deposited metal and/or metal oxides imbues antimicrobial properties to the PPE.