Abstract: A method of forming metal nanostructures is a low temperature closed space vacuum deposition method. The method includes disposing a source material in an enclosed space at low evaporation temperatures to controllably form nanostructures of different dimensionalities on a substrate. The nanostructures have dimensionalities determined by a chosen evaporation temperature. An apparatus is also provided for performing the method.

Abstract: A method of making a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) electrode is a deposition-based method for growing MWCNTs on copper (Cu) foils to make binder-free electrodes for energy storage devices, such as those used in batteries and supercapacitors. A chromium layer is sputter coated on a copper foil substrate, and a nickel catalyst layer is sputter coated on the chromium layer, such that the chromium layer forms an electrically conductive barrier layer between the nickel catalyst layer and the copper foil substrate. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes are then formed on the copper foil substrate using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: The microflow sensor includes a base wafer having opposed upper and lower surfaces, and a cap wafer, also having opposed upper and lower surfaces. The base wafer and the cap wafer may be formed from a semiconductor material. A flow sensing element is embedded in the upper surface of the base wafer. The flow sensing element may be any suitable type of flow sensing element, such as a central heater and at least one temperature-sensitive element. A flow channel is formed in the lower surface of the cap wafer and extends continuously between first and second longitudinally opposed edges of the cap wafer. The lower surface of the cap wafer is bonded to the upper surface of the base wafer such that fluid flowing through the flow channel passes above and across the sensing element.

Abstract: An electrode for a photovoltaic device such as a dye sensitized solar cell includes a uniform layer of ZnO nanorods formed on a transparent conductive substrate and a natural dye, such as pigments from a natural source like coffee, on the ZnO nanorods. A dye sensitized solar cell formed from the electrode as a working electrode and a carbon-based counter electrode, such as a carbon soot layer on a transparent conductive substrate. The electrode and dye sensitized solar cell are formed by a simple, cost effective, environmentally friendly and easily scalable method.

Abstract: The method of making carbon-zinc oxide (C—ZnO) nanoparticles includes grinding a mixture of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2.6H2O) and furfural (C4H3OCHO) to produce a ground mixture. As a non-limiting example, the zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2.6H2O) and the furfural (C4H3OCHO) may be placed in a mortar and ground, by hand with a pestle, for approximately 10 minutes. The ground mixture is then heated to produce the C—ZnO nanoparticles. As a non-limiting example, the ground mixture may be heated in a quartz tube at a temperature of approximately 500° C.

Abstract: A method of forming metal nanostructures is a low temperature closed space vacuum deposition method. The method includes disposing a source material in an enclosed space at low evaporation temperatures to controllably form nanostructures of different dimensionalities on a substrate. The nanostructures have dimensionalities determined by a chosen evaporation temperature. An apparatus is also provided for performing the method.

Abstract: The method of making carbon-zinc oxide (C—ZnO) nanoparticles includes grinding a mixture of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2.6H2O) and furfural (C4H3OCHO) to produce a ground mixture. As a non-limiting example, the zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2.6H2O) and the furfural (C4H3OCHO) may be placed in a mortar and ground, by hand with a pestle, for approximately 10 minutes. The ground mixture is then heated to produce the C—ZnO nanoparticles. As a non-limiting example, the ground mixture may be heated in a quartz tube at a temperature of approximately 500° C.

Abstract: A method of forming metal nanostructures is a low temperature closed space vacuum deposition method. The method includes disposing a source material in an enclosed space at low evaporation temperatures to controllably form nanostructures of different dimensionalities on a substrate. The nanostructures have dimensionalities determined by a chosen evaporation temperature. An apparatus is also provided for performing the method.