Abstract: A method of printing a hydrogel-based device includes contacting a monomer, a crosslinker, a photoinitiator, and a precursor salt with a solvent to form an ink solution, printing the ink solution onto a substrate, exposing the ink solution to light, sufficient to form a hydrogel, and contacting the hydrogel with a reducing agent sufficient to precipitate nanoparticles from the precursor salt in the hydrogel.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a mineral-coated rock micromodel can include 3D-printing a transparent porous micromodel with photo-curable polymer, seeding a thin layer of mineral nanoparticles in the network of pores inside the micromodel, and subsequently growing a mineral layer on the thin layer of mineral nanoparticles. The thin layer of mineral nanoparticles can be introduced by injecting a suspension containing the mineral nanoparticles through the microporous polymer micromodel, and the mineral layer can be grown in-situ on the thin layer of mineral nanoparticles in the network of pores by injecting an ion-rich solution configured to crystallize from solution in response to contacting the mineral nanoparticles.

Abstract: Three-dimensional printing on a membrane of a filtration device is described herein. Forming the filtration device involves receiving a membrane comprising a porous material, depositing an ink into pores of the porous material, causing the ink to solidify, and continuously building three-dimensional printed structures via micro-stereolithographic three-dimensional printing. Solidifying the ink causes the ink to bond with the membrane.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to determine a permeability value and a permeability image of a rock. The process can include determining labeling of a 3D segment of a rock. The labeled segments can be determined using, for example, computer vision and machine learning and can be used to determine a grain size of a 3D rock segments. The grain size value can be used to determine a permeability value for the 3D rock segment. The permeability value of the 3D rock segment can be used to determine the heterogeneous permeability of the rock.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a multilayer surface-covering assembly adapted to convert solar radiation to heat. The multilayer surface-covering assembly may include a first composite layer comprising a first amorphous refractory material and first metal nanoparticles, wherein the first amorphous refractor material encapsulates the first metal nanoparticles, and wherein the first composite layer is thermally coupled with a surface of a structure for conduction of heat from the first composite layer to the structure. he multilayer surface-covering assembly may also include an antireflective layer, wherein the first composite layer is disposed between the antireflective layer and the surface of the structure.

Abstract: Three-dimensional printing on a membrane of a filtration device is described herein. Forming the filtration device involves receiving a membrane comprising a porous material, depositing an ink into pores of the porous material, causing the ink to solidify, and continuously building three-dimensional printed structures via micro-stereolithographic three-dimensional printing. Solidifying the ink causes the ink to bond with the membrane.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a mineral-coated rock micromodel can include 3D-printing a transparent porous micromodel with photo-curable polymer, seeding a thin layer of mineral nanoparticles in the network of pores inside the micromodel, and subsequently growing a mineral layer on the thin layer of mineral nanoparticles. The thin layer of mineral nanoparticles can be introduced by injecting a suspension containing the mineral nanoparticles through the microporous polymer micromodel, and the mineral layer can be grown in-situ on the thin layer of mineral nanoparticles in the network of pores by injecting an ion-rich solution configured to crystallize from solution in response to contacting the mineral nanoparticles.