Abstract: The present invention relates to low shrinkage multi functionalized silsesquioxane (SSQ) derivatives, to nanocomposite materials comprising these SSQ's and to the use of the nanocomposite material as a polymerizable resin in biologically compatible materials.

Abstract: There is provided novel n-type conjugated compounds based on 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole moieties conjugated via the vinyl group to an aromatic moiety. Also provided are thin films and photovoltaics comprising the novel compounds, as well as methods of synthesizing the compounds.

Abstract: There is provided novel n-type conjugated compounds based on 2-vinyl-4,5-dicyanoimidazole moieties conjugated via the vinyl group to an aromatic moiety. Also provided are thin films and photovoltaics comprising the novel compounds, as well as methods of synthesizing the compounds.

Abstract: A self-assembly process for preparing luminescent organic-inorganic nanocomposite thin films is disclosed. A homogeneous solution in water and an organic solvent is obtained containing a soluble silicate, a silica coupling agent, a surfactant, and an organic material having a hole transport, electron transport, and/or emissive material moiety. The silica coupling agent is selected to chemically react with the organic material. A film of the homogeneous solution is deposited onto a substrate. Preferentially evaporating the organic solvent enriches the concentration of water and non-volatile solution components to promote micelle formation. Organic materials migrate into the hydrophobic portion of the forming micelles. Continued evaporation promotes self-assembly of the micelles into interfacially organized liquid crystalline mesophases. Reacting the organic material and silica coupling forms a nanostructure self-assembly.

Abstract: A self-assembly process for preparing luminescent organic-inorganic nanocomposite thin films is disclosed. A homogeneous solution in water and an organic solvent is obtained containing a soluble silicate, a silica coupling agent, a surfactant, and an organic material having a hole transport, electron transport, and/or emissive material moiety. The silica coupling agent is selected to chemically react with the organic material. A film of the homogeneous solution is deposited onto a substrate. Preferentially evaporating the organic solvent enriches the concentration of water and non-volatile solution components to promote micelle formation. Organic materials migrate into the hydrophobic portion of the forming micelles. Continued evaporation promotes self-assembly of the micelles into interfacially organized liquid crystalline mesophases. Reacting the organic material and silica coupling forms a nanostructure self-assembly.

Abstract: The invention is directed to oxidized charge transport materials having hole transport capability in organic light emitting device (OLEDs). A charge transport compound including more than two triarylamine groups, or including at least one triarylamine group and at least one fluorene group, is partly complexed with an oxidant, such as a Lewis acid, preferably present in an amount between 0.2 and 20 percent by weight. The resulting charge transport materials exhibit good hole transport characteristics and film forming properties.

Abstract: The invention is directed to oxidized charge transport materials having hole transport capability in organic light emitting device (OLEDs). A charge transport compound including more than two triarylamine groups, or including at least one triarylamine group and at least one fluorene group, is partly complexed with an oxidant, such as a Lewis acid, preferably present in an amount between 0.2 and 20 percent by weight. The resulting charge transport materials exhibit good hole transport characteristics and film forming properties.

Abstract: High activity, supported, nanosized metallic catalysts for methanol reformation and methods of fabricating such catalysts are disclosed. In one embodiment, soluble metal species are dissolved in a polyhydroxylic alcohol (polyol) solution. Platinum and ruthenium are preferred metal species. Other soluble metal species can be used, such as soluble Group 6, 7 and 8 metals. The polyol solvent is preferably a viscous alcohol, such as a diol, triol, or tetraol, to minimize particle diffusion and inhibit particle growth. The polyol solution is heated to reduce the metal(s) to a zero valent state. Typically, the heating temperature will range from 20° C. to 300° C., and the heating period will range from 1 minute to 5 hours. A high surface area conductive support material can be mixed with the polyol solution to form the supported catalysts in situ. Activated carbon, metals, and metal oxides, having a surface area from 20 to 2000 m2/g, are typical support materials.

Abstract: Organic-inorganic HLED materials based on silsesquioxane architectures are disclosed. These silsesquioxane compounds incorporate at least one, and preferably multiple, functional moiety substituents selected from hole transport, electron transport, and emissive material moieties and combinations thereof. The hybrid materials have OLED properties, e.g. luminescence efficiency, brilliance, turn-on voltage, longevity, etc. HLED devices fabricated with the polyhedral silsesquioxane HLED materials are disclosed. The organic-inorganic HLED devices can include multiple layers of organic-inorganic luminescent material having different functional moiety substituents to balance charge transport and emissive properties. HLED devices can be fabricated with a single layer of the organic-inorganic hybrid luminescent material that contains hole transport, electron transport, and emissive material substituent moieties on a polyhedral silsesquioxane structure.

Abstract: A method of making a nanocomposite self-assembly is provided where at least one hydrophilic compound, at least one hydrophobic compound, and at least one amphiphilic surfactant are mixed in an aqueous solvent with the solvent subsequently evaporated to form a self-assembled liquid crystalline mesophase material. Upon polymerization of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds, a robust nanocomposite self-assembled material is formed. Importantly, in the reaction mixture, the amphiphilic surfactant has an initial concentration below the critical micelle concentration to allow formation of the liquid-phase micellar mesophase material. A variety of nanocomposite structures can be formed, depending upon the solvent evaporazation process, including layered mesophases, tubular mesophases, and a hierarchical composite coating composed of an isotropic worm-like micellar overlayer bonded to an oriented, nanolaminated underlayer.

Abstract: Non-pyrophoric polymethylsilane (PMS) SiC precursors allow for preparation of dense phase pure SiC with 1:1 stoichiometry. Sintering aids may be readily and reproducibly incorporated into the hyperbranched PMS. The PMS has rheology suitable for the preparation of films, coatings, fibers, and for processes such as joining and ceramic infiltration densification.

Abstract: Cationic charged semihydrophobic polyethersulfone (CSfIP) membranes having hydrophilic and semihydrophobic properties are provided, as well as preparation of the same by post-treatment. Typically, as an illustration, a microporous hydrophilic polyethersulfone membrane substrate which contains non-leachable polymeric additive having functional groups is treated in an alkaline solution for simultaneous or sequential reaction with 1) a primary charge modifying agent which is an epichlorohydrin modified polyamine, and 2) a secondary polymeric charge modifying agent containing a positive charge (or for reaction with the primary charge modifying agent alone); then baked until cured at elevated temperature; and finally washed and dried. The CSHP membranes are used in various applications such as the filtration of fluids and the macromolecular transfer of biomolecules either from electrophoresis gels or directly to immobilization on the membrane for hybridization and stripping.

Abstract: Cationic charge modified microporous hydrophilic membranes are provided, as well as preparation of the same by post-treatment. Typically, as an illustration, a microporous hydrophilic membrane substrate which contains non-leachable polymeric additive having functional groups is treated in an alkaline solution for simultaneous or sequential reaction with 1) a primary charge modifying agent which is an epichlorohydrin modified polyamine, and 2) a secondary polymeric charge modifying agent containing a fixed formal positive charge (or for reaction with the primary charge modifying agent alone); then cured at elevated temperature; and finally washed and dried. The cationically charged microporous membranes are used in various applications such as the filtration of fluids and the macromolecular transfer from electrophoresis gels.