Abstract: Embodiments, described herein relate to methods, compositions, and articles including sacrificial material-coated biofiller particles dispersed in one or more additional polymers.

Abstract: Graphene composites are disclosed. The graphene composites may include, for example, a photoswitchable layer, a graphene layer, and a substrate. The graphene composites may, in some embodiments, include a graphene layer with photoswitchable surface characteristics. Methods of making the graphene composite are further disclosed. Devices and systems configured to make and use the composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: Inorganic siloxane ladder polymers with metal-aza/thio crown complexes, and methods of making and using such siloxane ladder polymers are disclosed. The polymers described herein may exhibit self-healing properties, a low dielectric constant, and a low refractive index. These siloxane ladder polymers are anchored to transparent, high-refractive index (RI) metal nanoparticles, such as ZrO2, via aza/thio crown macromolecules. The siloxane ladder polymers may be considered as “living polymer network” since the polymer active chain ends may further undergo anionic polymerization.

Abstract: Fluorinated siloxane compositions, and methods of making and using the fluorinated siloxanes are disclosed. The polymers described herein may exhibit self-healing properties, a low dielectric constant, and a low refractive index. In some embodiments, a method of making a siloxane compound may involve contacting a silicon metal with a fluorinated compound to form a dichlorosilane compound, hydrolyzing the dichlorosilane compound to form a fluorinated tetrasiloxane compound, and contacting the fluorinated tetrasiloxane compound with a metal catalyst to form a fluorinated cyclic siloxane (D4) compound.

Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to etching graphene. The techniques can include disposing graphene on a patterned substrate, applying a resist to the graphene on the patterned substrate, curing the resist, and etching exposed portions of the graphene. Graphene composites including patterned substrates, graphene disposed on the patterned substrate, and a resist disposed on the graphene, are disclosed. Systems configured to perform the methods and/or make the graphene composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymeric flexible substrate may be formed from h-BN sheets having a monolayer of hexagonal born nitride interspersed with domains of at least one functionalized material. The functionalized h-BN sheets may be used in various electronic components such as in circuit boards and touch sensors.

Abstract: The present technology provides an illustrative hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) detection device that includes a decomposition component, a charged particle filter, and a sensing component. The decomposition component is configured to irradiate a gas sample with a radioactive element to decompose HFC gas under conditions sufficient to form hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas and one or more ionized particles. The charged particle filter is configured to filter the one or more ionized particles, and the sensing component is configured to detect the HF gas.

Abstract: The present technology provides a carbon fiber reinforced plastic that includes carbon fibers covalently bonded to an energetic polymer and a polymer matrix. Also described is a method for recycling carbon fibers from the carbon fiber reinforced plastic material using microwave energy to separate the carbon fibers from the polymer matrix.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to coatings with self-repairing capabilities. In some embodiments, the coatings may include a polymer blend, made up of at least two polymers. The coatings may further contain compatibilizers that are nanocontainer particles. The nanocontainers may be filled with self-healing agents. The self-healing agents may be agents that heal cracks formed in the coating or they may be anti-corrosion agents that reduce the corrosion of the underlying metal substrate.

Abstract: A polymeric flexible substrate that meets the barrier requirements for oxygen and water, while exhibiting thermal stability or transparency may be formed from functionalized graphanes bonded with polymers.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for gas filtration and detection devices. Example devices may include a graphene membrane and a sensing device. The graphene membrane may be perforated with a plurality of discrete pores having a size-selective to enable one or more molecules to pass through the pores. A sensing device may be attached to a supporting permeable substrate and coupled with the graphene membrane. A fluid mixture including two or more molecules may be exposed to the graphene membrane. Molecules having a smaller diameter than the discrete pores may be directed through the graphene pores, and may be detected by the sensing device. Molecules having a larger size than the discrete pores may be prevented from crossing the graphene membrane. The sensing device may be configured to identify a presence of a selected molecule within the mixture without interference from contaminating factors.

Abstract: Hydrophilic coating compositions and methods to make and use the compositions are disclosed. The compositions include a polymer comprising a plurality of isocyanate groups and a blocking agent contacting at least one of the plurality of isocyanate groups.

Abstract: Composite foams having cells containing shape-stabilized phase change material (ss-PCM) particles are described. Composite foams may be made by contacting a plurality of ss-PCM particles and one or more pre-polymer reactants, wherein each ss-PCM particle can form a nucleation site for foam cell generation. The composite foams may be used in regulating the temperature of an article wherein the foam undergoes a phase transition as the surrounding temperature of the article approaches the foam's phase transition temperature. The thermostatic material may exchange heat with the article during the phase transition, resulting in regulation of the temperature of the article. The composite foams may be used as a thermostatic packaging material having a cavity for storing goods.

Abstract: Inorganic siloxane ladder polymers with metal-aza/thio crown complexes, and methods of making and using such siloxane ladder polymers are disclosed. The polymers described herein may exhibit self-healing properties, a low dielectric constant, and a low refractive index. These siloxane ladder polymers are anchored to transparent, high-refractive index (RI) metal nanoparticles, such as ZrO2, via aza/thio crown macromolecules. The siloxane ladder polymers may be considered as “living polymer network” since the polymer active chain ends may further undergo anionic polymerization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are gemini surfactants, and methods for making and using these gemini surfactants. These gemini surfactants may be incorporated in paints and coatings to provide hydrophilic and/or self-cleaning properties.

Abstract: Techniques described herein are generally related to graphene membranes having gas-permeable substrates. Various example substrates may include a gas-permeable substrate with a convoluted surface and a graphene layer on the gas-permeable substrate. The membranes may also include nanopores formed on the graphene layer. The membranes may exhibit improved permeability properties. Methods and systems configured to make and use the membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally describes techniques suitable for use in the construction or recycling of composite materials. An article may comprise a thermoplastic coupled to a bonding interface layer, with a coating layer applied to the surface of the bonding interface layer. A bonding interface layer may comprise catalytic nanoparticles embedded within and/or encapsulated by one or more radiatively unstable polymers. Application of ionizing radiation to the article may release a catalyst at the bonding interface. Application of heat and/or stress to the article may enhance catalytic degradation of the remaining bonding interface and uncoupling of the thermoplastic from the coating layer. Embodiments of methods, compositions, articles and/or systems may be disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Thermostatic materials and methods for making and using the materials are disclosed. The thermostatic materials have phase change materials (PCMs) incorporated into a composite with thermoreversible gels (TRGs) that undergo gelation prior to the melt temperature of the PCMs so that at temperatures at which the PCMs become liquid, the liquid PCM is retained by the gel, and at temperatures at which the gel becomes liquid, the liquid form of the gel is retained by a solid form of the PCM.

Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to etching graphene. The techniques can include disposing graphene on a patterned substrate, applying a resist to the graphene on the patterned substrate, curing the resist, and etching exposed portions of the graphene. Graphene composites including patterned substrates, graphene disposed on the patterned substrate, and a resist disposed on the graphene, are disclosed. Systems configured to perform the methods and/or make the graphene composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present technology provides a carbon fiber reinforced plastic that includes carbon fibers covalently bonded to an energetic polymer and a polymer matrix. Also described is a method for recycling carbon fibers from the carbon fiber reinforced plastic material using microwave energy to separate the carbon fibers from the polymer matrix.