Abstract: An interpenetrating network (IPN) polymer membrane material includes a soft polyurethane interspersed with a crosslinked conducting polymer. The material can be reversibly “switched” between its oxidized and reduced states by the application of a small voltage, ˜1 to 4 volts, thus modulating its diffusivity.

Abstract: An interpenetrating network (IPN) polymer membrane material includes a soft polyurethane interspersed with a crosslinked conducting polymer. The material can be reversibly “switched” between its oxidized and reduced states by the application of a small voltage, ˜1 to 4 volts, thus modulating its diffusivity.

Abstract: An interpenetrating network (IPN) polymer membrane material includes a soft polyurethane interspersed with a crosslinked conducting polymer. The material can be reversibly “switched” between its oxidized and reduced states by the application of a small voltage, ˜1 to 4 volts, thus modulating its diffusivity.

Abstract: An interpenetrating network (IPN) polymer membrane material includes a soft polyurethane interspersed with a crosslinked conducting polymer. The material can be reversibly “switched” between its oxidized and reduced states by the application of a small voltage, ˜1 to 4 volts, thus modulating its diffusivity.

Abstract: An interpenetrating network (IPN) polymer membrane material includes a soft polyurethane interspersed with a crosslinked conducting polymer. The material can be reversibly “switched” between its oxidized and reduced states by the application of a small voltage, ˜1 to 4 volts, thus modulating its diffusivity.

Abstract: An interpenetrating network (IPN) polymer membrane material includes a soft polyurethane interspersed with a crosslinked conducting polymer. The material can be reversibly “switched” between its oxidized and reduced states by the application of a small voltage, ˜1 to 4 volts, thus modulating its diffusivity.

Abstract: Patterns of homogenous, electroless-plated metals within and on one or both sides of a porous substrate (such as nanocellulose sheets) enable the formation of an matrix of metal within pores of the substrate that can connect patterns on both sides of the substrate. These can serve as circuits with applications in, for example, wearable electronics.

Abstract: Metallic nanorods are welded together in a controllable fashion. A suspension of metallic nanorods coated with an anionic polymer is contracted with linking molecules each comprising a liquid crystal with at least two available carboxylic acid moieties. The nanoparticles to self-assemble into dimers. Irradiation of the dimers with femtosecond radiation forms a metallic junction between them and welds the dimers into fused dimers.

Abstract: A monolayer film of nanoparticles can formed from a fluid mixture by combining nanoparticles dispersed in water with a water-miscible organic solvent and a molecular ligand comprising a head group with affinity for the nanoparticle, and introducing the fluid mixture to a substrate in the presence of an air/fluid interface, thereby causing a monolayer film of nanoparticles to form on the substrate. Such monolayers films can include metallic nanoparticles such as gold, and possess substantially uniform spacing over at least a one centimeter length scale. The films are metasurfaces effective to cause a range of linear refractive index of from around unity at 700 nm to 10 at 1500 nm. Such metasurfaces might find utility, for example, as ultrafast (picosecond scale) switches at wavelengths useful for telecommunications.

Abstract: A method for achieving alignment and optical switching of a liquid crystal (LC) layer that is deposited on chalcogenide glass (ChG). Direct brushing of ChG produces an effective LC alignment layer. Also disclosed is the related waveguide assembly for achieving alignment and optical switching of a liquid crystal (LC) layer deposited on chalcogenide glass (ChG).

Abstract: A monolayer film of nanoparticles can formed from a fluid mixture by combining nanoparticles dispersed in water with a water-miscible organic solvent and a molecular ligand comprising a head group with affinity for the nanoparticle, and introducing the fluid mixture to a substrate in the presence of an air/fluid interface, thereby causing a monolayer film of nanoparticles to form on the substrate. Such monolayers films can include metallic nanoparticles such as gold, and possess substantially uniform spacing over at least a one centimeter length scale. The films are metasurfaces effective to cause a range of linear refractive index of from around unity at 700 nm to 10 at 1500 nm. Such metasurfaces might find utility, for example, as ultrafast (picosecond scale) switches at wavelengths useful for telecommunications.

Abstract: A method for achieving alignment and optical switching of a liquid crystal (LC) layer that is deposited on chalcogenide glass (ChG). Direct brushing of ChG produces an effective LC alignment layer. Also disclosed is the related waveguide assembly for achieving alignment and optical switching of a liquid crystal (LC) layer deposited on chalcogenide glass (ChG).

Abstract: Metallic nanorods are welded together in a controllable fashion. A suspension of metallic nanorods coated with an anionic polymer is contracted with linking molecules each comprising a liquid crystal with at least two available carboxylic acid moieties. The nanoparticles to self-assemble into dimers. Irradiation of the dimers with femtosecond radiation forms a metallic junction between them and welds the dimers into fused dimers.

Abstract: A genetically modified cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) protein capsid serves as a scaffold for metal nanoparticles, preferably gold nanospheres, of 15 nm to 35 nm, creating plasmonic nanoclusters. The self-assembled nanoclusters gave rise to a 10-fold surface-averaged enhancement of the local electromagnetic field. Other viral capsids or virus-like proteins may also serve as such scaffolds.

Abstract: A method of forming a monolayer film of nanoparticles includes forming a fluid mixture by combining nanoparticles dispersed in water with a water-miscible organic solvent and a molecular ligand comprising a head group with affinity for the nanoparticle, and introducing the fluid mixture to a substrate in the presence of an air/fluid interface, thereby causing a monolayer film of nanoparticles to form on the substrate. Such monolayers films can include metallic nanoparticles such as gold, and possess substantially uniform spacing over at least a one centimeter length scale.

Abstract: A monolayer film of nanoparticles can formed from a fluid mixture by combining nanoparticles dispersed in water with a water-miscible organic solvent and a molecular ligand comprising a head group with affinity for the nanoparticle, and introducing the fluid mixture to a substrate in the presence of an air/fluid interface, thereby causing a monolayer film of nanoparticles to form on the substrate. Such monolayers films can include metallic nanoparticles such as gold, and possess substantially uniform spacing over at least a one centimeter length scale.

Abstract: A nanoparticle having a surfactant shell with a hydrophilic outer surface and a hydrophobic inner surface and an organic chromophore and a polymer having aromatic groups within the surfactant shell. A method of making nanoparticles by: emulsifying an aqueous composition of a surfactant and an organic solution of a monomer and an organic chromophore to form micelles of the monomer and the chromophore inside a surfactant shell; and polymerizing the monomer. A method of: reacting a ?-bromoalkyl acid with acryloyl acid lithium salt, and reacting the product with sodium hydride to produce an acryloyloxyalkyl carboxylic acid sodium salt. The compound shown below.

Abstract: A plasmonic nanostructure includes two plasmonic nanorods spaced apart by a gap and interconnected by a conductive junction spanning the gap, and mimics a longer nanostructure. This provides an ability to tune a structure in wavelengths that would be difficult to otherwise achieve.

Abstract: A redox-active conductive polymer includes a charged tether. An interpenetrating network including such a conducting polymer can be switched between two states of diffusivity (porosity) by application of a voltage. Such a material can be useful in breathable protective clothing, controlled release, intelligent sensing/filtration, novel separation processes, nanomanufacturing, and other areas.

Abstract: Protein scaffolds from tobacco mosaic virus coat protein modified to incorporate polyhistidine can bind to a metal or a dye while having improved self-assembly characteristics. The scaffold can take the form of tubes or disks, and can further be formed into dual plasmonic ring resonators. Such self-assembled structures provide useful optical properties.