Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) with nano-dots and a fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The OLED apparatus comprises a substrate, a first electrically conductive layer, a first emission-auxiliary layer, an emissive layer, a second emission-auxiliary layer and a second electrically conductive layer. Its fabrication method is described below. Nano-dots with functional groups on the surface are incorporated into the emissive layer, the first emission-auxiliary layer or the second emission-auxiliary layer to form a layered electro-luminescent structure. By using the fabrication method, the resultant efficiency of the OLEDs can be markedly enhanced.

Abstract: A method for making an actuator capable of dry actuation is provided. The method includes providing a first nanoscale fiber film, providing a second nanoscale fiber film, positioning a solid polymer electrolyte at least partially between and adjacent to the first nanoscale fiber film and the second nanoscale fiber film, and then affixing the solid polymer electrolyte to the first nanoscale fiber film and the second nanoscale fiber film. The nanoscale fiber films may be buckypapers, made of carbon nanotubes. The actuator is capable of dry actuation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for functionalizing a macroscopic film comprised of nanoscale fibers by controlled irradiation. The methods may include the steps of (a) providing a nanoscale fiber film material comprising a plurality of nanoscale fibers (which may include single wall nanotubes, multi-wall nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or a combination thereof); and (b) irradiating the nanoscale fiber film material with a controlled amount of radiation in the open air or in a controlled atmosphere. The step of irradiating the nanoscale fiber film material is effective to functionalize the plurality of nanoscale fibers. Irradiated nanoscale fiber films are also provided having improved mechanical and electrical conducting properties.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making a composite material that includes (a) providing at least one sheet which includes woven or non-woven glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, or nanoscale fibers; and (b) stitching a plurality of stitches of a thermally conductive fiber through the at least one sheet in a Z-axis direction to form paths of higher conductivity through the sheet of material to increase its thermal conductivity in the Z-axis.

Abstract: Methods are provided for mechanically chopping nanotubes and other nanoscale fibrous materials. The method includes forming a macroscale article which include the nanoscale fibers, and then mechanically cutting the macroscale article into a finely divided form. In one embodiment, these steps are repeated. The nanoscale fibers may be carbon nanotubes, which optionally are aligned in the macroscale article. The macroscale article may be in the form of or include one or more buckypapers. In one embodiment, the macroscale article further includes a solid matrix material in which the nanoscale fibers are contained or dispersed. The forming step can include making a suspension of nanoscale fibers dispersed in a liquid medium and then solidifying the liquid medium to form the macroscale article. After the mechanical cutting step, the medium can be dissolved or melted to enable separation of the chopped nanoscale fibers from the medium.

Abstract: A sensor is provided, which includes a plurality of conducting elements spaced apart from each other and at least one deformable electrolyte bridge contacting each of the conducting elements at one or more contact points having an aggregate contact area. Upon formation of an ionic circuit between two of the conducting elements, a first resistivity between the two conducting element exists. Upon application of a compressive force on the at least one deformable electrolyte bridge directed toward at least one of the conducting elements, the aggregate contact area increases such that a second resistivity between the two conducting elements exists.

Abstract: A method is provided for functionalizing nanoscale fibers including reacting a plurality of nanoscale fibers with at least one epoxide monomer to chemically bond the at least one epoxide monomer to surfaces of the nanoscale fibers to form functionalized nanoscale fibers. Functionalized nanoscale fibers and nanoscale fiber films are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a prepreg nanoscale fiber film. The method includes providing a network of nanoscale fibers, impregnating the network of nanoscale fibers with a resin, and B-stage curing the resin. A method is also provided for producing a composite structure from the prepreg nanoscale fiber film.

Abstract: Apparatuses with improved flammability properties and methods for altering the flammability properties of the apparatuses are provided. In certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises an occupant structure having an exterior portion and an interior portion defining an occupant space. The interior portion is formed, at least in part, of a composite material and a first nanoadditive fixed on a surface of the composite material proximate the occupant space. In one embodiment, the nanoadditive may comprise a continuous network of nanoscale fibers.

Abstract: A liquid pump (100) includes a top cover (40), a back plate (50), and a spacing member (60). The spacing member is sandwiched between the top cover and the back plate, thereby dividing an interior of the liquid pump into a fluid chamber (14) and a receiving cavity (16) isolated and hermetical from the fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is disposed between the top cover and the spacing member for receiving therein a fluid dynamic bearing (70) and a rotor (20) which drives working fluid to enter and leave the liquid pump. The receiving cavity is disposed between the spacing member and the back plate for receiving therein a stator (30) which drives the rotor to rotate in respective to the bearing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the continuous production of a network of nanotubes or other nanoscale fibers. The method includes making a suspension of nanoscale fibers dispersed in a liquid medium, optionally with surfactant and/or sonication, and filtering the suspension by moving a filter membrane through the suspension, such that the nanoscale fibers are deposited directly on the filter membrane as the fluid medium flows through the filter membrane, thereby forming a continuous membrane of the nanoscale fibers. The deposition of the nanoscale fibers can occur when and where the filter membrane moves into contact with a static, porous filter element or a dynamic, porous filter element. The filtering can be conducted within a magnetic field effective to align the nanoscale fibers, and/or with the aid of vacuum to pull water through the filter membrane, applied pressure to press water though the filter membrane, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A technique is provided for the fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF) film materials. The method includes mixing a relatively small amount of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) with larger amounts of MWNTs and CNFs, which enables one to produce highly flexible SWNT materials—advantageously without the need for bonding agents and at significantly lower costs compared to flexible SWNT materials. The method exploits SWNTs tendency to entangle together to form flexible films, using a small amount of SWNTs to wrap around and entangle the larger diameter MWNTs and CNFs together to form flexible films with highly beneficial mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties at a fraction of the cost of SWNT materials.

Abstract: The disclosed is a physisorption-based microcontact printing process capable of controlling film thickness, primarily for creating patterns of thin film of organic molecules in micron and submicron scales, comprising an inking phase, a printing phase, and a demolding phase. The inking phase is combined with a thin-film growth approach, wherein the thin-film approach enables growth of an organic thin film with desired thickness onto a stamp, effectively controls the thickness of the pattern of the organic thin film transferred in the next printing phase. The demolding phase enables proper control of the temperature of and the printing pressure upon the transferred thin-film pattern to control the quality of surface roughness and residual internal stress in the printed pattern.

Abstract: Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding structure and methods of making such structures are provided. In one case, a method is provided for making a lightweight composite structure for electromagnetic interference shielding, including the steps of providing a nanoscale fiber film which comprises a plurality of nanoscale fibers; and combining the nanoscale fiber film with one or more structural materials to form a composite material which is effective as an electromagnetic interference shielding structure. In another case, a method is provided for shielding a device which includes an electrical circuit from electromagnetic interference comprising the steps of providing a nanoscale fiber film which comprises a plurality of nanoscale fibers; and incorporating the nanoscale fiber film into an exterior portion of the device to shield an interior portion of the device from electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A sensorless and brushless motor is disclosed including a stator, a rotor, a control circuit and an induction coil (50). The stator includes a stator core (30) and a stator coil (34) wound around the stator core. The rotor includes a rotor magnet (40). The control circuit is electrically connected with the stator coil for controlling a current energizing the stator coil. The induction coil is mounted to the stator and electrically connected with the control circuit. When the rotor rotates, the induction coil is capable of outputting a signal to the control circuit and in response to the signal, the control circuit is capable of changing a direction of the current flowing in the stator coil. Thus, the commutation control for the stator coil is performed by the induction coil and the conventional Hall sensor is eliminated.

Abstract: A direct and effective method of fabricating full-color OLED arrays on the basis of microcontact printing process is disclosed. The key of the method lies in a physisorption-based microcontact printing process capable of controlling thickness of the printed films. The organic EL materials involved can be of either small or large molecular weights, as long as they are suitable for solution process.

Abstract: An electro-machining apparatus using one or more carbon nanotubes as an electrode. The nanotubes can be the single-walled or multi-walled variety. The electrode can be used in numerous electro-machining processes, including electrical discharge machining (“EDM”), electron beam machining (“EBM”), and electro-chemical machining.

Abstract: A liquid pump (100) includes a top cover (40), a back plate (50), and a spacing member (60). The spacing member is sandwiched between the top cover and the back plate, thereby dividing an interior of the liquid pump into a fluid chamber (14) and a receiving cavity (16) isolated and hermetical from the fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is disposed between the top cover and the spacing member for receiving therein a fluid dynamic bearing (70) and a rotor (20) which drives working fluid to enter and leave the liquid pump. The receiving cavity is disposed between the spacing member and the back plate for receiving therein a stator (30) which drives the rotor to rotate in respective to the bearing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the continuous production of a network of nanotubes or other nanoscale fibers. The method includes making a suspension of nanoscale fibers dispersed in a liquid medium, optionally with surfactant and/or sonication, and filtering the suspension by moving a filter membrane through the suspension, such that the nanoscale fibers are deposited directly on the filter membrane as the fluid medium flows through the filter membrane, thereby forming a continuous membrane of the nanoscale fibers. The deposition of the nanoscale fibers can occur when and where the filter membrane moves into contact with a static, porous filter element or a dynamic, porous filter element. The filtering can be conducted within a magnetic field effective to align the nanoscale fibers, and/or with the aid of vacuum to pull water through the filter membrane, applied pressure to press water though the filter membrane, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A sensorless and brushless motor is disclosed including a stator, a rotor, a control circuit and an induction coil (50). The stator includes a stator core (30) and a stator coil (34) wound around the stator core. The rotor includes a rotor magnet (40). The control circuit is electrically connected with the stator coil for controlling a current energizing the stator coil. The induction coil is mounted to the stator and electrically connected with the control circuit. When the rotor rotates, the induction coil is capable of outputting a signal to the control circuit and in response to the signal, the control circuit is capable of changing a direction of the current flowing in the stator coil. Thus, the commutation control for the stator coil is performed by the induction coil and the conventional Hall sensor is eliminated.