Abstract: A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of indicator particles distributed within the polymeric network structure; wherein the indicator particles are present in a range from 1 to 99 weight percent, based on the total weight of the indicator particles and the polymer (excluding the solvent); and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density of at least 0.05 g/cm3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polymer composites that include a thermoplastic polymer, network structure and a soft, ferromagnetic particulate material. The polymer composites may be used, for example, as magnetic flux field directional materials. The present invention also relates to methods of making the polymer composites, e.g. polymer composite sheets, of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a polymer composite including a thermoplastic polymer, network structure; and a soft, ferromagnetic particulate material distributed within the thermoplastic polymer, network structure. The weight fraction of soft, ferromagnetic particulate material may be between 0.80 and 0.98, based on the total weight of the polymer composite and/or the thermoplastic polymer may have a number average molecular weight between 5×104 g/mol to 5×107 g/mol.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrode assemblies, membrane-electrode assemblies and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The electrode and membrane-electrode assemblies include (i) a porous electrode having a first major surface with a first surface area, Ae, an opposed second major surface and a plurality of voids; (ii) a discontinuous transport protection layer, comprising polymer, disposed on the first major surface and having a cross-sectional area, Ap, substantially parallel to the first major surface; and (iii) an interfacial region wherein the interfacial region includes a portion of the polymer embedded in at least a portion of the plurality of voids, a portion of the porous electrode embedded in a portion of the polymer or a combination thereof; and wherein 0.02Ae?Ap?0.85Ae and the porous electrode and discontinuous transport protection layer form an integral structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polymer composites that include a thermoplastic polymer, network structure and a soft, ferromagnetic particulate material. The polymer composites may be used, for example, as magnetic flux field directional materials. The present invention also relates to methods of making the polymer composites, e.g. polymer composite sheets, of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a polymer composite including a thermoplastic polymer, network structure; and a soft, ferromagnetic particulate material distributed within the thermoplastic polymer, network structure. The weight fraction of soft, ferromagnetic particulate material may be between 0.80 and 0.98, based on the total weight of the polymer composite and/or the thermoplastic polymer may have a number average molecular weight between 5×104 g/mol to 5×107 g/mol.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to porous electrodes and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The disclosure further provides methods of making electrodes. The porous electrodes include polymer, e.g. non-electrically conductive polymer particulate fiber, and an electrically conductive carbon particulate. The non-electrically conductive, polymer particulate fibers may be in the form of a first porous substrate, wherein the first porous substrate is at least one of a woven or nonwoven paper, felt, mat and cloth. The porous electrode may have an electrical resistivity of less than about 100000 ?Ohm·m. The porous electrode may have a thickness from about 10 microns to about 1000 microns. Electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries may be produced from the porous electrodes of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to membrane assemblies, electrode assemblies and membrane-electrode assemblies; and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The disclosure further provides methods of making the membrane assemblies, electrode assemblies and membrane-electrode assemblies. The membrane assemblies includes an ion exchange membrane and at least one microporous protection layer. The electrode assemblies includes a porous electrode and a microporous protection layer. The membrane-electrode assembly includes an ion exchange membrane, at least one microporous protection layer and at least one porous electrode. The microporous protection layer includes a resin and at least one of an electrically conductive particulate and a non-electrically conductive particulate. The ratio of the weight of the resin to total weight of particulate is from about 1/99 to about 10/1. The resin may be at least one of an ionic resin and a non-ionic resin.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to porous electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies, electrode assemblies and electro-chemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The disclosure further provides methods of making porous electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies and electrode assemblies. The porous electrodes include a porous electrode material comprising a non-electrically conductive, polymer particulate; and an electrically conductive carbon particulate; wherein the electrically conductive carbon particulate is at least one of carbon nanotubes and branched carbon nanotubes. The electrically conductive carbon particulate is adhered directly to the surface of the non-electrically conductive, polymer particulate and at least a portion of the non-electrically conductive polymer particulate surface is fused to form a unitary, porous electrode material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to porous electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies, electrode assemblies and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The disclosure further provides methods of making electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies and electrode assemblies. The porous electrodes include polymer, e.g. non-electrically conductive polymer particulate fiber, and an electrically conductive carbon particulate. The non-electrically conductive, polymer particulate fibers may be in the form of a first porous substrate, wherein the first porous substrate is at least one of a woven or nonwoven paper, felt, mat and cloth. Membrane-electrode assemblies and electrode assemblies may be produced from the porous electrodes of the present disclosure. Electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries may be produced from the porous electrodes, membrane-electrode assemblies and electrode assemblies of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting gaseous analytes and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods related to detecting gaseous analytes by monitoring changes in liquid crystals upon exposure to the gaseous analytes.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting gaseous analytes and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods related to detecting gaseous analytes by monitoring changes in liquid crystals upon exposure to the gaseous analytes.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting gaseous analytes and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods related to detecting gaseous analytes by monitoring changes in liquid crystals upon exposure to the gaseous analytes.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polarization rotator device is able to rotate polarization fast enough to compensate polarization mode dispersion. The amount or degree of rotation is rapidly reconfigurable. The device includes a cavity filled with a nematic liquid crystal material. The cavity has electrodes on a first face, e.g., a first substrate, and electrodes on a second face, e.g., a second substrate, opposite the first face. The electrodes are shaped and positioned to produce an electric field across the cavity capable of rotating the alignment direction of the molecules of the liquid crystal material in the cavity. The electrodes are patterned on the ends of optical fibers. Aligning and positioning of the electrodes on the ends of the optical fibers with a predetermined spacing forms the cavity that is filled with the nematic liquid crystal material. The filled cavity is a so-called liquid crystal microcell wave plate.