Abstract: Neural network systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a method of making a neural network device includes: forming a mesh layer on a substrate, the mesh layer including a matrix of randomly dispersed conductive nano-strands insulated from one another; forming an isolation trench extending into the mesh layer; forming a memristor device extending into the mesh layer, the memristor device including: an electrical conductor, and a layer of memristive material in electrical contact with individual nano-strands of a first set of conductive nano-strands in the mesh layer; forming an electrode extending into the mesh layer and spaced from the memristor device by the isolation trench, wherein the electrode is in electrical contact with individual conductive nano-strands of a second set of conductive nano-strands in the mesh layer; and forming a modulating device bridging the memristor device and the electrode.

Abstract: A single layer of metamagnetic material with exchange bias comprising a single layer of FeRh, wherein the single layer of FeRh comprises ion irradiation, wherein the single layer of FeRh comprising ion irradiation is an exchange bias surface layer, and wherein the single layer of FeRh comprises an interface between a ferromagnetic (FM) region and an antiferromagnetic (AFM) region. A method to create a FM/AFM junction in a single layer of FeRh, comprising the steps of providing a layer of FeRh film, wherein the layer of FeRh film is an antiferromagnetic (AFM) film, implanting ions into the top portion of the FeRh film, creating via the step of implanting ions a ferromagnetic (FM) region in the top region, maintaining the antiferromagnetic (AFM) region of the bottom portion, and creating a FM/AFM junction in the single layer of FeRh.

Abstract: The system and method includes the suspension of a free-standing carbon article within a reaction chamber, the introduction of the chemical precursor in a reaction environment within the chamber, and heating of the carbon article in the presence of the chemical precursor leading to deposition in a site-specific manner.

Abstract: Also disclosed herein is an article having a substrate and a layer of an FeRh alloy disposed on the substrate. The alloy has a continuous antiferromagnetic phase and one or more discrete phases smaller in area than the continuous phase having a lower metamagnetic transition temperature than the continuous phase. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing an article having a substrate and a layer having a continuous phase of an antiferromagnetic FeRh alloy disposed on the substrate and directing an ion source at one or more portions of the alloy to create one or more discrete phases having a lower metamagnetic transition temperature than the continuous phase.

Abstract: A sensor antenna including a thin film material constructed in the shape of an antenna having a response, the material including a sheet resistance capable of being modified by an external stimulus where the antenna response varies over a range of sheet resistance values; method of making a sensor antenna; system including a sensor antenna; and method for operating a thin film sensor antenna including providing a thin film sensor antenna; exposing the sensor antenna to an external stimulus, simultaneously sensing the external stimulus while varying the sensor antenna response, measuring the change in the sensor antenna response, and correlating the measured response to a known change in the stimulus are disclosed.

Abstract: The system and method includes the suspension of a free-standing carbon article within a reaction chamber, the introduction of the chemical precursor in a reaction environment within the chamber, and heating of the carbon article in the presence of the chemical precursor leading to deposition in a site-specific manner.

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) device comprising an ultra-thin radiation-tolerant PV absorber mounted on a flexible film having an embedded persistent phosphor and having a plurality of interdigitated top and bottom contacts on the top of the PV absorber. The PV absorber is ultra-thin, e.g., typically having a thickness of 300 nm or less for a III-V-based absorber. The phosphor absorbs some of the photons incident on the device and then discharges them for use by the device in generating electrical power during times when the device is not illuminated by the sun.

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) device comprising an ultra-thin radiation-tolerant PV absorber mounted on a flexible film having an embedded persistent phosphor and having a plurality of interdigitated top and bottom contacts on the top of the PV absorber. The PV absorber is ultra-thin, e.g., typically having a thickness of 300 nm or less for a III-V-based absorber. The phosphor absorbs some of the photons incident on the device and then discharges them for use by the device in generating electrical power during times when the device is not illuminated by the sun.

Abstract: A sensor antenna including a thin film material constructed in the shape of an antenna having a response, the material including a sheet resistance capable of being modified by an external stimulus where the antenna response varies over a range of sheet resistance values; method of making a sensor antenna; system including a sensor antenna; and method for operating a thin film sensor antenna including providing a thin film sensor antenna; exposing the sensor antenna to an external stimulus, simultaneously sensing the external stimulus while varying the sensor antenna response, measuring the change in the sensor antenna response, and correlating the measured response to a known change in the stimulus are disclosed.

Abstract: An enhanced neutron sensing device, that couples a gadolinium based scintillator with at least two wide bandgap photodiodes to achieve a high sensitivity, low power, and portable neutron detector with high gamma discrimination. Once coupled with electrical signal processing and read-out electrons, the device will output the incident neutron flux in the environment and can be used in locations with known sources of neutrons or for identifying clandestine nuclear materials.

Abstract: A device is described that includes sensors that are sensitive to displacement damage, and can be configured to display a characteristic damage curve. The sensors, or diodes, can be made of one or more semiconductor materials that are sensitive to displacement damage, and can be operated in dark illumination conditions. The sensors can have multiple shields of a specific or varied thickness. The shields can be formed in different configurations, though the shielding thickness can be designed to change the level of displacement damage absorbed by the sensors. The characteristic damage curve can provide a sensor response variable that displays a functional dependence on displacement damage. For example, the characteristic damage curve can provide a sensor response variable that is one or more currents measured at one or more fixed voltages, or one or more voltages measured at one or more fixed currents.

Abstract: A multijunction (MJ) solar cell grown on an InP substrate using materials that are lattice-matched to InP. In an exemplary three-junction embodiment, the top cell is formed from In1-xAlxAs1-ySby (with x and y adjusted so as to achieve lattice-matching with InP, hereafter referred to as InAlAsSb), the middle cell from In1-a-bGaaAlbAs (with a and b adjusted so as to achieve lattice-matching with InP, hereafter referred to as InGaAlAs), and the bottom cell also from InGaAlAs, but with a much lower Al composition, which in some embodiments can be zero so that the material is InGaAs. Tunnel junctions (TJs) connect the junctions and allow photo-generated current to flow. In an exemplary embodiment, an InAlAsSb TJ connects the first and second junctions, while an InGaAlAs TJ connects the second and third junctions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer-free nano-composite structure containing nanostructured carbon and nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods of making the polymer-free nano-composite structures. The present invention also relates to a lithium ion battery, a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a battery/capacitor, or a fuel cell containing the polymer-free nano-composite structures of the present invention.

Abstract: A device is described that includes sensors that are sensitive to displacement damage, and can be configured to display a characteristic damage curve. The sensors, or diodes, can be made of one or more semiconductor materials that are sensitive to displacement damage, and can be operated in dark illumination conditions. The sensors can have multiple shields of a specific or varied thickness. The shields can be formed in different configurations, though the shielding thickness can be designed to change the level of displacement damage absorbed by the sensors. The characteristic damage curve can provide a sensor response variable that displays a functional dependence on displacement damage. For example, the characteristic damage curve can provide a sensor response variable that is one or more currents measured at one or more fixed voltages, or one or more voltages measured at one or more fixed currents.

Abstract: An enhanced neutron sensing device, that couples a gadolinium based scintillator with at least two wide bandgap photodiodes to achieve a high sensitivity, low power, and portable neutron detector with high gamma discrimination. Once coupled with electrical signal processing and read-out electrons, the device will output the incident neutron flux in the environment and can be used in locations with known sources of neutrons or for identifying clandestine nuclear materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to freestanding carbon nanotube paper comprising purified carbon nanotubes, where the purified carbon nanotubes form the freestanding carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles embedded in and/or present on a surface of the carbon nanotube paper. The invention also relates to a lithium ion battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, battery/capacitor, and fuel cell containing the freestanding carbon nanotube paper as an electrode. Also disclosed is a method of making a freestanding carbon nanotube paper. This method involves providing purified carbon nanotubes, contacting the purified carbon nanotubes with an organic solvent under conditions effective to form a dispersion comprising the purified carbon nanotubes. The dispersion is formed into a carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles are incorporated with the purified carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to freestanding carbon nanotube paper comprising purified carbon nanotubes, where the purified carbon nanotubes form the freestanding carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles embedded in and/or present on a surface of the carbon nanotube paper. The invention also relates to a lithium ion battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, battery/capacitor, and fuel cell containing the freestanding carbon nanotube paper as an electrode. Also disclosed is a method of making a freestanding carbon nanotube paper. This method involves providing purified carbon nanotubes, contacting the purified carbon nanotubes with an organic solvent under conditions effective to form a dispersion comprising the purified carbon nanotubes. The dispersion is formed into a carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles are incorporated with the purified carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nano-composite structure containing nanostructured carbon and nanoparticles. Also disclosed are methods of making the nano-composite structures. The present invention also relates to a lithium ion battery, a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a battery/capacitor, or a fuel cell containing the nano-composite structures of the present invention.