Abstract: A sensor for passively measuring a maximum temperature within a nuclear reactor comprises a substrate, and a plurality of melt wires within a cavity defined within the substrate, at least one melt wire of the plurality of melt wires exhibiting a variable melting temperature along a length of the at least one melt wire. Related sensors and methods of forming the sensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method can include, for a control action for a hydraulic fracturing operation of a well, using a trained machine learning model that predicts treatment pressure of the hydraulic fracturing operation, determining if the control action increases efficiency; if the control action increases efficiency, assessing viability of the control action with respect to one or more predefined criteria; and, if the control action is viable, issuing the control action for implementation during the hydraulic fracturing operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein relate to systems and methods for determining a number of effective perforation clusters created during hydraulic fracturing operations performed using wellsite equipment of a wellsite system based on surface data collected in substantially real-time during the hydraulic fracturing operations using an autoencoder/convolutional neural network architecture. In certain embodiments, the wellsite equipment of the wellsite system may be controlled in substantially real-time based on the determined number of effective perforation clusters insofar as the autoencoder/convolutional neural network architecture facilitates such real-time responsiveness.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing an electrochemical sensor include forming at least one electrode by printing at least one conductive ink on a surface of at least one substrate. The conductive ink may comprise, e.g., a platinum-group metal, another transition-group metal with a high-temperature melting point, a conductive ceramic material, glass-like carbon, or a combination thereof. The electrochemical sensor may be free of another material over the at least one electrode. An electrochemical sensor, formed according to such methods, may be configured for use in harsh environments (e.g., a molten salt environment). Electrodes of the electrochemical sensor comprise conductive material formed from a printed, conductive ink. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the electrochemical sensor is free of silver, gold, copper, silicon, and polymer materials, such portion being that which is to be exposed to the harsh environment during use of the electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: Water-based nanoparticle inks may be formulated to be compatible with printed electronic direct-write methods. The water-based nanoparticle inks may include a functional material (nanoparticle) in combination with an appropriate solvent system. A method may include dispersing nanoparticles in a solvent and printing a circuit in an aerosol jet process or plasma jet process.

Abstract: A sensor for passively measuring a maximum temperature within a nuclear reactor comprises a substrate, and a plurality of melt wires within a cavity defined within the substrate, at least one melt wire of the plurality of melt wires exhibiting a variable melting temperature along a length of the at least one melt wire. Related sensors and methods of forming the sensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for forming black phosphorus alloys and exfoliating black phosphorus alloys. A method for forming black phosphorus alloys includes providing phosphorus inside a vessel and providing an element inside the vessel. Media is provided inside the vessel and the phosphorus, the element, and the media are sealed under a gas within the vessel. The phosphorus and the element are mechanically milled with the media to produce black phosphorus that is covalently bonded with the element. A method for exfoliating a black phosphorus alloy includes mixing a milled black phosphorus alloy with a solvent and mixing a milled black phosphorus alloy with a solvent. The milled black phosphorus alloy and solvent mixture are then extracted from the milling apparatus, which may be a planetary ball mill, a vibratory mill, a tumbler ball mill, a mixer mill, a rod mill, an attrition mill, or a shaker mill.

Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from a solution comprises passing a solution including one or more contaminants through a first cell comprising a first anode chamber and a first cathode chamber, passing a slurry comprising a flowing electrode material through the first anode chamber and the first cathode chamber while applying an electric potential between the first anode chamber and the first cathode chamber to transport anions from the solution to the first anode chamber and to transport cations from the solution to the first cathode chamber, the flowing electrode material comprising a MXene material, wherein M is a metal and X is one or both of carbon and nitrogen, and passing the slurry through a second cell to desorb the anions and cations from the flowing electrode material. Related systems for removing contaminants from a solution, and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing ink composition may include a fluid medium. The ink may further include a chalcogenide glass suspended within the fluid medium to form a chalcogenide glass mixture. The ink may also include a surfactant. A method for forming an additive manufacturing ink may include wet milling a chalcogenide glass in a fluid medium and a surfactant to produce a chalcogenide glass mixture. The method may also include, after wet milling the chalcogenide glass, processing the chalcogenide glass mixture to reduce an average particle size of the chalcogenide glass.

Abstract: Water-based nanoparticle inks may be formulated to be compatible with printed electronic direct-write methods. The water-based nanoparticle inks may include a functional material (nanoparticle) in combination with an appropriate solvent system. A method may include dispersing nanoparticles in a solvent and printing a circuit in an aerosol jet process or plasma jet process.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing an electrochemical sensor includes forming at least one electrode by printing at least one conductive ink on a surface of at least one substrate. The conductive ink may comprise, e.g., a platinum-group metal, another transition-group metal with a high-temperature melting point, a conductive ceramic material, glass-like carbon, or a combination thereof. The electrochemical sensor may be free of another material over the at least one electrode. An electrochemical sensor, formed according to such methods, may be configured for use in harsh environments (e.g., a molten salt environment). Electrodes of the electrochemical sensor comprise conductive material formed from a printed, conductive ink. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the electrochemical sensor is free of silver, gold, copper, silicon, and polymer materials, such portion being that which is to be exposed to the harsh environment during use of the electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: A device may include a flexible substrate. The device may further include a flexible integrated circuit within the flexible substrate, the integrated circuit having at least one input electrode positioned on a surface of the flexible substrate. The device may also include an aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer disposed on the surface of the flexible substrate, the aerosol-jet printed conductive ink layer having a pattern that includes a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers, the aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer in contact with the at least one input electrode.

Abstract: A method may include selecting a target level of porosity associated with a graphene trace of an electrochemical sensor, the target level of porosity between 3% and 24%. The method may further include selecting a concentration and a viscosity of a graphene ink based on the target level of porosity. The method may also include selecting at least one printing parameter and at least one sintering parameter based on the target level of porosity. The method may include printing the graphene ink onto a substrate using the number of print passes to form the graphene trace having the target level of porosity. A system may include a substrate and a printed graphene trace having a porosity of between 3% and 24% printed onto the substrate, where the graphene trace defines at least a portion of an electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: A device may include a flexible substrate. The device may further include a flexible integrated circuit within the flexible substrate, the integrated circuit having at least one input electrode positioned on a surface of the flexible substrate. The device may also include an aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer disposed on the surface of the flexible substrate, the aerosol-jet printed conductive ink layer having a pattern that includes a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers, the aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer in contact with the at least one input electrode.

Abstract: A multimode pixel of a pixel array is provided. The multimode pixel includes a photodetector, an image sensing circuit, a pulse detection circuit, and an image readout path coupled between the image sensing circuit and at least one readout conductor of the pixel array to transmit image signals from the image sensing circuit to the at least one readout conductor. The multimode pixel further includes a pulse readout path different from the image readout path, wherein the pulse readout path is coupled between the pulse detection circuit and the at least one readout conductor to transmit pulse data from the pulse detection circuit to the at least one readout conductor, and wherein the image readout path is controlled independently from the pulse readout path.

Abstract: A multimode pixel of a pixel array is provided. The multimode pixel includes a photodetector, an image sensing circuit, a pulse detection circuit, and an image readout path coupled between the image sensing circuit and at least one readout conductor of the pixel array to transmit image signals from the image sensing circuit to the at least one readout conductor. The multimode pixel further includes a pulse readout path different from the image readout path, wherein the pulse readout path is coupled between the pulse detection circuit and the at least one readout conductor to transmit pulse data from the pulse detection circuit to the at least one readout conductor, and wherein the image readout path is controlled independently from the pulse readout path.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel pixel circuit for image sensors such as IR ROIC image sensors. The design provides a switchable pixel with two modes. In the first mode, the pixel performs in-pixel correlated double sampling to remove reset noise. In the second mode, the pixel is configured in a high-capacity mode to avoid saturation. The pixel may be dynamically switched between modes, for example in response to lighting conditions in the scene to be imaged.

Abstract: A gaming keyboard and related methods are disclosed that provide features to enhance the computer gaming experience. A keyboard connection pod is disclosed that improves power capabilities of the keyboard thereby allowing for enhanced features that require more power. A panic mechanism is disclosed that can be triggered to cause one or more selected keys to change states. Keycap rim-lighting is disclosed that provides improved visual indication of key positions. A hand registration enhancement is disclosed including a spacebar having a thumb notch and/or WASD and spacebar keys with different tactile response than other keys. Function keys are disclosed that are positioned proximate to allow reduced movement of the left hand. An integrated cord wrap tray is disclosed for a peripheral such as a mouse. Other features and variations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel pixel circuit for image sensors such as IR ROIC image sensors. The design provides a switchable pixel with two modes. In the first mode, the pixel performs in-pixel correlated double sampling to remove reset noise. In the second mode, the pixel is configured in a high-capacity mode to avoid saturation. The pixel may be dynamically switched between modes, for example in response to lighting conditions in the scene to be imaged.