Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions comprising a polymer material comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, at least one polymer precursor, or any combination thereof, and a plurality of piezoelectric particles dispersed in at least a portion of the polymer material. The piezoelectric particles may interact non-covalently with at least a portion of the polymer material, be covalently bonded to at least a portion of the polymer material, and/or be reactive with at least a portion of the polymer material. The compositions may be extrudable and formable into a self-standing three-dimensional structure upon being extruded. Additive manufacturing processes may comprise forming a printed part by depositing the compositions layer-by-layer.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein relating to detecting a change in a substrate. A system can include a transducer that can be frequency matched to a substrate and to provide an electrical signal that can characterize a reflected sound wave by the substrate. The system can include an acoustic wave analysis system to detect a change in a physical characteristic of the substrate.

Abstract: Parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions comprising a plurality of piezoelectric particles dispersed in at least a portion of a polymer material comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, and at least one thermal crosslinking agent dispersed in at least a portion of the polymer material. The composition is formable at a melt processing temperature that is at or above a melting point or softening temperature of the at least one thermoplastic polymer for a melt processing time that retains at least a majority of the at least one thermal crosslinking agent in a non-crosslinked state. The at least one thermal crosslinking agent may be present in the polymer material a) covalently bonded to at least a portion of the polymer material, b) covalently bonded to at least a portion of the piezoelectric particles, or c) any combination thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is disclosed, which includes an anode and a cathode. The electrochemical device also includes an extruded electrolyte composition disposed between the anode and the cathode. The cathode and/or the anode of the electrochemical device may be disposed in a stacked geometry or in a lateral x-y plane geometry. The electrolyte composition may include a gel polymer electrolyte. The electrolyte composition is disposed between the anode and the cathode in a laterally non-continuous pattern. A method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions comprising a plurality of piezoelectric particles dispersed in at least a portion of a polymer matrix comprising first polymer material and a sacrificial material, the sacrificial material being removable from the polymer matrix to define a plurality of pores in the polymer matrix. The piezoelectric particles may remain substantially non-agglomerated when combined with the polymer matrix. The sacrificial material may comprise a second polymer material. The compositions may define a composite having a form factor such as a composite filament, a composite pellet, a composite powder, or a composite paste. Additive manufacturing processes may comprise forming a printed part by depositing the compositions layer-by-layer and introducing porosity therein.

Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using powder particulates comprising a thermoplastic polymer and piezoelectric particles, wherein the piezoelectric particles are located (i) in the thermoplastic polymer at an outer surface of the powder particulates, (ii) within a core of the powder particulates, or (iii) combinations thereof. Additive manufacturing processes, such as powder bed fusion of powder particulates, may be employed to form printed objects in a range of shapes from the powder particulates. Melt emulsification may be used to form the powder particulates.

Abstract: A composition, a gas diffusion electrode, and a method for fabricating the same is disclosed. In an example, the composition includes carbon supported carboxyl surface functionalized silver nanoparticles. The gas diffusion electrode can be fabricated with the carbon supported carboxyl surface functionalized silver nanoparticles and deployed in a membrane electrode assembly for various applications.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode and a method for fabricating the same is disclosed. The gas diffusion electrode can be deployed in a membrane electrode assembly for various applications. In an example, the method to fabricate the gas diffusion electrode includes preparing an ink comprising carbon supported surface functionalized silver nanoparticles and depositing the ink on an electrically conductive surface.

Abstract: Melt emulsification may be employed to form elastomeric particulates in a narrow size range when nanoparticles are included as an emulsion stabilizer. Such processes may comprise combining a polyurethane polymer and nanoparticles with a carrier fluid at a heating temperature at or above a melting point or a softening temperature of the polyurethane polymer, applying sufficient shear to disperse the polyurethane polymer as liquefied droplets in the presence of the nanoparticles in the carrier fluid at the heating temperature, cooling the carrier fluid at least until elastomeric particulates in a solidified state form, and separating the elastomeric particulates from the carrier fluid. In the elastomeric particulates, the polyurethane polymer defines a core and an outer surface of the elastomeric particulates and the nanoparticles are associated with the outer surface. The elastomeric particulates may have a D50 of about 1 ?m to about 1,000 ?m.

Abstract: A process including combining polystyrene and a first solvent to form a polystyrene solution; heating the polystyrene solution; adding a second solvent to the polystyrene solution with optional stirring whereby polystyrene microparticles are formed via microprecipitation; optionally, cooling the formed polystyrene microparticles in solution; and optionally, removing the first solvent and second solvent. A polystyrene microparticle formed by a microprecipitation process, wherein the polystyrene particle has a spherical morphology, a particle diameter of greater than about 10 micrometers, and a weight average molecular weight of from about 38,000 to about 200,000 Daltons. A method of selective laser sintering including providing polystyrene microparticles formed by a microprecipitation process; and exposing the microparticles to a laser to fuse the microparticles.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is disclosed, including a first substrate layer. The electrochemical device also includes an anode disposed upon the first substrate layer. The device also includes a second substrate layer. The electrochemical device also includes a cathode disposed upon the second substrate layer, and an electrolyte composition disposed between and in contact with the anode and the cathode. The electrochemical device also includes a sealing layer which may include a 3D-printed sealing layer composition disposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer. A 3D-printed sealing layer and a method of producing a sealing layer is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical device including a first substrate layer is disclosed. The electrochemical device also includes an anode disposed upon the first substrate layer. The device also includes a second substrate layer. The electrochemical device also includes a cathode disposed upon the second substrate layer and an electrolyte composition disposed between and in contact with the anode and the cathode. The electrochemical device also includes an extruded sealing layer composition disposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer. A sealing layer composition and a method of producing a sealing layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions comprising a polymer matrix comprising a first polymer material and a second polymer material that are immiscible with each other, and a plurality of piezoelectric particles located in at least a portion of the polymer matrix. The piezoelectric particles may remain substantially non-agglomerated when combined with the polymer matrix. The compositions may define an extrudable material that is a composite having a form factor such as a composite filament, a composite pellet, a composite powder, or a composite paste. Additive manufacturing processes using the compositions may comprise forming a printed part by depositing the compositions layer-by-layer.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is disclosed, which includes an anode and a cathode. The electrochemical device also includes an extruded electrolyte composition disposed between the anode and the cathode. The cathode and/or the anode of the electrochemical device may be disposed in a stacked geometry or in a lateral x-y plane geometry. The electrolyte composition may include a gel polymer electrolyte. The electrolyte composition is disposed between the anode and the cathode in a laterally non-continuous pattern. A method of producing an electrolyte layer of an electrochemical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions comprising a plurality of piezoelectric particles and a polymer material comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer and at least one thermally curable polymer precursor. At a sufficient temperature, the at least one thermally curable polymer precursor may undergo a reaction, optionally also undergoing a reaction with the piezoelectric particles, and form an at least partially cured printed part. The piezoelectric particles may be mixed with the polymer material and remain substantially non-agglomerated when combined with the polymer material.

Abstract: Two-dimensional conductive nanoparticles may facilitate preparation of metal coatings prepared via electroless plating. Articles having a metal coating may comprise: a polymer body, and a metal coating on at least a portion of an outer surface of the polymer body. The metal coating comprises a plating metal and overlays a plurality of two-dimensional conductive nanoparticles and a catalyst metal.

Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions that are extrudable and comprise a plurality of piezoelectric particles and a plurality of carbon nanomaterials dispersed in at least a portion of a polymer material. The piezoelectric particles may remain substantially non-agglomerated when combined with the polymer material. The polymer material may comprise at least one thermoplastic polymer, optionally further containing at least one polymer precursor. The compositions may define an extrudable material that is a composite having a form factor such as a composite filament, a composite pellet, a composite powder, or a composite paste. Additive manufacturing processes using the compositions may comprise forming a printed part by depositing the compositions layer-by-layer.

Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions comprising a plurality of piezoelectric particles dispersed in at least a portion of a polymer matrix comprising first polymer material and a sacrificial material, the sacrificial material being removable from the polymer matrix to define a plurality of pores in the polymer matrix. The piezoelectric particles may remain substantially non-agglomerated when combined with the polymer matrix. The sacrificial material may comprise a second polymer material. The compositions may define a composite having a form factor such as a composite filament, a composite pellet, a composite powder, or a composite paste. Additive manufacturing processes may comprise forming a printed part by depositing the compositions layer-by-layer and introducing porosity therein.

Abstract: Melt emulsification may be employed to form elastomeric particulates in a narrow size range when nanoparticles and a sulfonate surfactant are included as emulsion stabilizers. Such processes may comprise combining a polyurethane polymer, a sulfonate surfactant, and nanoparticles with a carrier fluid at a heating temperature at or above a melting point or softening temperature of the polyurethane polymer, applying sufficient shear to disperse the polyurethane polymer as liquefied droplets in the presence of the nanoparticles in the carrier fluid at the heating temperature, cooling the carrier fluid at least until elastomeric particulates in a solidified state form, and separating the elastomeric particulates from the carrier fluid. The polyurethane polymer defines a core and an outer surface of the elastomeric particulates, and the nanoparticles are associated with the outer surface. The elastomeric particulates may have a span of about 0.9 or less.

Abstract: Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component present therein. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using compositions comprising a polymer matrix comprising a first polymer material and a second polymer material that are immiscible with each other, and a plurality of piezoelectric particles substantially localized in one of the first polymer material or the second polymer material. The piezoelectric particles may remain substantially non-agglomerated when combined with the polymer matrix. The compositions may define a form factor such as a composite filament, a composite pellet, or an extrudable composite paste. Additive manufacturing processes using the compositions may comprise forming a printed part by depositing the compositions layer-by-layer.