Abstract: Methods of obtaining a titanium dioxide nanofilm or microfilm are provided herein. A pure sheet of titanium is irradiated with a CO2 laser to produce the titanium dioxide nanofilm or microfilm. The titanium sheet can optionally be doped with an oxide, such as barium oxide. The method produces titanium dioxide nanofilms or microfilms that can be produced in more than one phase, such as a rutile phase, an anatase phase, or both combined. The titanium dioxide nanofilms or microfilms can be directly fabricated with high purity without any further processing.

Abstract: A method of forming metal nanostructures is a low temperature closed space vacuum deposition method. The method includes disposing a source material in an enclosed space at low evaporation temperatures to controllably form nanostructures of different dimensionalities on a substrate. The nanostructures have dimensionalities determined by a chosen evaporation temperature. An apparatus is also provided for performing the method.

Abstract: A method of making a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) electrode is a deposition-based method for growing MWCNTs on copper (Cu) foils to make binder-free electrodes for energy storage devices, such as those used in batteries and supercapacitors. A chromium layer is sputter coated on a copper foil substrate, and a nickel catalyst layer is sputter coated on the chromium layer, such that the chromium layer forms an electrically conductive barrier layer between the nickel catalyst layer and the copper foil substrate. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes are then formed on the copper foil substrate using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Presented in the present disclosure are nanocomposites and rechargeable batteries which are resistant to thermal runaway and are safe, reliable, and stable electrode materials for rechargeable batteries operated at high temperature and high pressure. The nanocomposites include a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a first two-dimensional (2D) material, and a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a different 2D material, which act in synergy to provide an improved thermal stability, an increased surface area, and enhanced electrochemical properties to the nanocomposites. For example, rechargeable batteries that include the nanocomposites as an electrode material have an enhanced performance and stability over a broad temperature range from room temperature to high temperatures.

Abstract: An electrode for a photovoltaic device such as a dye sensitized solar cell includes a uniform layer of ZnO nanorods formed on a transparent conductive substrate and a natural dye, such as pigments from a natural source like coffee, on the ZnO nanorods. A dye sensitized solar cell formed from the electrode as a working electrode and a carbon-based counter electrode, such as a carbon soot layer on a transparent conductive substrate. The electrode and dye sensitized solar cell are formed by a simple, cost effective, environmentally friendly and easily scalable method.

Abstract: A method of forming metal nanostructures is a low temperature closed space vacuum deposition method. The method includes disposing a source material in an enclosed space at low evaporation temperatures to controllably form nanostructures of different dimensionalities on a substrate. The nanostructures have dimensionalities determined by a chosen evaporation temperature. An apparatus is also provided for performing the method.

Abstract: A method of forming metal nanostructures is a low temperature closed space vacuum deposition method. The method includes disposing a source material in an enclosed space at low evaporation temperatures to controllably form nanostructures of different dimensionalities on a substrate. The nanostructures have dimensionalities determined by a chosen evaporation temperature. An apparatus is also provided for performing the method.

Abstract: Presented in the present disclosure are nanocomposites and batteries which are resistant to thermal runaway and may be used as cathode materials in batteries that tolerate operation at high temperatures. The nanocomposites include a nonconducting polymer and a carbon filler which includes a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a porous carbon material. The nonconducting polymer and carbon filler act in synergy to provide improved thermal stability, increased surface area, and enhanced electrochemical properties to the nanocomposite. For example, a battery that includes the nanocomposite as a cathode material was shown to have an enhanced performance and stability over a broad temperature range from room temperature to high temperatures (for example, of 100° C. or more). These batteries fill an important need by providing a safe and reliable power source for devices that are operated at high temperatures such as the downhole equipment used in the oil industry.

Abstract: A hydraulic tappet configured for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. The tappet includes an outer housing, a socket plunger, and a hydraulic lash adjuster assembly. The socket plunger and the hydraulic lash adjuster assembly are disposed within the outer housing. The hydraulic lash adjuster assembly includes an outer casing, a piston, and a check valve assembly. The outer casing is configured with a spherical first end. The hydraulic lash adjuster assembly can include a swivel pad that engages the spherical first end. The piston is at least partially received by an opening in the outer casing. The piston and socket plunger define a first fluid chamber, while the piston and outer casing define a second fluid chamber. The check valve assembly is arranged to fluidly connect the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A switchable finger follower, including an inner lever and an outer lever. The outer lever includes a pocket defined by two outer arms that extend along longitudinal sides of the inner lever. The outer lever is mounted for pivoting movement at the first end of the inner lever by a pivot axle, and a respective outer roller is separately mounted on an outer side of each of the two outer arms. A coupling device is located on one of the inner or outer levers and has a coupling pin arranged to move between a locking position, in which the inner and outer levers are connected together for movement in an activation direction, and an unlocked position, in which the inner lever is pivotable relative to the outer lever. A method of assembling a finger lever with outer rollers connected to the two outer arms is also provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic tappet configured for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. The tappet includes an outer housing, a socket plunger, and a hydraulic lash adjuster assembly. The socket plunger and the hydraulic lash adjuster assembly are disposed within the outer housing. The hydraulic lash adjuster assembly includes an outer casing, a piston, and a check valve assembly. The outer casing is configured with a spherical first end. The hydraulic lash adjuster assembly can include a swivel pad that engages the spherical first end. The piston is at least partially received by an opening in the outer casing. The piston and socket plunger define a first fluid chamber, while the piston and outer casing define a second fluid chamber. The check valve assembly is arranged to fluidly connect the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A nanocomposite including a metal oxide and two-dimensional nanosheets. The metal oxid includes at least one of zirconia and titania, and the two-dimensional nanosheets include at least one of reduced graphene oxide and boron nitride. A weight ratio of the metal oxide to the two-dimensional nanosheets is in a range of 2:1 to 19:1, or in a range or 2:1 to 9:1. Making the nanocomposite includes forming a first aqueous dispersion including zirconia nanoparticles and graphene oxide powder, combining a reducing agent with the first aqueous dispersion, irradiating the first aqueous dispersion with microwave radiation, thereby yielding a second aqueous dispersion including zirconia and graphene, and separating the nanocomposite from the second aqueous dispersion, wherein the nanocomposite comprises zirconia and graphene.

Abstract: A switchable lever arrangement is provided that includes at least one switchable lever and a rotary actuator. The at least one switchable lever includes an outer lever, an inner lever pivotably mounted to the outer lever, and a locking part that selectively locks the inner lever to the outer lever. The rotary actuator rotates about a rotational axis to actuate the locking part. The rotary actuator has a first locked position defined by a first effective actuation length, and a second unlocked position defined by a second effective actuation length, with the second actuation length different than the first actuation length.

Abstract: A nanocomposite including a metal oxide and two-dimensional nanosheets. The metal oxide includes at least one of zirconia and titania, and the two-dimensional nanosheets include at least one of reduced graphene oxide and boron nitride. A weight ratio of the metal oxide to the two-dimensional nanosheets is in a range of 2:1 to 19:1, or in a range or 2:1 to 9:1. Making the nanocomposite includes forming a first aqueous dispersion including zirconia nanoparticles and graphene oxide powder, combining a reducing agent with the first aqueous dispersion, irradiating the first aqueous dispersion with microwave radiation, thereby yielding a second aqueous dispersion including zirconia and graphene, and separating the nanocomposite from the second aqueous dispersion, wherein the nanocomposite comprises zirconia and graphene.

Abstract: A nanocomposite including a metal oxide and two-dimensional nanosheets. The metal oxid includes at least one of zirconia and titania, and the two-dimensional nanosheets include at least one of reduced graphene oxide and boron nitride. A weight ratio of the metal oxide to the two-dimensional nanosheets is in a range of 2:1 to 19:1, or in a range or 2:1 to 9:1. Making the nanocomposite includes forming a first aqueous dispersion including zirconia nanoparticles and graphene oxide powder, combining a reducing agent with the first aqueous dispersion, irradiating the first aqueous dispersion with microwave radiation, thereby yielding a second aqueous dispersion including zirconia and graphene, and separating the nanocomposite from the second aqueous dispersion, wherein the nanocomposite comprises zirconia and graphene.

Abstract: A nanocomposite including a metal oxide and two-dimensional nanosheets. The metal oxide includes at least one of zirconia and titania, and the two-dimensional nanosheets include at least one of reduced graphene oxide and boron nitride. A weight ratio of the metal oxide to the two-dimensional nanosheets is in a range of 2:1 to 19:1, or in a range or 2:1 to 9:1. Making the nanocomposite includes forming a first aqueous dispersion including zirconia nanoparticles and graphene oxide powder, combining a reducing agent with the first aqueous dispersion, irradiating the first aqueous dispersion with microwave radiation, thereby yielding a second aqueous dispersion including zirconia and graphene, and separating the nanocomposite from the second aqueous dispersion, wherein the nanocomposite comprises zirconia and graphene.

Abstract: A nanocomposite including a metal oxide and two-dimensional nanosheets. The metal oxid includes at least one of zirconia and titania, and the two-dimensional nanosheets include at least one of reduced graphene oxide and boron nitride. A weight ratio of the metal oxide to the two-dimensional nanosheets is in a range of 2:1 to 19:1, or in a range or 2:1 to 9:1. Making the nanocomposite includes forming a first aqueous dispersion including zirconia nanoparticles and graphene oxide powder, combining a reducing agent with the first aqueous dispersion, irradiating the first aqueous dispersion with microwave radiation, thereby yielding a second aqueous dispersion including zirconia and graphene, and separating the nanocomposite from the second aqueous dispersion, wherein the nanocomposite comprises zirconia and graphene.

Abstract: A switchable roller finger follower including an improved valve stem pallet formed by a rotatable body is disclosed. The switchable roller finger follower includes an axle extending through first aligned holes of an outer body and second aligned holes of an inner body to pivotally attach the inner body to the outer body at a valve stem end. The rotatable body is mounted on the axle and adapted to contact a valve stem.

Abstract: A switchable lever arrangement is provided that includes at least one switchable lever and a rotary actuator. The at least one switchable lever includes an outer lever, an inner lever pivotably mounted to the outer lever, and a locking part that selectively locks the inner lever to the outer lever. The rotary actuator rotates about a rotational axis to actuate the locking part. The rotary actuator has a first locked position defined by a first effective actuation length, and a second unlocked position defined by a second effective actuation length, with the second actuation length different than the first actuation length.

Abstract: Presented in the present disclosure are nanocomposites and rechargeable batteries which are resistant to thermal runaway and are safe, reliable, and stable electrode materials for rechargeable batteries operated at high temperature and high pressure. The nanocomposites include a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a first two-dimensional (2D) material, and a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a different 2D material, which act in synergy to provide an improved thermal stability, an increased surface area, and enhanced electrochemical properties to the nanocomposites. For example, rechargeable batteries that include the nanocomposites as an electrode material have an enhanced performance and stability over a broad temperature range from room temperature to high temperatures.