Abstract: A device includes a first thermally conductive substrate having a first patterned electrode disposed thereon and a second thermally conductive substrate having a second patterned electrode disposed thereon, wherein the first and second thermally conductive substrates are arranged such that the first and second patterned electrodes are adjacent to one another. The device includes a plurality of nanowires disposed between the first and second patterned electrodes, wherein the plurality of nanowires is formed of a thermoelectric material. The device also includes a joining material disposed between the plurality of nanowires and at least one of the first and second patterned electrodes.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to image forming mediums useful for reimageable and transient documents. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to an image forming medium comprising photochromic materials comprising unsymmetrical dithienylethene (DTE) photochromes which provide longer image lifetimes and “erase-on-demand” capability.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to image forming mediums useful for reimageable and transient documents. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to an image forming medium comprising photochromic materials comprising unsymmetrical dithienylethene (DTE) photochromes which provide longer image lifetimes and “erase-on-demand” capability.

Abstract: A pigment contains one or more substantially spherical-shaped beads. Each substantially spherical-shaped bead includes one or more high aspect ratio particles encapsulated within an encapsulating material. Resinous compositions containing this pigment and a plastic, for example a polycarbonate, have a flowline-free colored, sparkling and/or metallescent appearance.

Abstract: A pigment contains one or more substantially spherical-shaped beads. Each substantially spherical-shaped bead includes one or more high aspect ratio particles encapsulated within an encapsulating material. Resinous compositions containing this pigment and a plastic, for example a polycarbonate, have a flowline-free colored, sparkling and/or metallescent appearance.

Abstract: A thermally insulated structure comprising a first surface and a second surface is provided. The second surface is disposed in a spaced apart relationship with the first surface to define a gap, within which a layer of thermal insulation is provided. The thermal insulation includes a thermoelectric material.

Abstract: A pigment contains one or more substantially spherical-shaped beads. Each substantially spherical-shaped bead includes one or more high aspect ratio particles encapsulated within an encapsulating material. Resinous compositions containing this pigment and a plastic, for example a polycarbonate, have a flowline-free colored, sparkling and/or metallescent appearance.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention comprise a pigment comprising one or more substantially spherical-shaped beads, wherein each substantially spherical-shaped bead comprises one or more high aspect ratio particles encapsulated within an encapsulating material. Embodiments also comprise a resinous composition comprising said pigment. Yet further embodiments comprise a method of preparing said pigment via suspension polymerization.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to thermoelectric devices comprising nanostructured thermoelectric elements, such nanostructured thermoelements being formed by an etching of doped semiconductor wafers. The present invention is also directed to methods of making and using such thermoelectric devices, as well as to systems which employ such devices. Such devices and their manufacture are unique in that they employ a “top down” approach to the formation of the nanostructured or low-dimensional thermoelectric materials used therein.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of encapsulation of a material comprises dispersing high aspect ratio particles in a monomer and/or a polymer to form a suspension mixture, adding the suspension mixture to an aqueous mixture to form an aqueous reaction mixture, heating and mixing the aqueous reaction mixture to encourage the formation of substantially spherical-shaped beads, quenching the aqueous reaction mixture after the substantially spherical-shaped beads are formed, and collecting the substantially spherical-shaped beads.

Abstract: A method for making an article with controlled surface wettability is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate including a polymer; and inducing a phase transformation at a selected surface region of the substrate, such that the phase transformation forms a texture at the selected surface region. The texture includes a plurality of features having a largest characteristic dimension of up to about 50 microns. An article with controlled wettability is provided. The article has a selected surface region including a polymer. At least about 80% of surface area includes a plurality of features having a largest characteristic dimension of up to about 50 microns. The plurality of features further includes a plurality of nanoscale surface features and the selected surface region has the surface wettability sufficient to generate, with a reference fluid, a static contact angle of at least about 120° C.

Abstract: A device includes a first thermally conductive substrate having a first patterned electrode disposed thereon and a second thermally conductive substrate having a second patterned electrode disposed thereon, wherein the first and second thermally conductive substrates are arranged such that the first and second patterned electrodes are adjacent to one another. The device includes a plurality of nanowires disposed between the first and second patterned electrodes, wherein the plurality of nanowires is formed of a thermoelectric material. The device also includes a joining material disposed between the plurality of nanowires and at least one of the first and second patterned electrodes.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods by which nanoparticle interactions can be controlled, compositions with which such interactions can be controlled, and devices which utilize the control of such interactions. Generally, such methods involve grafting polymer to electromagnetically-functional cores to form a core/shell nanoparticle, assembling a plurality of such core/shell nanoparticles to form an assembly, and exposing the assembly to at least one environmental stimulus to which the polymer is responsive so as to modulate the interparticle interactions of the electromagnetically-functional cores. The present invention is also directed to the compositions resulting from such methods and to the methods and associated devices for controlling the interparticle interactions in such compositions.

Abstract: A pigment contains one or more substantially spherical-shaped beads. Each substantially spherical-shaped bead includes one or more high aspect ratio particles encapsulated within an encapsulating material. Resinous compositions containing this pigment and a plastic, for example a polycarbonate, have a flowline-free colored, sparkling and/or metallescent appearance.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention comprise a pigment comprising one or more substantially spherical-shaped beads, wherein each substantially spherical-shaped bead comprises one or more high aspect ratio particles encapsulated within an encapsulating material. Embodiments also comprise a resinous composition comprising said pigment. Yet further embodiments comprise a method of preparing said pigment via suspension polymerization. The substantially spherical-shaped beads of this invention may be used to produce resinous compositions having a flowline-free colored, sparkling and/or metallescent appearance.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor film with reduced defects comprising lithographically defined nanoscale features patterned into an underlying layer. A semiconductor film is then nucleated within the plurality of nanoscale features. The nanoscale features are aligned with specific crystallographic axes to allow for controlled growth rates. A semiconductor film produced with a greater than four orders of magnitude decrease in the threading dislocation density and thus improved optical and electrical transport properties. The invention applies to wide bandgap semiconductor films, however, also applies to any film-substrate combination where significant lattice and thermal expansion misfit occurs.