Abstract: Crystallization of perovskite films was performed in supercritical carbon dioxide with and without organic co-solvents. Post deposition crystallization of the films was performed in a binary, single phase supercritical fluid at constant conditions (45° C., 1200 psi) but with varying organic co-solvent volume fractions up to 2%. The co-solvents can provide selective interactions with one or both of the perovskite precursor compounds resulting in different film morphologies ranging from uniform films containing large grains to films exhibiting large cubic or hexagonal crystals or preferential crystallographic orientations. The use of supercritical fluids to enhance or tune crystallization in solid-state thin films could have broad applications toward the realization of high efficiency photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: Crystallization of perovskite films was performed in supercritical carbon dioxide with and without organic co-solvents. Post deposition crystallization of the films was performed in a binary, single phase supercritical fluid at constant conditions (45° C., 1200 psi) but with varying organic co-solvent volume fractions up to 2%. The co-solvents can provide selective interactions with one or both of the perovskite precursor compounds resulting in different film morphologies ranging from uniform films containing large grains to films exhibiting large cubic or hexagonal crystals or preferential crystallographic orientations. The use of supercritical fluids to enhance or tune crystallization in solid-state thin films could have broad applications toward the realization of high efficiency photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: Methods and devices to rapidly detect trace levels of water soluble fluorescent mineral species such as uranium in aqueous fluids (e.g. water) are provided. The methods and devices involve sequestration of cationic forms of the water soluble fluorescent mineral species (e.g. the uranium oxycation uranyl, UO22+) via pressurized fluid flow through a porous silica gel medium, to enhance natural fluorescence and increase the speed of detection.

Abstract: Methods and devices to rapidly detect trace levels of water soluble fluorescent mineral species such as uranium in aqueous fluids (e.g. water) are provided. The methods and devices involve sequestration of cationic forms of the water soluble fluorescent mineral species (e.g. the uranium oxycation uranyl, UO22+) via pressurized fluid flow through a porous silica gel medium, to enhance natural fluorescence and increase the speed of detection.

Abstract: Small particles of polymeric material are produced by expansion of a mixture of monomers and a propellant. The size and shape of the particles can be precisely tailored by materials selection and expansion conditions. Particles of 10 nanometers to 100 microns can be produced. If monomers exhibiting solid state reactivity are utilized, the particles thus formed can be polymerized at any time after formation. The particles produced by this method can be molecularly imprinted by incorporating a template into the particle prior to fully curing the particle, in a manner which allows selective extraction of the template from the cured particle after formation without deformation of the imprint site. A two step polymerization process allows the particles to be deposited on and adhered to a wide variety of substrates without additional agents.

Abstract: Small particles of polymeric material are produced by expansion of a mixture of monomers and a propellant. The size and shape of the particles can be precisely tailored by materials selection and expansion conditions. Particles of 10 nanometers to 100 microns can be produced. If monomers exhibiting solid state reactivity are utilized, the particles thus formed can be polymerized at any time after formation. The particles produced by this method can be molecularly imprinted by incorporating a template into the particle prior to fully curing the particle, in a manner which allows selective extraction of the template from the cured particle after formation without deformation of the imprint site. A two step polymerization process allows the particles to be deposited on and adhered to a wide variety of substrates without additional agents.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for generating, dispersing and delivering chemical compounds utilizing desorption electrospray ionization. Embodiment include an airflow channel into which an airflow is directed, a solvent reservoir containing a volume of solvent, at least one charged droplet source for producing a plurality of charged liquid droplets in the channel, and at least one grounded counter electrodes positioned within the channel with the electrodes having at least one surface containing one or more chemical compounds that include releasable ions. In operation, the charged droplets are directed onto the surface or surfaces so that the impact of the charged particles on said surface produces gaseous ions of at least one chemical compound on said surface, after which the gaseous ions are dispersed into the airflow.

Abstract: Polymer fiber interconnects are produced between microscale features on substrate using only electrostatic forces. In one embodiment, electric field driven directed growth of fibers is achieved between microscale droplets of a concentrated polymer solution deposited on a substrate associated with a capacitor, such as an interdigitated capacitor. After depositing the droplets, the droplets on or near the positive electrode become positively charged and the droplets on or near the negative electode become negatively charged. Fibers form between the positively and negatively charged droplets due to electrostatic forces. In a second embodiment, positively charged and negatively droplets are created by electrospraying or by other means, and the fibers spontaneously form between droplets of opposite polarity. The process is similar to conventional electrospinning, but is achieved on a micrscopic scale and utilizes significantly lower driving potentials.

Abstract: A contaminant extraction apparatus, systems and method for extracting contaminants, such as particles and polar molecules, from an air flow containing a contaminated gas such as air so that the contaminants are expelled from the embodiments after they are extracted. One method includes the steps of generating two electric fields in separate air flow channels separated by an extraction grid with the second electric field having a greater potential difference than the first electric field; generating a first air flow through the first air flow channel and a second air flow through a second air flow channel; dispensing charged liquid droplets into the first air flow using at least one charged droplet generator; allowing the droplets to transfer charge to those contaminants; and expelling the contaminants into the second air flow using the potential difference in the second electric field.

Abstract: Polymer fiber interconnects are produced between microscale features on substrate using only electrostatic forces. In one embodiment, electric field driven directed growth of fibers is achieved between microscale droplets of a concentrated polymer solution deposited on a substrate associated with a capacitor, such as an interdigitated capacitor. After depositing the droplets, the droplets on or near the positive electrode become positively charged and the droplets on or near the negative electode become negatively charged. Fibers form between the positively and negatively charged droplets due to electrostatic forces. In a second embodiment, positively charged and negatively droplets are created by electrospraying or by other means, and the fibers spontaneously form between droplets of opposite polarity. The process is similar to conventional electrospinning, but is achieved on a micrscopic scale and utilizes significantly lower driving potentials.

Abstract: Small particles of polymeric material are produced by expansion of a mixture of monomers and a propellant. The size and shape of the particles can be precisely tailored by materials selection and expansion conditions. Particles of 10 nanometers to 100 microns can be produced. If monomers exhibiting solid state reactivity are utilized, the particles thus formed can be polymerized at any time after formation. The particles produced by this method can be molecularly imprinted by incorporating a template into the particle prior to fully curing the particle, in a manner which allows selective extraction of the template from the cured particle after formation without deformation of the imprint site. A two step polymerization process allows the particles to be deposited on and adhered to a wide variety of substrates without additional agents.

Abstract: Small particles of polymeric material are produced by expansion of a mixture of monomers and a propellant. The size and shape of the particles can be precisely tailored by materials selection and expansion conditions. Particles of 10 nanometers to 100 microns can be produced. If monomers exhibiting solid state reactivity are utilized, the particles thus formed can be polymerized at any time after formation. The particles produced by this method can be molecularly imprinted by incorporating a template into the particle prior to fully curing the particle, in a manner which allows selective extraction of the template from the cured particle after formation without deformation of the imprint site. A two step polymerization process allows the particles to be deposited on and adhered to a wide variety of substrates without additional agents.