Abstract: Mechanically strong, biodegradable and reusable aerogels are disclosed, which can be made with a cross-linked cellulose ester, and which exhibit a low density and high porosity. The aerogels disclosed herein may be used as sorbent materials and can be modified with a hydrophobic and/or oleophilic agent.

Abstract: Mechanically strong, biodegradable and reusable aerogels are disclosed, which can be made with a cross-linked cellulose ester, and which exhibit a low density and high porosity. The aerogels disclosed herein may be used as sorbent materials and can be modified with a hydrophobic and/or oleophilic agent.

Abstract: Mechanically strong, biodegradable and reusable aerogels are disclosed, which can be made with a cross-linked cellulose ester, and which exhibit a low density and high porosity. The aerogels disclosed herein may be used as sorbent materials and can be modified with a hydrophobic and/or oleophilic agent.

Abstract: A Dye Sensitized Photoelectrosynthesis Cell (DSPEC) splits water with visible light using a derivatized, core/shell nanostructured photoanode with the core having a high surface area conductive metal oxide film—such as nanoITO (indium tin oxide) or nanoATO (antimony tin oxide)—coated with a thin outer shell of, for example, TiO2 formed by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). A “chromophore-catalyst assembly” 1, [(PO3H2)2bpy)2Ru(4-Mebpy-4-bimpy)Ru(tpy)(OH2)]4+, which combines both light absorber and water oxidation catalyst in a single molecule, is attached to the TiO2 shell. Visible photolysis of the resulting core/shell/assembly structure with a Pt cathode results in water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly for harvesting light comprising a first molecule joined to a metal oxide surface through a surface linking group and a second molecule joined to the metal oxide surface. Such assemblies can harvest light to do useful chemistry, such as in a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell, or a molecular catalyst-solar cell system. In other embodiments, the harvested light can be converted into electricity, such as in a dye-sensitized solar cell. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for stabilizing a chromophore or a catalyst on a surface. These methods are applicable, for example, to dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells where the surface-bound chromophores are known to be unstable under aqueous conditions.

Abstract: A Dye Sensitized Photoelectrosynthesis Cell (DSPEC) splits water with visible light using a derivatized, core/shell nanostructured photoanode with the core having a high surface area conductive metal oxide film—such as nanoITO (indium tin oxide) or nanoATO (antimony tin oxide)—coated with a thin outer shell of, for example, TiO2 formed by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). A “chromophore-catalyst assembly” 1, [(PO3H2)2bpy)2Ru(4-Mebpy-4-bimpy)Ru(tpy)(OH2)]4+, which combines both light absorber and water oxidation catalyst in a single molecule, is attached to the TiO2 shell. Visible photolysis of the resulting core/shell/assembly structure with a Pt cathode results in water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A fiber media and a filter device. The fiber media has a plurality of nanofibers formed of a polymer material, having diameters less than 1 micron, and formed into a fiber mat. A barrier layer is disposed on the nanofibers to prevent dissolution of the nanofibers in the fiber mat upon exposure of the fiber mat to a solvent of the polymer material. The barrier layer coated nanofibers have a maximum strain before breakage of at least 2%. The filter device includes the fiber media and a support attached to the fiber mat.

Abstract: An electrode for solar conversion including a porous structure configured to contain therein at least one of a catalyst, a chromophore, and a redox couple. The porous structure has a set of electrically conductive nanoparticles adjoining each other. The set of electrically conductive nanoparticles forms a meandering electrical path connecting the nanoparticles together. The porous structure has an atomic layer by layer deposited semiconductive coating disposed conformally on the electrically conductive nanoparticles to form an exterior surface for reception of charge carriers.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to the modification of fibers by the growth of films by the Atomic Layer Epitaxy (ALE) process, which is also commonly referred to as Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The presently disclosed subject matter relates in particular to a process for the modification of the surface and bulk properties of fiber and textile media, including synthetic polymeric and natural fibers and yarns in woven, knit, and nonwoven form by low-temperature ALD.

Abstract: Compositions comprising porphyrinic macrocycles and conjugated polymers such as polythiophene for use in organic electronic devices including solar cells are presented. Covalent linkage of a porphyrinic macrocycle to a polymer allows tuning of electronic and spectroscopic properties of conjugated polymers and can improve the heat stability of the system relative to a blended comparison. A composition comprising: at least one polymer comprising at least one porphyrinic macrocycle covalently linked to at least one conjugated polymer, wherein the porphyrinic macrocycle is metal-free is also presented. Inks can be formulated. Methods of making are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-crystalline oxides of formulas (I) and (II), and methods of forming the same, along with field effect transistors, articles of manufacture, and microelectronic devices comprising the non-crystalline oxides.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate includes modifying a surface of a semiconductor substrate with a metal or a metal-containing compound and oxygen to form an insulation layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the insulation layer comprises the metal or metal-containing compound, oxygen, and silicon such that the dielectric constant of the insulation layer is greater relative to an insulation layer formed of silicon dioxide, and wherein the insulation layer comprises metal-oxygen-silicon bonds.

Abstract: A method of forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate includes modifying a surface of a semiconductor substrate with a metal or a metal-containing compound and oxygen to form an insulation layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the insulation layer comprises the metal or metal-containing compound, oxygen, and silicon such that the dielectric constant of the insulation layer is greater relative to an insulation layer formed of silicon dioxide, and wherein the insulation layer comprises metal-oxygen-silicon bonds.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-crystalline oxides of formulas (I) and (II), and methods of forming the same, along with field effect transistors, articles of manufacture, and microelectronic devices comprising the non-crystalline oxides.

Abstract: A substrate having silicon receptive surface areas is maintained in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) chamber at a temperature, and under sufficient gas flow, pressure and applied energy conditions to form a gas plasma. The gas plasma is typically made up of hydrogen, but may be made up of mixtures of hydrogen with other gasses. A discontinuous flow of silane gas of predetermined duration and predetermined time spacing is introduced to produce at least one timed pulse of silane gas containing plasma, whereby a thin layer of silicon is deposited on the receptive areas of the substrate. The thin layer of silicon is exposed to the hydrogen gas plasma between the brief deposition time cycles and may result in the modification of the silicon layer by the hydrogen plasma.