Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved soils for use in agriculture and other fields. The improved soils include atmospheric water harvesting networks which more efficiently hydrate the soil, reducing the need for external water inputs in germination and growth stages.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are water harvesting networks. The harvesters allow extraction and collection of moisture from the atmosphere without requiring electrical energy inputs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are self-healing conductive network compositions. The networks can contain one or more conductive polymers and one or more supramolecular complexes. The supramolecular complex can be introduced into conductive polymer matrix, resulting in a network of the two components. In this network, the nanostructured conductive polymer gel constructs a 3D network to promote the transport of electrons and mechanically reinforce the network while the supramolecular complex contributes to self-healing property and also conductivity. The networks disclosed herein are useful for various applications such as self-healing electronics, artificial skins, soft robotics and biomimetic prostheses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are water purifying networks. The networks efficiently absorb water and convert solar irradiation to heat, thereby evaporating absorbed water, which can be collected as purified water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are water harvesting networks. The harvesters allow extraction and collection of moisture from the atmosphere without requiring electrical energy inputs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel conductive films exhibiting graduated electrical resistance. The films can be prepared by asymmetrically oxidizing conductive film, thereby increasing electrical resistance along a gradient. The films can advantageously be employed in salt-water energy harvesters.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are water purifying networks. The networks efficiently absorb water and convert solar irradiation to heat, thereby evaporating absorbed water, which can be collected as purified water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are self-healing conductive network compositions. The networks can contain one or more conductive polymers and one or more supramolecular complexes. The supramolecular complex can be introduced into conductive polymer matrix, resulting in a network of the two components. In this network, the nanostructured conductive polymer gel constructs a 3D network to promote the transport of electrons and mechanically reinforce the network while the supramolecular complex contributes to self-healing property and also conductivity. The networks disclosed herein are useful for various applications such as self-healing electronics, artificial skins, soft robotics and biomimetic prostheses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets comprising a continuous transition metal oxide phase permeated by a plurality of pores. The plurality of pores can have an average characteristic dimension of from 1 nm to 30 nm. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the 2D nanosheets described herein. The 2D nanosheets can be prepared by reacting a graphene template with a transition metal compound to form a nanosheet precursor and calcining the nanosheet precursor to form the 2D nanosheet. Methods of use of the 2D nanosheets, for example as electrodes in batteries, are also described.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards energy storage devices, and methods of manufacturing such devices. Energy storage devices, consistent with the present disclosure, include a source of lithium ions, a plurality of nanoparticles, and a conductive polymer network. The nanoparticles are encapsulated in conductive polymer shells and volumetrically change due to lithiation and delithiation due to movement of the lithium ions created by an electrical potential. The conductive polymer network bonds to the nanoparticles and accommodates volumetric changes of the plurality of nanoparticles during lithiation and delithiation.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to liquid films containing nanostructured materials, and, optionally, the use of this arrangement to organize nanostructures and to transfer the nanostructures to a surface. Liquid films containing nanostructures, such as nanoscale wires, can be formed in a gas such as air. By choosing an appropriate liquid, a liquid film can be expanded, for example to form a “bubble” having a diameter of at least about 5 cm or 10 cm. The size of the bubble can be controlled, in some cases, by controlling the viscosity of the liquid film. In some embodiments, the viscosity can be controlled to be between about 15 Pa s and about 25 Pa s, or controlled using a mixture of an aqueous liquid and an epoxy. In some cases, the film of liquid may be contacted with a surface, which can be used to transfer at least some of the nanostructures to the surface. In some cases, the nanostructures may be transferred as an orderly or aligned array.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanotechnology and sub-microelectronic devices that can be used in circuitry, and, in particular, to nanoscale wires and other nanostructures able to encode data. One aspect of the present invention is directed to a device comprising an electrical crossbar array comprising at least two crossed wires at a cross point. In some cases, at least one of the crossed wires is a nanoscale wire, and in certain instances, at least one of the crossed wires is a nanoscale wire comprising a core and at least one shell surrounding the core. For instance, the core may comprise a crystal (e.g., crystalline silicon) and the shell may be at least partially amorphous (e.g., amorphous silicon). In certain embodiments, the cross point may exhibit intrinsic current rectification, or other electrical behaviors, and the cross point can be used as a memory device.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating and processing nanowires in solution with arrays of holographic optical traps. The system and method of the present invention is capable of creating hundreds of individually controlled optical traps with the ability to manipulate objects in three dimensions. Individual nanowires with cross-sections as small as 20 nm and lengths exceeding 20 ?m are capable of being isolated, translated, rotated and deposited onto a substrate with holographic optical trap arrays under conditions where single traps have no discernible influence. Spatially localized photothermal and photochemical processes induced by the well-focused traps can also be used to melt localized domains on individual nanowires and to fuse nanowire junctions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to liquid films containing nanostructured materials, and, optionally, the use of this arrangement to organize nanostructures and to transfer the nanostructures to a surface. Liquid films containing nanostructures, such as nanoscale wires, can be formed in a gas such as air. By choosing an appropriate liquid, a liquid film can be expanded, for example to form a “bubble” having a diameter of at least about 5 cm or 10 cm. The size of the bubble can be controlled, in some cases, by controlling the viscosity of the liquid film. In some embodiments, the viscosity can be controlled to be between about 15 Pa s and about 25 Pa s, or controlled using a mixture of an aqueous liquid and an epoxy. In some cases, the film of liquid may be contacted with a surface, which can be used to transfer at least some of the nanostructures to the surface. In some cases, the nanostructures may be transferred as an orderly or aligned array.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanobioelectronics and, in some cases, to circuits comprising nanoelectronic elements, such as nanotubes and/or nanowires, and biological components, such as neurons. In one aspect, cells, such as neurons, are positioned in electrical communication with one or more nanoscale wires. The nanoscale wires may be used to stimulate the cells, and/or determine an electrical condition of the cells. More than one nanoscale wire may be positioned in electrical communication with the cell, for example, in distinct regions of the cell. However, the nanoscale wires may be positioned such that they are relatively close together, for example, spaced apart by no more than about 200 nm. The nanoscale wires may be disposed on a substrate, for example, between electrodes, and the cells may be adhered to the substrate, for example, using cell adhesion factors such as polylysine.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating and processing nanowires in solution with arrays of holographic optical traps. The system and method of the present invention is capable of creating hundreds of individually controlled optical traps with the ability to manipulate objects in three dimensions. Individual nanowires with cross-sections as small as 20 nm and lengths exceeding 20 ?m are capable of being isolated, translated, rotated and deposited onto a substrate with holographic optical trap arrays under conditions where single traps have no discernible influence. Spatially localized photothermal and photochemical processes induced by the well-focused traps can also be used to melt localized domains on individual nanowires and to fuse nanowire junctions.

Abstract: The present invention involves a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating motion sickness syndrome, the method of using it to treat motion sickness syndrome and the method for preparing phencynonate hydrochloride of .alpha.-configuration, the active component of the pharmaceutical composition. As compared with the known anti-motion sickness drugs, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention showed higher efficacy and lower side effects. In addition, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can also be used for preventing and treating many symptoms of functional disorders of central and peripheral cholinergic system resulting from excessive central and peripheral acetyl choline.