Abstract: A polymer film having a non-planar surface defined by a series of surface bumps and a plurality of nanoparticles in the polymer film, wherein the nanoparticles are more concentrated proximately to surface and in the surface bumps to provide anti-wetting and anti-stick properties. The polymer coating is formed by casting a thin layer of a photopolymerizable polymer precursor having a plurality of nanoparticles over a transparent substrate and then irradiating the thin layer from below with a periodic light field so that the photopolymerizable polymer precursor forms a polymer with a non-planar surface and the nanoparticles are concentrated proximately to the non-planar surface as a result of phase separation. The resulting film can be washed with a solvent to remove any uncured polymer and peeled away from the substrate for use as an anti-stick and anti-wetting coating.

Abstract: A polymer composite for use as a solar cell encapsulant is defined by a thin film having a first side and an opposing second side and at least one optical structure formed in the film. The least one optical structure includes one or more waveguide formed by a core of a high-refractive index polymer, such as an acrylate and a cladding of a low refractive index polymer, such as a silicone. In a preferred embodiment, two intersecting waveguide arrays are defined, each having waveguides disposed at equal and opposite angles in relation to a normal of a surface of the film. The polymer composite further includes at least one light conversion material that is capable of upconverting and/or downconverting UV and/or IR portions of light entering the film into visible light.

Abstract: A metallo-dielectric waveguide array used as an encapsulation material for silicon solar cells. The array is produced through light-induced self-writing combined with in situ photochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Each waveguide comprises a cylindrical core consisting of a high refractive index polymer and silver nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in its medium, all of which are surrounded by a low refractive index common cladding. These waveguide array films are processed directly over a silicon solar cell.

Abstract: A process for converting avocado peels into hard carbon-based anodes for sodium ion batteries and a hard carbon material formed according to that process. The avocado peels are simply washed and dried, and then carbonized using a high temperature conversion step. Electrochemical measurements confirmed the applicability of avocado-derived hard carbon as electrode active materials, with high reversible capacities of 320 mAh/g over 50 cycles at 50 mA/g, good rate performance of 86 mAh/g at 3500 mA/g, and Coulombic efficiencies above 99.9% after 500 cycles.

Abstract: A patterned surface structure formed from a ferrofluidic polymer resin having a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles. The polymer resin is patterned with a magnetic field that is applied to the ferrofluidic polymer resin during curing. The ferrofluidic polymer resin may be cast over a non-magnetic planar substrate. A magnetic field is applied to the ferrofluidic polymer resin to induce a pattern in a surface of the ferrofluidic polymer resin. The patterned ferrofluidic polymer resin is then cured to form the permanently patterned surface.

Abstract: The formation of microporous surfaces through polymer induced phase separation in a photopolymer solvent mixture using photopolymerization via light self-focusing and self-trapping. The self-trapping of light sets fixed regions of brightness and darkness, sustained by the polymerization of light, and then wave guiding within the substrate. Phase separation occurs with the solvent phase separating in the regions of darkness and crosslinking in the regions of brightness. Upon removal of the solvent, precise and uniformly dispersed pores are created in the surface. The pore size and spacing may be tuned by adjusting the weight fraction of the photopolymer solvent mixture as well as through changes in the mask pattern.

Abstract: The formation of microporous surfaces through polymer induced phase separation in a photopolymer solvent mixture using photopolymerization via light self-focusing and self-trapping. The self-trapping of light sets fixed regions of brightness and darkness, sustained by the polymerization of light, and then wave guiding within the substrate. Phase separation occurs with the solvent phase separating in the regions of darkness and crosslinking in the regions of brightness. Upon removal of the solvent, precise and uniformly dispersed pores are created in the surface. The pore size and spacing may be tuned by adjusting the weight fraction of the photopolymer solvent mixture as well as through changes in the mask pattern.

Abstract: A metallo-dielectric waveguide array used as an encapsulation material for silicon solar cells. The array is produced through light-induced self-writing combined with in situ photochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Each waveguide comprises a cylindrical core consisting of a high refractive index polymer and silver nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in its medium, all of which are surrounded by a low refractive index common cladding. These waveguide array films are processed directly over a silicon solar cell.

Abstract: The formation of microporous surfaces through polymer induced phase separation in a photopolymer solvent mixture using photopolymerization via light self-focusing and self-trapping. The self-trapping of light sets fixed regions of brightness and darkness, sustained by the polymerization of light, and then wave guiding within the substrate. Phase separation occurs with the solvent phase separating in the regions of darkness and crosslinking in the regions of brightness. Upon removal of the solvent, precise and uniformly dispersed pores are created in the surface. The pore size and spacing may be tuned by adjusting the weight fraction of the photopolymer solvent mixture as well as through changes in the mask pattern.