Abstract: Polymeric materials, method of making the polymeric material, and uses thereof are disclosed. The polymeric material can include ordered arrangements of crystalline domains and ordered arrangements of amorphous domains.

Abstract: Methods for producing multifaceted nanoparticles and uses thereof are disclosed. One method for producing multifaceted nanoparticles can include obtaining a template that includes a substrate and a polymer brush having a plurality of polymers each attached by a first end to the substrate and each having a free opposing second end located opposite the first end; contacting the polymer brush with a solution that includes a nanoparticle precursor material; and forming, from the precursor material and the functional groups located on the second end of the plurality of polymers, multifaceted nanoparticles. The second ends of the polymer chains are functionalized with functional groups that have an affinity for the facets of the multifaceted nanoparticles.

Abstract: A topical skin composition and methods for its use are described. The composition can include a plurality of first plasmonic noble metal nanostructures having an aspect ratio of greater than 1 and being configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation from an artificial light source and/or from a solar radiation source to produce a first localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), and a plurality of second plasmonic noble metal nanostructures having an aspect ratio of greater than 1 and being configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation from a solar radiation source to produce a second LSPR.

Abstract: Methods of making a carbon nanotube material and uses thereof are described. The methods can include obtaining a carbon-containing polymeric matrix shell having a single discrete void space defined by the carbon-containing polymeric matrix shell or having an encapsulated core and subjecting the carbon-containing polymeric matrix shell to a graphitization process to form a shell having a carbon nanotube network from the matrix. The resulting carbon nanotube material includes a shell having a network of carbon nanotubes and either (i) a single discrete void space defined by the network of carbon nanotubes or (ii) the encapsulated core surrounded by the network of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ferroelectric material and methods for its use in capacitors that includes a polymer blend of at least two polymers, wherein the first polymer is a ferroelectric polymer and the second polymer has a low dielectric constant.

Abstract: Ferroelectric components, such as the ferroelectric field effect transistors (FeFETs), ferroelectric capacitors and ferroelectric diodes described above may be operated as multi-level memory cells as described by the present invention. Storing multiple bits of information in each multi-level memory cell may be performed by a controller coupled to an array of the ferroelectric components configured as ferroelectric memory cells. The controller may execute the steps of receiving a bit pattern for writing to a multi-level memory cell comprising a ferroelectric layer; selecting a pulse duration for applying a write pulse to the memory cell based, at least in part, on the received bit pattern; and applying at least one write pulse to the memory cell having the selected pulse duration, in which the at least one write pulse creates a remnant polarization within the ferroelectric layer that is representative of the received bit pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a polymeric ferroelectric material. The method can include (a) obtaining a polymeric ferroelectric precursor material, and (b) subjecting the polymeric ferroelectric precursor material to pulsed electromagnetic radiation sufficient to form a polymeric ferroelectric material having ferroelectric hysteresis properties, wherein the polymeric ferroelectric precursor material, prior to step (b), has not previously been subjected to a thermal treatment for more than 55 minutes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a material having supported micro- and/or nanostructures, the method includes (a) obtaining a substrate comprising a precursor material and an electrically conductive layer of micro- or nanostructures embedded into at least a portion of a first surface of the substrate, and (b) applying a voltage across the electrically conductive layer to heat the micro- or nanostructures, wherein the heat converts the precursor material into micro- and/or nanostructures.

Abstract: Methods for making a multilevel core-shell structure having a core/graphene-based shell structure are described. A method for making a core/graphene-based shell structure can include obtaining a composition that includes core nano- or microstructures and graphene-based structures having at least a portion of a surface coated with a curable organic material, where the core nano- or microstructures and graphene-based structures are dispersed throughout the composition and subjecting the composition to conditions that cure the organic material and allow the graphene-based structures to self-assemble around the core nano- or microstructures to produce a core/graphene-based shell structure that has a graphene-based shell encompassing a core nano- or microstructure.

Abstract: Methods for making a multilevel core-shell structure having a core/graphene-based shell structure are described. A method for making a core/graphene-based shell structure can include obtaining a composition that includes core nano- or microstructures and graphene-based structures having at least a portion of a surface coated with a curable organic material, where the core nano- or microstructures and graphene-based structures are dispersed throughout the composition and subjecting the composition to conditions that cure the organic material and allow the graphene-based structures to self-assemble around the core nano- or microstructures to produce a core/graphene-based shell structure that has a graphene-based shell encompassing a core nano- or microstructure.

Abstract: Multi-layered graphene materials and methods of making and use are described herein. A multi-layered graphene material can include a plurality of graphene layers having a plurality of intercalated nano- or microstructures that form a plurality of yolk/shell type structures. Each yolk/shell type structure can include at least two graphene layers that form a shell-like structure that encompasses a void space having at least one of the plurality of nano- or microstructures. The void space has a volume sufficient to allow for volume expansion of the at least one of the plurality of nano- or microstructures without deforming the shell-like structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst and methods to prepare and use the catalyst in an ethylbenzene dehydration reaction. The catalyst contains ?-Fe2O3 and a dopant(s) and/or a promoter(s), has a size of 2 nanometers to 50 nanometers, and does not include ?-Fe2O3. The catalyst can be a bulk catalyst or can be supported by a ceramic or other appropriate support material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of modifying a metal-organic framework (MOF), the modified MOF, and methods for using the same. The method of modification can include heating a mixture comprising an azide compound and a MOF to generate a nitrene compound and nitrogen (N2) from the azide compound and covalently bonding the nitrene compound to the MOF to obtain the modified MOF.

Abstract: Ferroelectric components, such as the ferroelectric field effect transistors (FeFETs), ferroelectric capacitors and ferroelectric diodes described above may be operated as multi-level memory cells as described by the present invention. Storing multiple bits of information in each multi-level memory cell may be performed by a controller coupled to an array of the ferroelectric components configured as ferroelectric memory cells. The controller may execute the steps of receiving a bit pattern for writing to a multi-level memory cell comprising a ferroelectric layer; selecting a pulse duration for applying a write pulse to the memory cell based, at least in part, on the received bit pattern; and applying at least one write pulse to the memory cell having the selected pulse duration, in which the at least one write pulse creates a remnant polarization within the ferroelectric layer that is representative of the received bit pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photochromic material that includes a first polymeric layer having a photochromic compound that is capable of being activated in response to a stimulus. The first polymeric layer is configured such that the activated photochromic compound becomes inactivated within 10 minutes, preferably within 5 minutes, most preferably within 1 minute, in the absence of said stimulus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a polymeric ferroelectric material. The method can include (a) obtaining a polymeric ferroelectric precursor material, and (b) subjecting the polymeric ferroelectric precursor material to pulsed electromagnetic radiation sufficient to form a polymeric ferroelectric material having ferroelectric hysteresis properties, wherein the polymeric ferroelectric precursor material, prior to step (b), has not previously been subjected to a thermal treatment for more than 55 minutes.

Abstract: Methods for producing ferroelectric device are described. A method includes positioning an organic polymeric ferroelectric layer between two conductive materials to form a stack. The stack can be subjected to a 2-step heat treating process. The first heat treating step transforms the organic polymeric ferroelectric precursor to a ferroelectric material having ferroelectric hysteresis properties, and the second heat treating step densities the ferroelectric material to obtain the ferroelectric device. The thin film ferroelectric device can include a thin film ferroelectric capacitor, a thin film ferroelectric transistor, or a thin film ferroelectric diode.

Abstract: Disclosed are treated mixed matrix polymeric membranes comprising a plurality of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and a polymeric matrix, wherein the plurality of MOFs are attached to the polymeric matrix through covalent or hydrogen bonds or Van der Waals interaction. The membranes can be treated with plasma, electromagnetic radiation, or thermal energy or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric blend membranes, and methods for their use, that include a blend of at least a first polymer and a second polymer, wherein the first and second polymers are each selected from a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), a polyetherimide (PEI) polymer, a polyimide (PI) polymer, or a polyetherimide-siloxane (PEI-Si) polymer, and wherein the polymeric membranes have been both ultraviolet (UV)-treated and thermally-treated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a ferroelectric film having ferroelectric hysteresis properties, the method comprising (a) obtaining a composition comprising a solvent and an organic ferroelectric polymer solubilized therein, (b) heating the composition to above 75° C. and below the boiling point of the solvent, (c) depositing the heated composition onto a substrate; and (d) annealing the heated composition to form a ferroelectric film having ferroelectric hysteresis properties and a thickness of 400 nm or less.