Abstract: A method for printing a semiconductor material includes depositing a molten metal onto a substrate in an enclosed chamber to form a trace having a maximum height of 15 micrometers and/or a maximum width of 25 micrometers to 10 millimeters and/or a thin film having a maximum height of 15 micrometers. The method further includes reacting the molten metal with a gas phase species in the enclosed chamber to form the semiconductor material. The depositing the molten metal includes depositing a metal composition including the molten metal and an etchant or depositing the etchant separate from the molten metal in the enclosed chamber.

Abstract: A method for printing a semiconductor material includes depositing a molten metal onto a substrate in an enclosed chamber to form a trace having a maximum height of 15 micrometers and/or a maximum width of 25 micrometers to 10 millimeters and/or a thin film having a maximum height of 15 micrometers. The method further includes reacting the molten metal with a gas phase species in the enclosed chamber to form the semiconductor material. The depositing the molten metal includes depositing a metal composition including the molten metal and an etchant or depositing the etchant separate from the molten metal in the enclosed chamber.

Abstract: A metasurface unit cell for use in constructing a metasurface array is provided. The unit cell may include a ground plane layer comprising a first conductive material, and a phase change material layer operably coupled to the ground plane layer. The phase change material layer may include a phase change material configured to transition between an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase in response to a stimulus. The unit cell may further include a patterned element disposed adjacent to the phase change material layer and includes a second conductive material. In response to the phase change material transitioning from a first phase to a second phase, the metasurface unit cell may resonate to generate an electromagnetic signal having a defined wavelength. The first phase may be the amorphous phase or the crystalline phase and the second phase may be the other of the amorphous phase or the crystalline phase.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for manufacturing nano-engineered thin-film thermoelectric (NETT) devices for photovoltaic applications, such as NETT converters that harness the coldness of space for satellite applications or for integration with terrestrial PV. An example method can include mounting a thin-film thermoelectric device to a photovoltaic device. The example method can further include mounting a heat sink device to the thin-film thermoelectric device. The example method can further include mounting a radiator device or heat exchanger device to the heat sink device.

Abstract: A method for printing a semiconductor material includes depositing a molten metal onto a substrate in an enclosed chamber to form a trace having a maximum height of 15 micrometers and/or a maximum width of 25 micrometers to 10 millimeters and/or a thin film having a maximum height of 15 micrometers. The method further includes reacting the molten metal with a gas phase species in the enclosed chamber to form the semiconductor material. The depositing the molten metal includes depositing a metal composition including the molten metal and an etchant or depositing the etchant separate from the molten metal in the enclosed chamber.

Abstract: A metasurface unit cell for use in constructing a metasurface array is provided. The unit cell may include a ground plane layer comprising a first conductive material, and a phase change material layer operably coupled to the ground plane layer. The phase change material layer may include a phase change material configured to transition between an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase in response to a stimulus. The unit cell may further include a patterned element disposed adjacent to the phase change material layer and includes a second conductive material. In response to the phase change material transitioning from a first phase to a second phase, the metasurface unit cell may resonate to generate an electromagnetic signal having a defined wavelength. The first phase may be the amorphous phase or the crystalline phase and the second phase may be the other of the amorphous phase or the crystalline phase.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high capacity nanocomposite cathode of FeF3 in carbon pores may include preparing a nanoporous carbon precursor, employing electrochemistry or solution chemistry deposition to deposit Fe particles in the carbon pores, reacting nano Fe with liquid hydrofluoric acid to form nano FeF3 in carbon, and milling to achieve a desired particle size.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high capacity nanocomposite cathode of FeF3 in carbon pores may include preparing a nanoporous carbon precursor, employing electrochemistry or solution chemistry deposition to deposit Fe particles in the carbon pores, reacting nano Fe with liquid hydrofluoric acid to form nano FeF3 in carbon, and milling to achieve a desired particle size.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high capacity nanocomposite cathode of FeF3 in carbon pores may include preparing a nanoporous carbon precursor, employing electrochemistry or solution chemistry deposition to deposit Fe particles in the carbon pores, reacting nano Fe with liquid hydrofluoric acid to form nano FeF3 in carbon, and milling to achieve a desired particle size.

Abstract: A metallic microcapsule containing a polymeric microcapsule having one or more polymeric precursors encapsulated therein; and a metallic shell enclosing a volume containing the polymeric microcapsule is disclosed. Also disclosed is a self-healing coating composition comprising (a) a film-forming binder; and (b) metallic microcapsules, the metallic microcapsules being the same or different and containing a polymeric microcapsule containing one or more polymeric precursors encapsulated therein; and a metallic shell enclosing a volume containing the polymeric microcapsule.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: A thin film electrode is fabricated from a non-metallic, non-conductive porous support structure having pores with micrometer-range diameters. The support may include a polymer film. A first surface of the support is metalized, and the pores are partially metallized to create metal tubes having a thickness within a range of 50 to 150 nanometers, in contact with the metal layer. An active material is disposed within metalized portions of the pores. An electrolyte is disposed within non-metalized portions of the pores. Active materials may be selected to create an anode and a cathode. Non-metalized surfaces of the anode and cathode may be contacted to one another to form a battery cell, with the non-metalized electrolyte-containing portions of the anode facing the electrolyte-containing portions of the cathode pores. A battery cell may be fabricated as, for example, a nickel-zinc battery cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: A thin film electrode is fabricated from a non-metallic, non-conductive porous support structure having pores with micrometer-range diameters. The support may include a polymer film. A first surface of the support is metalized, and the pores are partially metallized to create metal tubes having a thickness within a range of 50 to 150 nanometers, in contact with the metal layer. An active material is disposed within metalized portions of the pores. An electrolyte is disposed within non-metalized portions of the pores. Active materials may be selected to create an anode and a cathode. Non-metalized surfaces of the anode and cathode may be contacted to one another to form a battery cell, with the non-metalized electrolyte-containing portions of the anode facing the electrolyte-containing portions of the cathode pores. A battery cell may be fabricated as, for example, a nickel-zinc battery cell.