Abstract: An apparatus (e.g. a shape memory device) and/or methods thereof that may include employing a nano-particle layer, a linking agent layer, and a shape memory layer. An electrode for heating shape memory material during shape transitions of the shape memory layer may include the nano-particle layer and the linking agent layer. The nano-particle layer may include conductive nano-size particles (e.g. gold clusters having a diameter less than 100 nanometers or less than 50 nanometers). The electrode may be substantially resilient to deformation of the shape memory material due to individual bonding of individual particles of the nano-particle layer to the shape memory layer and/or the linking agent layer.

Abstract: An apparatus (and a method of making an apparatus) that includes a flexible functional material. The flexible functional material includes nano-particle layer(s) and linking agent layer(s). The nano-particle layer(s) are bonded to the linking agent layer(s). The nano-particle layer(s) and/or linking agent layer(s) are deposited by being sprayed. Since nano-particle layer(s) and/or linking agent layer(s) may be deposited by being sprayed, a flexible functional material may be easily formed on structures (e.g. such as external aircraft parts) to create a conductive surface. Through spraying, deposition may be efficient and effective and allow for implementations which are impractical and/or not possible with bulk metal materials.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible base material and a flexible material formed on the flexible base material. Both the flexible base material and the flexible material have shrinkable and/or stretchable properties. The flexible base material may include a shrinkable polymer (e.g. PVC/PET or “shrink wrap”), which may shrink up to 500%. The flexible base material may include a stretchable polymer (e.g. Mylar), which may be stretched by at least 1000%. These stretchable and shrinkable properties may be exhibited without substantial functional degradation of either the flexible base material and/or the flexible material layer.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer. An apparatus may include a nano-particle layer bonded to a linking agent layer. An apparatus may include a substantially smooth surface. An apparatus may include a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer which may be electrostatically etched to form a precise etched portion. An apparatus may have a precise etched portion including a pattern, for example a coil print pattern having a bend. An apparatus may include a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer bonded to a shape memory layer. An apparatus may include a relatively even distribution of heat and/or current, and/or a predetermined heat and/or current path. A method may include forming a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer. A method may include electrostatically etching a nano-particle layer and/or a linking agent layer.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g. a shape memory device) that includes a nano-particle layer, a linking agent layer, and a shape memory layer. An electrode for heating shape memory material during shape transitions of the shape memory layer may include the nano-particle layer and the linking agent layer. The nano-particle layer may include conductive nano-size particles (e.g. gold clusters having a diameter less than 100 nanometers or less than 50 nanometers). The electrode may be substantially resilient to deformation of the shape memory material due to individual bonding of individual particles of the nano-particle layer to the shape memory layer and/or the linking agent layer.

Abstract: A device includes a nanocomposite film, itself, having at least one nano-particle layer and at least one crosslinker layer. The device also includes an abrasion resistant coating over the nanocomposite film. A method for producing a device with an abrasion resistant nanocomposite coating on a substrate having a nano-particle-coated surface involves contacting nano-particle-coated surface with a crosslinker such that a chemical bond forms with nano-particles within the nano-particle-coated surface and this chemically bonded crosslinker is then contacted with at least one compound such that the at least one compound chemically binds to the crosslinker thereby forming an abrasion resistant coating on the substrate having the nano-particle-coated surface.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate having an outer surface and a nano-particle coating on the outer surface. In particular, the nano-particle coating is substantially a molecular monolayer of a plurality of nano-particles. Furthermore, a composite material may be constructed that includes a base material having one or more ingredients and a filler material. In particular, the filler material is made up of a plurality of particulates which, themselves, include a substrate having an outer surface and a nano-particle coating on the outer surface.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing silver nano-particle colloid includes initiating formation of silver colloid nano-particles by combining a reduction solution and a silver nitrate solution in a container; and then stabilizing the silver colloid nano-particles by combining a stabilizing solution to the container. Thus a colloid can be produced using such a method and an electrostatic self assembly may be constructed using such a colloid.

Abstract: A sensor that includes an assembly having a flexible base material and a flexible material layer formed on the flexible base material. Both the flexible base material and the flexible material layer have shrinkable and/or stretchable properties. The flexible base material may include a shrinkable polymer (e.g. PVC/PET or “shrink wrap”), which may shrink up to 500%. The flexible base material may include a stretchable polymer (e.g. Mylar), which may be stretched by at least 1000%. These stretchable and shrinkable properties may be exhibited without substantial functional degradation of either the flexible base material and/or the flexible material layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methodologies for the self-assembly of nanoparticles onto a release support that is capable of covalent integration into flexible free-standing films. Such films display useful constitutive properties, such as permittivity, permeability, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and nonlinear optic properties. The type of property is dependant upon the type of nanoparticle incorporated into the compliant polymeric matrix. The compliant matrix may be any material that reacts with the components in the nanoparticle film and may be separated from the release substrate. The nanoparticles may be dispersed uniformly or spatially patterned throughout the self-assembled film.

Abstract: An apparatus (and a method of making the apparatus) that includes a flexible base material and a flexible conductive material formed on the flexible base material. Both the flexible base material and the flexible conductive material have shrinkable and/or stretchable properties. The flexible base material may include a shrinkable polymer (e.g. PVC/PET or “shrink wrap”), which may shrink up to 500%. The flexible base material may include a stretchable polymer (e.g. Mylar), which may be stretched by at least 1000%. These stretchable and shrinkable properties may be exhibited without substantial functional degradation of either the flexible base material and/or the flexible conductive material.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g. a shape memory device) that includes a nano-particle layer, a linking agent layer, and a shape memory layer. An electrode for heating shape memory material during shape transitions of the shape memory layer may include the nano-particle layer and the linking agent layer. The nano-particle layer may include conductive nano-size particles (e.g. gold clusters having a diameter less than 100 nanometers or less than 50 nanometers). The electrode may be substantially resilient to deformation of the shape memory material due to individual bonding of individual particles of the nano-particle layer to the shape memory layer and/or the linking agent layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methodologies for the self-assembly of nanoparticles onto a release support that is capable of covalent integration into flexible free-standing films. Such films display usefull constitutive properties, such as permittivity, permeability, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and nonlinear optic properties. The type of property is dependant upon the type of nanoparticle incorporated into the compliant polymeric matrix. The compliant matrix may be any material that reacts with the components in the nanoparticle film and may be separated from the release substrate. The nanoparticles may be dispersed uniformly or spatially patterned throughout the self-assembled film.