Abstract: A material of porous graphene nanowires with a pore-rich structure is formed by synthesis of catalyst nanowires for porous graphene nanowires, chemical vapor deposition of a carbon source on the catalysts to grow graphene, removal of residual catalyst, and formation of the porous graphene nanowires. The porous graphene nanowires can be used as an electrochemical energy storage material, carriers of catalysts, a conductive material, an adsorption material, a desorption material, or the like.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope for patterned substrate measurement can include an objective lens, a reflected illuminator, a transmitted illuminator, a focusing adjustment device, an optical sensor, and a processor. The focusing adjustment device can automatically adjust the objective lens focus at a plurality of Z steps. The optical sensor can be capable of acquiring images at each of these Z steps. The processor can control the reflected illuminator, the transmitted illuminator, the focusing adjustment device, and the optical sensor. The processor can be configured to capture first and second images at multiple Z steps, the first image with the pattern using the reflected illuminator and the second image without the pattern using one of the reflected illuminator and the transmitted illuminator.

Abstract: A method of generating 3D information including: varying the distance between the sample and an objective lens of the optical microscope at pre-determined steps; capturing an image at each pre-determined step; determining a characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image; determining, for each captured image, the greatest characteristic value across a first portion of pixels in the captured image; comparing the greatest characteristic value for each captured image to determine if a surface of the sample is present at each pre-determined step; determining a first captured image that is focused on an apex of a bump of the sample; determining a second captured image that is focused on a first surface of the sample based on the characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image; and determining a first distance between the apex of the bump and the first surface.

Abstract: A method of generating 3D information of a sample using an optical microscope includes: varying the distance between the sample and an objective lens of the optical microscope at pre-determined steps, capturing an image at each pre-determined step, determining a characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image, determining a first captured image that is focused on a first surface of the sample based on the characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image, and determining a measurement of an opening in the first surface of the sample based on the first captured image. The first surface of the sample and the second surface of the sample are within a field of view of each of the captured images. The first captured image includes a pattern overlay. In another example, the opening measurement is determined using a second captured image without a pattern overlay.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope includes various insertable components that facilitate multiple imaging and measurement capabilities. These capabilities include Nomarski imaging, polarized light imaging, quantitative differential interference contrast (q-DIC) imaging, motorized polarized light imaging, phase-shifting interferometry (PSI), and vertical-scanning interferometry (VSI).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabricating a regenerative polysulfide-scavenging layer (RSL). The method includes embedding nanowires or nanocrystals of metal oxides with a membrane of carbon nanotubes (CNTs); and forming the RSL with the embedded nanowires or nanocrystals of the metal oxides and the membrane, so as to enable lithium-sulfur batteries with high energy density and prolonged cycling life. The invention also relates to a lithium-sulfur battery that contains the RSL.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope includes various insertable components that facilitate multiple imaging and measurement capabilities. These capabilities include Nomarski imaging, polarized light imaging, quantitative differential interference contrast (q-DIC) imaging, motorized polarized light imaging, phase-shifting interferometry (PSI), and vertical-scanning interferometry (VSI).

Abstract: An electrolyte modulator usable for a metal battery includes a liquid electrolyte; and a material of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) incorporated in the liquid electrolyte to form a MOF slurry electrolyte. The MOFs are a class of crystalline porous solids constructed from metal cluster nodes and organic linkers and capable of bonding anions, eliminating ion pairs and boosting cation transport upon activation and impregnation of the liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: A composite electrolyte membrane usable for ionic conductor for an electrochemical device contains a support matrix adapted to function as at least one of a mechanical support, a fire retardant, and an electronic blocking layer; a material of metal-organic frameworks (MOF), the MOFs being a class of crystalline porous solids constructed from metal cluster nodes and organic linkers, where the MOFs are incorporated into the support matrix by coating, lamination, physical mixing and press, in situ growth or polymerization; and a liquid electrolyte impregnated the porous MOFs and adapted to function as an electrolyte modulator to immobilize anions and liberate cations.

Abstract: A method of generating 3D information of a sample using an optical microscope includes: varying the distance between the sample and an objective lens of the optical microscope at predetermined steps, capturing an image at each predetermined step. In one example, the method further includes: determining a characteristic of each pixel in each captured image; determining, for each captured image, the greatest characteristic across all pixels in the captured image; and comparing the greatest characteristic for each captured image to determine if a surface of the sample is present at each step. In another example, the method further includes: determining a characteristic of each pixel in each captured image; determining, for each captured image, a count of pixels that have a characteristic value within a first range; and determining if a surface of the sample is present at each step based on the count of pixels for each captured image.

Abstract: A method of generating 3D information includes: varying the distance between the sample and an objective lens of the optical microscope at pre-determined steps, capturing an image at each pre-determined step; determining a characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image; determining, for each captured image, the greatest characteristic value across all pixels in the captured image; comparing the greatest characteristic value for each captured image to determine if a surface of the sample is present at each pre-determined step; determining a first captured image that is focused on a first surface of the sample based on the characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image; determining a second captured image that is focused on a second surface of the sample based on the characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image; and determining a first distance between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A method of generating 3D information of a sample using an optical microscope includes: varying the distance between the sample and an objective lens of the optical microscope at pre-determined steps, capturing an image at each pre-determined step, determining a characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image, determining a first captured image that is focused on a first surface of the sample based on the characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image, and determining a measurement of an opening in the first surface of the sample based on the first captured image. The first surface of the sample and the second surface of the sample are within a field of view of each of the captured images. The first captured image includes a pattern overlay. In another example, the opening measurement is determined using a second captured image without a pattern overlay.

Abstract: A method of generating 3D information including: varying the distance between the sample and an objective lens of the optical microscope at pre-determined steps; capturing an image at each pre-determined step; determining a characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image; determining, for each captured image, the greatest characteristic value across a first portion of pixels in the captured image; comparing the greatest characteristic value for each captured image to determine if a surface of the sample is present at each pre-determined step; determining a first captured image that is focused on an apex of a bump of the sample; determining a second captured image that is focused on a first surface of the sample based on the characteristic value of each pixel in each captured image; and determining a first distance between the apex of the bump and the first surface.

Abstract: A material of porous graphene nanowires with a pore-rich structure is formed by synthesis of catalyst nanowires for porous graphene nanowires, chemical vapor deposition of a carbon source on the catalysts to grow graphene, removal of residual catalyst, and formation of the porous graphene nanowires. The porous graphene nanowires can be used as an electrochemical energy storage material, carriers of catalysts, a conductive material, an adsorption material, a desorption material, or the like.

Abstract: A dual mode inspector includes an optical inspector configured to detect a defect located at a first location on a sample, a microscope configured to capture an image of the defect at the first location on the sample, and a platform that is configured to support the sample. The sample is not removed from the platform between the detecting of the defect located at the first location on the sample and the capturing of the image of the defect at the first location on the sample. The dual mode optical inspector also includes a controller that causes the optical inspector to detect the defect located at the first location on the sample and causes the microscope to capture the image of the defect at the first location on the sample. The dual mode inspector also performs scanning lens distortion correction to improve the capturing of defect images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material of porous graphene nanowires with a pore-rich structure, production methods and applications of the material of porous graphene nanowires. The method includes: synthesis of catalyst nanowires for porous graphene nanowires, chemical vapor deposition of a carbon source on the catalysts to grow graphene, removal of residual catalyst, and formation of the porous graphene nanowires. The porous graphene nanowires can be used as an electrochemical energy storage material, carriers of catalysts, a conductive material, an adsorption material, a desorption material, or the like.

Abstract: The present inventions relates to primers for identifying Shigella flexneri serotypes comprising the sequences of SEQ ID Nos. 1 and 2, SEQ ID Nos. 3 and 4, SEQ ID Nos. 5 and 6, SEQ ID Nos. 7 and 8, SEQ ID Nos. 9 and 10, SEQ ID Nos. 11 and 12, SEQ ID Nos. 13 and 14, SEQ ID Nos. 15 and 16. These primers are specific and have a common annealing temperature. The present invention further relates to a multiplex amplification-based identification method using the primers. The present invention further relates to the use of the primers for identifying Shigella flexneri serotypes for the preparation of identification agents. The present invention further relates to a kit for identifying Shigella flexneri comprising the above primers.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a lithium titanate electrode material including dispersing a nanocarbon material in a solvent to form a nanocarbon slurry; adding lithium and titanium compounds into the nanocarbon slurry at a desired mole ratio of lithium and titanium, and mixing them to form a precursor dispersion; spraying the precursor dispersion to form granulations so as to obtain precursor powders; and treating the precursor powders at a desired temperature for a period of time to produce a lithium titanate composite electrode material.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention relates to an electrode usable for a battery including a conductive network and an active clusters embodied in the conductive network, where the active clusters are of a three-demission (3-D) structure formed of an assembly of nanocrystals, and the nanocrystals are assembled into a carbon skeleton in the active clusters.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of synthesizing a nannoparticle/porous graphene composite, including dispersing porous graphene structures into a solvent to form a dispersion of the porous graphene structures therein, adding precursors of nanoparticles into the dispersion of the porous graphene structures in the solvent to form a precursor mixture, and treating the precursor mixture to form a nannoparticle/porous graphene composite. The composite is formed such that the nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in pores of the graphene structures. The composite is very useful as electrode materials in electrochemical devices, in which efficient ions and electron transports are required.