Abstract: A method for producing a planar semiconductor surface includes forming a workpiece that has a carrier substrate, one or more insulating layers, a semiconductor layer, a first etch stop layer, and a second etch stop layer; forming a contact on the workpiece; biasing the workpiece to a second voltage through the contact; etching the second etch stop layer and part of the first etch stop layer with a photo-electrochemical etching and the second voltage that selectively removes the second etch stop layer faster than the first etch stop layer; biasing the workpiece to a first voltage through the contact; and etching the first etch stop layer and part of the semiconductor layer with the photo-electrochemical etching and the first voltage that selectively removes the first etch stop layer faster than the semiconductor layer to produce a semiconductor device with a planar surface on the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide titanium-based coatings and methods for making titanium-based coatings on surfaces. In at least one aspect, a coating includes an oxygen content, a fluorine content, a titanium content, and a sodium content. In one or more additional aspects, a coating includes titanium dioxide and Na5Ti3F14. In one or more additional aspects, a method of making a titanium-based coating includes contacting a substrate with a composition that includes from about 0.01 M to about 0.8 M of a titanium fluoride, from about 0.01 M to about 2 M of a sodium salt, and from about 0.1 M to about 1.5 M of a fluorine scavenger.

Abstract: A deployable structure includes a hydride material to be converted into hydrogen gas; and a sheet material encapsulating the hydride material; wherein the sheet material is to be plastically deformed by the hydrogen gas to have an expanded structure. A method of manufacturing a deployable structure includes: forming a sheet material comprising an outer shell structure and a hollow interior; placing a hydride material capable of being converted into hydrogen gas into the hollow interior; sealing the outer shell structure; and converting and releasing the hydrogen gas to expand and plastically deform the sheet material.

Abstract: A reversable attachment system includes an adhesion layer, an inter-substrate bond structure, a mating layer and an extension actuator. The adhesion layer is configured to attach to a first substrate. The inter-substrate bond structure is coupled to the adhesion layer. The mating layer is configured to attach to a second substrate. The extension actuator is configured to attach to the second substrate and expand in response to an absorption of a gas. The inter-substrate bond structure is configured to form an initial thermocompression bond with the mating layer in response to an applied pressure and an applied heat. The expansion of the extension actuator in response to absorbing the gas detaches the inter-substrate bond structure from the mating layer.

Abstract: A crystalline titanium and magnesium compound having an X-ray diffraction pattern having interplanar spacing (d-spacing) values at about 5.94, 3.10, 2.97, 2.10, 1.98, 1.82, and 1.74±0.1 angstroms may be used in protective coatings for metal or metal alloy substrates. The coatings exhibit excellent corrosion resistances and provide corrosion protection equal to or better than typical non-chromate coatings.

Abstract: A hydride flow reactor includes a tank configured to receive a hydride fuel. The reactor also includes a tubular member coupled to the tank and configured to receive the hydride fuel from the tank. The reactor also includes a transporter positioned at least partially within the tubular member and configured to transport the hydride fuel through the tubular member. The reactor also includes a heater positioned at least partially around the tubular member and the transporter. The heater is configured to heat the hydride fuel in the tubular member to convert the hydride fuel into hydrogen gas and a reacted byproduct.

Abstract: An inter-substrate bond structure includes an adhesion layer that attached to a first substrate, and an outer gas-permeable layer coupled to the adhesion layer. The outer gas-permeable layer expands and fractures in response to absorbing a gas. The inter-substrate bond structure includes an outer bond layer coupled to the outer gas-permeable layer. The outer bond layer forms an initial thermocompression bond with a mating layer on a second substrate. The initial thermocompression bond bonds the first substrate to the second substrate with the inter-substrate bond structure. The fracture in the inter-substrate bond structure debonds the first substrate from the second substrate while leaving a first portion of the inter-substrate bond structure attached to the first substrate.

Abstract: Some variations provide a multiphase polymer composition comprising a first polymer material and a second polymer material that are chemically distinct, wherein the first polymer material and the second polymer material are microphase-separated on a microphase-separation length scale from about 0.1 microns to about 500 microns, wherein the multiphase polymer composition comprises first solid functional particles selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, and wherein the first solid functional particles are chemically distinct from the first polymer material and the second polymer material. Some embodiments provide an anti-corrosion composition comprising first corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, wherein the multiphase polymer composition optionally further comprises second corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the second polymer material.

Abstract: A crystalline titanium and magnesium compound having an X-ray diffraction pattern having interplanar spacing (d-spacing) values at about 5.94, 3.10, 2.97, 2.10, 1.98, 1.82, and 1.74±0.1 angstroms may be used in protective coatings for metal or metal alloy substrates. The coatings exhibit excellent corrosion resistances and provide corrosion protection equal to or better than typical non-chromate coatings.

Abstract: A crystalline titanium and magnesium compound having an X-ray diffraction pattern having interplanar spacing (d-spacing) values at about 5.94, 3.10, 2.97, 2.10, 1.98, 1.82, and 1.74±0.1 angstroms may be used in protective coatings for metal or metal alloy substrates. The coatings exhibit excellent corrosion resistances and provide corrosion protection equal to or better than typical non-chromate coatings.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a power management system (e.g., a power management for a fuel cell or a fuel cell system) includes a fuel cell to generate an electrical power output; a metastable hydrogen carrier to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell; a heater coupled with the metastable hydrogen carrier; and a controller coupled to the heater to control a rate of hydrogen release from the metastable hydrogen carrier. A method of operating a fuel cell system includes controlling an electrical power input to a heater utilizing a controller; heating a metastable hydrogen carrier to a temperature by the heater and to generate hydrogen to feed a fuel cell. The heater is coupled to the controller, and the controller controls the electrical power input to the heater according to a relationship between a rate of hydrogen release and the temperature and a composition of the metastable hydrogen carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery electrode comprising an active battery material enclosed in the pores of a conductive nanoporous scaffold. The pores in the scaffold constrain the dimensions for the active battery material and inhibit sintering, which results in better cycling stability, longer battery lifetime, and greater power through less agglomeration. Additionally, the scaffold forms electrically conducting pathways to the active battery nanoparticles that are dispersed. In some variations, a battery electrode of the invention includes an electrically conductive scaffold material with pores having at least one length dimension selected from about 0.5 nm to about 100 nm, and an oxide material contained within the pores, wherein the oxide material is electrochemically active.

Abstract: A composition for hydrogen (H2) storage and generation including lithium aluminum hydride (LAIN is provided. The composition includes a mixture of LiAlH4 and a catalytic metal additive designed to tailor the kinetics of hydrogen release. The LiAlH4 and catalytic metal additive and are gently mixed together in order to physically disperse the LiAlH4 and catalyst powders without causing a detrimental chemical interaction. The hydrogen capacity of the composition is substantially not reduced or decreased (e.g., undergoes less than about 5% reduction) during the mixing process.

Abstract: A hydride flow reactor includes a tank configured to receive a hydride fuel. The reactor also includes a tubular member coupled to the tank and configured to receive the hydride fuel from the tank. The reactor also includes a transporter positioned at least partially within the tubular member and configured to transport the hydride fuel through the tubular member. The reactor also includes a heater positioned at least partially around the tubular member and the transporter. The heater is configured to heat the hydride fuel in the tubular member to convert the hydride fuel into hydrogen gas and a reacted byproduct.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for depolymerizing the polymer component of fiber reinforced polymers to facilitate the recovery of free fibers.

Abstract: A method for fabricating polymeric sheets containing microwires includes encapsulating at least a portion of individual lengths of a plurality of microwires in a non-conductive polymeric sheet while the microwires are attached to the substrate. The microwires are then detached from the substrate without removing the microwires from the polymeric sheet. The detaching step forms a separated polymeric sheet containing the detached microwires. Individual detached microwires of the plurality are approximately perpendicular to the separated polymeric sheet. A microwire array device includes a non-conductive polymeric sheet and a plurality of microwires. Individual microwires of the plurality have an independent length at least partially encapsulated by the polymeric sheet, are approximately perpendicular to the polymeric sheet, and contain magnetic ferrite.

Abstract: Some variations provide a multiphase polymer composition comprising a first polymer material and a second polymer material that are chemically distinct, wherein the first polymer material and the second polymer material are microphase-separated on a microphase-separation length scale from about 0.1 microns to about 500 microns, wherein the multiphase polymer composition comprises first solid functional particles selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, and wherein the first solid functional particles are chemically distinct from the first polymer material and the second polymer material. Some embodiments provide an anti-corrosion composition comprising first corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, wherein the multiphase polymer composition optionally further comprises second corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the second polymer material.

Abstract: Some variations provide a multiphase polymer composition comprising a first polymer material and a second polymer material that are chemically distinct, wherein the first polymer material and the second polymer material are microphase-separated on a microphase-separation length scale from about 0.1 microns to about 500 microns, wherein the multiphase polymer composition comprises first solid functional particles selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, and wherein the first solid functional particles are chemically distinct from the first polymer material and the second polymer material. Some embodiments provide an anti-corrosion composition comprising first corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the first polymer material, wherein the multiphase polymer composition optionally further comprises second corrosion-inhibitor particles or precursors selectively dispersed within the second polymer material.

Abstract: A composition comprising a Lewis base containing depolymerization liquid and methods of using the Lewis base depolymerization liquid to depolymerize the polymer component of fiber reinforced polymers to form free fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for recovering fibers from fiber reinforced polymers wherein the fiber reinforced polymer is contacted with a Lewis base for a time sufficient to allow at least partial depolymerization of the polymer.