Abstract: An highly porous electrically conducting film that includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, nanowires or a combination of both. The highly porous electrically conducting film exhibits an electrical resistivity of less than 0.1 O·cm at 25 C and a density of between 0.05 and 0.70 g/cm3. The film can exhibit a density between 0.50 and 0.85 g/cm3 and an electrical resistivity of less than 6×10?3 O·cm at 25 C. Also included is a method of forming these highly porous electrically conducting films by forming a composite film using carbon nanotubes or nanowires and sacrificial nanoparticles or microparticles. At least a portion of the nanoparticles or microparticles are then removed from the composite film to form the highly porous electrically conducting film.

Abstract: Stable charge-transfer doping of carbon nanotubes is achieved using a dopant containing polymer (DCP) wherein the DCP has a multiplicity of dopant moieties that are capable of donating electrons to or accepting electrons from the nanotubes linked to a polymer. The DCP has a sufficient number of dopant moieties connected to the polymer such that when charge transfer equilibrium between a particular dopant moiety and the nanotubes is in a dissociated, or dedoped state, the dopant moiety remains tethered by a linking moiety to the polymer and remains in the vicinity of the nanotubes as the polymer remains bound to the tube by at least one bound dopant of the DCP. The linking groups are selected to permit the presentation of the dopant moieties to the nanotubes in a manner that is unencumbered by the polymer backbone and can undergo charge transfer doping.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises a polymer with a fully conjugated backbone or a conjugated block with a plurality of binding groups connected to the backbone by a linking moiety. The binding groups permit a non-covalent binding to a graphitic surface such as a carbon nanotube. A composition of matter where an electroactive polymer with binding groups connected to a conjugated backbone through a linking moiety is bound to carbon nanotubes. Such compositions can be used for a variety of applications using electroactive materials.

Abstract: A method for preparing a defunctionalized alkylenedioxyheterocycle polymer or copolymer involves providing a polycarboxylic acid derivative functionalized alkylenedioxyheterocycle polymer or copolymer and transforming the polymer or copolymer into a defunctionalized alkylenedioxyheterocycle polymer or copolymer which is a polyhydroxy, polythiol, polyamino, or polycarboxylic acid functionalized alkylenedioxyheterocycle polymer or copolymer. The monomers, homopolymers and copolymers for use in the method are new compositions of matter. The polymers containing polycarboxylic acid derivative functionalized alkylenedioxyheterocycle units are soluble polymers which are defunctionalized to yield insoluble polyhydroxy, polythiol, polyamino, or polycarboxylic acid functionalized alkylenedioxyheterocycle polymers.

Abstract: A supercapacitor comprising a poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT) as electrode couples for the capacitor and a pair of gel electrolyte layers disposed between the electrodes. The gel electrolytes are separated by a battery paper and are selected from a group consisting of a lithium salt and an organic electrolyte.

Abstract: A combined electrochromic/electroluminescent device includes at least one pixel 101-104. Each pixel includes a substrate 107 having an electrically conductive surface 105, and an electrochemically active counter electrode layer 110 disposed on the electrically conductive surface. An electrolyte layer 115 which provides electrolytes is disposed on the counter electrode 110. An electrically conductive layer 125 is disposed on the electrolyte layer 115. An electroactive layer 130 is disposed on the electrically conductive layer 125, the electroactive layer providing both electroluminescence and an electrochromically active working electrode, wherein the electrically conductive layer 125 provides transport of electrolytes therethrough.

Abstract: A family of N-substituted 3,4-alkylenedioxypyrrole includes monomers for of formula (I) electropolymerization to conjugated polymers and key intermediates for the preparation of the monomers. The preparation of the //-substituted 3,4-alkylenedioxypyrroles is carried out via a synthetic intermediate, an ester substituted dihydroxypyrrole. The synthetic method to prepare the //-substituted 3,4-alkylenedioxypyrrole intermediates and ultimately the N-substituted 3,4-alkylenedioxypyrrole monomers begins with a reaction to form the ester substituted dihydroxypyrrole.

Abstract: An highly porous electrically conducting film that includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, nanowires or a combination of both. The highly porous electrically conducting film exhibits an electrical resistivity of less than 0.1 O·cm at 25 C and a density of between 0.05 and 0.70 g/cm3. The film can exhibit a density between 0.50 and 0.85 g/cm3 and an electrical resistivity of less than 6×1031 3 O·cm at 25 C. Also included is a method of forming these highly porous electrically conducting films by forming a composite film using carbon nanotubes or nanowires and sacrificial nanoparticles or microparticles. At least a portion of the nanoparticles or microparticles are then removed from the composite film to form the highly porous electrically conducting film.

Abstract: A supramolecular polymer and its composite with carbon nanotubes, CNTs, are described. The supramolecular polymer is an ensemble of precursors that independently contain “sticky feet” for non-covalent binding to carbon nanotube surfaces and associative groups. There is at least one of the associative groups covalently bound to each of the precursor and there is at least one covalently connecting moiety connecting associative groups within a precursor or connecting an associative group to a linker to a “sticky foot” in a precursor. When the associative groups are in a dissociative state, the supramolecular polymer precursors and CNTs can be combined to form a dispersion. Upon promotion, the dissociated associative groups in the dispersion can associate to yield a CNT/supramolecular polymer composite.

Abstract: A combined electrochromic/electroluminescent device includes at least one pixel 101-104. Each pixel includes a substrate 107 having an electrically conductive surface 105, and an electrochemically active counter electrode layer 110 disposed on the electrically conductive surface. An electrolyte layer 115 which provides electrolytes is disposed on the counter electrode 110. An electrically conductive layer 125 is disposed on the electrolyte layer 115. An electroactive layer 130 is disposed on the electrically conductive layer 125, the electroactive layer providing both electroluminescence and an electrochromically active working electrode, wherein the electrically conductive layer 125 provides transport of electrolytes therethrough.

Abstract: A method for contacting patterned electrode devices includes the steps of providing a porous substrate, depositing electrically conductive material to form at least one electrode on a front-side of the porous substrate and depositing at least one electrically conductive back-side contact trace on the back-side of the substrate. A portion of the electrically conductive material penetrates into the substrate. A device is formed including the electrode on the front side of the substrate, wherein the electrode is electrically coupled by a conducting channel including the electrically conductive material through the substrate to the back-side contact trace.

Abstract: An engine cooling fan system including a hub disc about which first and/or second pluralities of elongated fan blades characterized by a first and second respective pitch angles may be fastened. Each respective fan blade further comprises a hub-engaging portion, a twisted transition portion and an air-engaging portion. Each fan blade is formed from a composite material having a thermoset resin matrix phase and an evenly dispersed continuous fiber reinforcement phase.

Abstract: A thiophene compound represented by formula (I): wherein A represents a C1-5-alkylene bridge substituted with at least one fluorine atom and/or at least one alkyl group substituted with a fluorine-containing-group; polymers containing monomeric units of a thiophene compound represented by formula (I); a process for preparing polymers containing monomeric units of a thiophene compound represented by formula (I), optionally chemically or electrochemically; and solutions, dispersions, pastes and layers containing such polymers.

Abstract: A supercapacitor comprising a poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT) as electrode couples for the capacitor and a pair of gel electrolyte layers disposed between the electrodes. The gel electrolytes are separated by a battery paper and are selected from a group consisting of a lithium salt and an organic electrolyte.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to electrochromic polymers and polymer electrochromic devices. In a specific embodiment, two complementary polymers can be matched and incorporated into dual polymer electrochromic devices. The anodically coloring polymers in accordance with the subject invention can allow control over the color, brightness, and environmental stability of an electrochromic window. In addition, high device contrast ratios, high transmittance changes, and high luminance changes can be achieved, along with half-second switching times for full color change. Also provided are electrochromic devices such as advertising signage, video monitors, stadium scoreboards, computers, announcement boards, warning systems for cell phones, warning/information systems for automobiles, greeting cards, electrochromic windows, billboards, electronic books, and electrical wiring. The subject invention also provides for the use of complementary electrochromic polymers in the manufacture of electrochromic devices.

Abstract: A supercapacitor comprising a poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT) as electrode couples for the capacitor and a pair of gel electrolyte layers disposed between the electrodes. The gel electrolytes are separated by a battery paper and are selected from a group consisting of a lithium salt and an organic electrolyte.

Abstract: A process for preparing a heteroaromatic compound having a heteroaromatic nucleus substituted with one or more ether groups comprising the step of: condensing at least one hydroxy-group of a compound having said heteroaromatic nucleus, said at least one hydroxy group (—OH) being substituted at &agr;- or &bgr;-positions with respect to a heteroatom of said heteroaromatic nucleus, with an alcohol containing one or more primary or secondary alcohol groups, optionally substituted with nitro, amide, ester, halogen, cyano or (hetero)aromatic groups, using the redox couple of a triaryl- or trialkylphosphine and an azodioxo-compound at a temperature between −40° C. and 160° C.

Abstract: A thiophene compound represented by formula (I): 1

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to electrochromic polymers and polymer electrochromic devices. In a specific embodiment, two complementary polymers can be matched and incorporated into dual polymer electrochromic devices. The anodically coloring polymers in accordance with the subject invention can allow control over the color, brightness, and environmental stability of an electrochromic window. In addition, high device contrast ratios, high transmittance changes, and high luminance changes can be achieved, along with half-second switching times for full color change. Also provided are electrochromic devices such as advertising signage, video monitors, stadium scoreboards, computers, announcement boards, warning systems for cell phones, warning/information systems for automobiles, greeting cards, electrochromic windows, billboards, electronic books, and electrical wiring. The subject invention also provides for the use of complementary electrochromic polymers in the manufacture of electrochromic devices.

Abstract: A process for preparing a heteroaromatic compound having a heteroaromatic nucleus substituted with one or more ether groups comprising the step of: condensing at least one hydroxy-group of a compound having said heteroaromatic nucleus, said at least one hydroxy group (—OH) being substituted at &agr;- or &bgr;-positions with respect to a heteroatom of said heteroaromatic nucleus, with an alcohol containing one or more primary or secondary alcohol groups, optionally substituted with nitro, amide, ester, halogen, cyano or (hetero)aromatic groups, using the redox couple of a triaryl- or trialkylphosphine and an azodioxo-compound at a temperature between −40° C. and 160° C.