Abstract: Disclosed is an organic coating with a high degree of global planarization. Further disclosed is an iPECVD-based method of coating a substrate with an organic layer having a high degree of global planarization. Disclosed is a flexible, alternating organic and inorganic multi-layer coating with low water permeability, a high-degree of transparency, and a high-degree of global planarization. Also disclosed is an iPECVD-based method of coating a substrate with the alternating organic and inorganic multi-layer coating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially alternating copolymer that is conformal, hard, flexible, and has low oxygen permeability. Also disclosed is an iCVD-based method of coating a substrate with the substantially alternating copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially alternating copolymer that is conformal, hard, flexible, and has low oxygen permeability. Also disclosed is an iCVD-based method of coating a substrate with the substantially alternating copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a micro- or nano-topography on the surface of a composite material. The topography or the chemical nature of the surface may be modified or tuned. The methods of the invention may be run in a continuous fashion. The composite materials produced by the inventive methods may be micro- or nano-patterned membranes, for instance, for anti-fouling purposes.

Abstract: A light emitting device can have a layered structure and include a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals. The layers of the device can be covalently bonded to each other. The device can include continuous chain of covalent bonds extending from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: Coated articles and methods and systems for coating the articles are described herein. The methods and systems described herein include, but are not limited to, steps for actively or passively controlling the temperature during the coating process, steps for providing intimate contact between the substrate and the support holding the substrate in order to maximize energy transfer, and/or steps for preparing gradient coatings. Methods for depositing high molecular weight polymeric coatings, end-capped polymer coatings, coatings covalently bonded to the substrate or one another, metallic coatings, and/or multilayer coatings are also disclosed. Deposition of coatings can be accelerated and/or improved by applying an electrical potential and/or through the use of inert gases.

Abstract: A conducting material can include a fibrous substrate and a conductive polymer coating on a surface of the fibrous substrate.

Abstract: A light emitting device can have a layered structure and include a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals. The layers of the device can be covalently bonded to each other. The device can include continuous chain of covalent bonds extending from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: Processing of nanostructures, composite materials comprising nanostructures, and related systems and methods are described. In some embodiments, conformal coatings are applied to nanostructures.

Abstract: The invention provides coated sensors for detecting the presence of analytes. The sensor comprises one or more fluorescent sources, such as one or more quantum dots or one or more fluorescent dyes, a polymeric matrix, a surface coating, and one or more analyte sensing components. The surface coating may be a conformal polymeric film, permeable to the analyte, which may be deposited via a solventless process such as initiated chemical vapor deposition or photoinitiated chemical vapor deposition. The surface coating may increase the biocompatibility of the sensor, reduce nonspecific protein adsorption, and/or sequester functional sensor components within the sensor. The invention also provides methods for detecting the presence of an analyte with coated sensors of the invention.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an ultrathin micro-electromechanical chemical sensing device which uses swelling or straining of a reactive organic material for sensing. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a contact on-off switch chemical sensor. For example, the device can comprises a small gap separating two electrodes, wherein the gap can be closed as a result of the swelling or stressing of an organic polymer coating on one or both sides of the gap. In certain embodiments, the swelling or stressing is due to the organic polymer reacting with a target analyte.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a linker-free, one-step method of grafting polymer films onto organic substrates, and the films obtained by such a method. In certain embodiments, the grafted polymer films are conductive. In certain embodiments, said grafting method utilizes the ability for Friedel-Crafts catalyst to form radical cations from organic substrates. In one embodiment, the method provides poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) thin films grafted to organic substrates. In other embodiments, the method is applicable to the polymerization of other monomers to yield conducting polymers, such as polyanilines, polypyrroles, polyfurans, polythiophenes and their derivatives. Remarkably, the polymer films grafted by the inventive methods show enormous increases in adhesion strength. Further, in certain embodiments, polymer patterns were easily obtained using the inventive methods and soft lithography techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is a versatile method to produce superhydrophobic surfaces by combining electrospinning and initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). A wide variety of surfaces, including electrospun polyester fibers, may be coated by the inventive method. In one embodiment, poly(caprolactone) (PCL) was electrospun and then coated by iCVD with a thin layer of hydrophobic polymerized perfluoroalkyl ethyl methacrylate (PPFEMA). In certain embodiments said coated surfaces exhibit water contact angles of above 150 degrees, oleophobicities of at least Grade-8 and sliding angles of less than 12 degrees (for a water droplet of about 20 mg).

Abstract: Remarkably, disclosed herein is a solvent-less chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for the oxidative polymerization and deposition of thin films of electrically-conducting polymers. In a preferred embodiment, the method provides poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) thin films. In other embodiments, the method is applicable to polymerization to give other conducting polymers, such as polyanilines, polypyrroles, polythiophenes and their derivatives. The all-vapor technique uses a moderate substrate temperature, making it compatible with a range of materials, including as fabric and paper. In addition, this method allows for the coating of high surface-area substrates with fibrous, porous and/or particulate morphologies. The coated substrates may be used in organic semiconductor devices, including organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), photovoltaics, electrochromics, and supercapacitors.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is directed to antimicrobial surfaces comprised of hydrocarbon polymers with significant hydrophobic character which also contain an amino group with a pKa greater than or equal to about 8. In certain embodiments initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is used to coat a surface with an antimicrobial polymer.

Abstract: A method of forming a polymer film on a surface of a substrate is described. The method comprises placing a substrate on a substrate holder in a vapor deposition system, and introducing a process gas to the vapor deposition system, wherein the process gas comprises a monomer, a cross-linking monomer, and an initiator. Thereafter, the substrate is exposed to the process gas in order to form a polymer film on the substrate, wherein the polymer film thermally decomposes at a decomposition temperature.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, iCVD is used to form linear thin films using a radical initiator and an alkene. In another embodiment, iCVD is used to form crosslinked thin films by the addition of a crosslinking agent (e.g., a diacrylate or a dimethyacrylate). The incorporation of a crosslinking agent into the thin films is shown to increase systematically with its partial pressure. In one embodiment, when the crosslinker is EDGA and the monomer is HEMA it results in crosslinked P(HEMA-co-EGDA) copolymer. In another embodiment, when the crosslinker is EDGA and the monomer is VP, it results in crosslinked P(VP-co-EGDA). Disclosed are the effects of crosslinker incorporation on the thermal and the wetting properties of the polymers. The unique swelling properties of these films are also described; certain films of the present invention are hydrogels when soaked in water.

Abstract: An optical structure includes a substrate having two side surfaces. A first layer of high refractive index material is formed on the substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed on the first layer. A second layer of high refractive index material is formed on the sacrificial layer. At a predefined temperature the sacrificial layer is evaporated, thus forming an air gap between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A waveguide structure includes a substrate. A layer of high index material includes polysilane, which is patterned using a UV light source to form a waveguide.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for fabricating ultra-low dielectric constant porous materials. In one aspect of the invention, a method for making porous low-k films is disclosed. The method uses polymer based porogens as sacrificial templates around which a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) deposited matrix is formed. Upon pyrolysis, the porogens decompose resulting in a porous ultra-low dielectric material. This method can be used, for example, to produce porous organosilicate glass (OSG) materials, ultra-low dielectric nanoporous materials, porous ceramics, porous scaffolds, and/or porous metals. Various uses and embodiments of the methods and systems of this invention are disclosed.