Abstract: A nanoelectronic device includes a nanostructure, such as a nanotube or network of nanotubes, disposed on a substrate. Nanoparticles are disposed on or adjacent to the nanostructure so as to operatively effect the electrical properties of the nanostructure. The nanoparticles may be composed of metals, metal oxides, or salts, and nanoparticles composed of different materials may be present. The amount of nanoparticles may be controlled to preserve semiconductive properties of the nanostructure, and the substrate immediately adjacent to the nanostructure may remain substantially free of nanoparticles. A method for fabricating the device includes electrodeposition of the nanoparticles using one or more solutions of dissolved ions while providing an electric current to the nanostructures but not to the surrounding substrate.

Abstract: An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifiying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided.

Abstract: Nanostructure sensing devices for detecting an analyte are described. The devices include nanostructures connected to conductive elements, all on a substrate. Contact regions adjacent to points of contact between the nanostructures and the conductive elements are given special treatment. The proportion of nanostructure surface area within contact regions can be maximized to effect sensing at very low analyte concentrations. The contact regions can be passivated in an effort to prevent interaction between the environment and the contact regions for sensing at higher analyte concentrations and for reducing cross-sensing. Both contact regions and at least some portion of the nanostructures can be covered with a material that is at least partially permeable to the analyte of interest and impermeable to some other species to tune selectivity and sensitivity of the nanostructure sensing device.

Abstract: A self-erecting device which can serve as a signaling unit as well as a debris collection unit. The signaling unit provides a chamber for debris and has an opening for the collection of debris therein. A base member has a beveled edge to facilitate the collection of debris into the chamber. The self-erecting and debris collection device is simple in construction and easy to operate.

Abstract: This invention provides for an apparatus and a method for operation of a cryogenic hydrogen storage system that contains a porous medium configured to adsorb hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and supply system includes a hydrogen source apparatus and a cryosorptive storage apparatus. Methods and devices that allow for an energy efficient filling of the cryosorptive apparatus from the hydrogen source apparatus are described. The cryosorptive hydrogen storage apparatus is filled with cold, pressurized hydrogen. During the course of filling, heat is generated in the cryosorptive storage device by the process of hydrogen adsorption on to the host medium. Methods and devices are provided for the removal the generated heat and the warm hydrogen. Further provided are devices and methods for the capture and recycle of escaped hydrogen within the hydrogen source apparatus.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is described. The apparatus has a container that includes a cold enclosure. A porous material capable of occluding hydrogen pervades the cold enclosure. The porous material contains a plurality of light elements including Be, B, C, N, O, F, Mg, P, S, Li, Na, Al, Si and Cl. The cold enclosure can have a temperature in a range between about 30K and 270K and can withstand pressures up to about 50 bara. The container can have a layered wall structure with at least two walls, and there can be a cavity between the walls, which can provide thermal insulation. A hydrogen-consuming system is described in which the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is used to provide hydrogen to a hydrogen-fueled device. A hydrogen production and distribution system, which used the hydrogen storage and supply apparatuses is described. Methods of storing, supplying and using hydrogen are also described.

Abstract: This invention provides for an apparatus and a method for operation of a cryogenic hydrogen storage system that contains a porous medium configured to adsorb hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and supply system includes a hydrogen source apparatus and a cryosorptive storage apparatus. Methods and devices that allow for an energy efficient filling of the cryosorptive apparatus from the hydrogen source apparatus are described. The cryosorptive hydrogen storage apparatus is filled with cold, pressurized hydrogen. During the course of filling, heat is generated in the cryosorptive storage device by the process of hydrogen adsorption on to the host medium. Methods and devices are provided for the removal the generated heat and the warm hydrogen. Further provided are devices and methods for the capture and recycle of escaped hydrogen within the hydrogen source apparatus.

Abstract: This invention provides for an apparatus and a method for operation of a cryogenic hydrogen storage system that contains a porous medium configured to adsorb hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and supply system includes a hydrogen source apparatus, a cryosorptive storage apparatus, and a fuel recycle loop. Methods and devices that allow for an energy efficient release of hydrogen from the cryosorptive apparatus are described. At the outset of a fuel release, the cryosorptive hydrogen storage apparatus contains cold, pressurized hydrogen. Release of hydrogen from the storage apparatus is a process that consumes heat, thereby drawing down both the temperature and pressure. Heat can be provided to the cryosorptive storage apparatus by various direct approaches, or through the influx of warm, recycled hydrogen.

Abstract: Nanostructure sensing devices for detecting an analyte are described. The devices include nanostructures connected to conductive elements, all on a substrate. Contact regions adjacent to points of contact between the nanostructures and the conductive elements are given special treatment. The proportion of nanostructure surface area within contact regions can be maximized to effect sensing at very low analyte concentrations. The contact regions can be passivated in an effort to prevent interaction between the environment and the contact regions for sensing at higher analyte concentrations and for reducing cross-sensing. Both contact regions and at least some portion of the nanostructures can be covered with a material that is at least partially permeable to the analyte of interest and impermeable to some other species to tune selectivity and sensitivity of the nanostructure sensing device.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage medium is provided, where the medium is comprised of boron oxide and closely related compounds such as orthoboric acid, metaboric acid, hydrated boric acid, and disodium borohydrate. The medium is substantially an amorphous glassy network, albeit with local regions of order, pores, and networks that provide surface area. Hydrogen is adsorbed by the medium with a heat of adsorption of about 9 kJ/mol to about 13 kJ/mol, a value which is higher than that of the heat of adsorption of hydrogen on carbon. The value for the heat of adsorption of hydrogen on the inventive storage medium is provided by computation, and corroborated by experimental observation. The higher heat of adsorption of the medium provides for operation at temperatures higher temperatures higher than those provided by carbon.

Abstract: A hydrogen containing nanostructure is provided, where the hydrogen is adsorbed to the nanostructure by physisorption. The nanostructure includes light elements, selected from the second and third rows of the periodic table. The nanostructure is formed as a layered network of light elements coupled with covalent sp2 bonds. The chemical composition of the nanostructure can be such that the desorption temperature of hydrogen is greater than the liquefaction temperature of nitrogen, 77 K. Further, a hydrogen storage system is provided, including a container and a nanostructured storage material within the container, wherein the nanostructured storage material includes light elements, and the nanostructured storage material is capable of adsorbing hydrogen by physisorption. The hydrogen storage system can include a liquid nitrogen based cooling system, capable of cooling the nanostructured storage material below the desorption temperature of hydrogen.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is described. The apparatus has a container that includes a cold enclosure. A porous material capable of occluding hydrogen pervades the cold enclosure. The porous material contains a plurality of light elements including Be, B, C, N, O, F, Mg, P, S, Li, Na, Al, Si and Cl. The cold enclosure can have a temperature in a range between about 30K and 270K and can withstand pressures up to about 50 bara. The container can have a layered wall structure with at least two walls, and there can be a cavity between the walls, which can provide thermal insulation. A hydrogen-consuming system is described in which the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is used to provide hydrogen to a hydrogen-fueled device. A hydrogen production and distribution system, which used the hydrogen storage and supply apparatuses is described. Methods of storing, supplying and using hydrogen are also described.

Abstract: An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifiying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided.

Abstract: A hydrogen containing nanostructure is provided, where the hydrogen is adsorbed to the nanostructure by physisorption. The nanostructure includes light elements, selected from the second and third rows of the periodic table. The nanostructure is formed as a layered network of light elements coupled with covalent sp2 bonds. The chemical composition of the nanostructure can be such that the desorption temperature of hydrogen is greater than the liquefaction temperature of nitrogen, 77 K. Further, a hydrogen storage system is provided, including a container and a nanostructured storage material within the container, wherein the nanostructured storage material includes light elements, and the nanostructured storage material is capable of adsorbing hydrogen by physisorption. The hydrogen storage system can include a liquid nitrogen based cooling system, capable of cooling the nanostructured storage material below the desorption temperature of hydrogen.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of liquid polysulfide polymers. In particular, the process allows for making the liquid form of the polysulfide polymer directly and eliminates the need to first make a solid polysulfide polymer and then convert it to a liquid.