Abstract: An evaporative cooling garment includes a first layer and a second layer superimposed over the first layer. The first layer is configured to absorb a quantity of water, and the second layer includes a reflective material and defines openings. The first layer is visible from an exterior of the garment through the openings in the second layer, and the garment defines a collapsible gap between an inner surface of the second layer and an outer surface of the first layer.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling garment includes a first layer and a second layer superimposed over the first layer. The first layer is configured to absorb a quantity of water, and the second layer includes a reflective material and defines openings. The first layer is visible from an exterior of the garment through the openings in the second layer, and the garment defines a collapsible gap between an inner surface of the second layer and an outer surface of the first layer.

Abstract: A layered composite configured to form an interface between a heat exchanger and an integrated circuit includes a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer, a liquid metal in direct contact with the first polymer layer, a solid solute in direct contact with the second polymer layer, and a barrier between the liquid metal and the solid solute. The liquid metal is liquid at normal temperature and pressure. The solid solute includes microparticles, nanoparticles, or both and is solid at normal temperature and pressure. The barrier prevents contact of the liquid metal and the solid solute at normal temperature and pressure, and is configured to rupture under compression of the layered composite, thereby allowing the liquid metal and the solid solute to form a mixture between the first polymer layer and the second polymer layer.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include an article of manufacture that is self-sealing, and a method of preparing the article of manufacture. The article of manufacture includes at one or more base layers with a plurality of overlapping strands, and at least one polymer coating layer at least partially covering at least some portions of at least some strands of at least a portion of the base layer. The polymer coating layer can swell by absorbing at least one target substance. A plurality of voids is distributed between at least some of the overlapping strands, where upon swelling by a target substance, at least some of the voids reversibly reduce in size or partially close, or completely seal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of forming a metal matrix composite including introducing a plurality of nanoparticles into a flow of metal material, and mixing of at least a partial portion of the flow of metal material with at least some of the plurality of nanoparticles to form a mixture of the metal material and at least some of the nanoparticles. The method further includes forming a metal matrix composite from the mixture, where the metal matrix composite includes a bulk region and an outer surface including a plurality of hydrophobic regions dispersed within a hydrophilic surface region. Further, the plurality of hydrophobic regions is formed or derived from the plurality of nanoparticles, and the hydrophobic regions have a first diameter, and an average spacing between the hydrophobic regions is a second diameter, where the first and second diameters are about 100 nm to 400 nm.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a coating or film assembly and a method of making the assembly which has a first layer at least partially infused with at least one antifreeze material, and a second layer at least partially coupled to at least a portion of the first layer. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second layer includes pores with a defined spacing. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second layer is rendered hydrophilic in the presence of absorbed moisture or phases of ice including frost, rime, and/or glaze. Further, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the first layer enables the antifreeze material to migrate through and out of the first layer into at least a portion of a hydrophilic region of the second layer.

Abstract: An electronic switch apparatus, a capacitive strain gauge apparatus and a nozzle apparatus, as well as methods for making electrodes such as liquid metal pipes are provided. A nozzle apparatus includes (a) a nozzle housing defining a cavity, where the nozzle housing defines an inlet at a first end and defines an outlet at a second end and (b) a first tube defining an inlet at a first end and defining an outlet at a second end, wherein the first tube is at least partially disposed in and is co-axially arranged with the nozzle housing, where the first tube defines a first flow channel, wherein a second flow channel is defined between an exterior surface of the first tube and an interior surface of the nozzle housing.

Abstract: A layered composite configured to form an interface between a heat exchanger and an integrated circuit includes a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer, a liquid metal in direct contact with the first polymer layer, a solid solute in direct contact with the second polymer layer, and a barrier between the liquid metal and the solid solute. The liquid metal is liquid at normal temperature and pressure. The solid solute includes microparticles, nanoparticles, or both and is solid at normal temperature and pressure. The barrier prevents contact of the liquid metal and the solid solute at normal temperature and pressure, and is configured to rupture under compression of the layered composite, thereby allowing the liquid metal and the solid solute to form a mixture between the first polymer layer and the second polymer layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for droplet generation are suitable for use in connection with goniometers. Via preferential condensation, droplets of a variety of liquids may be formed at a variety of temperatures and pressures, eliminating the need for expensive and complex conventional droplet generation systems. Condensation and evaporation of a droplet may be controlled in order to evaluate advancing and receding contact angles in the goniometer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a coating or film assembly and a method of making the assembly which has a first layer at least partially infused with at least one antifreeze material, and a second layer at least partially coupled to at least a portion of the first layer. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second layer includes pores with a defined spacing. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second layer is rendered hydrophilic in the presence of absorbed moisture or phases of ice including frost, rime, and/or glaze. Further, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the first layer enables the antifreeze material to migrate through and out of the first layer into at least a portion of a hydrophilic region of the second layer.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include an article of manufacture that is self-sealing, and a method of preparing the article of manufacture. The article of manufacture includes at one or more base layers with a plurality of overlapping strands, and at least one polymer coating layer at least partially covering at least some portions of at least some strands of at least a portion of the base layer. The polymer coating layer can swell by absorbing at least one target substance. A plurality of voids is distributed between at least some of the overlapping strands, where upon swelling by a target substance, at least some of the voids reversibly reduce in size or partially close, or completely seal.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a pagophobic coating assembly including a wick layer coupled an outer layer. The wick layer includes a fluid reservoir with an antifreeze material. The wick can be a hydrophilic or superhydrophilic material, and the outer layer can include a superhydrophobic or omniphobic material. In some embodiments, the wick includes a nylon-based polymer, and the outer layer includes a silicone or siloxane based polymer. In some embodiments of the invention, the antifreeze material includes an alkylene glycol. In some embodiments, the wick layer can enable the antifreeze material to migrate from the wick layer into the outer layer, and the outer layer is configured to enable the antifreeze to migrate to the upper surface of the outer layer. Some embodiments include an article of manufacture including the pagophobic coating assembly. Some further embodiments of the invention include a method of forming the pagophobic coating assembly.

Abstract: An electronic switch apparatus, a capacitive strain gauge apparatus and a nozzle apparatus, as well as methods for making electrodes such as liquid metal pipes are provided. A nozzle apparatus includes (a) a nozzle housing defining a cavity, where the nozzle housing defines an inlet at a first end and defines an outlet at a second end and (b) a first tube defining an inlet at a first end and defining an outlet at a second end, wherein the first tube is at least partially disposed in and is co-axially arranged with the nozzle housing, where the first tube defines a first flow channel, wherein a second flow channel is defined between an exterior surface of the first tube and an interior surface of the nozzle housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of forming a metal matrix composite including introducing a plurality of nanoparticles into a flow of metal material, and mixing of at least a partial portion of the flow of metal material with at least some of the plurality of nanoparticles to form a mixture of the metal material and at least some of the nanoparticles. The method further includes forming a metal matrix composite from the mixture, where the metal matrix composite includes a bulk region and an outer surface including a plurality of hydrophobic regions dispersed within a hydrophilic surface region. Further, the plurality of hydrophobic regions is formed or derived from the plurality of nanoparticles, and the hydrophobic regions have a first diameter, and an average spacing between the hydrophobic regions is a second diameter, where the first and second diameters are about 100 nm to 400 nm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for droplet generation are suitable for use in connection with goniometers. Via preferential condensation, droplets of a variety of liquids may be formed at a variety of temperatures and pressures, eliminating the need for expensive and complex conventional droplet generation systems. Condensation and evaporation of a droplet may be controlled in order to evaluate advancing and receding contact angles in the goniometer.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.