Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing an applied local tactile pressure are disclosed. The methods can include directing light onto a tactile sensing element that includes a metal nanoparticle layer. The methods can further include receiving at least a portion of the light scattered from the metal nanoparticle layer. The methods can further include determining a local pressure exerted on the tactile sensing element based at least in part on a change in a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrum of the received portion of the scattered light.

Abstract: Techniques for nano structure fabrication are provided.

Abstract: Techniques for fabricating magnetic nanoparticles are provided. In one embodiment, a method performed under the control of at least one apparatus for fabricating magnetic nanoparticles includes preparing a substrate that defines at least one cavity through a portion thereof, soaking the substrate with a solution, the solution including a multiple number of magnetic nanoparticles, and applying a magnetic field so as to collect at least a portion of the magnetic nanoparticles into the at least one cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a polycrystalline nanoparticle. The method includes exposing a polycrystalline nanoparticle that includes at least two metal oxide crystallites bonded to each other to a chemical composition that includes a catalyst in order to at least partially separate the at least two metal oxide crystallites of the polycrystalline nanoparticle at an interface thereof.

Abstract: A heat-radiating pattern and a heat-radiating pattern includes metal layers such as Au (gold) and Ag (silver). Metal layers with certain dimensions can absorb light in the visible/near IR (infrared) range and emit light in IR range as heat. The metal layers can be formed into a desired pattern and surroundings of the metal layers can be heated up locally and thereby form a portion of the heat-radiating pattern. Locally heated portions on a substrate by the heat-radiating pattern can transform a heat reactive polymer layer and perform as a local heater.

Abstract: Core-shell nanoparticles having a core material and a mesoporous silica shell, and a method for manufacturing the core-shell nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a polycrystalline nanoparticle. The method includes exposing a polycrystalline nanoparticle that includes at least two metal oxide crystallites bonded to each other to a chemical composition that includes a catalyst in order to at least partially separate the at least two metal oxide crystallites of the polycrystalline nanoparticle at an interface thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing an applied local tactile pressure are disclosed. The methods can include directing light onto a tactile sensing element that includes a metal nanoparticle layer. The methods can further include receiving at least a portion of the light scattered from the metal nanoparticle layer. The methods can further include determining a local pressure exerted on the tactile sensing element based at least in part on a change in a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrum of the received portion of the scattered light.

Abstract: An aggregate of mesoporous microparticles that comprises two or more of covalently bound mesoporous microparticles is described. The aggregate of mesoporous microparticles can be used for many applications, including slowing or reversing desertification.

Abstract: Magnetic mesoporous materials as chemical catalyst and methods of making magnetic mesoporous materials as catalyst are provided. The mesoporous materials have mesopores. The mesoporous materials can contain magnetic nanoparticles in wall of the mesoporous material and chemical catalysts in the mesopores. The mesoporous material continaing magnetic nanoparticles and catalysts can be used in a chemical reaction as a catalyst. The mesoporous materials can be removed after the chemical reaction by applying a magnetic field to the chemical reaction medium to isolate the mesoporous materials containing magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: The filter provided herein includes one or more nanofibers. In some examples of the filter, the nanofibers include one or more nanoparticles, in which the nanoparticles are at least partially surrounded by pockets.

Abstract: Techniques for making nanowires with a desired diameter are provided. The nanowires can be grown from catalytic nanoparticles, wherein the nanowires can have substantially same diameter as the catalytic nanoparticles. Since the size or the diameter of the catalytic nanoparticles can be controlled in production of the nanoparticles, the diameter of the nanowires can be subsequently controlled as well. The catalytic nanoparticles are melted and provided with a gaseous precursor of the nanowires. When supersaturation of the catalytic nanoparticles with the gaseous precursor is reached, the gaseous precursor starts to solidify and form nanowires. The nanowires are separate from each other and not bind with each other to form a plurality of nanowires having the substantially uniform diameter.

Abstract: Techniques for coating a fiber with metal oxide include forming silica in the fiber to fix the metal oxide to the fiber. The coated fiber can be used to facilitate photocatalysis.

Abstract: A method of making a porous membrane is disclosed. One such method optionally includes: forming a plurality of pillars in an array form over a substrate; and forming a layer with a mixture of a porous material precursor and a surfactant over the substrate. The method optionally includes removing the pillars to leave cavities in the layer; filling the cavities in the layer with a cavity filler; and removing the surfactant from the layer. The porous membrane can be used as, for example, a sieve for separating molecules from a chemical reaction.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a filter including a plurality of spheres close-packed to form a thin layer.

Abstract: Heterodimeric photocatalytic systems and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The systems can include a first nanomaterial comprising titanium dioxide (TiO2) having a first bandgap energy characterized by a first highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and a first lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). The systems can further include a second nanomaterial comprising semiconducting metal oxide and/or metal sulfide (MOX/MSX) having a second bandgap characterized by a second HOMO and a second LUMO, wherein the second bandgap energy is in the range of energies for a visible light spectrum, and the second LUMO is higher than the first LUMO.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to devices promoting cell adhesion and methods of making thereof In some embodiments, one or more insoluble or non-degradable second surface components are positioned over one or more soluble or degradable first surface components over a surface. The first surface components can be degraded or dissolved to produce bumps or raised portions formed from the second surface components on the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods of forming an electrode on a substrate are disclosed. The methods can include applying a solution including metal ions and metal nanomaterials to a surface of a substrate. The methods further can include exposing a selected portion of the solution with light having a wavelength capable of inducing reduction of the metal ions, wherein the selected portion corresponds to at least a portion of the electrode.

Abstract: Techniques for preparing nanocapsules are provided.

Abstract: A sensor producing apparatus comprised of an extractor for extracting a nano fiber from a solution and a driving device to relatively move the substrate and the extractor, a method for forming a sensor, and a sensor with a nano structure are provided.