Abstract: Sensors, methods of producing sensors, and methods of measuring sensitivities of sensors are disclosed herein. A sensor includes a nanocomposite material having a thermoplastic polyurethane base. A method of producing a sensor includes embedding a plurality of carbon nanotubes into a thermoplastic polyurethane base and diluting a concentration of the plurality of carbon nanotubes embedded into the thermoplastic polyurethane base.

Abstract: Methods of producing composite articles and composite articles are disclosed herein. A method of producing a composite article includes providing a nonwoven fabric substrate having a surface. In some embodiments, the method may include electrospinning a nylon solution on the surface of the nonwoven fabric substrate to coat and/or impregnate the nonwoven fabric substrate with a nylon fiber.

Abstract: Fibers, prepreg materials, compositions, composite articles, and methods of producing composite articles are disclosed herein. A fiber may include at least one polymeric fiber and a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The at least one polymeric fiber extends in a lengthwise direction. The at least one polymeric fiber is a nanofiber.

Abstract: A biomedical sensor and sensor system for analysis of breath are disclosed. The biomedical sensor can include two layers arranged to swell or contract in a plane perpendicular to an axial direction while being restricted from swelling in the axial direction. The biomedical sensor includes resistance connections to allow measurement of the resistance of each layer and a combined resistance of both layers. The sensor system can include one, two, or three or more sensors, each having a pair of electrodes separated by a gap and one or more layers of composite material located within the gap. the sensor system includes resistance circuits configured to measure changes in resistance between the electrodes. A polypyrrole/polymethyl methacrylate/polyethylene glycol composite material and method of making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a paper lithium ion cell including depositing a first lithium-metal oxide composition onto a first electrically conducting microfiber paper substrate to define a cathode, depositing a second, different lithium-metal oxide composition onto a second electrically conducting coated microfiber paper substrate to define an anode, separating the cathode and the anode with a barrier material, infusing the cathode and the anode with electrolytes, and encapsulating the anode, the cathode, and the barrier material in a housing.

Abstract: A flexible paper based battery system with a first a least partially electrically conductive nanomaterial infused paper sheet combined with a first lithium metal oxide electrode sheet disposed in an interference fit between the first infused paper sheet and a dielectric sheet, and a second at least partially electrically conductive nanomaterial infused paper sheet combined with a second lithium metal oxide electrode sheet disposed in an interference fit between the second infused paper sheet and the dielectric sheet. Where the first lithium metal oxide electrode sheet and the second lithium metal oxide sheet are different compositions.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a paper lithium ion cell including depositing a first lithium-metal oxide composition onto a first electrically conducting microfiber paper substrate to define a cathode, depositing a second, different lithium-metal oxide composition onto a second electrically conducting coated microfiber paper substrate to define an anode, separating the cathode and the anode with a barrier material, infusing the cathode and the anode with electrolytes, and encapsulating the anode, the cathode, and the barrier material in a housing.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a paper lithium ion cell including depositing a first lithium-metal oxide composition onto a first electrically conducting microfiber paper substrate to define a cathode, depositing a second, different lithium-metal oxide composition onto a second electrically conducting coated microfiber paper substrate to define an anode, separating the cathode and the anode with a barrier material, infusing the cathode and the anode with electrolytes, and encapsulating the anode, the cathode, and the barrier material in a housing.

Abstract: A solar cell. The solar cell includes a substrate, a first layer comprising a first copper-based material deposited upon the substrate, the first copper-based material electrically attracted to the substrate or to a first optional deposit layer deposited between the substrate and the first layer, and a second layer comprising a second copper-based material deposited upon the first layer or an second optional deposit layer deposited between the first layer and the second layer, the second copper-based material electrically attracted to the first layer or to the second optional deposit layer, wherein the first copper-based material and the second copper-based material are selected from the group consisting of copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS), copper indium selenium (CIS), and cadmium sulfate (CdS).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a paper lithium ion cell including depositing a first lithium-metal oxide composition onto a first electrically conducting microfiber paper substrate to define a cathode, depositing a second, different lithium-metal oxide composition onto a second electrically conducting coated microfiber paper substrate to define an anode, separating the cathode and the anode with a barrier material, infusing the cathode and the anode with electrolytes, and encapsulating the anode, the cathode, and the barrier material in a housing.

Abstract: Wireless sensor system that integrate sensors, wireless communication module, and user interface units are disclosed. The system can include sensors fabricated for identifying hypoglycemia in the breath of a patient. The system can provide a low-power and small form factor wireless sensor system that integrates multiple sensors (e.g. resistor and capacitor based) and includes an on-chip temperature sensor in an ASIC. The disclosed system collects information from the sensors and wirelessly transmits the processed information to end user interface units, such as smart phones. The systems can be used in healthcare applications, including un-interrupted involuntary continuous monitoring of vital parameters of human body or environment, and other applications, and can be particularly adapted to monitoring hypoglycemia.

Abstract: A method of imaging biological tissue enables imaging structure in the biological tissue with an antenna tuned to emit radio energy through at least a covering layer of the biological tissue without significant attenuation of the radio energy. The method includes contacting skin covering tissue with a radio frequency emitting antenna, and adjusting at least one of a radiator and a feed in the antenna with reference to at least one measured electrical or physical property of the skin. The adjustment of the radiator and feed enable a combination of the antenna and skin to emit radio energy at a predetermined magnitude and frequency into a portion of the tissue covered by the skin.

Abstract: A method of operating a camera with a microfluidic lens to identify a depth of an object in image data generated by the camera has been developed. The camera generates an image with the object in focus, and a second image with the object out of focus. An image processor generates a plurality of blurred images from image data of the focused image, and identifies blur parameters that correspond to the object in the second image. The depth of the object from the camera is identified with reference to the blur parameters.

Abstract: A flexible paper based battery system with a first a least partially electrically conductive nanomaterial infused paper sheet combined with a first lithium metal oxide electrode sheet disposed in an interference fit between the first infused paper sheet and a dielectric sheet, and a second at least partially electrically conductive nanomaterial infused paper sheet combined with a second lithium metal oxide electrode sheet disposed in an interference fit between the second infused paper sheet and the dielectric sheet. Where the first lithium metal oxide electrode sheet and the second lithium metal oxide sheet are different compositions.

Abstract: A method is provided for making “smart” paper and “smart” microfibers by means of nanotechnology layer-by-layer techniques. The method comprises forming an aqueous pulp of lignocellulose fibers and nanocoating it by alternatively adsorbing onto the fibers multiple consecutively-applied layers of organized ultra thin and oppositely-charged polyelectrolytes, at least one of which is an electrically conductive polymer or nanoparticle (or a magnetically active polymer or nanoparticle, or an optically active polymer or nanoparticle), and another one of which has a charge opposite of said electrically conductive polymer or nanoparticle (or magnetically active polymer or nanoparticle, or optically active polymer or nanoparticle), thereby making a modified aqueous pulp of electrically conductive (or magnetically active, or optically active) multi-layer nanocoated lignocellulose fibers.

Abstract: A chipless RFID tag system having a transmitter sending an input signal and a tag substrate. An ID generation circuit on the tag relies on microstrip transmission line patterns which are pre-designed to generate a unique code. The ID generating circuit may be designed based upon the transmission line properties, including signal delay, and/or reflection, and/or phase change. The tag may be formed on a flexible substrate having at least one microstrip and the microstrip having a first portion with a first impedance and a second portion with a second impedance different from the first impedance. The tag may further include a microstrip antenna for communication with the transmitter and a receiver system. The tag may also include sensors for detection of desired substances of interest. The system may further include a receiver detecting at least two reflections from an interface of first and second impedances and identifying relative time domain positions of the reflections to one another.

Abstract: A method of operating a camera with a microfluidic lens to identify a depth of an object in image data generated by the camera has been developed. The camera generates an image with the object in focus, and a second image with the object out of focus. An image processor generates a plurality of blurred images from image data of the focused image, and identifies blur parameters that correspond to the object in the second image. The depth of the object from the camera is identified with reference to the blur parameters.

Abstract: A solar cell. The solar cell includes a substrate, a first layer comprising a first copper-based material deposited upon the substrate, the first copper-based material electrically attracted to the substrate or to a first optional deposit layer deposited between the substrate and the first layer, and a second layer comprising a second copper-based material deposited upon the first layer or an second optional deposit layer deposited between the first layer and the second layer, the second copper-based material electrically attracted to the first layer or to the second optional deposit layer, wherein the first copper-based material and the second copper-based material are selected from the group consisting of copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS), copper indium selenium (CIS), and cadmium sulfate (CdS).

Abstract: A method is provided for making “smart” paper and “smart” microfibers by means of nanotechnology layer-by-layer techniques. The method comprises forming an aqueous pulp of lignocellulose fibers and nanocoating it by alternatively adsorbing onto the fibers multiple consecutively-applied layers of organized ultra thin and oppositely-charged polyelectrolytes, at least one of which is an electrically conductive polymer or nanoparticle (or a magnetically active polymer or nanoparticle, or an optically active polymer or nanoparticle), and another one of which has a charge opposite of said electrically conductive polymer or nanoparticle (or magnetically active polymer or nanoparticle, or optically active polymer or nanoparticle), thereby making a modified aqueous pulp of electrically conductive (or magnetically active, or optically active) multi-layer nanocoated lignocellulose fibers; then draining the water out of the modified aqueous pulp to form sheets of smart microfibers.

Abstract: A chipless RFID tag system having a transmitter sending an input signal and a tag substrate. The tag substrate has at least one microstrip and the microstrip has a first portion with a first impedance and a second portion with a second impedance different from the first impedance. The system further includes a receiver detecting at least two reflections from an interface of the first and second impedances and identifying relative time domain positions of the reflections to one another.