Abstract: A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4,4?-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochromic device includes a single active layer configured to be alternately placed in a light-transmitting state in which relatively large amounts of light can be transmitted through the active layer and a light-blocking state in which relatively small amounts of light can be transmitted through the active layer, where the device comprises no other layers of material that contribute to transitioning between the two states

Abstract: Hybrid particles having improved electrical conductivity and thermal and chemical stabilities are disclosed. The hybrid particles are for use in conductive pastes. The hybrid particles include a nanoparticle selected from a graphene-containing material, a dichalcogenide material, a conducting polymer, or a combination thereof encapsulated in a conducting metal. The hybrid particles include a nanoparticle selected from a graphene-containing material, a dichalcogenide material, or a combination thereof encapsulated in a conducting polymer, and optionally further in a conducting metal. Suitable conducting metals include nickel or silver. Suitable conducting polymers include polyaniline, polypyrrole, or polythiophene. Suitable dichalcogenide materials include MoS2 or MoSe2. The hybrid particles can further include a conducting polymer layer on an outer surface of the conducting metal. Methods of making the hybrid particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery management system comprises: a circuit path electrically coupling a battery and a load; a backup storage device; a first switch connecting the battery and the backup storage device; a second switch connecting the backup storage device and the load; a sensor for measuring a temperature of the battery; and a controller in electrical communication with the first switch, the second switch, and the sensor. The controller executes a program to: (i) activate the first switch to connect the battery and the backup storage device for charging the backup storage device for a charging period of time with power provided by the battery based on the temperature of the battery meeting a threshold, and (ii) activate the second switch to connect the backup storage device and the load for providing power to the load from the backup storage device after the charging period of time has expired.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochromic device includes a single active layer configured to be alternately placed in a light-transmitting state in which relatively large amounts of light can be transmitted through the active layer and a light-blocking state in which relatively small amounts of light can be transmitted through the active layer, wherein the device comprises no other layers of material that contribute to transitioning between the two states.

Abstract: A novel electrode and associated method of manufacturing said novel electrode comprising a porous structure having absorbed polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), a self-assembled polypyrole (PPy) layer adjacent to the PSS absorbed porous structure, a self-assembled polyaniline (PANI) layer adjacent to the PPy layer, an electrochemically deposited PANI layer adjacent to the PPy layer and an electrochemically deposited PANI-dichalcogenide layer adjacent to the electrochemically deposited PANI layer. A supercapacitor and associated method of manufacturing a supercapacitor comprising a first novel electrode and a second novel electrode separated by a polyvinyl gel and a porous separator.

Abstract: Hybrid particles having improved electrical conductivity and thermal and chemical stabilities are disclosed. The hybrid particles are for use in conductive pastes. The hybrid particles include a nanoparticle selected from a graphene-containing material, a dichalcogenide material, a conducting polymer, or a combination thereof encapsulated in a conducting metal. The hybrid particles include a nanoparticle selected from a graphene-containing material, a dichalcogenide material, or a combination thereof encapsulated in a conducting polymer, and optionally further in a conducting metal. Suitable conducting metals include nickel or silver. Suitable conducting polymers include polyaniline, polypyrrole, or polythiophene. Suitable dichalcogenide materials include MoS2 or MoSe2. The hybrid particles can further include a conducting polymer layer on an outer surface of the conducting metal. Methods of making the hybrid particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel electrode and associated method of manufacturing said novel electrode comprising a porous structure having absorbed polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), a self-assembled polypyrole (PPy) layer adjacent to the PSS absorbed porous structure, a self-assembled polyaniline (PANI) layer adjacent to the PPy layer, an electrochemically deposited PANI layer adjacent to the PPy layer and an electrochemically deposited PANI-molybdenum disulfide (PANI-MoS2) layer adjacent to the electrochemically deposited PANI layer. A supercapacitor and associated method of manufacturing a supercapacitor comprising a first novel electrode and a second novel electrode separated by a polyvinyl gel and a porous separator.

Abstract: An electrochromic device including a single unitary active layer with a dye having a nitrogen group and a conducting polymer having a nitrogen group. The active layer has a first color in an oxidized state and a second color in a reduced state; the electrochromic device has no other active layer.

Abstract: A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4,4?-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochromic device includes a single active layer configured to be alternately placed in a light-transmitting state in which relatively large amounts of light can be transmitted through the active layer and a light-blocking state in which relatively small amounts of light can be transmitted through the active layer, wherein the device comprises no other layers of material that contribute to transitioning between the two states

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical cells including a cathode including alpha-hematite and a metal dichalcogenide, an anode including a conducting polymer, and an electrolyte.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flexible composite conducting polymer film includes a composite conducting polymer including a conducting polymer and one or more water-soluble polyanions, wherein the film is approximately 20 nanometers to 10 microns thick.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid touchchromic device. The solid touchchromic device may include a conducting polymer or a conducting polymer composite film, a conducting plate, and a solid layer of a polymer-based electrolyte, the conducting plate being at least partially coated by the conducting polymer or the conducting polymer composite film. The solid touchchromic device may further include an oxidant, a salt, an acid, or a metal. Also included are methods of producing a solid touchchromic device and articles including a solid touchchromic device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochromic device includes a single active layer configured to be alternately placed in a light-transmitting state in which relatively large amounts of light can be transmitted through the active layer and a light-blocking state in which relatively small amounts of light can be transmitted through the active layer, wherein the device comprises no other layers of material that contribute to transitioning between the two states.

Abstract: A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials are provided. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4, 4?-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

Abstract: An electrochromic device including a single unitary active layer with a dye having a nitrogen group and a conducting polymer having a nitrogen group. The active layer has a first color in an oxidized state and a second color in a reduced state; the electrochromic device has no other active layer.

Abstract: A novel electrode and associated method of manufacturing said novel electrode comprising a porous structure having absorbed polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), a self-assembled polypyrole (PPy) layer adjacent to the PSS absorbed porous structure, a self-assembled polyaniline (PANI) layer adjacent to the PPy layer, an electrochemically deposited PANI layer adjacent to the PPy layer and an electrochemically deposited PANI-molybdenum disulfide (PANI-MoS2) layer adjacent to the electrochemically deposited PANI layer. A supercapacitor and associated method of manufacturing a supercapacitor comprising a first novel electrode and a second novel electrode separated by a polyvinyl gel and a porous separator.

Abstract: Hybrid particles having improved electrical conductivity and thermal and chemical stabilities are disclosed. The hybrid particles are for use in conductive pastes. The hybrid particles include a nanoparticle selected from a graphene-containing material, a dichalcogenide material, a conducting polymer, or a combination thereof encapsulated in a conducting metal. The hybrid particles include a nanoparticle selected from a graphene-containing material, a dichalcogenide material, or a combination thereof encapsulated in a conducting polymer, and optionally further in a conducting metal. Suitable conducting metals include nickel or silver. Suitable conducting polymers include polyaniline, polypyrrole, or polythiophene. Suitable dichalcogenide materials include MoS2 or MoSe2. The hybrid particles can further include a conducting polymer layer on an outer surface of the conducting metal. Methods of making the hybrid particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a decontaminant comprising MoO2. The disclosure also provides methods to produce a decontaminant comprising MoO2 and methods for decontamination of a fluid comprising us of a decontaminant comprising MoO2.