Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochromic device includes a single unitary active layer including a dye having a nitrogen group and a conducting polymer having a nitrogen group, wherein the active layer has a first color in an oxidized state and a second color in a reduced state, and wherein the electrochromic device comprises no other active layer.

Abstract: Particles comprising a core and a shell at least partially surrounding the core, wherein the core comprises a transition metal dichalcogenide and the shell comprises a transition metal oxide are disclosed. The particles can possess enhanced absorption of light in the visible and UVB/UVA spectrum, without inhibiting their inherent oxidative properties significantly. The particles inserted into a SODIS platform can possess equal or greater photocatalytic properties compared to the current TiO2 SODIS method.

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: The subject invention pertains to color changeable, film materials comprising a metal substrate layer; a conducting polymer or conducting polymer composite layer; and an electrolyte layer. The conducting polymer or conducting polymer composite layer of the film material is capable of exhibiting changes in one or more optical properties when the film material is in contact with a metal. The subject invention also pertains to methods of preparing conducting polymer films capable of exhibiting changes in optical properties.

Abstract: Described herein are hybrid nanomaterials that can include a functionalized nanodiamond and a functionalized graphene and/or functionalized graphene oxide. Also described herein are composite materials that can include a hybrid nanomaterial described herein and a polymer or polymeric material. Also described herein are methods of making and using the hybrid nanomaterials and composite materials described herein.

Abstract: Described herein are supercapacitors that can contain graphene oxide based aerogels. Also described herein are methods making the graphene oxide based aerogels and supercapacitors described herein. Described herein are methods of using the graphene oxide based aerogels and supercapacitors described herein. Further described herein are devices that comprise graphene oxide based aerogels as described herein.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a conducting film includes depositing a base layer of a conducting polymer on a substrate, the polymer forming only a weak bond with the substrate, depositing a top layer of a conducting material on the base layer, applying adhesive tape to the top layer, and peeling the tape off of the substrate, removing the top layer along with the tape.

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: Provided are a method of synthesizing molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) directly onto a metal substrate to form a coating on the surface of the substrate, products having a coated metal surface produced by the disclosed method, and their uses to decontaminate water and/or air. The coated metal surface disclosed herein also may be used as a structural component of a Li-ion battery, a supercapacitor, or a sensor for detecting a molecule.

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

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the temperature of a Li-ion battery cell are provided. A method can included combining the electrolyte and electrode components of a Li-ion battery with nanoparticles comprising of a phase change material with a melting point of 80° C. or greater, encapsulating the phase change material in an encapsulating material that has a melting point of 120° C. or greater.

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

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling the temperature of a Li-ion battery cell are provided. A method can included combining the electrolyte and electrode components of a Li-ion battery with nanoparticles comprising of a phase change material with a melting point of 80° C. or greater, encapsulating the phase change material in an encapsulating material that has a melting point of 120° C. or greater.

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

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for detecting the presence of a contaminant on a surface includes an infrared light source configured to shine infrared light on the surface, an infrared light detector configured to detect infrared light reflected from the surface, and a computing device configured to receive an infrared reflectance signal from the infrared light detector and detect the presence of the contaminant from a feature in the reflectance signal.