Abstract: A method for scan, try and/or buy may include receiving, from a mobile device, information that is representative of a clothing outfit. The clothing outfit may include a plurality of merchandise items available for purchase through a store. The information may be obtained by the mobile device by scanning a single code associated with the clothing outfit. The obtained information may be used to cause at least one user interface element associated with the clothing outfit to be displayed on the mobile device. In response to receiving a selection from the mobile device of the at least one user interface element, the plurality of merchandise items associated with the clothing outfit may be delivered to a merchandise check-out location within the store. The merchandise check-out location may be operable to receive payment from the user for the clothing outfit.

Abstract: A method for scan, try and/or buy may include receiving, from a mobile device, information that is representative of a clothing outfit. The clothing outfit may include a plurality of merchandise items available for purchase through a store. The information may be obtained by the mobile device by scanning a single code associated with the clothing outfit. The obtained information may be used to cause at least one user interface element associated with the clothing outfit to be displayed on the mobile device. In response to receiving a selection from the mobile device of the at least one user interface element, the plurality of merchandise items associated with the clothing outfit may be delivered to a merchandise check-out location within the store. The merchandise check-out location may be operable to receive payment from the user for the clothing outfit.

Abstract: A method for scan, try and/or buy may include receiving, from a mobile device, information that is representative of a clothing outfit. The clothing outfit may include a plurality of merchandise items available for purchase through a store. The information may be obtained by the mobile device by scanning a single code associated with the clothing outfit. The obtained information may be used to cause at least one user interface element associated with the clothing outfit to be displayed on the mobile device. In response to receiving a selection from the mobile device of the at least one user interface element, the plurality of merchandise items associated with the clothing outfit may be delivered to a merchandise check-out location within the store. The merchandise check-out location may be operable to receive payment from the user for the clothing outfit.

Abstract: A method of thermally insulating a surface, the method comprising applying a coating of a thermally insulating composition onto said surface, wherein said thermally insulating composition comprises: (i) hollow spherical nanoparticles having a mean particle size of less than 800 nm in diameter and a particle size distribution in which at least 90% of the hollow spherical nanoparticles have a size within ±20% of said mean particle size, and a first layer of cationic or anionic molecules attached to said surfaces of the hollow spherical nanoparticles; and (ii) a second layer of molecules of opposite charge to the first layer of molecules, wherein said second layer of molecules of opposite charge are ionically associated with said first layer of molecules, wherein the molecules in said second layer have at least eight carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for scan, try and/or buy may include receiving, from a mobile device, information that is representative of a clothing outfit. The clothing outfit may include a plurality of merchandise items available for purchase through a store. The information may be obtained by the mobile device by scanning a single code associated with the clothing outfit. The obtained information may be used to cause at least one user interface element associated with the clothing outfit to be displayed on the mobile device. In response to receiving a selection from the mobile device of the at least one user interface element, the plurality of merchandise items associated with the clothing outfit may be delivered to a merchandise check-out location within the store. The merchandise check-out location may be operable to receive payment from the user for the clothing outfit.

Abstract: A method for regulating ion transport between first and second regions of a liquid solution containing ionic species in at least one of said first and second regions, the method comprising applying a voltage on an electrically conductive mesoporous carbon membrane situated between said first and second regions of the liquid solution, wherein liquid flow between first and second regions is permitted only through said mesoporous carbon membrane, and the applied voltage is selected to modulate the degree of ion transport between said first and second regions, wherein an increase in applied voltage results in a reduction in the degree of ion transport between said first and second regions, optionally up to a critical voltage at which ion transport ceases.

Abstract: A method for the desalination of water, the method comprising flowing salt water through a free-standing single-layer membrane of nanoporous graphene having a first planar side that makes contact with the salt water and an opposing second planar side from which desalinated water exits, wherein said membrane contains nanopores having a size of up to 1 nm, along with a substantial absence of pores above 1 nm in size, wherein said nanopores up to 1 nm in size have pore edges passivated with silicon, wherein salt ions in said salt water are blocked from passing through said membrane while water in said salt water passes through said membrane to result in desalinated water exiting said membrane.

Abstract: A method for scan, try and/or buy may include receiving, from a mobile device, information that is representative of a clothing outfit. The clothing outfit may include a plurality of merchandise items available for purchase through a store. The information may be obtained by the mobile device by scanning a single code associated with the clothing outfit. The obtained information may be used to cause at least one user interface element associated with the clothing outfit to be displayed on the mobile device. In response to receiving a selection from the mobile device of the at least one user interface element, the plurality of merchandise items associated with the clothing outfit may be delivered to a merchandise check-out location within the store. The merchandise check-out location may be operable to receive payment from the user for the clothing outfit.

Abstract: A method of thermally insulating a surface, the method comprising applying a coating of a thermally insulating composition onto said surface, wherein said thermally insulating composition comprises: (i) hollow spherical nanoparticles having a mean particle size of less than 800 nm in diameter and a particle size distribution in which at least 90% of the hollow spherical nanoparticles have a size within ±20% of said mean particle size, and a first layer of cationic or anionic molecules attached to said surfaces of the hollow spherical nanoparticles; and (ii) a second layer of molecules of opposite charge to the first layer of molecules, wherein said second layer of molecules of opposite charge are ionically associated with said first layer of molecules, wherein the molecules in said second layer have at least eight carbon atoms.

Abstract: A membrane useful in gas separation, the membrane comprising a cross-linked polysiloxane structure having a cross-link density of about 0.1×10?5 mol/cm3 to about 6×10?5 mol/cm3, where, in particular embodiments, the cross-linked polysiloxane structure has the following general structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups having at least 1 and up to 6 carbon atoms; A1 and A2 are independently selected from cyclic hydrocarbon groups; L1 and L2 are linking groups or covalent bonds; n is an integer of at least 1; r and s are independently selected from integers of at least 1; and p is an integer of at least 10. The invention also includes methods for making and using the above-described membranes for gas separation.

Abstract: A membrane useful in gas separation, the membrane comprising a cross-linked polysiloxane structure having a cross-link density of about 0.1×10?5 mol/cm3 to about 6×10?5 mol/cm3, where, in particular embodiments, the cross-linked polysiloxane structure has the following general structure: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups having at least 1 and up to 6 carbon atoms; A1 and A2 are independently selected from cyclic hydrocarbon groups; L1 and L2 are linking groups or covalent bonds; n is an integer of at least 1; r and s are independently selected from integers of at least 1; and p is an integer of at least 10. The invention also includes methods for making and using the above-described membranes for gas separation.

Abstract: A method for regulating ion transport between first and second regions of a liquid solution containing ionic species in at least one of said first and second regions, the method comprising applying a voltage on an electrically conductive mesoporous carbon membrane situated between said first and second regions of the liquid solution, wherein liquid flow between first and second regions is permitted only through said mesoporous carbon membrane, and the applied voltage is selected to modulate the degree of ion transport between said first and second regions, wherein an increase in applied voltage results in a reduction in the degree of ion transport between said first and second regions, optionally up to a critical voltage at which ion transport ceases.

Abstract: A method for the desalination of water, the method comprising flowing salt water through a free-standing single-layer membrane of nanoporous graphene having a first planar side that makes contact with the salt water and an opposing second planar side from which desalinated water exits, wherein said membrane contains nanopores having a size of up to 1 nm, along with a substantial absence of pores above 1 nm in size, wherein said nanopores up to 1 nm in size have pore edges passivated with silicon, wherein salt ions in said salt water are blocked from passing through said membrane while water in said salt water passes through said membrane to result in desalinated water exiting said membrane.

Abstract: A method for scan, try and/or buy may include receiving, from a mobile device, information that is representative of a clothing outfit. The clothing outfit may include a plurality of merchandise items available for purchase through a store. The information may be obtained by the mobile device by scanning a single code associated with the clothing outfit. The obtained information may be used to cause at least one user interface element associated with the clothing outfit to be displayed on the mobile device. In response to receiving a selection from the mobile device of the at least one user interface element, the plurality of merchandise items associated with the clothing outfit may be delivered to a merchandise check-out location within the store. The merchandise check-out location may be operable to receive payment from the user for the clothing outfit.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas detector and method for using the gas detector for detecting and identifying volatile organic and/or volatile inorganic substances present in unknown vapors in an environment. The gas detector comprises a sensing means and a detecting means for detecting electrical capacitance variance of the sensing means and for further identifying the volatile organic and volatile inorganic substances. The sensing means comprises at least one sensing unit and a sensing material allocated therein the sensing unit. The sensing material is an ionic liquid which is exposed to the environment and is capable of dissolving a quantity of said volatile substance upon exposure thereto. The sensing means constitutes an electrochemical capacitor and the detecting means is in electrical communication with the sensing means.