Abstract: Colloidal-crystal quantum dots as tracers are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method comprises injecting a solution of quantum dots into a subterranean formation, and monitoring a flow of the quantum dots from the subterranean formation to determine a property of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Variations of this invention provide durable, impact-resistant structural coatings that have both dewetting and anti-icing properties. The coatings in some embodiments possess a self-similar structure that combines a low-cost matrix with two feature sizes that are tuned to affect the wetting of water and freezing of water on the surface. Dewetting and anti-icing performance is simultaneously achieved in a structural coating comprising multiple layers, wherein each layer includes (a) a continuous matrix; (b) discrete templates dispersed that promote surface roughness to inhibit wetting of water; and (c) nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water. These structural coatings utilize low-cost, lightweight, and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly sprayed over large areas using convenient coating processes.

Abstract: Variations of this invention provide durable, impact-resistant structural coatings that have both dewetting and anti-icing properties. The coatings in some embodiments possess a self-similar structure that combines a low-cost matrix with two feature sizes that are tuned to affect the wetting of water and freezing of water on the surface. Dewetting and anti-icing performance is simultaneously achieved in a structural coating comprising multiple layers, wherein each layer includes (a) a continuous matrix; (b) discrete templates dispersed that promote surface roughness to inhibit wetting of water; and (c) nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water. These structural coatings utilize low-cost, lightweight, and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly sprayed over large areas using convenient coating processes.

Abstract: Variations of this invention provide durable, impact-resistant structural coatings that have both dewetting and anti-icing properties. The coatings in some embodiments possess a self-similar structure that combines a low-cost matrix with two feature sizes that are tuned to affect the wetting of water and freezing of water on the surface. Dewetting and anti-icing performance is simultaneously achieved in a structural coating comprising multiple layers, wherein each layer includes (a) a continuous matrix; (b) discrete templates dispersed that promote surface roughness to inhibit wetting of water; and (c) nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water. These structural coatings utilize low-cost, lightweight, and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly sprayed over large areas using convenient coating processes.

Abstract: A versatile and rapid sol-gel technique for the fabrication of high quality one-dimensional photonic bandgap materials. For example, silica/titania multi-layer materials may be fabricated by a sol-gel chemistry route combined with dip-coating onto planar or curved substrate. A shock-cooling step immediately following the thin film heat-treatment process is introduced. This step was found important in the prevention of film crack formation—especially in silica/titania alternating stack materials with a high number of layers. The versatility of this sol-gel method is demonstrated by the fabrication of various Bragg stack-type materials with fine-tuned optical properties by tailoring the number and sequence of alternating layers, the film thickness and the effective refractive index of the deposited thin films. Measured optical properties show good agreement with theoretical simulations confirming the high quality of these sol-gel fabricated optical materials.

Abstract: Low-temperature organometallic nucleation and crystallization-based synthesis methods for the fabrication of semiconductor and metal colloidal nanocrystals with narrow size distributions and tunable, size- and shape-dependent electronic and optical properties. Methods include (1) forming a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel under an inert atmosphere that includes at least one solvent, a cationic precursor, an anionic precursor, and at least a first surface stabilizing ligand while stirring at a temperature in a range from about 50° C. to about 130° C. and (2) growing nanocrystals in the reaction mixture for a period of time while maintaining the temperature, the stirring, and the inert-gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A versatile and rapid sol-gel technique for the fabrication of high quality one-dimensional photonic bandgap materials. For example, silica/titania multi-layer materials may be fabricated by a sol-gel chemistry route combined with dip-coating onto planar or curved substrate. A shock-cooling step immediately following the thin film heat-treatment process is introduced. This step was found important in the prevention of film crack formation—especially in silica/titania alternating stack materials with a high number of layers. The versatility of this sol-gel method is demonstrated by the fabrication of various Bragg stack-type materials with fine-tuned optical properties by tailoring the number and sequence of alternating layers, the film thickness and the effective refractive index of the deposited thin films. Measured optical properties show good agreement with theoretical simulations confirming the high quality of these sol-gel fabricated optical materials.

Abstract: Variations of this invention provide durable, impact-resistant structural coatings that have both dewetting and anti-icing properties. The coatings in some embodiments possess a self-similar structure that combines a low-cost matrix with two feature sizes that are tuned to affect the wetting of water and freezing of water on the surface. Dewetting and anti-icing performance is simultaneously achieved in a structural coating comprising multiple layers, wherein each layer includes (a) a continuous matrix; (b) discrete templates dispersed that promote surface roughness to inhibit wetting of water; and (c) nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water. These structural coatings utilize low-cost, lightweight, and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly sprayed over large areas using convenient coating processes.

Abstract: Low-temperature organometallic nucleation and crystallization-based synthesis methods for the fabrication of semiconductor and metal colloidal nanocrystals with narrow size distributions and tunable, size- and shape-dependent electronic and optical properties. Methods include (1) forming a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel under an inert atmosphere that includes at least one solvent, a cationic precursor, an anionic precursor, and at least a first surface stabilizing ligand while stirring at a temperature in a range from about 50° C. to about 130° C. and (2) growing nanocrystals in the reaction mixture for a period of time while maintaining the temperature, the stirring, and the inert-gas atmosphere.

Abstract: Colloidal-crystal quantum dots as tracers are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method comprises injecting a solution of quantum dots into a subterranean formation, and monitoring a flow of the quantum dots from the subterranean formation to determine a property of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing transmission microscopy on a sample material are disclosed. The sample material is placed on a metal nanoparticle substrate. High intensity light, such as an infrared laser, is focused on the nanoparticle substrate, thereby exciting the silver nanoparticles. The excited nanoparticles emit intensely focused, spectrally broad white light that is able to pass through the sample material without significant scattering even when the sample material is highly diffuse. The emitted light that passes through the sample material is detected and used to generate images and characterize features of the sample material, including the internal structural composition of the sample material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing transmission microscopy on a sample material are disclosed. The sample material is placed on a metal nanoparticle substrate. High intensity light, such as an infrared laser, is focused on the nanoparticle substrate, thereby exciting the silver nanoparticles. The excited nanoparticles emit intensely focused, spectrally broad white light that is able to pass through the sample material without significant scattering even when the sample material is highly diffuse. The emitted light that passes through the sample material is detected and used to generate images and characterize features of the sample material, including the internal structural composition of the sample material.

Abstract: A design strategy for constructing hierarchically structured materials using nanoparticles and synthetic biopolymers has been developed. Block copolypeptides or homopolymer polyelectrolytes are used as structure-directing agents to arrange nanoparticles (composed of metals, metal non-oxides, metal oxides, or organics) into unusual microstructures, such as spheres, “apples” and “cups.” Hollow spheres can be made wherein nanoparticles of one composition are spatially oriented completely interior or exterior to nanoparticles of a second composition. These aggregates contain nanoparticles only in the shell walls, and maintain their hollowness upon calcination. These shapes can also be fabricated into films. These robust materials are anticipated to have great promise in applications that require surface catalysis, magnetic/electronic/optic properties, transport capabilities, and combinations thereof, such as drug delivery, packaging, catalysis, and sensors.

Abstract: A design strategy for constructing hierarchically structured materials using nanoparticles and synthetic biopolymers has been developed. Block copolypeptides or homopolymer polyelectrolytes are used as structure-directing agents to arrange nanoparticles (composed of metals, metal non-oxides, metal oxides, or organics) into unusual microstructures, such as spheres, “apples” and “cups.” Hollow spheres can be made wherein nanoparticles of one composition are spatially oriented completely interior or exterior to nanoparticles of a second composition. These aggregates contain nanoparticles only in the shell walls, and maintain their hollowness upon calcination. These shapes can also be fabricated into films. These robust materials are anticipated to have great promise in applications that require surface catalysis, magnetic/electronic/optic properties, transport capabilities, and combinations thereof, such as drug delivery, packaging, catalysis, and sensors.