Abstract: A thermal energy storage (TES) system that uses an elemental material (e.g., elemental sulfur) as an energy storage material is disclosed. The energy storage material is separately stored from a heat transfer fluid. For example, the energy storage material can be sealed within one or more corrosion-resistant containers that are further contained within an outer shell. A heat transfer fluid flows through the shell via an inlet and an outlet, over and around the containers. A TES system may include an energy source that receives thermal energy intermittently, and a steam generator.

Abstract: A method for producing, and a product having, a surface nanopattern, wherein the method comprises the steps of: obtaining a substrate with a smooth surface; acquiring a self-assembling monolayer precursor, wherein the precursor includes an inducible, usually photocatalytically, active region and a substrate attachment region; mixing a plurality of the self-assembling monolayer precursors with the substrate to produce a self-assembled monolayer having an exposed surface comprising the inducible active regions and anchored to the substrate smooth surface by the substrate attachment regions; obtaining a path-directable nanoparticle; contacting the path-directable nanoparticle with the exposed surface at an interface area; exposing the exposed surface contacted with the path-directable nanoparticle to an inducing event, usually exposure to light, thereby chemically altering the inducible active regions and producing a detectable state in the interface area on the exposed surface; and applying a force of variable

Abstract: A method for producing, and a product having, a surface nanopattern, wherein the method comprises the steps of: obtaining a substrate with a smooth surface; acquiring a self-assembling monolayer precursor, wherein the precursor includes an inducible, usually photocatalytically, active region and a substrate attachment region; mixing a plurality of the self-assembling monolayer precursors with the substrate to produce a self-assembled monolayer having an exposed surface comprising the inducible active regions and anchored to the substrate smooth surface by the substrate attachment regions; obtaining a path-directable nanoparticle; contacting the path-directable nanoparticle with the exposed surface at an interface area; exposing the exposed surface contacted with the path-directable nanoparticle to an inducing event, usually exposure to light, thereby chemically altering the inducible active regions and producing a detectable state in the interface area on the exposed surface; and applying a force of variable

Abstract: A method for producing, and a product having, a surface nanopattern, wherein the method comprises the steps of: obtaining a substrate with a smooth surface; acquiring a self-assembling monolayer precursor, wherein the precursor includes an inducible, usually photocatalytically, active region and a substrate attachment region; mixing a plurality of the self-assembling monolayer precursors with the substrate to produce a self-assembled monolayer having an exposed surface comprising the inducible active regions and anchored to the substrate smooth surface by the substrate attachment regions; obtaining a path-directable nanoparticle; contacting the path-directable nanoparticle with the exposed surface at an interface area; exposing the exposed surface contacted with the path-directable nanoparticle to an inducing event, usually exposure to light, thereby chemically altering the inducible active regions and producing a detectable state in the interface area on the exposed surface; and applying a force of variable