Abstract: A multilayer thin film that reflects an omnidirectional structural color including a multilayer stack. The multilayer stack includes a reflector layer; a selective absorber layer extending over the reflector layer; an absorbing layer extending over the first layer; and a dielectric layer extending over the second layer. The multilayer thin film reflects a single narrow band of visible light when exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation, the single narrow band of visible light having a center wavelength greater than 550 nm, and a visible full width at half maximum (FWHM) width of less than 200 nm. A color shift of the reflected single narrow band of visible light is less than 50 nm when the multilayer stack is exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation and viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees relative to a direction normal to an outer surface of the multilayer thin film.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that include a base and a protein associated with the base for actively promoting the removal of organic stains are provided. In aspects, bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: An omnidirectional multilayer thin film is provided. The multilayer thin film includes a multilayer stack having a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the second layer extending across the first layer. The multilayer stack reflects a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation having a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than 300 nanometers (nm) and a color of less than 50 nm when the multilayer stack is exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation and viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees. In some instances, the multilayer stack has a total thickness of less than 2 microns (?m). Preferably, the multilayer thin film has a total thickness of less than 1.5 ?m and more preferably less than 1.0 ?m.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that include a base and a protein associated with the base for actively promoting the removal of organic stains are provided. In aspects, bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that include a base and a protein associated with the base for actively promoting the removal of organic stains are provided. In aspects, bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that include a base and a protein associated with the base for actively promoting the removal of organic stains are provided. In aspects, bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a protease with enzymatic activity toward a component of a biological stain. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of a biological stain is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a protease is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the biological stain to facilitate biological stain removal from the substrate or said coating.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for self-cleaning that include a lysozyme capable of decomposing a microbe, a substrate applied to a solid surface, and a linker moiety bound to an outer surface of said substrate and an active group of said digestive protein, said linker moiety between said lysozyme and said substrate and covalently linking said lysozyme to a surface of said substrate optionally by an amide bond.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a thermoelectric material having a plurality of grains and grain boundaries. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the thermoelectric material and then determining a range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height obtainable for the material composition using current state of the art manufacturing techniques. Thereafter, a range of figure of merit values for the material composition is determined as a function of the range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height. And finally, a thermoelectric material having the determined material composition and an average grain size and grain boundary barrier height corresponding to the maximum range of figure of merit values is manufactured.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that include a base and a protein associated with the base for actively promoting the removal of organic stains are provided. In aspects, bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme capable of enzymatically degrading a component of an organic stain, optionally a lipase or a lysozyme, and optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or bacterial organic material.

Abstract: An omnidirectional multilayer thin film is provided. The multilayer thin film includes a multilayer stack having a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the second layer extending across the first layer. The multilayer stack reflects a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation having a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than 300 nanometers (nm) and a color/hue shift of less than 30 degrees when the multilayer stack is exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation and viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees. In some instances, the multilayer stack has a total thickness of less than 2 microns (?m). Preferably, the multilayer thin film has a total thickness of less than 1.5 ?m and more preferably less than 1.0 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and processes in the field of self-cleaning system using digestive proteins. One composition includes a substrate, a digestive protein capable of decomposing a stain molecule, and a linker moiety bound to both said digestive protein and said substrate. The processes include binding a substrate to a surface and forming a linker moiety between a digestive protein and said substrate.

Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a protease with enzymatic activity toward a component of a biological stain. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of a biological stain is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a protease is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the biological stain to facilitate biological stain removal from the substrate or said coating.

Abstract: A high-chroma omnidirectional structural color multilayer structure is provided. The structure includes a multilayer stack that has a core layer, a dielectric layer extending across the core layer, and an absorber layer extending across the dielectric layer. An interface is present between the dielectric layer and the absorber layer and a near-zero electric field for a first incident electromagnetic wavelength is present at this interface. In addition, a large electric field at a second incident electromagnetic wavelength is present at the interface. As such, the interface allows for high transmission of the first incident electromagnetic wavelength and high absorption of the second incident electromagnetic wavelength such that a narrow band of reflected light is produced by the multilayer stack.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a thermoelectric material having a plurality of grains and grain boundaries. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the thermoelectric material and then determining a range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height obtainable for the material composition using current state of the art manufacturing techniques. Thereafter, a range of figure of merit values for the material composition is determined as a function of the range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height. And finally, a thermoelectric material having the determined material composition and an average grain size and grain boundary barrier height corresponding to the maximum range of figure of merit values is manufactured.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base including an enzyme associated therein, and a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: A high-chroma omnidirectional structural color multilayer structure is provided. The structure includes a multilayer stack that has a core layer, a dielectric layer extending across the core layer, and an absorber layer extending across the dielectric layer. An interface is present between the dielectric layer and the absorber layer and a near-zero electric field for a first incident electromagnetic wavelength is present at this interface. In addition, a large electric field at a second incident electromagnetic wavelength is present at the interface. As such, the interface allows for high transmission of the first incident electromagnetic wavelength and high absorption of the second incident electromagnetic wavelength such that a narrow band of reflected light is produced by the multilayer stack.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for self-cleaning that include a digestive protein capable of decomposing stain forming molecules, a substrate applied to a solid surface, and a linker moiety bound to an outer surface of said substrate and an active group of said digestive protein, said linker moiety between said protein and said substrate and covalently linking said protein to a surface of said substrate by an amide bond, the linker moiety between a free amine of said protein and said outer surface of said substrate wherein the digestive protein forms a layer on a surface of said substrate such that the digestive protein is surface exposed for reaction with a stain.