Abstract: A method of transducing electrical energy to sound is disclosed which includes providing a transducer, the transducer includes lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles mixed with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in a flexible substrate aligned in a first direction, forming a transducer subsystem, a first conductive protective electrode having a width and a length configured to provide a first electrical connectivity to an external circuit, and a second conductive protective electrode having the width and the length and configured to provide a second electrical connectivity to the external circuit, wherein the transducer subsystem is sandwiched between the first and second conductive protective electrodes, and providing an external circuit configured to provide an electrical signal to the first and second conductive protective electrodes to thereby transduce the electrical signal to sound.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll manufacturing machine suitable for processing and producing polymer films that contain nanostructures, including but not limited to multifunctional polymer films. The machine applies a liquid polymer on a substrate to form a liquid polymer film, at least partially embeds nanostructures into the liquid polymer film, melt casts a layer of a molten polymer on the liquid polymer film to produce a thin polymer film, organizes the nanostructures in a thickness direction of the thin polymer film comprising applying an electric field to the thin polymer film, aligns the nanostructures in the thin polymer film by simultaneously subjecting the thin polymer film to heat and a field that aligns the nanostructures, and solidifies the thin polymer film to freeze the nanostructures along nanocolumns in a thickness direction of a solidified polymer film resulting therefrom.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes: a first contact surface; a second contact surface; and a coating dispersed on at least one of the first or second contact surfaces, where the coating includes the cured product of a telechelic polypropylene glycol-polyethylene glycol multi-block polymer.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll manufacturing machine suitable for processing and producing polymer films that contain nanostructures, including but not limited to multifunctional polymer films. The machine applies a liquid polymer on a substrate to form a liquid polymer film, at least partially embeds nanostructures into the liquid polymer film, melt casts a layer of a molten polymer on the liquid polymer film to produce a thin polymer film, organizes the nanostructures in a thickness direction of the thin polymer film comprising applying an electric field to the thin polymer film, aligns the nanostructures in the thin polymer film by simultaneously subjecting the thin polymer film to heat and a field that aligns the nanostructures, and solidifies the thin polymer film to freeze the nanostructures along nanocolumns in a thickness direction of a solidified polymer film resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A method of transducing electrical energy to sound is disclosed which includes providing a transducer, the transducer includes lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles mixed with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in a flexible substrate aligned in a first direction, forming a transducer subsystem, a first conductive protective electrode having a width and a length configured to provide a first electrical connectivity to an external circuit, and a second conductive protective electrode having the width and the length and configured to provide a second electrical connectivity to the external circuit, wherein the transducer subsystem is sandwiched between the first and second conductive protective electrodes, and providing an external circuit configured to provide an electrical signal to the first and second conductive protective electrodes to thereby transduce the electrical signal to sound.

Abstract: Roll-to-roll freeze-drying (lyophilization) system and process for facilitating freeze-drying processes and enabling the collection of data by which a freeze-drying process can be monitored and evaluated. Such a system includes a roll-to-roll freeze-drying apparatus adapted to continuously freeze and dry a liquid to form a freeze-dried and encapsulate freeze-dried sheet portions of the freeze-dried sheet to create premeasured pouches containing the freeze-dried sheet portions. The system further includes a metrology section that monitors any of the freeze-dried sheet and the freeze-dried sheet portions during the freezing and drying of the liquid to generate data for controlling the freezing and drying of the liquid.

Abstract: A transducer is disclosed which includes lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles mixed with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in a flexible substrate aligned in a first direction, forming a transducer subsystem, a first conductive protective electrode having a width and a length providing an electrical connectivity to an external circuit, a second conductive protective electrode having the width and the length providing an electrical connectivity to the external circuit, wherein the transducer subsystem is sandwiched between the first and second conductive protective electrodes.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed which includes a piezoelectric layer, a piezoresistive layer, one or more electrode layers coupled to the piezoelectric layer and to the piezoresistive layer, the piezoelectric layer configured to provide an electrical signal in response to application of a dynamic disturbance, and the piezoresistive layer configured to provide a change in resistivity in response to application of a static disturbance.

Abstract: Methods and devices suitable for delivering a pharmaceutical drug to patient. Such a device includes a multiple-network pseudo-interpenetrating polymer network (pseudo-IPN) hydrogel containing the drug. The hydrogel comprises loosely cross-linked polymeric networks that interpenetrate and are grafted to each other.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating printed devices and monitoring one or more performance characteristics of the printed devices during their fabrication in a high-speed process. Such a method includes developing a physics-based model of at least a first component of the printed devices, fabricating the printed devices with the high-speed process using fabrication steps that comprise depositing the first components, acquiring a physical characteristic of a plurality of the first components of a plurality of the printed devices following the depositing of the first components, predicting a performance characteristic of the printed devices based on the physics-based model of the first component and the physical characteristic acquired of the plurality of the first components; and then modifying at least one of the fabrication steps performed during the fabricating of a subsequently-fabricated group of the printed devices to adjust the performance characteristic of the subsequently-fabricated group of the printed devices.

Abstract: Roll-to-roll freeze-drying (lyophilization) system and process for facilitating freeze-drying processes and enabling the collection of data by which a freeze-drying process can be monitored and evaluated. Such a system includes a roll-to-roll freeze-drying apparatus adapted to continuously freeze and dry a liquid to form a freeze-dried and encapsulate freeze-dried sheet portions of the freeze-dried sheet to create premeasured pouches containing the freeze-dried sheet portions. The system further includes a metrology section that monitors any of the freeze-dried sheet and the freeze-dried sheet portions during the freezing and drying of the liquid to generate data for controlling the freezing and drying of the liquid.

Abstract: Processes and machines suitable for producing polymer films, and films produced thereby. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles and electrically conductive nanoparticles are combined in a liquid polymer precursor matrix and aligned along nanocolumns in a thickness direction of the polymer precursor matrix by subjecting the PZT and nanoparticles to a uniform electric field, after which the polymer precursor matrix is solidified to form a piezoelectric polymer composite film. The PZT and nanoparticles are subjected to the uniform electric field for a duration sufficient to promote sensitivity and/or energy harvesting properties of the piezoelectric polymer composite film.

Abstract: Roll-to-roll freeze-drying (lyophilization) system and process for facilitating freeze-drying processes and enabling the collection of data by which a freeze-drying process can be monitored and evaluated. Such a system includes a roll-to-roll freeze-drying apparatus adapted to continuously freeze and dry a liquid to form a freeze-dried and encapsulate freeze-dried sheet portions of the freeze-dried sheet to create premeasured pouches containing the freeze-dried sheet portions. The system further includes a metrology section that monitors any of the freeze-dried sheet and the freeze-dried sheet portions during the freezing and drying of the liquid to generate data for controlling the freezing and drying of the liquid.

Abstract: A method of preparing an anisotropic polymer film using an electric field generator. The method of preparing an electric field generator comprising supplying an electric field across an electric field application zone, where the electric field is generated by a first electrode having a first charge and a second electrode having a charge opposite of the first, passing a polymer film that optionally includes dispersed particles through the electric field application zone, where the polymer film contacts the first electrode to induce orientation, and freezing the polymer film to lock the orientation before the polymer film exits the electric field application zone.

Abstract: 3D printing filaments are described herein having core and shell thermoplastic extrudates. Each of the core and shell extrudates have glass transition temperatures, the glass transition temperature of the core being greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the shell. The ratio of the viscosity of the core thermoplastic extrudate at printing temperature, over the viscosity of the shell thermoplastic extrudate at printing temperature, is greater than 1, up to 20. The core and shell thermoplastic extrudates are miscible, or compatible with each other, or each comprise a polymer selected from the group consisting of polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyesters, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene acrylonitrile, polyalkyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polysulfone, polylactic acid, polyetherimide, and polyimides.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer film having an oriented dispersed material includes casting a multi-layer polymer solution having a first polymer solution layer and a second polymer solution layer where the second polymer solution layer is at least partially immiscible with the first polymer solution layer. The method further includes passing the multi-layer polymer solution through an electric field application zone, to thereby induce orientation of the dispersed material. A multi-layer polymer film can then be formed by drying the solvent from the multi-layer polymer solution. An apparatus for preparing polymer films includes a top electrode made from a flexible metal mesh coated with a non-stick, non-conductive coating.

Abstract: A transducer is disclosed which includes lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles mixed with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in a flexible substrate aligned in a first direction, forming a transducer subsystem, a first conductive protective electrode having a width and a length providing an electrical connectivity to an external circuit, a second conductive protective electrode having the width and the length providing an electrical connectivity to the external circuit, wherein the transducer subsystem is sandwiched between the first and second conductive protective electrodes.

Abstract: In various embodiments the invention is directed to a structured filament for use in fused filament fabrication comprising an inner core comprising an first polymer or polymer blend; and an outer shell surrounding said inner core comprising a second polymer or polymer blend having ionic or crystalline functionality; wherein said first polymer or polymer blend has a higher solidification temperature than said second polymer or polymer blend. The ionic or crystalline functionality of the outer shell material strengthen the interface between the printed layers. This structured filament leads to printed 3D structures having improved dimensional fidelity and impact resistance in comparison to the individual components. The impact resistance of structures printed from these is greatly increased as energy is dissipated by delamination of the shell from the core near the crack tip, while the core remains intact to provide stability to the part after impact.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed which includes a piezoelectric layer, a piezoresistive layer, one or more electrode layers coupled to the piezoelectric layer and to the piezoresistive layer, the piezoelectric layer configured to provide an electrical signal in response to application of a dynamic disturbance, and the piezoresistive layer configured to provide a change in resistivity in response to application of a static disturbance.

Abstract: Processes and machines suitable for producing polymer films, and films produced thereby. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles and electrically conductive nanoparticles are combined in a liquid polymer precursor matrix and aligned along nanocolumns in a thickness direction of the polymer precursor matrix by subjecting the PZT and nanoparticles to a uniform electric field, after which the polymer precursor matrix is solidified to form a piezoelectric polymer composite film. The PZT and nanoparticles are subjected to the uniform electric field for a duration sufficient to promote sensitivity and/or energy harvesting properties of the piezoelectric polymer composite film.