Abstract: Concentrated flowable compositions having a total metal weight of at least about 45 wt % are used to form an electrically conductive material. The compositions include metal particulates such as silver flakes, silver particles and/or silver nanowires, and for embodiments of particular interest, a reducible metal composition such as one or more silver salts. The composition includes an organic precursor that forms a polymeric matrix and includes a dissolved polymer binder, a crosslinkable or polymerizable monomer, oligomer or polymer, or a mixture thereof. The flowable precursor composition can be used to form an electrically conductive structure such as a composite of solid polymer matrix and at least about 45 wt % metal. The composite can have a resistivity of no more than about 5×10?3 Ohm-cm. Methods for forming the flowable precursor composition and the composites are described.

Abstract: Concentrated dispersions of silver nanowires are used to prepare qualitatively distinct silver structures with a range of properties. The concentrated dispersions can have a high weight percent of silver nanowires and can be formulated to be flowable liquids or non-flowing pastes. The concentrated dispersions can be stable with no visible settling over the course of a week, can have non-Newtonian rheology, and can be diluted to a desired weight percent of silver nanowires without detrimental effects on the uniformity of the dispersions. The concentrated dispersions can be formulated with or without polymers or pre-polymer components. The concentrated dispersions can be formulated with silver salts to adjust dispersion of the silver nanowires and to improve electrical conductivity of cured silver structures formed from the dispersions. Methods for forming the concentrated dispersions are described as are methods to form silver structures from the dispersions.

Abstract: Composite materials with noble metal coated silver nanowires loaded into polymer are described. The composite materials may have resistivities of no more than about 100 Ohm-cm, or from about 100 Ohm-cm to about 1×1011 Ohm-cm depending on the amount of noble metal coated silver nanowires loaded into the polymer. The noble metal coated silver nanowires may be platinum coated silver nanowires. Metal particulates such as silver flakes or silver particles may be added to the composite materials in order to obtain desired properties. Composite precursor compositions and methods for preparing the composite materials are described.

Abstract: Dual-band antenna systems and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. A tunable dual-polarization (left-hand circular polarized (LHCP) and right-hand circular polarized (RHCP)) antenna can be used both for L-band (1.215 gigahertz (GHz)-1.85 GHz) and Ka-band (32.3 GHz-34.2 GHz) operation. The antenna system can be an embedded antenna system, which can be used for 3U CubeSats, with full polarization diversity able to operate in two widely spaced frequency bands (L-band and Ka-band) of the spectrum. The antenna system can include three layers, including a top substrate, a bottom substrate, and a ground plane disposed between the top substrate and the bottom substrate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermoset omniphobic composition, which includes a thermoset polymer with first, second, and third backbone segments, urethane groups linking the first and third backbone segments, and urea groups linking the first and second backbone segments. The first, second, and third backbone segments generally correspond to urethane or urea reaction products of polyisocyanate(s), amine-functional hydrophobic polymer(s), and polyol(s), respectively. The thermoset omniphobic composition has favorable omniphobic properties, for example as characterized by water and/or oil contact and/or sliding angles. The thermoset omniphobic composition can be used as a coating on any of a variety of substrates to provide omniphobic properties to a surface of the substrate. Such omniphobic coatings can be scratch resistant, ink/paint resistant, dirt-repellent, and optically clear.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides epoxy adhesive compositions with increased adhesion to surfaces, including metal surfaces, comprising a catechol modifier and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A compound comprises a moiety selected from a cyclic dimer of a first and a second amino acid or a 2.5-diketopiperazine made from an amino acid. The moiety can be produced by fermentation. The compound further includes a polymerizable group. Additionally, the disclosure includes a method for preparing a resin comprises reacting the compound comprising the foregoing moiety and polymerizable group with a reagent.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermoset omniphobic composition, which includes a thermoset polymer with first, second, and third backbone segments, urethane groups linking the first and third backbone segments, and urea groups linking the first and second backbone segments. The first, second, and third backbone segments generally correspond to urethane or urea reaction products of polyisocyanate(s), amine-functional hydrophobic polymer(s), and polyol(s), respectively. The thermoset omniphobic composition has favorable omniphobic properties, for example as characterized by water and/or oil contact and/or sliding angles. The thermoset omniphobic composition can be used as a coating on any of a variety of substrates to provide omniphobic properties to a surface of the substrate. Such omniphobic coatings can be scratch resistant, ink/paint resistant, dirt-repellent, and optically clear.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermoset omniphobic composition, which includes a thermoset polymer with first, second, and third backbone segments, urethane groups linking the first and third backbone segments, and urea groups linking the first and second backbone segments. The first, second, and third backbone segments generally correspond to urethane or urea reaction products of polyisocyanate(s), amine-functional hydrophobic polymer(s), and polyol(s), respectively. The thermoset omniphobic composition has favorable omniphobic properties, for example as characterized by water and/or oil contact and/or sliding angles. The thermoset omniphobic composition can be used as a coating on any of a variety of substrates to provide omniphobic properties to a surface of the substrate. Such omniphobic coatings can be scratch resistant, ink/paint resistant, dirt-repellent, and optically clear.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermoset omniphobic composition, which includes a thermoset polymer with first, second, and third backbone segments, urethane groups linking the first and third backbone segments, and urea groups linking the first and second backbone segments. The first, second, and third backbone segments generally correspond to urethane or urea reaction products of polyisocyanate(s), amine-functional hydrophobic polymer(s), and polyol(s), respectively. The thermoset omniphobic composition has favorable omniphobic properties, for example as characterized by water and/or oil contact and/or sliding angles. The thermoset omniphobic composition can be used as a coating on any of a variety of substrates to provide omniphobic properties to a surface of the substrate. Such omniphobic coatings can be scratch resistant, ink/paint resistant, dirt-repellent, and optically clear.