Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrophobized silica aerogel, comprising the following steps: a) preparing a hydrophobized silica gel comprising alkoxy groups; b) drying of the hydrophobized silica gel obtained in step a); c) treatment of the product obtained in step b) with a gas mixture comprising water and a base or an acid. A hydrophobized silica aerogel with a reduced alkoxy group content, suitable for thermal insulation applications, is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a particle dispersion comprising the steps of: a) providing a dispersion consisting of a solvent and solid core particles, b) providing a solution of a soluble, interfacially-active polymer having a molecular weight of more than 5 kDa, c) mixing said dispersion of solid core particles with said polymer solution, d) removing free polymer from the obtained mixture; wherein in step a) the solvent is selected from an organic solvent, a mixture of at least two organic solvents or a mixture of at least one organic solvent with water; wherein in step c), the amount of the soluble, interfacially-active polymer mixed with said dispersion of solid core particles exceeds the amount of polymer required to coat the surface of each of the solid core particles with a monolayer of the polymer; wherein step d) is repeated until the requirement described by the following formula is fulfilled: (STdisp?18 mN/m)/(STsolv?18 mN/m)>0.

Abstract: Methods for forming an interconnected network of solid material and pores, with metal residing only at the air/solid interface of the interconnected network structure are described. In certain embodiments, nanoparticle decorated sacrificial particles can be used as sacrificial templates for the formation of a porous structure having an interconnected network of solid material and interconnected network of pores. The nanoparticles reside predominantly at the air/solid interface and allow further growth and accessibility of the nanoparticles at defined positions of the interconnected structure. SEM and TEM measurements reveal the formation of 3D interconnected porous structures with nanoparticles residing predominantly at the air/solid interface of the interconnected structure.

Abstract: A pigment comprising a plurality of photonic crystal particles dispersed in a medium, each photonic crystal particles containing a plurality of spectrally selective absorbing components dispersed within each photonic crystal particle that selectively absorb electromagnetic radiation without substantially absorbing electromagnetic radiation near a resonant wavelength of each photonic crystal particle, wherein each photonic crystal particle has a predetermined minimum number of repeat units of a photonic crystal structure, wherein the predetermined minimum number of repeat units is related to the resonant wavelength, the full-width at half maximum of the resonant wavelength, and the refractive index contrast in the photonic crystal.

Abstract: A structurally colored pigment is described that contains a plurality of photonic crystal particles dispersed in a medium, where each photonic crystal particles contains a plurality of spectrally selective absorbing components dispersed within the photonic crystal particle. In certain embodiments, each photonic crystal particle has a predetermined minimum number of repeat units of the photonic crystal structure. The structurally colored material provides improved reflectance, long-term stability, and control of the desired optical effects. The fabrication techniques described herein also provide high throughput and high yield allowing use in wide ranging applications from cosmetics, paints, signs, sensors, to packaging material.

Abstract: Methods for forming an interconnected network of solid material and pores, with metal residing only at the air/solid interface of the interconnected network structure are described. In certain embodiments, nanoparticle decorated sacrificial particles can be used as sacrificial templates for the formation of a porous structure having an interconnected network of solid material and interconnected network of pores. The nanoparticles reside predominantly at the air/solid interface and allow further growth and accessibility of the nanoparticles at defined positions of the interconnected structure. SEM and TEM measurements reveal the formation of 3D interconnected porous structures with nanoparticles residing predominantly at the air/solid interface of the interconnected structure.

Abstract: A method of making a multi-layered film includes depositing thin film layers onto a first side of a double-sided transparent substrate. The thin film layers are transparent, and two adjacent layers of said plurality of thin film layers have different refractive indices. One or more absorbers are deposited at an interface formed between two of the thin film layers that are adjacent to one another, or formed by the first side of the substrate and one of the thin film layers. The absorbers absorb selected wavelengths of incident light and reflect part of the incident light after inducing a phase shift. The location of the interface is selected to provide desired wavelengths of absorbed and reflected light. The multi-layered film has a first appearance when viewed from the first side of the substrate and a second appearance when viewed from the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: A transparent repellent, liquid-infused coating applied onto the distal end of an endoscope that prevents vision loss and reduces fouling is described. Also described is a disposable endoscope window that is coated in a transparent, repellant, liquid-infused coating for attachment to the distal end or distal window of an endoscope to obviate vision loss. Also described is an endoscope comprising a miniature camera coated in a transparent, repellent, liquid-infused coating.

Abstract: Methods for forming an interconnected network of solid material and pores, with metal residing only at the air/solid interface of the interconnected network structure are described. In certain embodiments, nanoparticle decorated sacrificial particles can be used as sacrificial templates for the formation of a porous structure having an interconnected network of solid material and interconnected network of pores. The nanoparticles reside predominantly at the air/solid interface and allow further growth and accessibility of the nanoparticles at defined positions of the interconnected structure. SEM and TEM measurements reveal the formation of 3D interconnected porous structures with nanoparticles residing predominantly at the air/solid interface of the interconnected structure.

Abstract: A method of making a multi-layered film includes depositing thin film layers onto a first side of a double-sided transparent substrate. The thin film layers are transparent, and two adjacent layers of said plurality of thin film layers have different refractive indices. One or more absorbers are deposited at an interface formed between two of the thin film layers that are adjacent to one another, or formed by the first side of the substrate and one of the thin film layers. The absorbers absorb selected wavelengths of incident light and reflect part of the incident light after inducing a phase shift. The location of the interface is selected to provide desired wavelengths of absorbed and reflected light. The multi-layered film has a first appearance when viewed from the first side of the substrate and a second appearance when viewed from the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, a structure for use in transfecting cells is disclosed, which comprises a matrix supporting a plurality of cavities, each cavity having an opening characterized by a rim and an inner surface subtending and/or extending from said rim. An electrically conductive coating is disposed on a top surface of the substrate between, and connecting, the rims of the cavities. A layer of an electrically conductive material can also coat at least a portion of each cavity's inner surface. At least one dimension of each cavity is in a range of about 50 nm to about 3.5 microns, e.g., in a range of about 100 nm to about 1 micron, or in a range of about 200 nm to about 800 nm, or in a range about 200 nm to about 500 nm. In some cases, all dimensions of the cavity (e.g., X, Y, an Z-Cartesian dimensions) are in the aforementioned ranges.

Abstract: Methods and articles disclosed herein relate to liquid repellant surfaces having selective wetting and transport properties. An article having a repellant surface includes a substrate comprising surface features with re-entrant curvature and an immobilized layer of lubricating liquid wetting over the surface features. The surface features with re-entrant curvature can be designed to provide high repellency even after failure or removal of the immobilized layer of lubricating liquid under certain operating conditions.

Abstract: A structurally colored pigment is described that contains a plurality of photonic crystal particles dispersed in a medium, where each photonic crystal particles contains a plurality of spectrally selective absorbing components dispersed within the photonic crystal particle. In certain embodiments, each photonic crystal particle has a predetermined minimum number of repeat units of the photonic crystal structure. The structurally colored material provides improved reflectance, long-term stability, and control of the desired optical effects. The fabrication techniques described herein also provide high throughput and high yield allowing use in wide ranging applications from cosmetics, paints, signs, sensors, to packaging material.

Abstract: Methods for forming an interconnected network of solid material and pores, with metal residing only at the air/solid interface of the interconnected network structure are described. In certain embodiments, nanoparticle decorated sacrificial particles can be used as sacrificial templates for the formation of a porous structure having an interconnected network of solid material and interconnected network of pores. The nanoparticles reside predominantly at the air/solid interface and allow further growth and accessibility of the nanoparticles at defined positions of the interconnected structure. SEM and TEM measurements reveal the formation of 3D interconnected porous structures with nanoparticles residing predominantly at the air/solid interface of the interconnected structure.

Abstract: Methods and compositions disclosed herein relate to liquid repellant surfaces having selective wetting and transport properties. An article having a repellant surface includes a substrate comprising fabric material and a lubricant wetting and adhering to the fabric material to form a stabilized liquid overlayer, wherein the stabilized liquid overlayer covers the fabric material at a thickness sufficient to form a liquid upper surface above the fabric material, wherein the fabric material is chemically functionalized to enhance chemical affinity with the lubricant such that the lubricant is substantially immobilized on the fabric material to form a repellant surface.

Abstract: Methods and articles disclosed herein relate to liquid repellant surfaces having selective wetting and transport properties. An article having a repellant surface includes a substrate comprising surface features with re-entrant curvature and an immobilized layer of lubricating liquid wetting over the surface features. The surface features with re-entrant curvature can be designed to provide high repellency even after failure or removal of the immobilized layer of lubricating liquid under certain operating conditions.