Abstract: A passive thermal regulation system includes a substrate and a coating. The coating is positioned to encapsulate at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrogel layer. The first hydrogel layer has a plurality of carbon materials configured to absorb a solar radiation. The second hydrogel layer includes a hydrogel that is different from the first hydrogel layer. The coating, at a first temperature, causes the passive thermal regulation system to passively switch from a solar reflective state to solar absorber state to permit the plurality of carbon materials to absorb the solar radiation. At a second temperature, the coating causes the system to passively switch from the solar absorber state to the solar reflective state where the hydrogel of the second hydrogel layer inhibits the solar radiation from absorption. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature.

Abstract: An anti-fogging facemask for preventing fogging of the wearer's glasses or goggles is described herein. The anti-fogging facemask includes an outer facemask and an inner facemask. The inner facemask is attached to the outer facemask. The inner facemask provides a barrier to prevent exhaled air from traveling through the upper end of the facemask. The inner facemask directs exhaled air downwards. The outer facemask forms a seal at an upper portion of the wearer's nose. The facemask may be configured to serve as a CO2 concentrating mask for temporary relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms.

Abstract: Performance of a thermal lithium battery is improved by improving the ion-transport characteristics of a solid lithium iodide electrolyte. The lithium iodide lattice of the solid electrolyte includes defects that improve the ion-transport characteristics of the solid lithium iodide electrolyte. In one example, the defects are due to the introduction of nanoparticles that result in grain boundary defects. The defects resulting at the grain boundaries with the nanoparticles improve the ion transport characteristics of the electrolyte. In another example, defects originating from the synthesis process are pinned by the presence of nanoparticles and/or the reinforcing structure. In another example, the defects are aliovalent substitution defects. A cation that is aliovalent to the lithium cation (Li+), such as a barium cation (Ba2+), creates an aliovalent substitution defect in the lithium iodide lattice.

Abstract: An anti-fogging facemask for preventing fogging of the wearer's glasses or goggles may be described herein. The anti-fogging facemask include an outer facemask and an inner facemask. The inner facemask is attached to the outer facemask. The inner facemask provides a barrier to prevent exhaled air from traveling through the upper end of the facemask. The inner facemask directs exhaled air downwards. The outer facemask forms a seal at an upper portion of the wearer's nose.

Abstract: An ocular device is disclosed along with methods for the employment thereof. In one aspect, a device for placement into a lacrimal punctum or conjunctival sac of a person includes one or more sensor materials responsive to one or more components of the chemical composition of the person's tears. Each sensor material is configured to present a tear-based color from a plurality of tear-based colors indicative of a medical condition of the person. In some embodiments, phenylboronic acid could be employed as a sensor material(s). In some embodiments, material(s) emitting radiation when excited by other radiation could be employed as a sensor material. In another aspect, methods for employing the ocular device are disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes an optic in an at least partially rigid scaffold. The scaffold is permeated, at least temporarily during a writing process, by writable media. The optic may be written into a writable volume in the scaffold defined by the writable media. The optic may be written by exposing the writable media to incident light to cause a material property change in the writable media within the writable volume.

Abstract: An ocular device for insertion into the eye (for example, into a lacrimal punctum or a conjunctival sac) are described herein. The ocular device may continuously capture specific analytes from tear fluid. Several embodiments of the ocular device may have one or more open channels and pores that enable tears to drain naturally through while capturing specific analytes. A mechanism of detecting analytes in bodily fluids using materials comprised of DNAzymes and/or aptamers are described herein. Aptamers are oligonucleotide or peptide molecules that bind to a specific target molecule. DNAzymes are designed to catalyze a number of biological reactions (i.e., RNA cleavage, DNA cleavage, ligation, or phosphorylation reactions). A number of ways an ocular insert may capture analytes in tear fluid in vivo for subsequent in vitro analysis are described herein. Additionally, a specific mechanism for colorimetric detection of analytes using aptamer- and/or DNAzyme-crosslinked hydrogels are described herein.

Abstract: An aluminized metallic scaffold for high temperature applications comprises a porous non-refractory alloy structure including a network of interconnected pores extending therethrough. The porous non-refractory alloy structure comprises a transition metal phase and an aluminide phase, and portions of the porous non-refractory alloy structure between interconnected pores have a thickness no greater than about 500 nm. A method of making an aluminized metallic scaffold for high-temperature applications comprises introducing aluminum into a surface of a porous metallic structure at an elevated temperature. The porous metallic structure comprises a transition metal and has a network of interconnected pores extending therethrough, where portions of the porous metallic structure between interconnected pores have a thickness no greater than about 500 nm.

Abstract: New approaches for selective detection of chemical agents such as sarin are necessary because of the high toxicity of sarin and related compounds, the potential of these compounds to be used as weapons of mass destruction, and the limitations of current detection methodologies. Herein is described an apparatus and a method for selective and amplified detection of sarin simulants deposited via an aerosol process. The simulant absorbs into a hydrogel, where it hydrolyzes upon contact with water producing elemental ions. The elemental ions are then concentrated via an ionic chemical potential gradient to a sensor, where it is detected. This technique has potential to amplify the capture efficiency of a sensor by a 1000-fold within couple of minutes.

Abstract: Performance of a thermal lithium battery is improved by improving the ion-transport characteristics of a solid lithium iodide electrolyte. The lithium iodide lattice of the solid electrolyte includes defects that improve the ion-transport characteristics of the solid lithium iodide electrolyte. In one example, the defects are due to the introduction of nanoparticles that result in grain boundary defects. The defects resulting at the grain boundaries with the nanoparticles improve the ion transport characteristics of the electrolyte. In another example, defects originating from the synthesis process are pinned by the presence of nanoparticles and/or the reinforcing structure. In another example, the defects are aliovalent substitution defects. A cation that is aliovalent to the lithium cation (Li+), such as a barium cation (Ba2+), creates an aliovalent substitution defect in the lithium iodide lattice.

Abstract: A device includes an optic in an at least partially rigid scaffold. The scaffold is permeated, at least temporarily during a writing process, by writable media. The optic may be written into a writable volume in the scaffold defined by the writable media. The optic may be written by exposing the writable media to incident light to cause a material property change in the writable media within the writable volume.

Abstract: Performance of a thermal lithium battery is improved by improving the ion-transport characteristics of a solid lithium iodide electrolyte. The lithium iodide lattice of the solid electrolyte includes defects that improve the ion-transport characteristics of the solid lithium iodide electrolyte. In one example, the defects are due to the introduction of nanoparticles that result in grain boundary defects. The defects resulting at the grain boundaries with the nanoparticles improve the ion transport characteristics of the electrolyte. In another example, defects originating from the synthesis process are pinned by the presence of nanoparticles and/or the reinforcing structure. In another example, the defects are aliovalent substitution defects. A cation that is aliovalent to the lithium cation (Li+), such as a barium cation (Ba2+), creates an aliovalent substitution defect in the lithium iodide lattice.

Abstract: Non-disperse, periodic microplasmas are generated in a volume lacking interfering structures, such as electrodes, to enable photonic interaction between incident electromagnetic energy and the non-disperse, periodic microplasmas. Preferred embodiments leverage 1D, 2D, 3D and super 3D non-disperse, periodic microplasmas. In preferred embodiments, the non-disperse, periodic microplasmas are elongate columnar microplasmas. In other embodiments, the non-disperse, periodic microplasmas are discrete isolated microplasmas. The photonic properties can change by selectively activating groups of the periodic microplasmas.

Abstract: A method of using a ferrous structural component is described. The method comprises integrating a ferrous structural component into process equipment, where the ferrous structural component comprises an iron alloy body with a modified surface including an aluminized surface layer that comprises one or more iron aluminides. The modified surface of the iron alloy body is exposed to an oxidative environment, thereby forming, as part of the modified surface, a passivating layer comprising aluminum oxide on the aluminized surface layer. The modified surface is also exposed to a process fluid. The exposure to the oxidative environment occurs prior to and/or upon exposure of the modified surface to the process fluid. Due to protection afforded by the passivating layer, the modified surface resists fouling and corrosion while exposed to the process fluid, as exhibited by a substantial absence of carbonaceous deposits on the iron alloy body.

Abstract: Performance of a thermal lithium battery is improved by improving the ion-transport characteristics of a solid lithium iodide electrolyte. The lithium iodide lattice of the solid electrolyte includes defects that improve the ion-transport characteristics of the solid lithium iodide electrolyte. In one example, the defects are due to the introduction of nanoparticles that result in grain boundary defects. The defects resulting at the grain boundaries with the nanoparticles improve the ion transport characteristics of the electrolyte. In another example, defects originating from the synthesis process are pinned by the presence of nanoparticles and/or the reinforcing structure. In another example, the defects are aliovalent substitution defects. A cation that is aliovalent to the lithium cation (Li+), such as a barium cation (Ba2+), creates an aliovalent substitution defect in the lithium iodide lattice.

Abstract: A self-strengthening material is provided, the material comprising a polymer matrix having a plurality of chemical amplifiers dispersed throughout the polymer matrix and a plurality of triggerable reservoirs, the triggerable reservoirs capable of releasing at least one activator of the plurality of chemical amplifiers, wherein the plurality of chemical amplifiers reacts with the at least one activator to produce additional activators capable of changing the mechanical properties of the polymer matrix, and thus strengthening the material.

Abstract: An ocular device is disclosed along with methods for the employment thereof. In one aspect, a device for placement into a lacrimal punctum or conjunctival sac of a person includes one or more sensor materials responsive to one or more components of the chemical composition of the person's tears. Each sensor material is configured to present a tear-based color from a plurality of tear-based colors indicative of a medical condition of the person. In some embodiments, phenylboronic acid could be employed as a sensor material(s). In some embodiments, material(s) emitting radiation when excited by other radiation could be employed as a sensor material. In another aspect, methods for employing the ocular device are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrogel and organogel sensors as well as their application to continuous analyte monitoring. The sensor can include a hydrogel or organogel matrix. Standard and inverse designed are provided. In one embodiment, the matrix can include a molecular recognition agent for an analyte (e.g., a glucose analyte), and a volume resetting agent that reversibly binds with the molecular recognition agent. Reversible crosslinks between the molecular recognition agent and volume resetting agent can change the volume of the matrix upon interacting with the analyte via a competitive binding process. In various embodiments, the invention provides a hydrogel-based glucose sensor and sensors for continuous glucose monitoring. The glucose sensor can be based on a glucose-responsive hydrogel with a volume linearly correlated with glucose concentrations, such as about 0.05-50 mM, under physiological conditions. The invention thus provides a blood glucose monitor suitable for use in clinical settings.

Abstract: An optical microcavity for a high-contrast display comprises an enclosed cavity having a front wall and a back wall, where the front wall comprises a pinhole opening for emission of light from the cavity and the back wall is configured to generate or transmit light into the cavity. An outer surface of the front wall absorbs some or substantially all optical wavelengths of externally incident light so as to appear black or colored. An inner surface of the front wall comprises a light reflectivity of greater than 90% to promote photon recycling within the cavity and light emission through the pinhole opening.

Abstract: A scaffold-free 3D porous electrode comprises a network of interconnected pores, where each pore is surrounded by a multilayer film including a first layer of electrochemically active material, one or more monolayers of graphene on the first layer of electrochemically active material, and a second layer of electrochemically active material on the one or more monolayers of graphene. A method of making a scaffold-free 3D porous electrode includes depositing one or more monolayers of graphene onto a porous scaffold to form a graphene coating on the porous scaffold, and depositing a first layer of an electrochemically active material onto the graphene coating. The porous scaffold is removed to expose an underside of the graphene coating, and a second layer of the electrochemically active material is deposited onto the underside of the graphene coating, thereby forming the scaffold-free 3D porous electrode.