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: 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 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: 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: 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 making a three-dimensional porous device entails providing a substrate having a conductive pattern on a surface thereof, and depositing a colloidal solution comprising a plurality of microparticles onto the surface, where the microparticles assemble into a lattice structure. Interstices of the lattice structure are infiltrated with a conductive material, which propagates through the interstices in a direction away from the substrate to reach a predetermined thickness. The conductive material spans an area of the surface overlaid by the conductive pattern. The microparticles are removed to form voids in the conductive material, thereby forming a conductive porous structure having the predetermined thickness and a lateral size and shape defined by the conductive pattern.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a 3D porous electrode architecture comprises forming a microbattery template that includes (a) a lattice structure comprising a first lattice portion separated from a second lattice portion on a substrate, and (b) a solid structure on the substrate including a separating portion between the first and second lattice portions. Interstices of the first lattice portion are infiltrated with a first conductive material and interstices of the second lattice portion are infiltrated with a second conductive material. Each of the first and second conductive materials fill the interstices to reach a predetermined thickness on the substrate. The solid structure and the lattice structure are removed from the structure, thereby forming first and second conductive scaffolds comprising a porosity defined by the lattice structure and having a lateral size and shape defined by walls of the solid structure.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the connectivity of a colloidal template includes providing a lattice of microparticles, where the microparticles are in contact with adjacent microparticles at contact regions therebetween, and exposing the lattice to a solution comprising a solvent and a precursor material. The solvent is removed from the solution, and the precursor material moves to the contact regions. A ring is formed from the precursor material around each of the contact regions, thereby creating interconnects between adjacent microparticles and enhancing the connectivity of the lattice.

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.

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: A three-dimensional porous electrode architecture for a microbattery includes a substrate having first and second conductive patterns disposed thereon where the first and second conductive patterns are electrically isolated from each other, a three-dimensional porous cathode disposed on the first conductive pattern, and a three-dimensional porous anode disposed on the second conductive pattern. The porous cathode includes a first conductive scaffold conformally coated with a layer of a cathode active material and having a porosity defined by a network of interconnected pores, where the first conductive scaffold has a lateral size and shape defined by the first conductive pattern and porous side walls oriented substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The porous anode includes a second conductive scaffold conformally coated with a layer of an anode active material and having a porosity defined by a network of interconnected pores.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a 3D porous electrode architecture comprises forming a microbattery template that includes (a) a lattice structure comprising a first lattice portion separated from a second lattice portion on a substrate, and (b) a solid structure on the substrate including a separating portion between the first and second lattice portions. Interstices of the first lattice portion are infiltrated with a first conductive material and interstices of the second lattice portion are infiltrated with a second conductive material. Each of the first and second conductive materials fill the interstices to reach a predetermined thickness on the substrate. The solid structure and the lattice structure are removed from the structure, thereby forming first and second conductive scaffolds comprising a porosity defined by the lattice structure and having a lateral size and shape defined by walls of the solid structure.

Abstract: A three-dimensional porous electrode architecture for a microbattery includes a substrate having first and second conductive patterns disposed thereon where the first and second conductive patterns are electrically isolated from each other, a three-dimensional porous cathode disposed on the first conductive pattern, and a three-dimensional porous anode disposed on the second conductive pattern. The porous cathode includes a first conductive scaffold conformally coated with a layer of a cathode active material and having a porosity defined by a network of interconnected pores, where the first conductive scaffold has a lateral size and shape defined by the first conductive pattern and porous side walls oriented substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The porous anode includes a second conductive scaffold conformally coated with a layer of an anode active material and having a porosity defined by a network of interconnected pores.

Abstract: An autonomic conductivity restoration system includes a solid conductor and a plurality of particles. The particles include a conductive fluid, a plurality of conductive microparticles, and/or a conductive material forming agent. The solid conductor has a first end, a second end, and a first conductivity between the first and second ends. When a crack forms between the first and second ends of the conductor, the contents of at least a portion of the particles are released into the crack. The cracked conductor and the released contents of the particles form a restored conductor having a second conductivity, which may be at least 90% of the first conductivity.

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional porous device entails providing a substrate having a conductive pattern on a surface thereof, and depositing a colloidal solution comprising a plurality of microparticles onto the surface, where the microparticles assemble into a lattice structure. Interstices of the lattice structure are infiltrated with a conductive material, which propagates through the interstices in a direction away from the substrate to reach a predetermined thickness. The conductive material spans an area of the surface overlaid by the conductive pattern. The microparticles are removed to form voids in the conductive material, thereby forming a conductive porous structure having the predetermined thickness and a lateral size and shape defined by the conductive pattern.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the connectivity of a colloidal template includes providing a lattice of microparticles, where the microparticles are in contact with adjacent microparticles at contact regions therebetween, and exposing the lattice to a solution comprising a solvent and a precursor material. The solvent is removed from the solution, and the precursor material moves to the contact regions. A ring is formed from the precursor material around each of the contact regions, thereby creating interconnects between adjacent microparticles and enhancing the connectivity of the lattice.

Abstract: A porous battery electrode for a rechargeable battery includes a monolithic porous structure having a porosity in the range of from about 74% to about 99% and comprising a conductive material. An active material layer is deposited on the monolithic porous structure. The pores of the monolithic porous structure have a size in the range of from about 0.2 micron to about 10 microns. A method of making the porous battery electrode is also described.

Abstract: A porous device for optical and electronic applications comprises a single crystal substrate and a porous single crystal structure epitaxially disposed on the substrate, where the porous single crystal structure includes a three-dimensional arrangement of pores. The three-dimensional arrangement may also be a periodic arrangement. A method of fabricating such a device includes forming a scaffold comprising interconnected elements on a single crystal substrate, where the interconnected elements are separated by voids. A first material is grown epitaxially on the substrate and into the voids. The scaffold is then removed to obtain a porous single crystal structure epitaxially disposed on the substrate, where the single crystal structure comprises the first material and includes pores defined by the interconnected elements of the scaffold.

Abstract: An autonomic conductivity restoration system includes a solid conductor and a plurality of particles. The particles include a conductive fluid, a plurality of conductive microparticles, and/or a conductive material forming agent. The solid conductor has a first end, a second end, and a first conductivity between the first and second ends. When a crack forms between the first and second ends of the conductor, the contents of at least a portion of the particles are released into the crack. The cracked conductor and the released contents of the particles form a restored conductor having a second conductivity, which may be at least 90% of the first conductivity.

Abstract: A method of making a monolithic porous structure, comprises electrodepositing a material on a template; removing the template from the material to form a monolithic porous structure comprising the material; and electropolishing the monolithic porous structure.