Abstract: A Tris-Acetate-Phosphate-Pluronic (TAPP) medium that undergoes thermoreversible sol-gel transitions to efficiently culture and harvest microalgae without affecting productivity. After seeding microalgae in a TAPP medium in solution phase at 15 degrees C., the temperature is increased by 7 degrees C. to induce gelation. Within the gel, microalgae grow in large clusters rather than as isolated cells. Such clusters are easily harvested gravimetrically by decreasing the temperature to bring the medium to a solution phase. The settling velocity of the microalgal clusters is approximately ten times larger than that of individual cells cultured in typical solution media. Hence, microalgae can be cultured without constant mixing and about 90 percent of the biomass can be harvested in an energy efficient fashion.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a method for forming a suspension having nanoparticles. There is also set forth herein a method for making an interface including nanoparticles. A morphology of conductive nanoparticle interface is set forth herein.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a method for providing a nanoparticle array. A nanoparticle network can be provided by nanoparticles combined with surfactant micelle chains. The nanoparticle network can be provided by distributing metal nanoparticles in a surfactant solution and agitating the surfactant solution comprising the nanoparticles to form a gel comprising the nanoparticle network which can be characterized by a distributed array of nanoparticles combined with surfactant micelle chains within a fluid. The gel can comprise a fluid in a continuous phase and the nanoparticles in a discontinuous phase. Apparatus having arrays of nanoparticles are also set forth herein.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a method for forming a suspension having nanoparticles. There is also set forth herein a method for making an interface including nanoparticles. A morphology of conductive nanoparticle interface is set forth herein.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a method for providing a nanoparticle array. A nanoparticle network can be provided by nanoparticles combined with surfactant micelle chains. The nanoparticle network can be provided by distributing metal nanoparticles in a surfactant solution and agitating the surfactant solution comprising the nanoparticles to form a gel comprising the nanoparticle network which can be characterized by a distributed array of nanoparticles combined with surfactant micelle chains within a fluid. The gel can comprise a fluid in a continuous phase and the nanoparticles in a discontinuous phase. Apparatus having arrays of nanoparticles are also set forth herein.