Abstract: An actuator device comprises an enclosed volume region defined by a housing body and a movable surface, such that at least a portion of the enclosed volume region is expandable from an initial volume state to an enlarged volume state. An electrically conductive porous material is disposed in the enclosed volume region, wherein the electrically conductive porous material has a mass density of from about 0.5 mg/cc to about 100 mg/cc, and wherein at least about 90% of the electrically conductive porous material is a carbonaceous material. A first electrode and a second electrode are configured to pass an electric current through the electrically conductive porous material. When an electric current is passed through the electrically conductive porous material, air disposed in the enclosed volume region expands and displaces the movable surface. A method of displacing a movable surface in an actuator device is also described.

Abstract: An electrical film heater having a variable thermal output is described herein. The electrothermal film heater comprises a substrate having first and second major surfaces that is characterized by a length and a width. A nonuniform graphite coating layer is disposed on at least one major surface of the substrate creating a variable electrical resistance coating on the substrate along at least one of the length and/or the width of the substrate, and a pair of spaced apart bus bars disposed on top of the graphite coating layer.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate with a particulate coating composition is disclosed that creates a coated substrate having a controlled, nonuniform surface property profile that varies along at least one primary dimension. The substrate is positioned on a textured template. An effective amount of the particulate coating composition is buffed onto a surface of the substrate with the at least one orbital applicator moving in a plane parallel to surface in a plurality of directions relative to a point on the surface in an orbital manner while at least one process variable is changed during the coating of the substrate. Process variable that can be varied during coating include application time, application pressure, coating temperature, the contour of the textured template, orbital speed, web speed, and the particulate coating composition.

Abstract: A device includes a connected array of cells formed in a stack of flexible sheets. Each pair of adjacent sheets in the stack includes a first sheet and a second sheet bonded together at multiple bond locations. Each sheet has an electrically conductive layer disposed on an electrically non-conductive layer, the conductive layer comprising an electrically conductive non-metal material. Each pair of adjacent sheets in the stack is arranged so that the non-conductive layer of each first sheet is between the conductive layers of the first and second sheets. The cells of the array reversibly transition between an open state and a closed state in response to an electric potential having a magnitude greater than a threshold value applied between the conductive layers of the first and second sheets.

Abstract: A heating tape comprises an insulated heating element that includes a heating element layer comprising a polymer composite having conductive particles and at least one set of conductive electrodes at least partially embedded in the polymer composite and extending along at least a substantial portion of the length of the heating tape. A heating tape system for a pipe or other surface, further includes a power ramp controller having a solid state relay component to regulate an in-rush of current to the heating element. The heating tape system also includes a connector having multiple contact points.

Abstract: A powder-rubbing apparatus comprises: a rotatable rubbing roll having a rotational axis; a substrate path; an oscillating mechanism for oscillating the rotatable rubbing roll along the rotational axis; and a powder coating die comprising an inlet port in fluid communication with an outlet port disposed adjacent to the substrate path. The substrate frictionally contacts the rotatable rubbing roll within a rubbing zone. A dispenser for dispensing gas-borne powder is in fluid communication with the inlet port of the powder coating die. The dispenser is aligned such that at least a portion of a gas-borne powder dispensed from the powder coating die is deposited directly onto at least one of the rotatable rubbing roll or the substrate and conveyed into the rubbing zone. A method of using the powder-rubbing apparatus and a powder-rubbed web preparable thereby are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes a connected array of cells formed in a stack of flexible sheets. Each pair of adjacent sheets in the stack includes a first sheet and a second sheet bonded together at multiple bond locations. Each sheet has an electrically conductive layer disposed on an electrically non-conductive layer, the conductive layer comprising an electrically conductive non-metal material. Each pair of adjacent sheets in the stack is arranged so that the non-conductive layer of each first sheet is between the conductive layers of the first and second sheets. The cells of the array reversibly transition between an open state and a closed state in response to an electric potential having a magnitude greater than a threshold value applied between the conductive layers of the first and second sheets.

Abstract: A heating tape comprises an insulated heating element that includes a heating element layer comprising a polymer composite having conductive particles and at least one set of conductive electrodes at least partially embedded in the polymer composite and extending along at least a substantial portion of the length of the heating tape. A heating tape system for a pipe or other surface, further includes a power ramp controller having a solid state relay component to regulate an in-rush of current to the heating element. The heating tape system also includes a connector having multiple contact points.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate having a first major surface and optionally a second major surface. A layering arrangement is disposed on either or both of the first major surface and the second major surface. The layering arrangement includes a carbon layer and a conducting polymer layer.

Abstract: Electrically-conductive articles are provided that include a current collector having a conductive coating. The current collector has nanoporous structure, such as that from etched metal, and a carbon coating in contact with the current collector. The carbon coating is free of binder. In some embodiments, the current collector includes etched aluminum. The provided electrically-conductive articles can be electrochemical capacitors or lithium-ion electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A method comprises rubbing a powder comprising titanium dioxide particles against a surface of an aluminum substrate to form a layer bonded to the surface of the aluminum substrate. The powder comprises titanium dioxide and is essentially free of organic particles. Composite articles preparable by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transparent conductive article includes a transparent substrate, a thin electrically conductive grid, and a carbon nanolayer. The grid is disposed on the substrate, and the carbon nanolayer is also disposed on the substrate and in contact with the grid. The conductive grid and the carbon nanolayer may have thicknesses of no more than 1 micron and 50 nanometers, respectively. The carbon nanolayer has a morphology that includes graphite platelets embedded in nano-crystalline carbon, and can be produced with a buffing procedure using dry carbon particles without substantially damaging the grid structure. The article may have a visible light transmission of at least 80%, and a sheet resistance less than 500 or 100 ohms/square. The transparent substrate may comprise a flexible polymer film. The disclosed articles may substantially maintain an initial sheet resistance value when subjected to flexing.

Abstract: Multi-layer cover tape constructions include a polymeric substrate with a low adhesion backsize coating layer on one surface and an adhesive layer on the other surface, with a conductive film construction adhered to a portion of the adhesive layer such that portions of the adhesive remain exposed. The conductive film construction includes a polymeric substrate with an exposed layer of abrasion-resistant, electrically conductive nano-scale graphite coated by buff coating. Other multi-layer cover tape constructions include a polymeric substrate with a low adhesion backsize coating layer on one surface, and an exposed layer of abrasion-resistant, electrically conductive nano-scale graphite particles coated on the other surface. Stripes of adhesive are present on a portion of the electrically conductive coating such that portions of the electrically conductive coating remain exposed between the adhesive stripes.

Abstract: A method of producing an aqueous dispersion of few-layer graphene nanosheets is disclosed, the method including: (a) mixing graphite particles with a perfluorosulfonate ionomer in an aqueous liquid, to form an aqueous dispersion of graphite particles; and (b) sonicating the aqueous dispersion of graphite particles to form an aqueous dispersion of few-layer graphene nanosheets, wherein the perfluorosulfonate ionomer is disposed as a thin and continuous layer on the few-layer graphene nanosheets. A composition is also disclosed, comprising an aqueous dispersion of a mixture of: (a) a perfluorosulfonate ionomer; and (b) a plurality of few-layer graphene nanosheets; wherein the perfluorosulfonate ionomer is disposed as a thin and continuous layer on the few-layer graphene nanosheets.

Abstract: Article having a first single, discrete atomic, dry layer of a first weakly bonded crystalline material on at least a surface of a substrate. Embodiments of the articles are useful, for example, in automotive under-the-hood parts exposed to chemicals and extreme temperatures.

Abstract: Article having a first single, discrete atomic, dry layer of a first weakly bonded crystalline material on at least a surface of a substrate. Embodiments of the articles are useful, for example, in automotive under-the-hood parts exposed to chemicals and extreme temperatures.

Abstract: A method comprises rubbing a powder comprising titanium dioxide particles against a surface of an aluminum substrate to form a layer bonded to the surface of the aluminum substrate. The powder comprises titanium dioxide and is essentially free of organic particles. Composite articles preparable by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a contact for making electrical connection with a corresponding contact of a mating connector. The electrical connector further includes a carbon layer disposed on a contact surface of the contact. The carbon layer has a morphology comprising graphite platelets embedded in nano-crystalline carbon.

Abstract: Current collectors and methods are provided that relate to electrodes that are useful in electrochemical cells. The provided current collectors include a metallic substrate, a substantially uniform nano-scale carbon coating, and an active electrode material. The coating has a maximum thickness of less than about 200 nanometers.

Abstract: A method of forming an article is provided. The method can include providing a substrate comprising a surface. The method can further include forming a solvent soluble layer on or over the surface of the substrate in a pattern, the pattern defining one or more first portions of the surface that are overlaid by the solvent soluble layer, and one or more second portions of the surface that are free of the solvent soluble layer. The method can further include forming a second layer on or over at least one of the first portions and at least one of the second portions, wherein the step of forming the second layer includes buffing an exfoliatable material on or over at least one of the first portions and at least one of the second portions. The method can further include removing the solvent soluble layer by applying a solvent to the substrate.