Abstract: A method of embedding a screen in a substrate includes placing the screen on the substrate, and then melting part of the substrate, so that the screen becomes embedded in the substrate. The melting may involve heating at least part of the screen to melt part of the substrate, or directly heating the part of the substrate. The screen may be a screen of electrically-conductive material, and the heating may be Joule heating in which an electrical current is passed through the screen to heat the screen. Alternatively, the heating may involve microwave, conductive, or laser heating. The produced device of the substrate with an embedded screen may be an optical window with an embedded electromagnetic interference (EMI) screen, may be a touch screen or touch display, or may be a window with an embedded heating element, to give a few non-limiting examples.

Abstract: A dispenser is described for dispensing nanofiber yarns that includes a housing that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber. A spool, around which is wound a length of nanofiber yarn, is disposed within the chamber defined by the housing. The nanofiber yarn is threaded from the chamber through the outlet and can be dispensed in a controlled way that reduces the likelihood of developing knots within the nanofiber yarn, and which facilitates convenient application of the yarn onto an underlying surface. In some cases, the dispenser can be used to concurrently dispense an adhesive or other polymer along with the nanofiber yarn.

Abstract: A nanofiber structure applicator is described that can remove two substrates from opposing major surfaces of a nanofiber structure. The two substrates can have differing adhesive strengths with the nanofiber forest. This difference in adhesive strength can be used to reorient nanofibers that form the nanofiber structure relative to the final surface on which they are applied. This reorienting of the individual nanofibers within a nanofiber structure can be used to tailor some of the properties of the nanofiber structure. Furthermore, the nanofiber structure applicator is configured can improve the convenience with which a nanofiber structure can be transported and applied to an application surface.

Abstract: Polymer and nanotube-based actuators that include a thermochromic coating is disclosed. The actuators include a thermochromic material applied to a surface of the core fiber or the conductive element. Upon heating the actuator, the thermochromic coating undergoes a color transition to indicate a pre-determined temperature correlated to a rated critical temperature, important temperature of the actuator components, or a level of actuation.

Abstract: A dispenser is described for dispensing nanofiber yarns that includes a housing that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber. A spool, around which is wound a length of nanofiber yarn, is disposed within the chamber defined by the housing. The nanofiber yarn is threaded from the chamber through the outlet and can be dispensed in a controlled way that reduces the likelihood of developing knots within the nanofiber yarn, and which facilitates convenient application of the yarn onto an underlying surface. In some cases, the dispenser can be used to concurrently dispense an adhesive or other polymer along with the nanofiber yarn.

Abstract: A dispenser is described for dispensing nanofiber yarns that includes a housing that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber. A spool, around which is wound a length of nanofiber yarn, is disposed within the chamber defined by the housing. The nanofiber yarn is threaded from the chamber through the outlet and can be dispensed in a controlled way that reduces the likelihood of developing knots within the nanofiber yarn, and which facilitates convenient application of the yarn onto an underlying surface. In some cases, the dispenser can be used to concurrently dispense an adhesive or other polymer along with the nanofiber yarn.

Abstract: A nanofiber structure applicator is described that can remove two substrates from opposing major surfaces of a nanofiber structure. The two substrates can have differing adhesive strengths with the nanofiber forest. This difference in adhesive strength can be used to reorient nanofibers that form the nanofiber structure relative to the final surface on which they are applied. This reorienting of the individual nanofibers within a nanofiber structure can be used to tailor some of the properties of the nanofiber structure. Furthermore, the nanofiber structure applicator is configured can improve the convenience with which a nanofiber structure can be transported and applied to an application surface.

Abstract: Holders for nanofiber sheets that can reduce the probability of damage to a nanofiber sheet during transport, handling, or experimental preparation are described. These holders can improve the convenience with which nanofiber sheets can be manipulated. Holders generally include two features: an outer case and a clamp disposed within the outer case. The clamp, which can be embodied in any of a variety of ways, mounts to a peripheral edge at one or more locations on the nanofiber sheet. The nanofiber sheet is held fixed in place within the outer case and is suspended within the chamber defined by the outer case and the client.

Abstract: A dispenser is described for dispensing nanofiber yarns that includes a housing that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber. A spool, around which is wound a length of nanofiber yarn, is disposed within the chamber defined by the housing. The nanofiber yarn is threaded from the chamber through the outlet and can be dispensed in a controlled way that reduces the likelihood of developing knots within the nanofiber yarn, and which facilitates convenient application of the yarn onto an underlying surface. In some cases, the dispenser can be used to concurrently dispense an adhesive or other polymer along with the nanofiber yarn.

Abstract: Fabrication of yarns or other shaped articles from materials in powder form (or nanoparticles or nanofibers) using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheet as a platform (template). This includes methods for fabricating biscrolled yarns using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheets and biscrolled fibers fabricated thereby.

Abstract: Fabrication of yarns or other shaped articles from materials in powder form (or nanoparticles or nanofibers) using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheet as a platform (template). This includes methods for fabricating biscrolled yarns using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheets and biscrolled fibers fabricated thereby.

Abstract: Fabrication of yarns or other shaped articles from materials in powder form (or nanoparticles or nanofibers) using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheet as a platform (template). This includes methods for fabricating biscrolled yarns using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheets and biscrolled fibers fabricated thereby.

Abstract: Fabrication of yarns or other shaped articles from materials in powder form (or nanoparticles or nanofibers) using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheet as a platform (template). This includes methods for fabricating biscrolled yarns using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheets and biscrolled fibers fabricated thereby.

Abstract: Nanofiber actuators and strain amplifiers having a material that generates a force or generates a displacement when directly or indirectly electrically driven. This material is an aerogel or a related low density or high density network comprising conducting fibers that are electrically interconnected and can substantially actuate without the required presence of either a liquid or solid electrolyte. Reversible or permanently frozen actuation is used to modify the properties of the actuator material for applications.

Abstract: Fabrication of yarns or other shaped articles from materials in powder form (or nanoparticles or nanofibers) using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheet as a platform (template). This includes methods for fabricating biscrolled yarns using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheets and biscrolled fibers fabricated thereby.

Abstract: Fabrication of yarns or other shaped articles from materials in powder form (or nanoparticles or nanofibers) using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheet as a platform (template). This includes methods for fabricating biscrolled yarns using carbon nanotube/nanofiber sheets and biscrolled fibers fabricated thereby.

Abstract: Nanofiber actuators and strain amplifiers having a material that generates a force or generates a displacement when directly or indirectly electrically driven. This material is an aerogel or a related low density or high density network comprising conducting fibers that are electrically interconnected and can substantially actuate without the required presence of either a liquid or solid electrolyte. Reversible or permanently frozen actuation is used to modify the properties of the actuator material for applications.