Abstract: A gas detector utilizing tunnel junction geometry is disclosed. The gas detector comprises a first electrically conductive material layer, an electrically nonconductive material layer disposed on the first electrically conductive material layer, a second electrically conductive material layer disposed on the electrically nonconductive material layer, a gas source (34) in fluid communication with the second electrically conductive material layer; and a power source in electrical communication with the first and second electrically conductive material layers. A method of detecting a gas utilizing the detector of the present invention is also disclosed. A method of making a gas detector is likewise disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for making sol-gel ceramic nanofibers, and the compositions resulting from practicing such method. Fibers so formed can be used for fabricating filter media and a wide variety of other ceramic fiber structures and devices.

Abstract: Nanofibers modified to alter their optical properties in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which nanofibers can be used in applications ranging from identification technology to energy conversion devices (e.g., thermophotovoltaics) to stealth technology. The desired optical properties can be obtained by modifying the fibers with rare earth and other materials and then can be incorporated into garments or other composite structures or can be applied as coatings on solid surfaces, to be used in a number of applications that benefit from selective emission properties.