Abstract: Described are organosilicon electrolyte compositions having improved thermostability and electrochemical properties and electrochemical devices that contain the organosilicon electrolyte compositions.

Abstract: Described are electrolyte compositions having at least one salt and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: wherein “a” is from 1 to 3; “b” is 1 or 2; 4?“a”+“b”?2; X is a halogen; R can be alkoxy or substituted alkoxy, among other moieties, and R1 is alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkoxy, or substituted alkoxy. Also described are electrochemical devices that use the electrolyte composition.

Abstract: SPR-compatible substrates for high density microarray fabrication and analyses are provided. Novel carbon-on-metal thin film substrate architecture permits the integration of surface plasmon resonance detection with photolithographically fabricated biomolecule arrays for the analysis of biomolecular interactions. The utility of the technology is shown in the analysis of specific DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA and DNA-protein binding interactions. These new substrates may be used to determine the secondary structure of RNA molecules, to probe the sequence-specific binding kinetics and affinity of proteins and small molecules, and as substrates for small-molecule combinatorial chemistry platforms for drug discovery applications.

Abstract: Described are electrolyte compositions having at least one salt and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: wherein “a” is from 1 to 3; “b” is 1 or 2; 4?“a”+“b”?2; X is a halogen; R can be alkoxy or substituted alkoxy, among other moieties, and R1 is alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkoxy, or substituted alkoxy. Also described are electrochemical devices that use the electrolyte composition.

Abstract: Described are organosilicon electrolyte compositions having improved thermostability and electrochemical properties and electrochemical devices that contain the organosilicon electrolyte compositions.

Abstract: Methods for the photoreduction of molecules are provided. The methods use diamond having a negative electron affinity as a photocatalyst, taking advantage of its ability to act as a solid-state electron emitter that is capable of inducing reductions without the need for reactants to adsorb onto its surface. The methods comprise illuminating a fluid sample comprising the molecules to be reduced and hydrogen surface-terminated diamond having a negative electron affinity with light comprising a wavelength that induces the emission of electrons from the diamond directly into the fluid sample. The emitted electrons induce the reduction of the molecules to form a reduction product.

Abstract: Described are electrolyte compositions having at least one salt and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: wherein “a” is from 1 to 3; “b” is 1 or 2; 4?“a”+“b”?2; X is a halogen; R can be alkoxy or substituted alkoxy, among other moieties, and R1 is alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkoxy, or substituted alkoxy. Also described are electrochemical devices that use the electrolyte composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are carbon monofluoride cathode batteries suitable for use at highly elevated temperatures. Rather than using a pure lithium anode, the anode has a base material selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium and tin, where the base material is lithiated. This renders the anode more resistant to heat. Selected electrolytes are used which also contain lithium salts. Methods for using these batteries at high temperatures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the photoreduction of molecules are provided. The methods use diamond having a negative electron affinity as a photocatalyst, taking advantage of its ability to act as a solid-state electron emitter that is capable of inducing reductions without the need for reactants to adsorb onto its surface. The methods comprise illuminating a fluid sample comprising the molecules to be reduced and hydrogen surface-terminated diamond having a negative electron affinity with light comprising a wavelength that induces the emission of electrons from the diamond directly into the fluid sample. The emitted electrons induce the reduction of the molecules to form a reduction product.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrodes comprised of metal-coated vertically aligned carbon nanofibers. Arrays of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers provide highly accessible, high density templates having large electrochemically active surface areas that may be modified to further increase the surface area of the nanofibers. The methods of the present invention involve functionalizing the surface of the nanofibers and coating the functionalized surface with metal using electroless deposition. The resulting metal-coated nanofibers form highly stable and highly reproducible electrodes having very high surface areas. The electrodes of the present invention are expected to be useful in a variety of applications, including high-density energy storage, i.e., supercapacitors and fuel cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are lithium/carbon monofluoride batteries suitable for long term use at highly elevated temperatures. Organosilicon electrolytes having low vapor pressure and high flash points are used, along with lithium salts and ceramic separators. Methods of using these batteries at high temperatures are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrodes comprised of metal-coated vertically aligned carbon nanofibers. Arrays of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers provide highly accessible, high density templates having large electrochemically active surface areas that may be modified to further increase the surface area of the nanofibers. The methods of the present invention involve functionalizing the surface of the nanofibers and coating the functionalized surface with metal using electroless deposition. The resulting metal-coated nanofibers form highly stable and highly reproducible electrodes having very high surface areas. The electrodes of the present invention are expected to be useful in a variety of applications, including high-density energy storage, i.e., supercapacitors and fuel cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for functionalizing metal oxides, including tin dioxide. The methods comprise contacting at least one linker precursor comprising a first functional group to a metal oxide and exposing the linker precursor to UV light. The first functional group covalently binds to the metal oxide via a UV light induced reaction. The linker precursor may be an alkene having a vinyl group or an alkyne having an ethynyl group. Other molecules, such as biomolecules and dye molecules, may be bound to the linker precursors. The functionalized metal oxides may be used alone or as coatings on a substrate and find use in a variety of devices, including biosensors and dye sensitized solar cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are lithium/carbon monofluoride batteries suitable for long term use at highly elevated temperatures. Organosilicon electrolytes having low vapor pressure and high flash points are used, along with lithium salts and ceramic separators. Methods of using these batteries at high temperatures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for functionalizing metal oxides, including tin dioxide. The methods comprise contacting at least one linker precursor comprising a first functional group to a metal oxide and exposing the linker precursor to UV light. The first functional group covalently binds to the metal oxide via a UV light induced reaction. The linker precursor may be an alkene having a vinyl group or an alkyne having an ethynyl group. Other molecules, such as biomolecules and dye molecules, may be bound to the linker precursors. The functionalized metal oxides may be used alone or as coatings on a substrate and find use in a variety of devices, including biosensors and dye sensitized solar cells.

Abstract: Dielectrophoresis is used to attract particles to an electrode edge then to controllably allow the transport of particles along that edge under a fluid flow to a particular region. The particles may be bacteria which may be maintained in this process in a live state through capture, transport and release.

Abstract: Disclosed are supercapacitors having organosilicon electrolytes, high surface area/porous electrodes, and optionally organosilicon separators. Electrodes are formed from high surface area material (such as porous carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibers), which has been impregnated with the electrolyte. These type devices appear particularly suitable for use in electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

Abstract: Chemically-modified surfaces on unoxidized carbon, silicon, and germanium substrates are disclosed. Ultraviolet radiation mediates the reaction of protected ?-modified, ?-unsaturated aminoalkenes (preferred) with hydrogen-terminated carbon, silicon, or germanium surfaces. Removal of the protecting group yields an aminoalkane-modified silicon surface These amino groups can be coupled to terminal-modified oligonucleotides using a bifunctional crosslinker, thereby permitting the preparation of modified surfaces and arrays. Methods for controlling the surface density of molecules attached to the substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: SPR-compatible substrates for high density microarray fabrication and analyses are provided. Novel carbon-on-metal thin film substrate architecture permits the integration of surface plasmon resonance detection with photolithographically fabricated biomolecule arrays for the analysis of biomolecular interactions. The utility of the technology is shown in the analysis of specific DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA and DNA-protein binding interactions. These new substrates may be used to determine the secondary structure of RNA molecules, to probe the sequence-specific binding kinetics and affinity of proteins and small molecules, and as substrates for small-molecule combinatorial chemistry platforms for drug discovery applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are supercapacitors having organosilicon electrolytes, high surface area/porous electrodes, and optionally organosilicon separators. Electrodes are formed from high surface area material (such as porous carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibers), which has been impregnated with the electrolyte. These type devices appear particularly suitable for use in electric and hybrid electric vehicles.