Abstract: An optically responsive material including a composite matrix, and a plurality of colloidal nanowire geodes arranged within the composite matrix is disclosed. The optically responsive material has an optical resonance in at least one spectral region, such as in the ultraviolet spectral region, the infrared spectral region, the visible spectral region, or a combination thereof. The optically responsive material can include a composite matrix including a polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride. Each of the plurality of colloidal nanowire geodes further may include a hollow colloidal microsphere, and a nanowire coupled to an inner surface of the hollow colloidal microsphere. A method of fabricating optically responsive materials and a method of programming optically responsive materials is also described.

Abstract: Suspensions of magneto-responsive Janus colloids form chains and undergo alignment under the influence of a magnetic field. When the magnetic field is aligned with a light path, light transmission through the sample increases as compared to randomly or orthogonally oriented chains. The emissivity response of this suspension is presented as a function of particle concentration and magnetic field strength. A variation of the Beer-Lambert model and ray-tracing simulations capture the behavior of the experimentally measured difference in intensity between magnetically activated and non-activated Brownian suspensions. Experiments demonstrate up to 25% contrast in transmission of visible light, which may be further optimized through materials selection. Similar experiments when these Janus particle chains are suspended in carbon tetrachloride, demonstrate an emissivity variation in the near infrared of ˜10%.

Abstract: The present prevention provides a surface coating for cooling a surface by light scattering comprising a plurality of successive layers, each of the layers may be comprised of a plurality of spheres arranged to form a structure comprised of packed spheres. Each layer may have a different arrangement of packed spheres to create to a different light scattering property in each of the layers. The coating of the structures may also be formed by randomly packed spheres and the spheres may have a uniform diameter.

Abstract: A mask system, apparatus, device, and methods that increase both the screening efficiency and breathing easiness.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position of an object inside a body includes a first, detector configured to receive a signal from the object inside the body. The apparatus also includes a camera configured to capture an image or video of outside of a portion of the body, The object is positioned inside the portion of the body. A computing system is configured to receive the signal from the first detector and the image or video from the camera and to determine the position of the object Inside the body. A screen, is configured to display die position of the object inside the body.

Abstract: A solar cell structure is disclosed that includes a first metal layer, formed over predefined portions of a sun-exposed major surface of a semiconductor structure, that form electrical gridlines of the solar cell; a network of carbon nanotubes formed over the first metal layer; and a second metal layer formed onto the network of carbon nanotubes, wherein the second metal layer infiltrates the network of carbon nanotubes to connect with the first metal layer to form a first metal matrix composite comprising a metal matrix and a carbon nanotube reinforcement, wherein the second metal layer is an electrically conductive layer in which the carbon nanotube reinforcement is embedded in and bonded to the metal matrix, and the first metal matrix composite provides enhanced mechanical support as well as enhanced or equal electrical conductivity for the electrical contacts against applied mechanical stressors to the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A method for developing an evolved structure by artificial evolution includes: obtaining one or more properties of a biological structure; computationally evolve the biological structure to obtain an evolved descriptor; inverse-mapping the evolved description to real space to form an evolved structure design; and constructing the evolved structure. The evolved structure comprises stronger performance across the properties than the biological structure. In an example aspect, a method for constructing an evolved structure includes: removing sericin from a cocoon; forming a first solution from the cocoon with removed sericin; forming a silk fibroin powder from the first solution; dissolving the silk fibroin powder to form a second solution; and electro spinning the second solution based on the evolved structure design.

Abstract: A flexible, non-flat solar cell comprises a flexible substrate. A pn junction is on or in the flexible substrate. The solar cell has been flexed so as to have a non-flat geometry that results in an increased surface area of the flexed solar cell with respect to the surface area of a flat solar cell that is the same as the flexed solar cell except that the flat solar cell has a flat surface geometry that has the same projected area on a lateral plane as does the flexed solar cell.

Abstract: A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell and a solar cell formed using the method is provided. The method includes forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell; depositing a carbon nanotube layer over the first metal layer; and forming a second metal layer over the carbon nanotube layer, wherein the first metal layer, the carbon nanotube layer, and the second metal layer form a first metal matrix composite layer that provides electrical conductivity and mechanical support for the metal contacts.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite paste is provided for screen printing metal matrix composite contacts in a photovoltaic cell. The metal matrix composite paste includes a plurality of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a metal paste. Because the metal matrix composite paste can have similar mechanical and chemical properties to a metal paste, it can be incorporated into standard metallization processes. The metal matrix composite contacts formed from the metal matrix composite paste can have increased ductility and self-healing capability to electrically bridge a gap caused by physical fracture of a busbar or gridline.

Abstract: A sensor having one or more stopbands and method of using the same for detecting damage, cracking and debonding in a cement structure comprising a cementitious material and a plurality of periodic structures located in the cementitious material.

Abstract: A method and resulting device that mimics the light scattering properties of a random structural pattern using microspheres.

Abstract: The present prevention provides a surface coating for cooling a surface by light scattering comprising a plurality of successive layers, each of the layers may be comprised of a plurality of spheres arranged to form a structure comprised of packed spheres. Each layer may have a different arrangement of packed spheres to create to a different light scattering property in each of the layers. The coating of the structures may also be formed by randomly packed spheres and the spheres may have a uniform diameter.

Abstract: The present prevention provides a surface coating for cooling a surface by light scattering comprising a plurality of successive layers, each of the layers may be comprised of a plurality of spheres arranged to form a structure comprised of packed spheres. Each layer may have a different arrangement of packed spheres to create to a different light scattering property in each of the layers. The coating of the structures may also be formed by randomly packed spheres and the spheres may have a uniform diameter.

Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a nanopatterned surface. The method includes forming a mask on a substrate, patterning the substrate to include a plurality of symmetry-breaking surface corrugations, and removing the mask. The mask includes a pattern defined by mask material portions that cover first surface portions of the substrate and a plurality of mask space portions that expose second surface portions of the substrate, wherein the plurality of mask space portions are arranged in a lattice arrangement having a row and column, and the row is not oriented parallel to a [110] direction of the substrate. The patterning the substrate includes anisotropically removing portions of the substrate exposed by the plurality of spaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position of an object inside a body includes a first detector configured to receive a signal from the object inside the body. The apparatus also includes a camera configured to capture an image or video of outside of a portion of the body. The object is positioned inside the portion of the body. A connoting system is configured to receive the signal from the first detector and the image or video from the camera and to determine the position of the object inside the body. A screen is configured to display die position of the object inside the body.

Abstract: The present prevention provides a surface coating for cooling a surface by light scattering comprising a plurality of successive layers, each of the layers may be comprised of a plurality of spheres arranged to form a structure comprised of packed spheres. Each layer may have a different arrangement of packed spheres to create to a different light scattering property in each of the layers. The coating of the structures may also be formed by randomly packed spheres and the spheres may have a uniform diameter.

Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a nano-patterned surface. The method includes forming a mask on a substrate, patterning the substrate to include a plurality of symmetry-breaking surface corrugations, and removing the mask. The mask includes a pattern defined by mask material portions that cover first surface portions of the substrate and a plurality of mask space portions that expose second surface portions of the substrate, wherein the plurality of mask space portions are arranged in a lattice arrangement having a row and column, and the row is not oriented parallel to a [110] direction of the substrate. The patterning the substrate includes anisotropically removing portions of the substrate exposed by the plurality of spaces.

Abstract: A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell and a solar cell formed using the method is provided. The method includes forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell; depositing a carbon nanotube layer over the first metal layer; and forming a second metal layer over the carbon nanotube layer, wherein the first metal layer, the carbon nanotube layer, and the second metal layer form a first metal matrix composite layer that provides electrical conductivity and mechanical support for the metal contacts.

Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating a nanopatterned surface. The method includes forming a mask on a substrate, patterning the substrate to include a plurality of symmetry-breaking surface corrugations, and removing the mask. The mask includes a pattern defined by mask material portions that cover first surface portions of the substrate and a plurality of mask space portions that expose second surface portions of the substrate, wherein the plurality of mask space portions are arranged in a lattice arrangement having a row and column, and the row is not oriented parallel to a [110] direction of the substrate. The patterning the substrate includes anisotropically removing portions of the substrate exposed by the plurality of spaces.