Abstract: A method is provided for forming a solution-processed metal and mixed-metal selenide semiconductor using selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs). The method forms a first solution including SeNPs dispersed in a solvent. Added to the first solution is a second solution including a first material set of metal salts, metal complexes, or combinations thereof, which are dissolved in a solvent, forming a third solution. The third solution is deposited on a conductive substrate, forming a first intermediate film comprising metal precursors, from corresponding members of the first material set, and embedded SeNPs. As a result of thermally annealing, the metal precursors are transformed and the first intermediate film is selenized, forming a first metal selenide-containing semiconductor. In one aspect, the first solution further comprises ligands for the stabilization of SeNPs, which are liberated during thermal annealing.

Abstract: A solid-state hole transport composite material (ssHTM) is provided. The ssHTM is made from a neutral charge first p-type organic semiconductor, and a chemically oxidized first p-type semiconductor, where the dopants are silver(I) containing materials. A reduced form of the silver(I) containing material is also retained as functional component in the ssHTM. In one aspect, the silver(I) containing material is silver bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI). In another aspect, the first p-type organic semiconductor is 2,2?,7,7?-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9?-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD). In one variation, the ssHTM additionally includes a first p-type organic semiconductor doped with an ionic dopant such as lithium (Li+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), or combinations of the above-mentioned materials. Also provided are a method for synthesizing the above-described ssHTM, and a solid-state dye solar cell (ssDSC) fabricated from the ssHTM.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low profile, compact, scalable concept end-effector for use in robotic handling applications. The end-effector acts as the interface between multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) manipulator and its base (if applicable), as well as the tools it handles and is compatible with both large manipulator systems such as the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) and Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and smaller dexterous manipulators such as the Orbital Express Dexterous Manipulator System. An active/controlled component is attached to the roll joint(s) at one or both end(s) of the manipulator, with an entirely passive component attached to the structure/tools that the manipulator interfaces with. Interface engagement and mate operations are performed by way of the manipulator roll joint. Once mated, shear pins are extended to lock the mated assembly in place and achieve a high stiffness, zero free play mated interface.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein comprise a computer resource monitoring and allocation system. In an embodiment, the resource monitoring and allocation system can be configured to allocate computer resources that are available on various nodes of a cluster to specific jobs and/or sub-jobs and/or tasks and/or processes.

Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing sodium iron(II)-hexacyanoferrate(II). A Fe(CN)6 material is mixed with the first solution and either an anti-oxidant or a reducing agent. The Fe(CN)6 material may be either ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]4?) or ferricyanide ([Fe(CN)6]3?). As a result, sodium iron(II)-hexacyanoferrate(II) (Na1+XFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O is formed, where X is less than or equal to 1, and where M is in a range between 0 and 7. In one aspect, the first solution including includes A ions, such as alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, or combinations thereof, resulting in the formation of Na1+XAYFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O, where Y is less than or equal to 1. Also provided are a Na1+XFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O battery and Na1+XFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O battery electrode.

Abstract: A transition metal hexacyanometallate (TMHCM)-conductive polymer (CP) composite electrode is provided. The battery electrode is made up of a current collector and a transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer composite overlying the current collector. The transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer includes a AXM1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O material, where A may be alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, ammonium ions, or combinations thereof, and M1 and M2 are transition metal ions. The transition metal hexacyanometallate-conductive polymer composite also includes a conductive polymer material. In one aspect, the conductive polymer material is polyaniline (PANI) or polypyrrole (Ppy). Also presented herein are methods for the fabrication of a TMHCM-CP composite.

Abstract: A battery is provided with an associated method for transporting metal-ions in the battery using a low temperature molten salt (LTMS). The battery comprises an anode, a cathode formed from a LTMS having a liquid phase at a temperature of less than 150° C., a current collector submerged in the LTMS, and a metal-ion permeable separator interposed between the LTMS and the anode. The method transports metal-ions from the separator to the current collector in response to the LTMS acting simultaneously as a cathode and an electrolyte. More explicitly, metal-ions are transported from the separator to the current collector by creating a liquid flow of LTMS interacting with the current collector and separator.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) is provided, made from an anode layer of tin oxide (SnO2) coated titanium oxide (TiO2) nanostructures that overlie a substrate top surface. A dye overlies the anode layer, and a cathode overlies the dye. The cathode may be a hole conducting layer having a solid state phase or a redox electrolyte, with a counter electrode. The TiO2 nanostructures may be TiO2 nanoparticles, TiO2 nanowires, or TiO2 nanotubes. In the case of TiO2 nanowires or TiO2 nanotubes, their center axes are perpendicular to the substrate top surface. Regardless of the TiO2 nanostructure morphology, the SnO2 coating thickness is in the range of 2 to 10 nanometers (nm). In one aspect, the SnO2 coated TiO2 nanostructures have a dielectric layer shell, which may have a thickness in the range of 0.3 to 2 nm.

Abstract: Improved, personalized searching through the use of personal connection graphs is presented. Responsive to receiving a search query, the search engine obtains a user sketch (representing a user's connection graph) and obtains search results responsive to the search query and also based, in part, as a function of a relationship distance between the user and the referenced content as determined by the user sketch. One or more search results pages are generated from the obtained search results and returned to the user.

Abstract: A solid-state hole transport composite material (ssHTM) is provided made from a p-type organic semiconductor and a dopant material serving as a source for either sodium (Na+) or potassium (K+) ions. The p-type organic semiconductor may be molecular (a collection of discrete molecules, that are either chemically identical or different), oligomeric, polymeric materials, or combinations thereof. In one aspect, the p-type organic semiconductor is 2,2?,7,7?-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9?-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD). The dopant material is an inorganic or organic material salt. A solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (ssDSC) with the above-described ssHTM, is also provided.

Abstract: A supercapacitor is provided with a method for fabricating the supercapacitor. The method provides dried hexacyanometallate particles having a chemical formula AmM1xM2y(CN)6.pH2O with a Prussian Blue hexacyanometallate, crystal structure, where A is an alkali or alkaline-earth cation, and M1 and M2 are metals with 2+ or 3+ valance positions. The variable m is in the range of 0.5 to 2, x is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5, y is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5, and p is in the range of 0 to 6. The hexacyanometallate particles are mixed with a binder and electronic conductor powder, to form a cathode comprising AmM1xM2y(CN)6.pH2O. The method also forms an activated carbon anode and a membrane separating the cathode from the anode, permeable to A and A? cations. Finally, an electrolyte is added with a metal salt including A? cations. The electrolyte may be aqueous.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for controlling the serialization of data into a serialized structure and/or the deserialization of data from the serialized structure. That is, a first client may request serialization of data comprising one or more entities. Entities that the first client has permission to serialize may be serialized for inclusion within a serialized structure, which may be encrypted. A set of deserialization permissions specifying which entities may be accessed by which clients may be defined for the serialized structure. In this way, one or more entities within the serialized structure may be deserialized for a second client based upon evaluating the second client against the set of deserialization permissions to determine which entities the second client has permission to access. The serialized structure may otherwise remain encrypted to provide sustained protection of serialized data comprised therein.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for sustained data protection. In particular, a data protector may define a set of access levels associated with content within data using a set of access policies (e.g., a partial access level to inventory data for an inventory server, a full access level to inventory data and billing data for a shopping website server, etc.). The data protector may secure (e.g., encrypt) the data to create protected data, so that clients may be unable to access content of the protected data without obtaining access through the data protector. In this way, the data protector may selectively provide clients with access to content within the protected data according to respective access levels for the different clients (e.g., access to inventory data, but not billing data, may be provided to the inventory server by the data protector).

Abstract: An ultraviolet treatment method is provided for a metal oxide electrode. A metal oxide electrode is exposed to an ultraviolet (UV) light source in a humid environment. The metal oxide electrode is then treated with a moiety having at least one anchor group, where the anchor group is a chemical group capable of promoting communication between the moiety and the metal oxide electrode. As a result, the moiety is bound to the metal oxide electrode. In one aspect the metal oxide electrode is treated with a photoactive moiety. Exposing the metal oxide electrode to the UV light source in the humid environment induces surface defects in the metal oxide electrode in the form of oxygen vacancies. In response to the humidity, atmospheric water competes favorably with oxygen for dissociative adsorption on the metal oxide electrode surface, and hydroxylation of the metal oxide electrode surface is induced.

Abstract: A control system comprising a temperature sensor, an enthalpy sensor and a processor capable of receiving said temperature and enthalpy signals and further capable of controlling the operation of an energy recovery ventilation wheel based at least in part on said temperature and enthalpy signals.

Abstract: A device (1) is provided that is configured to indicate the presence or absence of one or more biological entities in a biological sample. The device comprises a sampling portion (11), the sampling portion comprising flexible material adjustably conformable to a part of a human or animal body, at least a portion of the sampling portion being absorbent and configured to receive a biological sample directly from the body; and a test portion (12) in fluid engagement with the sampling portion, the test portion comprising one or more test zones (14). The sampling portion and test portion are configured such that at least a portion of the sample received by the sampling portion is transferable to the test portion such as to contact one or more of the test zones, and wherein each test zone is configured to indicate the presence or absence of one or more biological entities in the sample.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are described herein for summarizing streams of information. A stream of information is obtained and analyzed. One or more entities are identified in the stream. The data in the stream is grouped into one or more clusters corresponding to the identified entities. The data in the clusters is summarized, and a timeline corresponding to the data in the cluster is determined. In some embodiments, a format can be selected for presentation of the summarized stream data. The data in the stream can be formatted in the selected format, and the summarized data can be presented in the selected format. In some embodiments, an update feature can be used to update the data in the summarized stream. The data in the stream can be updated, and the updated summarized stream can be formatted and presented.

Abstract: A long wavelength absorbing porphyrin/metalloporphyrin molecule is provided, made up of a porphyrin macrocycle and an anchor group for attachment to a substrate. A molecular linking element is interposed between the porphyrin macrocycle and the anchor group. The porphyrin/metalloporphyrin molecule also includes an (aminophenyl)amine group, either N,N-(4-aminophenyl)amine or N-phenyl-N-(4-aminophenyl)amine, where an amino moiety of the 4-aminophenyl group is derivatized by an element such as hydrogen, haloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, heteroarenes, halogenated heteroarenes, or combinations of the above-mentioned elements.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a tandem dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) using a bonding process. The method forms a first photovoltaic (PV) cell including a cathode, a first dye, and an anode. A second PV cell is also formed including a cathode, a second dye, and an anode. The second PV cell anode is bonded to the first PV cell cathode, at a temperature of less than 100 degrees C., using a transparent conductive adhesive. In response to the bonding, an internal series electrical connection is formed between the first PV cell and the second PV cell. In one aspect, the second PV cell is formed from a first titanium oxide (TiO2) nanotube (TNT) layer anode.