Abstract: This present disclosure is directed to systems, devices, and methods of making printable copper and its alloy ink materials for materials such as printable electronics.

Abstract: Provided are ceramic foams. The ceramic foams may have a hierarchical pore gradient. The ceramic foams may be silica aerogels. The ceramic foams may be made by reaction of one or more precursors in the presence of an inert gas generated by a pore-forming gas-forming additive. The ceramic foams may be used as insulating materials.

Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic aerogel includes contacting a ceramic precursor, an additive, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, and a catalyst to form a mixture. The catalyst may include an acid or a base. The method further includes heating the mixture to form a precursor gel, mixing fibers with the precursor gel, and drying the resultant fiber containing precursor gel.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to a method of fabricating a ceramic-polymer composite by contacting a polymer material with an acid solution and depositing a ceramic on the polymer material. The invention also relates in part to ceramic-polymer composites produced using said method and ballistic resistant materials comprising said ceramic-polymer composites.

Abstract: Provided are conductive slurries with copper nanoplates. The copper nanoplates may be functionalized with formate groups and/or graphene or a graphene material. The slurries may be used as conductive inks, which may be used in 3D printing applications. Also provided are methods of making and using same.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a polymer composite material by mixing a polymer material with a planar material, depositing the mixture on a substrate, and stretching the resulting thin film, is described. Polymer composite materials produced using said method and ballistic resistant materials comprising said polymer composite materials are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in various examples, provides copper nanoparticle conductive inks and methods for making such conductive inks. The conductive ink may be deposited without the need for subsequent annealing. The conductive ink composition may include a slurry of copper nanoparticles in water. The copper nanowires may be made from copper or a copper alloy. The copper nanoparticles may be copper nanowires, such as high aspect ratio copper nanowires. The copper nanoparticles may be encapsulated by nickel, a nickel-rich material, zinc, aluminum, iron, or other metals or metal alloys.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a polymer composite material by mixing a polymer material with a planar material, depositing the mixture on a substrate, and stretching the resulting thin film, is described. Polymer composite materials produced using said method and ballistic resistant materials comprising said polymer composite materials are also described.

Abstract: Ceramic foam fiber composites, methods of making ceramic foam fiber composites, and uses of ceramic foam fiber composites. The ceramic foam fiber composites may be made by contacting one or more fiber(s); one or more ceramic precursor(s); one or more pore-forming gas-forming additive(s) (one or more inert gas-generating agent(s)); one or more catalyst(s); and, optionally, one or more additive(s), where the contacting is results in formation of an inert gas and the ceramic foam-fiber composite is formed. A ceramic foam-fiber composite may include a plurality of fibers, where at least a portion or all of the fibers individually comprise a ceramic foam disposed on at least a portion or all of a surface of the fiber. A ceramic foam-fiber composite may exhibit one or more or all of the following: thermal stability, mechanical strength, soundproof/acoustic insulation characteristics. A ceramic foam-fiber composite material may be used as a building material.

Abstract: Provided are ceramic foams. The ceramic foams may have a hierarchical pore gradient. The ceramic foams may be silica aerogels. The ceramic foams may be made by reaction of one or more precursors in the presence of an inert gas generated by a pore-forming gas-forming additive. The ceramic foams may be used as insulating materials.

Abstract: Systems for forming thermoplastic components are disclosed. A system may include a mold including a first portion and a second portion engaging the first portion. The first portion and/or the second portion may receive material for the component. The system may also include a compressive device positioned adjacent to and contacting the first portion of the mold. Additionally, the system may include a control system in communication with the compressive device. The control system may be configured to displace the compressive device to apply a compressive force to the first portion of the mold, and impose a predetermined pressure on the material for the component. The control system may also be configured to heat the first portion and/or the second portion of the mold.

Abstract: Graphene material-metal nanocomposites having a metal core with one or more graphene material layers disposed on the metal core. The nanocomposites may be formed by contacting metal nanowires and one or more graphene material and/or graphene material precursor in a dispersion. The nanocomposites may be used for form inks for coating or printing conductive elements or as conductors in various articles of manufacture. An article of manufacture may be an electrical device or an electronic device.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a polymer composite material by mixing a polymer material with a planar material, depositing the mixture on a substrate, and stretching the resulting thin film, is described. Polymer composite materials produced using said method and ballistic resistant materials comprising said polymer composite materials are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to a method of fabricating a ceramic-polymer composite by contacting a polymer material with an acid solution and depositing a ceramic on the polymer material. The invention also relates in part to ceramic-polymer composites produced using said method and ballistic resistant materials comprising said ceramic-polymer composites.

Abstract: Electrodes are provided comprising a FeS2 electrocatalytic material, the FeS2 electrocatalytic material comprising FeS2 nanostructures in the form of FeS2 wires, FeS2 discs, or both, wherein the FeS2 wires and the FeS2 discs are hyperthin having a thickness in the range of from about the thickness of a monolayer of FeS2 molecules to about 20 nm. The FeS2 nanostructures may be polycrystalline comprising a non-pyrite majority crystalline phase. The FeS2 nanostructures may be in the form of FeS2 discs wherein substantially all the FeS2 discs have at least partially curved edges.

Abstract: Electrodes are provided comprising a FeS2 electrocatalytic material, the FeS2 electrocatalytic material comprising FeS2 nanostructures in the form of FeS2 wires, FeS2 discs, or both, wherein the FeS2 wires and the FeS2 discs are hyperthin having a thickness in the range of from about the thickness of a monolayer of FeS2 molecules to about 20 nm. The FeS2 nanostructures may be polycrystalline comprising a non-pyrite majority crystalline phase. The FeS2 nanostructures may be in the form of FeS2 discs wherein substantially all the FeS2 discs have at least partially curved edges.

Abstract: Provided are FeS2 based photovoltaic battery devices comprising a transparent substrate, an active layer disposed over the transparent substrate, the active layer comprising a porous film of FeS2 nanocrystals and a halide ionic liquid infiltrating the porous film, and an electrode disposed over the active layer. The device may be configured such that under exposure to light, photons incident on the active layer are absorbed by the FeS2 nanocrystals, generating a current and a voltage, whereby a separation of charge within the active layer is created, which is discharged in the absence of the light.

Abstract: Provided are FeS2 based photovoltaic battery devices comprising a transparent substrate, an active layer disposed over the transparent substrate, the active layer comprising a porous film of FeS2 nanocrystals and a halide ionic liquid infiltrating the porous film, and an electrode disposed over the active layer. The device may be configured such that under exposure to light, photons incident on the active layer are absorbed by the FeS2 nanocrystals, generating a current and a voltage, whereby a separation of charge within the active layer is created, which is discharged in the absence of the light.