Abstract: A triboelectric generator includes a resiliently-deformable hexagonal housing including a first housing wall and a second housing wall positioned opposite the first housing wall. A first electrode resides along the first housing wall, and a second electrode resides along the second housing wall. A dielectric contact layer is positioned in intimate contact with the first electrode and between the first electrode and the second electrode. The dielectric contact layer is spaced apart from the second housing wall. The first housing wall is coupled to the second housing wall such that at least one of the first housing wall and the second housing wall is resiliently movable toward the other one of the first housing wall and the second housing wall so as to enable contact between the dielectric contact layer and the second electrode during operation of the triboelectric generator.

Abstract: An elastomeric triboelectric generator housing structured for incorporation into a wheel for a vehicle is provided. The housing includes a least one cavity having a pair of opposed walls, and a triboelectric generator incorporated into the at least one cavity. The at least one cavity is structured to actuate responsive to application of at least one force to the housing along an axis extending through the at least one cavity and between a central axis of the housing and a circumference of the housing.

Abstract: A system includes a shell at least partially formed in a shape of a steering wheel and having a first layer and a second layer spaced apart from one another. The system further includes an LED coupled to the shell or the steering wheel. The system also includes a positive triboelectric material coupled to the first layer of the shell and that loses electrons in response to friction. The system further includes a negative triboelectric material coupled to the second layer of the shell and that gains electrons in response to friction. The system further includes an electrical connector coupled to the LED and at least one of the positive triboelectric material or the negative triboelectric material. Current flows through the electrical connector to illuminate the LED when force is being applied to the shell causing the positive triboelectric material to contact the negative triboelectric material.

Abstract: A multi-layered pigment includes a metal core such as Al—SiO2. A high refractive index layer such as TiO2 is applied by an aqueous organic two-phase process to and surrounding the metal core. The high refractive index layer has a thickness greater than 120 nm wherein the high refractive index layer is uniform and crack-free.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that include a base and a protein associated with the base for actively promoting the removal of organic stains are provided. In aspects, bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that include a base and a protein associated with the base for actively promoting the removal of organic stains are provided. In aspects, bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: A process of forming a multi-layered pigment includes the steps of: providing a metal core material; dispersing the metal core material in a first solvent and organic binder mixture; depositing a high refractive index material onto the metal core material; drying the deposited high refractive index and metal core material wherein the high refractive index layer is uniform and crack-free.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a diaphragm, at least one conductor layer disposed on the diaphragm, at least one dielectric film layer, and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the cooling system in a contact mode and in a non-contact mode. In the contact mode, the diaphragm is controlled to oscillate at a first amplitude such that the conductor layer contacts the dielectric film layer. In the non-contact mode, the diaphragm is controlled to oscillate at a second amplitude such that the conductor layer does not contact the dielectric film layer while the diaphragm oscillates.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a diaphragm, at least one conductor layer disposed on the diaphragm, at least one dielectric film layer, and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the cooling system in a contact mode and in a non-contact mode. In the contact mode, the diaphragm is controlled to oscillate at a first amplitude such that the conductor layer contacts the dielectric film layer. In the non-contact mode, the diaphragm is controlled to oscillate at a second amplitude such that the conductor layer does not contact the dielectric film layer while the diaphragm oscillates.

Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a protease with enzymatic activity toward a component of a biological stain. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of a biological stain is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a protease is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the biological stain to facilitate biological stain removal from the substrate or said coating.

Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a lipase with enzymatic activity toward a component of a fingerprint. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of fingerprints is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a lipase is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the fingerprint to facilitate fingerprint removal from the substrate or said coating. Applying heat to the substrate or coating increases the rate of fingerprint removal.

Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a protease with enzymatic activity toward a component of a biological stain. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of a biological stain is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a protease is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the biological stain to facilitate biological stain removal from the substrate or said coating.

Abstract: The invention provides high enzyme loading nanofibers and processes utilized in their fabrication, the nanofibers suitable for use as a new class of highly sensitive and stable biosensors capable of monitoring glucose at low levels. The biosensors, comprising nanofiber enzyme materials fabricated from organic solvent-based polymer-enzyme systems, can be used effectively in non-invasive transdermal biosensing applications.

Abstract: A process of forming a multi-layered pigment comprising the steps of: providing a metal core material; treating the metal core material with an acid, depositing a passivation layer onto the metal core material; densifying the metal core material having the passivation layer reducing a pore size of the passivation layer; and depositing a high refractive index material onto the sintered material wherein the high refractive index layer is uniform and crack free.

Abstract: Processes of forming an irreversibly loose packed structure of particulate material useful as a photonic or phononic crystal are provided. Matrix material is infilled between particles and extends above the particles to form a particulate free matrix layer. Removing the matrix layer causes deformation of or exposes the spacing between the particles. The spaces are infilled by additional matrix material that when cured produces a supported and irreversibly loose packed crystalline structure of particles producing differing bandgaps and transmissive properties relative to the original structure. The processes provided allow for economical tuning of the transmissive properties of photonic or phononic crystals.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.

Abstract: A process of forming a multi-layered pigment comprising the steps of: providing a metal core material; treating the metal core material with an acid, depositing a passivation layer onto the metal core material; densifying the metal core material having the passivation layer reducing a pore size of the passivation layer; and depositing a high refractive index material onto the sintered material wherein the high refractive index layer is uniform and crack free.

Abstract: A process of forming a multi-layered pigment includes the steps of: providing a metal core material; dispersing the metal core material in a first solvent and organic binder mixture; depositing a high refractive index material onto the metal core material; drying the deposited high refractive index and metal core material wherein the high refractive index layer is uniform and crack-free.

Abstract: Protein-polymer composite materials are provided according to embodiments of the present invention that include an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material that is useful for facilitating removal of bioorganic stains.

Abstract: Bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.