Abstract: A solar cell is disclosed that may include a quantum dot, an electron conductor, and a bifunctional ligand disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The bifunctional ligand may include a first anchor group that bonds to the quantum dot and a second anchor group that bonds to the electron conductor. The solar cell may include a hole conductor that is configured to reduce the quantum dot once the quantum dot absorbs a photon and ejects an electron through the bifunctional ligand and into the electron conductor. The hole conductor may be a p-type polymer.

Abstract: A SAW based sensor apparatus utilizing semi-synchronous SAW resonator having a single resonance at Bragg frequency with very high quality factor is disclosed. The semi-synchronous SAW resonator includes at least one inter-digital transducer, which generates and receives surface acoustic wave and a number of grating reflectors, which reflect the surface acoustic wave and generate a standing wave between the reflectors, The interdigital transducer and the grating reflectors can be fabricated on a substrate (e.g., quartz) by photolithographic process. The resonance condition is independent of transducer directivity and reflection coefficient per finger. Such a SAW based sensor apparatus having three semi-synchronous SAW resonators can be utilized for measuring pressure and temperature for a wireless tire-pressure monitoring system.

Abstract: A patterned dielectric elastomer actuator is disclosed which includes a series of thin parallel elastomer filaments, separated by certain distances sandwiched between a pair of rigid electrodes. The elastomer filaments and air acts as a patterned dielectric layer. The elastomer filaments can compress laterally from a circular cross-section to an elliptical shape when a voltage is applied between the rigid electrodes. The elastomer filaments can touch laterally, which implies no further squeezing in order to provide a minimal secure distance between the rigid electrodes. The dielectric elastomer actuator can be fabricated utilizing a reel-to-reel fabrication process with the thin elastomer filaments fabricated ahead of time, by extrusion techniques and cured completely before storing on reels.

Abstract: A method can be adapted for design and preparation of a matrix nanocomposite sensing film for hydrogen sulphide SAW/BAW detection at room temperature. A matrix nanocomposite can be synthesized by incorporating both single-wall and multi-wall thiolated carbon nanotubes into conductive organic polymers or ceramic nanocrystalline in a properly functionalized manner. A thin organic sensing film can be prepared based on the matrix nanocomposite. The matrix nanocomposite sensing film can be prepared on a surface of a SAW/BAW device by an additive process or a direct printing process. Finally, the sensing film can be consolidated by thermal annealing or laser annealing under ambient conditions in order to obtain the stable sensing film with higher sensitivity and electrical properties for a SAW/BAW based H2S sensor.

Abstract: A patterned dielectric elastomer actuator is disclosed which includes a series of thin parallel elastomer filaments, separated by certain distances sandwiched between a pair of rigid electrodes. The elastomer filaments and air acts as a patterned dielectric layer. The elastomer filaments can compress laterally from a circular cross-section to an elliptical shape when a voltage is applied between the rigid electrodes. The elastomer filaments can touch laterally, which implies no further squeezing in order to provide a minimal secure distance between the rigid electrodes. The dielectric elastomer actuator can be fabricated utilizing a reel-to-reel fabrication process with the thin elastomer filaments fabricated ahead of time, by extrusion techniques and cured completely before storing on reels.

Abstract: A solar cell including a quantum dot and an electron conductor, and a bifunctional ligand disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The bifunctional ligand molecule may include an electron conductor anchor that bonds to the electron conductor and a first quantum dot anchor that bonds to the quantum dot. A hole conductor such as a conductive polymer may include a second quantum dot anchor.

Abstract: A method can be adapted for design and preparation of a matrix nanocomposite sensing film for hydrogen sulphide SAW/BAW detection at room temperature. A matrix nanocomposite can be synthesized by incorporating both single-wall and multi-wall thiolated carbon nanotubes into conductive organic polymers or ceramic nanocrystalline in a properly functionalized manner. A thin organic sensing film can be prepared based on the matrix nanocomposite. The matrix nanocomposite sensing film can be prepared on a surface of a SAW/BAW device by an additive process or a direct printing process. Finally, the sensing film can be consolidated by thermal annealing or laser annealing under ambient conditions in order to obtain the stable sensing film with higher sensitivity and electrical properties for a SAW/BAW based H2S sensor.

Abstract: Methods can be adapted for design of a sensitive monolayer for detection of hydrogen sulphide at room temperature with SAW/BAW devices. The sensitive monolayer can be synthesized based on chemical compounds, which belongs to a class of thiacalix[n]arenas, mercapto halides, mercapto alcohols and chloromethylated thiacalix[n]arenas. The sensitive monolayer can be directly immobilized or anchored at the surface of a piezoelectric quartz substrate in a covalently bonded manner by means of direct printing process. The piezoelectric quartz substrate can be activated in basic medium or in acid medium before the immobilization of the sensitive monolayer in order to increase the population of OH groups. Thus, the synthesized sensitive monolayer exhibits a high site density, fast response and long-term stability for H2S sensing.

Abstract: A solar cell including a quantum dot and an electron conductor, with a bifunctional ligand disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The bifunctional ligand molecule may include an electron conductor anchor that bonds to the electron conductor and a first quantum dot anchor that bonds to the quantum dot. A hole conductor such as a conductive polymer may include a second quantum dot anchor. In some instances, the first quantum dot may include selenium.

Abstract: A solar cell may include a quantum dot and an electron conductor. A bifunctional ligand may be disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The ligand molecule may include an electron conductor anchor that bonds to the electron conductor and a first quantum dot anchor that bonds to the quantum dot. A hole conductor such as a conductive polymer may include a second quantum dot anchor.

Abstract: A method includes forming multiple trenches in a first wafer, forming a sensor structure on a first surface of a second wafer, and bonding the first wafer and the second wafer. The method also includes etching a second surface of the second wafer to form a sensor diaphragm in the second wafer. The method further includes removing a portion of the first wafer by cutting the first wafer in multiple areas of the first wafer associated with the trenches. A sensor includes a substrate and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator on a first surface of the substrate. The sensor also includes a bonding pad electrically coupled to the SAW resonator and a notch formed in a second surface of the substrate. The sensor further includes a cover separated from the first surface of the substrate by a spacer. The SAW resonator is located between the cover and the substrate.

Abstract: A sensor includes a piezoelectric substrate and conductive elements formed in or over the substrate. The sensor also includes a sensing layer formed over the substrate. The sensing layer has one or more properties (such as a mass loading, an electrical property, or a visco-elastic property) that vary based on at least one measurand to be measured by the sensor (such as carbon dioxide). This may affect, for example, a propagation velocity of acoustic waves in the sensor and/or a resonant frequency of the sensor. The sensing layer includes a combination of polyaniline and carbonic anhydrase. The combination of polyaniline and carbonic anhydrase could be formed using an emeraldine base. For instance, an aniline can be dissolved in water to form a mixture, and hydrochloric acid and an oxidant can be added to the mixture. A chemical polymerization of the aniline in the mixture can be performed to form polyanilne.