Abstract: An article is provided. The article may include an electrochemical cell. The cell may include a molten electrolyte, and at least one molten electrode. The cell may include a structure for separating an anode from a cathode, while enabling ionic communication between the anode and cathode. An energy storage device comprising the article is also provided. Methods related to the article and the energy storage device may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an electroless nickel coating composition that includes (a) coating a substrate with an electroless nickel coating to provide a coated substrate; and (b) subjecting the coated substrate to a heating protocol comprising heating to a temperature in a range from about 550° C. to about 700° C. for a period of from about 7 to about 30 hours. An article made from the method is also provided.

Abstract: A light collimating and diffusing film and a method for making the film are provided. The film includes a plastic layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and at least a first peripheral edge. The first side has a first textured surface, wherein between 7 to 20 percent of slope angles on the first textured surface proximate a first axis has a value between zero and five degrees. The first axis is substantially parallel to the first peripheral edge. The plastic layer collimates light propagating therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sealing pinholes in an electroless metal coating, said method comprising: (a) coating a substrate with an electroless metal coating layer to provide a coated article comprising an electroless metal coating in contact with the surface of the substrate, said electroless metal coating being characterized by the presence of pinhole imperfections which allow fluid communication between the substrate and the environment; (b) applying a layer of a curable epoxy sealant over the electroless metal coating layer and filling the pinhole imperfections; (c) curing the curable epoxy sealant to provide a cured epoxy overcoating layer; and (d) removing a substantial portion of the cured epoxy overcoating layer to provide an article comprising an electroless metal coating which is substantially free of pinhole imperfections allowing fluid communication between the substrate and the environment.

Abstract: A method for growing a nitride crystal and a crystalline composition selected from one of AlN, InGaN, AlGaInN, InGaN, and AlGaNInN is provided. The composition comprises a true single crystal, grown from a single nucleus, at least 1 mm in diameter, free of lateral strain and tilt boundaries, with a dislocation density less than about 104 cm?2.

Abstract: An article of electrochemical energy conversion is provided that includes a separator. The separator has a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first chamber, and a second surface that defines a second chamber, and the first chamber is in ionic communication with the second chamber through the separator. The energy storage device further includes a plurality of cathodic materials. The plurality includes at least a first cathodic material and a second cathodic material. Both of the cathodic materials are in electrical communication with the separator and both are capable of forming a metal halide. A proviso is that if either of the first cathodic material or the second cathodic material is a transition metal, then the other cathodic material is not iron, arsenic, or tin.

Abstract: Process for roughening a surface of a base metal substrate includes contacting the surface with an aqueous solution comprising oxalic acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrogen peroxide at a temperature and for a period of time effective to roughen the surface to an average roughness greater than 60 Ra, removing a modest amount of base material, and generating no narrow and deep crevices at all. The surface is roughened prior to application of an electroless coating onto the substrate.

Abstract: A capsule for containing at least one reactant and a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment under high pressure, high temperature processing conditions. The capsule includes a closed end, at least one wall adjoining the closed end and extending from the closed end; and a sealed end adjoining the at least one wall opposite the closed end. The at least one wall, closed end, and sealed end define a chamber therein for containing the reactant and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high temperatures and high pressures. The capsule is formed from a deformable material and is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to the reactant and the supercritical fluid under processing conditions, which are generally above 5 kbar and 550° C. and, preferably, at pressures between 5 kbar and 80 kbar and temperatures between 550 ° C. and about 1500° C.

Abstract: Multiple layers of nickel phosphorous coatings are formed by electroless plating onto a base metal substrate such as a turbine component. In one embodiment, a first nickel layer metallurgical bonded by a heat treatment process to a surface of the base metal substrate, the first nickel layer containing about 4 to about 6 weight percent phosphorous with the balance being essentially nickel; and a second nickel layer deposited onto the first layer, the second nickel layer containing about 8 to about 12 weight percent phosphorous with the balance being essentially nickel, wherein the first and second layers are formed by electroless plating. In this manner, adhesion is maximized without degrading the properties of the second layer such as corrosion resistance and ductility. Also disclosed are processes for forming the multilayered nickel phosphorus coatings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biosensors and methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the sensor for detecting an analyte comprises: a substrate, recognition elements specific for the analyte, an excitation source, a detector, a chamber located between the substrate and the excitation source and between the substrate and the detector, and an emission filter. The recognition elements are tethered to the substrate such that the recognition elements can be exposed to a sample. The excitation source is capable of emitting a first light having a first light peak intensity at a first wavelength, wherein the first light can excite a luminophore to emit a second light when the recognition elements interact with the analyte. The detector is capable of detecting the second light emitted by the luminophore. The emission filter is capable of filtering in a band gap that includes the first light peak intensity.

Abstract: Gallium oxide films for sensing gas comprise Ga2O3 and have a porosity of at least about 30%. Such films can be formed by coating a substrate with a solution comprising: a gallium salt and a porogen comprising an organic compound comprising a hydrophilic chain and a hydrophobic chain; and heating the substrate to a temperature in the range from about 400° C. to about 600° C. while exposing the substrate to an oxygen-containing source to convert the gallium salt to a gallium oxide.

Abstract: An etchant including a halogenated salt, such as Cryolite (Na3AlF6) or potassium tetrafluoro borate (KBF4), is provided. The salt may be present in the etchant in an amount sufficient to etch a substrate and may have a melt temperature of greater than about 200 degrees Celsius. A method of wet etching may include contacting an etchant to at least one surface of a support layer of a multi-layer laminate, wherein the support layer may include aluminum oxide; or contacting an etchant to at least one surface of a support layer of a multi-layer laminate, wherein the etchant may include Cryolite (Na3AlF6), potassium tetrafluoro borate (KBF4), or both; and etching at least a portion of the support layer. The method may provide a laminate produced by growing a crystal onto an aluminum oxide support layer, and chemically removing at least a portion of the support layer by wet etch. An electronic device, optical device or combined device including the laminate is provided.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race. A lubricant is deposited on a first portion of a bare metal of one of the bearing race and the bearing ball, and a metal matrix deposited on a second portion of the bare metal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biosensors and methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the sensor for detecting an analyte comprises: a substrate, recognition elements specific for the analyte, an excitation source, a detector, a chamber located between the substrate and the excitation source and between the substrate and the detector, and an emission filter. The recognition elements are tethered to the substrate such that the recognition elements can be exposed to a sample. The excitation source is capable of emitting a first light having a first light peak intensity at a first wavelength, wherein the first light can excite a luminophore to emit a second light when the recognition elements interact with the analyte. The detector is capable of detecting the second light emitted by the luminophore. The emission filter is capable of filtering in a band gap that includes the first light peak intensity.

Abstract: Gallium oxide films for sensing gas comprise Ga2O3 and have a porosity of at least about 30%. Such films can be formed by coating a substrate with a solution comprising: a gallium salt and a porogen comprising an organic compound comprising a hydrophilic chain and a hydrophobic chain; and heating the substrate to a temperature in the range from about 400° C. to about 600° C. while exposing the substrate to an oxygen-containing source to convert the gallium salt to a gallium oxide.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race. A coating is deposited on one of the bearing race and the bearing ball includes a lubricant and a hard material having a hardness greater than a base material of the bearing race and a base material of the bearing ball.

Abstract: An article of electrochemical energy conversion is provided that includes a separator. The separator has a first surface that defines at least a portion of a first chamber, and a second surface that defines a second chamber, and the first chamber is in ionic communication with the second chamber through the separator. The energy storage device further includes a plurality of cathodic materials. The plurality includes at least a first cathodic material and a second cathodic material. Both of the cathodic materials are in electrical communication with the separator and both are capable of forming a metal halide. A proviso is that if either of the first cathodic material or the second cathodic material is a transition metal, then the other cathodic material is not iron, arsenic, or tin.

Abstract: An article is provided. The article may include an electrochemical cell. The cell may include a molten electrolyte, and at least one molten electrode. The cell may include a structure for separating an anode from a cathode, while enabling ionic communication between the anode and cathode. An energy storage device comprising the article is also provided. Methods related to the article and the energy storage device may be provided.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race. A coating is deposited on one of the bearing race and the bearing ball includes a lubricant and a hard material having a hardness greater than a base material of the bearing race and a base material of the bearing ball.

Abstract: A bearing assembly mounted in an x-ray tube includes a bearing race and a bearing ball positioned adjacent to the bearing race. A lubricant is deposited on a first portion of a bare metal of one of the bearing race and the bearing ball, and a metal matrix deposited on a second portion of the bare metal.