Abstract: A DNA or genome sequencing structure is disclosed. The structure includes an electrode pair, each electrode having a tip-shaped end, the electrodes separated by a nanogap defined by facing tip-shaped ends; at least one conductive island deposited at or near each tip-shaped end; and a biomolecule having two ends, each end attached to the conductive islands in the electrode pair such that one biomolecule bridges over the nanogap in the electrode pair, wherein nucleotide interactions with the biomolecule provides electronic monitoring of DNA or genome sequencing without the use of a fluorescing element.

Abstract: Devices, systems and techniques are described for producing and implementing articles and materials having nanoscale and microscale structures that exhibit superhydrophobic, superoleophobic or omniphobic surface properties and other enhanced properties. In one aspect, a surface nanostructure can be formed by adding a silicon-containing buffer layer such as silicon, silicon oxide or silicon nitride layer, followed by metal film deposition and heating to convert the metal film into balled-up, discrete islands to form an etch mask. The buffer layer can be etched using the etch mask to create an array of pillar structures underneath the etch mask, in which the pillar structures have a shape that includes cylinders, negatively tapered rods, or cones and are vertically aligned. In another aspect, a method of fabricating microscale or nanoscale polymer or metal structures on a substrate is made by photolithography and/or nano imprinting lithography.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel electrolytes, and techniques for making and devices using such electrolytes, which are based on compressed gas solvents. Unlike conventional electrolytes, disclosed electrolytes are based on “compressed gas solvents” mixed with various salts, referred to as “compressed gas electrolytes.” Various embodiments of a compressed gas solvent includes a material that is in a gas phase and has a vapor pressure above an atmospheric pressure at a room temperature. The disclosed compressed gas electrolytes can have wide electrochemical potential windows, high conductivity, low temperature capability and/or high pressure solvent properties. Examples of a class of compressed gases that can be used as solvent for electrolytes include hydrofluorocarbons, in particular fluoromethane, difluoromethane, tetrafluoroethane, pentafluoroethane. Also disclosed are battery and supercapacitor structures that use compressed gas solvent-based electrolytes, techniques for constructing such energy storage devices.

Abstract: A rotary-type automotive transmission is provided. The rotary-type automotive transmission includes a housing; a shaft coupled to the housing in an axial direction; a bullet part provided on a surface of the shaft to be elastically projected in a first direction, which is perpendicular to the axial direction, and/or in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction; and a groove part mounted in a receiving groove that is formed on a surface of the housing, to face the bullet part. The groove part slidably moves in the first direction and/or in the second direction to be received in the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel electrolytes, and techniques for making and devices using such electrolytes, which are based on compressed gas solvents. Unlike conventional electrolytes, disclosed electrolytes are based on “compressed gas solvents” mixed with various salts, referred to as “compressed gas electrolytes.” Various embodiments of a compressed gas solvent includes a material that is in a gas phase and has a vapor pressure above an atmospheric pressure at a room temperature. The disclosed compressed gas electrolytes can have wide electrochemical potential windows, high conductivity, low temperature capability and/or high pressure solvent properties.

Abstract: A molecular sensor includes a substrate defining a substrate plane, and a plurality of pairs of electrode sheets above or below the substrate at an angle to the substrate plane. The molecular sensor further includes a plurality of inner dielectric sheets between each electrode sheet in each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs, and an outer dielectric sheet between each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs.

Abstract: Devices, systems and techniques are described for producing and implementing articles and materials having nanoscale and microscale structures that exhibit superhydrophobic, superoleophobic or omniphobic surface properties and other enhanced properties. In one aspect, a surface nanostructure can be formed by adding a silicon-containing buffer layer such as silicon, silicon oxide or silicon nitride layer, followed by metal film deposition and heating to convert the metal film into balled-up, discrete islands to form an etch mask. The buffer layer can be etched using the etch mask to create an array of pillar structures underneath the etch mask, in which the pillar structures have a shape that includes cylinders, negatively tapered rods, or cones and are vertically aligned. In another aspect, a method of fabricating microscale or nanoscale polymer or metal structures on a substrate is made by photolithography and/or nano imprinting lithography.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for digitally creating new scents or digitally dispensing gas, vapor, or liquid substances.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing switchable dispensing and/or delivery of scented substances. In one aspect, a device includes a cartridge structured to include one or more chambers containing one or more scented substances contained in a corresponding chamber, a housing structured to include a compartment to hold the cartridge, an opening to allow the scented substances to dispense to an outer environment from the device, and one or more transporting channels formed between the compartment and the opening, in which each of the one or more transporting channels is configured to accelerate a scented substance from the corresponding chamber to the opening, and an actuator switch arranged in a corresponding transporting channel and operable to move between an open position and a closed position based on an applied signal to selectively allow passage of the scented substance from the corresponding transporting path.

Abstract: A molecular sensor includes a substrate defining a substrate plane, and a plurality of pairs of electrode sheets above or below the substrate at an angle to the substrate plane. The molecular sensor further includes a plurality of inner dielectric sheets between each electrode sheet in each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs, and an outer dielectric sheet between each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs.

Abstract: The invention provides articles of manufacture comprising biocompatible nanostructures comprising nanotubes and nanopores for, e.g., organ, tissue and/or cell growth, e.g., for bone, kidney or liver growth, and uses thereof, e.g., for in vitro testing, in vivo implants, including their use in making and using artificial organs, and related therapeutics. The invention provides lock-in nanostructures comprising a plurality of nanopores or nanotubes, wherein the nanopore or nanotube entrance has a smaller diameter or size than the rest (the interior) of the nanopore or nanotube. The invention also provides dual structured biomaterial comprising micro- or macro-pores and nanopores. The invention provides biomaterials having a surface comprising a plurality of enlarged diameter nanopores and/or nanotubes.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanostructured materials that reflect light in selected spectra incorporated in dark colored textiles or substrates. In one aspect, a light reflecting material includes a textile exhibiting a dark color and formed of a plurality of fibers, and nanostructures arranged on the fibers and formed of a plurality of nanoparticles, the nanostructures having a dimension size of substantially less than ½ of a visible light wavelength, in which the nanostructures reflect light from the textile or substrate in at least one of infrared, near-infrared, or red visible light spectra.

Abstract: A sequencing device is disclosed. The sequence device includes an array of conducting electrode pairs, each pair of electrodes comprising a source and a drain electrode arrangement separated by a nanogap, the electrode array deposited and patterned on a dielectric substrate; at least one transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) layer disposed on each pair of electrodes, wherein the TMD layer connects each source and drain electrode within each pair, and bridges each nanogap of each pair of electrodes; and a dielectric masking layer disposed on the TMD layer and comprising at least one opening that defines an exposed TMD region, wherein the at least one opening is sized so as to allow a single biomolecule to fit therein and to attach on to the exposed TMD region. In embodiments of the disclosure, the TMD layer be a defective TMD layer.

Abstract: In various aspects of the present disclosure, a sequencing device structure is disclosed. The device structure has an array of metallic conducting electrode pairs, each electrode pair defining a bridging source and drain arrangement separated by a nanogap, the electrode pairs deposited and patterned on a dielectric substrate; a graphene layer deposited onto each electrode pair bridging the source and drain electrodes in each pair, wherein each electrode pair is in electrical isolation from each other; and a dielectric masking layer contacting the graphene layer, the masking layer having an opening exposing a portion of the graphene layer directly over each nanogap, wherein each opening is dimensioned in size to accommodate at least one polymerase enzyme molecule. The graphene layer may include defective graphene.

Abstract: This invention relates to magnetocaloric materials comprising ternary alloys useful for magnetic refrigeration applications. The disclosed ternary alloys are Cerium, Neodymium, and/or Gadolinium based compositions that are fairly inexpensive, and in some cases exhibit only 2nd order magnetic phase transitions near their curie temperature, thus there are no thermal and structural hysteresis losses. This makes these compositions attractive candidates for use in magnetic refrigeration applications. The performance of the disclosed materials is similar or better to many of the known expensive rare-earth based magnetocaloric materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling device which utilizes both thermoelectric and magnetocaloric mechanisms for enhanced cooling applications. Using high thermal conductivity magnetocaloric composites in conjunction with thermoelectric elements acting as thermal switches which are electrically coupled to a magnetization and demagnetization cycle enables the use of larger quantities of magnetocaloric material, and high efficiency solid state cooling can be achieved. Solid state cooling devices are useful for a variety of industrial applications which require cooling, such as, but not limited to cooling of microelectronic devices, cooling on space platforms, etc.

Abstract: A molecular sensor includes a substrate defining a substrate plane, and a plurality of pairs of electrode sheets above or below the substrate at an angle to the substrate plane. The molecular sensor further includes a plurality of inner dielectric sheets between each electrode sheet in each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs, and an outer dielectric sheet between each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode driving module includes an LED driving circuit to activate light-emitting diodes driven by a modified rectified voltage, and to adjust driving currents conducted to driving nodes to the light emitting diodes; a driving current controller to receive a dimming signal indicative of a degree of modulation of the rectified voltage, and to control currents conducted to the driving nodes depending on the dimming signal; and a current blocking circuit to block the currents of the driving nodes when a dimming level of the dimming signal decreases lower than a first threshold value, and unblock the currents of the driving nodes when the dimming level increases above a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, devices and materials are disclosed for spectrally selective coatings for optical surfaces having high solar absorptivity, low infrared emissivity, and strong durability at elevated temperatures. In one aspect, a spectrally selective coating includes a substrate formed of a light absorbing material, and a composite material formed over the substrate and including nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric material, in which the composite material forms a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum.

Abstract: A molecular sensor includes a substrate defining a substrate plane, and a plurality of pairs of electrode sheets above or below the substrate at an angle to the substrate plane. The molecular sensor further includes a plurality of inner dielectric sheets between each electrode sheet in each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs, and an outer dielectric sheet between each pair of electrode sheets of the plurality of pairs.