Abstract: A method of forming an inorganic film on a surface can include depositing a polymer at a layer on a surface, swelling the polymer with a solvent to produce a swollen polymer on the surface, infiltrating the swollen polymer with a precursor, removing the swollen polymer after infiltrating the swollen polymer with the precursor, and forming a porous inorganic film on the surface based on removing the swollen polymer.

Abstract: Techniques for mechanically stabilizing metallic nanowire meshes using encapsulation are provided. In one aspect, a method for forming a mechanically-stabilized metallic nanowire mesh is provided which includes the steps of: forming the metallic nanowire mesh on a substrate; and coating the metallic nanowire mesh with a metal oxide that encapsulates the metallic nanowire mesh to mechanically-stabilize the metallic nanowire mesh which permits the metallic nanowire mesh to remain conductive at temperatures greater than or equal to about 600° C. A mechanically-stabilized metallic nanowire mesh is also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming a low refractive index layer on a substrate. The method generally includes (a) applying a block copolymer layer on a substrate, the block copolymer including a polar polymeric block and a non-polar polymeric block; (b) swelling the block copolymer layer with a solvent to increase the block copolymer layer thickness; (c) depositing a metal oxide or metalloid oxide layer on polar polymeric blocks of the block copolymer layer; and (d) removing the block copolymer layer from the substrate, thereby forming a porous metal oxide or metalloid oxide layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A printhead for direct write vapor deposition comprises a nozzle body including a reservoir for holding a material to be printed and a nozzle head protruding from the nozzle body. The nozzle head includes a nozzle opening for ejection of the material as a vapor-phase ink. The nozzle opening is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The nozzle head may protrude from the nozzle body a distance of at least 10 microns. A system for direct write vapor deposition includes the printhead, a heat source positioned to heat the printhead, a substrate in opposition to the nozzle opening for deposition of the vapor-phase ink, and an x-y-z motion stage configured to move the substrate relative to the printhead.

Abstract: A method of forming an inorganic film on a surface can include depositing a polymer at a layer on a surface, swelling the polymer with a solvent to produce a swollen polymer on the surface, infiltrating the swollen polymer with a precursor, removing the swollen polymer after infiltrating the swollen polymer with the precursor, and forming a porous inorganic film on the surface based on removing the swollen polymer.

Abstract: A system and method for mechanical processing of cells includes using a frame (102) forming an inlet channel (104), an outlet channel (106), and a processing chamber (108) fluidly connected between the inlet and outlet channels, wherein the processing chamber includes an anvil surface (112) formed on the frame. A hammer (110) mounted on the frame has a processing surface disposed in opposed relation to the anvil surface. The hammer is configured to move relative to the anvil surface. An actuator connected to the frame and operably associated with the hammer operates to move the hammer relative to the anvil surface and in close proximity to the anvil surface, wherein the hammer operates between a retracted position in which the processing surface is at a distance from the anvil surface, and an extended position in which the processing surface abuts the anvil surface.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a methods and systems for establishing a long-range quantum link in a quantum communication network and for improving connection rate of the quantum link. The quantum link is established across multiple quantum repeaters relying on quantum entanglement swap operations in the multiple quantum repeaters. The methods and systems use nested connection loops that are started as soon as quantum repeater resources become available.

Abstract: Polymers of intrinsic microporosity are used herein as polymer templates for forming mechanical robust inorganic porous coatings that can be beneficially used as anti-reflective coatings.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming a low refractive index layer on a substrate. The method generally includes (a) applying a block copolymer layer on a substrate, the block copolymer including a polar polymeric block and a non-polar polymeric block; (b) swelling the block copolymer layer with a solvent to increase the block copolymer layer thickness; (c) depositing a metal oxide or metalloid oxide layer on polar polymeric blocks of the block copolymer layer; and (d) removing the block copolymer layer from the substrate, thereby forming a porous metal oxide or metalloid oxide layer on the substrate.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming a low refractive index layer on a substrate. The method generally includes (a) applying a block copolymer layer on a substrate, the block copolymer including a polar polymeric block and a non-polar polymeric block; (b) swelling the block copolymer layer with a solvent to increase the block copolymer layer thickness; (c) depositing a metal oxide or metalloid oxide layer on polar polymeric blocks of the block copolymer layer; and (d) removing the block copolymer layer from the substrate, thereby forming a porous metal oxide or metalloid oxide layer on the substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a high-speed avalanche photodiode device configured to detect single photons. The avalanche photodiode device may include a passive quenching circuitry. The passive quenching circuitry may include a quenching resistor having a resistivity spontaneously adaptive to a bias voltage applied across the quenching resistor. Such adaptive resistivity enables a fast response time for the avalanche photodiode device when used to detect single photos in Geiger mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods suitable to measure trace amounts of specific ions in fluid samples. An example system includes a resonator having an input coupler and an output coupler. The example system also includes an ion-selective membrane (ISM) optically coupled to at least a portion of the resonator. The system additionally includes a light source configured to illuminate the resonator by way of the input coupler. Furthermore, the system includes a detector configured to receive output light by way of the output coupler and provide information indicative a concentration of a specific ion proximate to tire ISM.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a thin film assembly comprising a substrate and an epitaxial crystalline thin film disposed on the substrate, wherein the epitaxial crystalline thin film is a single crystal, wherein at least a portion of the epitaxial crystalline thin film is doped with rare-earth ions at a concentration of less than 100 parts per billion. The disclosure further includes a method of manufacturing a thin film assembly, the method comprising creating, on a substrate and with use of molecular beam epitaxy, an epitaxial crystalline thin film doped with the rare-earth ions at a concentration of less than 100 parts per billion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method used in a photolithographic process comprising depositing a film of Atomic Layered Deposition (ALD) Al2O3 on a photomask, subjecting said film of Al2O3 on the photomask to a plasma treatment and then irradiating the deposited film of ALD Al2O3 on the coated photomask at a wavelength of 193 nm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods suitable to measure trace amounts of specific ions in fluid samples. An example system includes a resonator having an input coupler and an output coupler. The example system also includes an ion-selective membrane (ISM) optically coupled to at least a portion of the resonator. The system additionally includes a light source configured to illuminate the resonator by way of the input coupler. Furthermore, the system includes a detector configured to receive output light by way of the output coupler and provide information indicative a concentration of a specific ion proximate to tire ISM.

Abstract: Techniques for hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic energy collection are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic concentrating thermal collector (PVCTC) includes: a thermal absorber collector; and bent solar panels forming a parabolic shaped trough reflector partially surrounding the thermal absorber collector so as to reflect incident light onto the thermal absorber collector. A PVCTC system including an array of PVCTC units and a method for hybrid electrical and thermal energy production are also provided.

Abstract: An optode has a planar radiation guiding medium having a first planar surface and a second planar surface and one or more perimeter surfaces bounded by the first and second planar surfaces. An excitation energy source of the optode is configured to output into the radiation guiding medium first energy at a wavelength selected to excite a fluorophore. The optode also includes a photodetector configured to image at least a portion of the first planar surface of the radiation guiding medium by detecting second energy transmitted through the radiation guiding medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods of manufacture that relate to cationic filamentary (CF) devices. An example CF device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulator. The first electrode includes an electrochemically inert material. The second electrode includes an electrochemically active material. The electrochemically active material includes Sn, An insulator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode such that a positive voltage applied to the second electrode with respect to the first electrode causes formation of a conductive filament in the insulator extending from the second electrode toward the first electrode.

Abstract: Low power combustible gas sensors using a thermocouple design are provided. In one aspect, a combustible gas sensor includes: at least one first electrode; at least one second electrode formed from a dissimilar material from the first electrode; and a catalytic material at an active reaction junction between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the active reaction junction between the first electrode and the second electrode forms a thermocouple. A sensing device is including, e.g., multiple sensors, and a method for sensing combustible gas using the present sensors are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method used in a photolithographic process comprising depositing a film of Atomic layered Deposition (ALD) Al2O3 on a photomask, subjecting said film of Al2O3 on the photomask to a plasma treatment and then irradiating the deposited film of ALD Al2O3 on the coated photomask at a wavelength of 193 nm.