Abstract: An energy storage device is provided that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a copolymer network including a polyoxide and a polysulfide. The polymer electrolyte membrane is prelithiated by deep discharging of the battery of in a voltage range of ?0.5 V to 5.0 V such that the polymer electrolyte membrane after deep discharging includes additional lithium ions stored therein as compared with prior to deep discharging.

Abstract: A solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane and a supercapacitive lithium-ion battery utilizing the solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane. The solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a mixture of a lithium salt, a plasticizer, and a co-network of a crosslinkable polyether addition and a crosslinkable amine addition. The co-network is crosslinked, and the solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane is conductive on the order of 10?3 S cm?1. The supercapacitive lithium-ion battery utilizing the solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane has an operating range of between about 0.01 and about 4.3 V without short-circuiting while also having a higher capacity relative to conventional liquid electrolyte lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) have the potential to enable fully flexible low-cost electronics. Combining OECTs with ionic electroactive polymers (IEAP) yields a highly sensitive bending sensors with respect to mechanical bending. In comparison the proposed sensor has a sensitivity that is several orders of magnitude larger than conventional electroactive polymers.

Abstract: An ionic liquid crystal elastomer composition includes a liquid crystal elastomer; and an ionic liquid.

Abstract: A solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane and a supercapacitive lithium-ion battery utilizing the solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane. The solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a mixture of a lithium salt, a plasticizer, and a co-network of a crosslinkable polyether addition and a crosslinkable amine addition. The co-network is crosslinked, and the solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane is conductive on the order of 10?3 S cm?1. The supercapacitive lithium-ion battery utilizing the solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane has an operating range of between about 0.01 and about 4.3 V without short-circuiting while also having a higher capacity relative to conventional liquid electrolyte lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: An ionic liquid crystal elastomer composition includes a liquid crystal elastomer; and an ionic liquid.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane assembly includes a polymer electrolyte membrane layer positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode. The polymer electrolyte membrane layer can be made from a composition including a polymer matrix, a plasticizer, and an ionic material. The polymer electrolyte membrane assembly may be utilized to harvest electrical energy by allowing the polymer electrolyte membrane assembly to bend to thereby produce a second ion concentration gradient different from an initial ion concentration gradient.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane assembly includes a polymer electrolyte membrane layer positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode. The polymer electrolyte membrane layer can be made from a composition including a polymer matrix, a plasticizer, and an ionic material. The polymer electrolyte membrane assembly may be utilized to harvest electrical energy by allowing the polymer electrolyte membrane assembly to bend to thereby produce a second ion concentration gradient different from an initial ion concentration gradient.

Abstract: A method of creating an electrolyte film includes mixing succinonitrile (SCN), lithium salt and crosslinkable polyether addition to form an isotropic amorphous mixture; and crosslinking the crosslinkable polyether to form a cured film, wherein the cured film remains amorphous without undergoing polymerization-induced phase separation or crystallization.

Abstract: A biocompatible polymer composition suited to forming a dialysis membrane includes a matrix material and at least one xanthone. The composition may be formed into a membrane for inserting into a dialyzer filter whereby free radicals in the fluid are removed by the membrane.

Abstract: A biocompatible polymer composition which includes a matrix material and at least one of an isoflavone and a flavone at least partially dispersed in the matrix material is suited to use in a membrane for hemodialysis and other in vivo and in vitro applications.

Abstract: A method of creating an electrolyte film includes mixing succinonitrile (SCN), lithium salt and crosslinkable polyether addition to form an isotropic amorphous mixture; and crosslinking the crosslinkable polyether to form a cured film, wherein the cured film remains amorphous without undergoing polymerization-induced phase separation or crystallization.

Abstract: A biocompatible polymer composition suited to forming a dialysis membrane includes a matrix material and at least one xanthone. The composition may be formed into a membrane for inserting into a dialyzer filter whereby free radicals in the fluid are removed by the membrane.

Abstract: A biocompatible polymer composition which includes a matrix material and at least one of an isoflavone and a flavone at least partially dispersed in the matrix material is suited to use in a membrane for hemodialysis and other in vivo and in vitro applications.

Abstract: An electrically tunable microlens array. The array is formed by pattern photopolymerization of photoreactive mixtures comprising a polymerizable material and liquid crystals; wherein the photopolymerization is characterized by the interaction of multiple-wave mixing. The liquid crystals are contained as droplets in regions between the polymerized material.

Abstract: An electrically tunable microlens array. The array is formed by pattern photopolymerization of photoreactive mixtures comprising a polymerizable material and liquid crystals; wherein the photopolymerization is characterized by the interaction of multiple-wave mixing. The liquid crystals are contained as droplets in regions between the polymerized material.

Abstract: The invention pertains generally to miscible polymer blends which can be used in optical applications, particularly in liquid crystal displays and optical adhesives, in that they are essentially birefiringence-free. The polymeric blend alloy includes a first polymer having an inherent positive birefringence and a second polymer having an inherent negative birefringence, the first and second polymers being soluble within each other to predefined limits. The polymer blend is an essentially birefringence-free film layer suitable for use in liquid crystal displays which has adequate mechanical properties, such as dimensional stability, permeability to water vapor, scratch-resistance and insensitivity to temperature, in that it is possible for them to be processed continuously and flexibly to all the required shapes. The polymer blends can be prepared not only from solvent solutions, but by melt-mixing as well.

Abstract: Two-component polymeric compositions having two interconnected solid phases, and exhibiting spinodal decomposition morphology at the domain boundaries are shown, as are methods for forming the same. The compositions are prepared from two different polymers one of which possesses ductility in that it shows substantial yield behavior under tensile stressing, the other being brittle, exhibiting no such behavior; thermoplastic polymers, in conjunction with thermotropic liquid crystalline materials, exemplify such systems. The desired morphology is created by preparing the two component compositions in a single solid phase below the lower critical solution temperature of the compositions, and thereafter heating the compositions above such temperature to form a two-phase system.

Abstract: Clear, transparent, single phase blends of polycarbonate and a polyalkyl methacrylate in which the alkyl radical contains from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and in which the polycarbonate and the polyalkyl methacrylate are miscible in all proportions are obtained. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the preferred polyalkyl methacrylate. These blends may be prepared by dissolving the two polymers in a mutual solvent having a boiling point of at least about 30.degree. C. and evaporating the solvent at a temperature of from about 30.degree. C. to the boiling point of the solvent. The preferred evaporation temperatures are from about 45.degree. C. to the boiling point of the solvent. This is in contrast to presently known PC/PMMA blends, which are miscible only when the content is nearly all PC or nearly all PMMA. Preferred blends according to this invention contain from 10 to 80 percent by weight of PC and conversely 90 to 20 percent by weight of PMMA. The single phase blends are moldable and transparent.