Abstract: Provided are a storage device, system, and method for throttling host writes in a host buffer to a storage device. The storage device is coupled to a host system having a host buffer that includes reads and writes to pages of the storage device. Garbage collection consolidates valid data from pages in the storage device to fewer pages. A determination is made as to whether a processing measurement at the storage device satisfies a threshold. A timer value is set to a positive value in response to determining that the processing measurement satisfies the threshold. The timer is started to run for the timer value. Writes from the host buffer are blocked while the timer is running. Writes remain in the host buffer while the timer is running. A write is accepted from the host buffer to process in response to expiration of the timer.

Abstract: Heat transfer devices and systems are provided for the rapid cooling of pulsed high-powered, high-flux devices using flash boiling. Such devices comprise at least two fluidly connected chambers and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with a heat source. A flash boiling event is actively triggered at a location close to the heat source by rapid depressurization of the chamber containing a multi-phase coolant. This boiling process allows for high heat transfer rates from the heat source into the chambers due to the latent heat of vaporization, which results in the rapid cooling of the heat source. A porous medium may also be positioned within a chamber of the device to enhance boiling nucleation and extended surface heat transfer. Methods of rapidly cooling pulsed heat sources are also provided using the devices and systems hereof.

Abstract: This disclosure presents the use of electrons as the ‘working fluid’ in conjunction with a solid nanomaterial that hinders electron coupling to the atomic lattice of the nanomaterial, i.e., they are out of equilibrium. The electrons can achieve very high effective temperatures with minimal heating of the solid lattice. These ‘hot’ electrons emit from the absorbing material, carrying both the light energy and energy acquired from the atomic lattice. Thus, the operation of this disclosure includes shining light on an object to make the object cool instead of heat. It is envisioned that one of ordinary skill in the art would find the operation quite counter-intuitive.

Abstract: A thermal interface material and method of making the same includes growing a carbon nanotube array on a first substrate and brazing the distal ends of the carbon nanotube array to a second substrate using a braze material. In at least one embodiment, the braze material includes active elements. The method further includes performing the brazing process in an inert or vacuum atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of graphitic petal synthesis includes a step of providing a flexible carbon substrate, such as that including carbon microfibers. The method further includes the step of subjecting flexible carbon substrate to microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The resulting synthesized graphitic petal structure may optionally be coated with PANI.

Abstract: Heat transfer devices and systems are provided for the rapid cooling of pulsed high-powered, high-flux devices using flash boiling. Such devices comprise at least two fluidly connected chambers and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with a heat source. A flash boiling event is actively triggered at a location close to the heat source by rapid depressurization of the chamber containing a multi-phase coolant. This boiling process allows for high heat transfer rates from the heat source into the chambers due to the latent heat of vaporization, which results in the rapid cooling of the heat source. A porous medium may also be positioned within a chamber of the device to enhance boiling nucleation and extended surface heat transfer. Methods of rapidly cooling pulsed heat sources are also provided using the devices and systems hereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, SWNTs are synthesized from an embedded catalyst in a modified porous anodic alumina (PAA) template. Pd is electrodeposited into the template to form nanowires that grow from an underlying conductive layer beneath the PAA and extend to the initiation sites of the SWNTs within each pore. Individual vertical channels of SWNTs are created, each with a vertical Pd nanowire back contact. Further Pd deposition results in annular Pd nanoparticles that form on portions of SWNTs extending onto the PAA surface. Two-terminal electrical characteristics produce linear I-V relationships, indicating ohmic contact in the devices.

Abstract: A thermal interface material and method of making the same includes growing a carbon nanotube array on a first substrate and brazing the distal ends of the carbon nanotube array to a second substrate using a braze material. In at least one embodiment, the braze material includes active elements. The method further includes performing the brazing process in an inert or vacuum atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for rapid synthesis of few-layer graphene films on Cu foil by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). The plasma/metal interaction can be useful for a rapid synthesis of such thin films. The process can produce films of controllable quality from amorphous to highly crystalline by adjusting plasma conditions during growth processes of ˜100 sec duration and with little or no supplemental substrate heating. Films have been characterized using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results help to identify the stages involved in the MPCVD deposition of thin carbon films on Cu foil. In yet other embodiments, the films are doped during synthesis by introduction of nitrogen gas in the reactor. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy reveal crystal structure and chemical characteristics.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a high-capacity, high-rate lithium ion battery cathode material. The method includes providing a synthesized material of electrochemically active plate-shaped nanoparticles and adding a plurality of appropriately sized diluent particles to the plate-shaped nanoparticles to form a suspension. Any liquid is removed from the solution to form a composite material. The method also includes processing the composite material to form a high-capacity, high-rate lithium ion battery cathode material.

Abstract: A process for rapid synthesis of few-layer graphene films on Cu foil by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). The plasma/metal interaction can be useful for a rapid synthesis of such thin films. The process can produce films of controllable quality from amorphous to highly crystalline by adjusting plasma conditions during growth processes of ˜100 sec duration and with little or no supplemental substrate heating. Films have been characterized using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results help to identify the stages involved in the MPCVD deposition of thin carbon films on Cu foil. In yet other embodiments, the films are doped during synthesis by introduction of nitrogen gas in the reactor. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy reveal crystal structure and chemical characteristics.

Abstract: Vertically oriented carbon nanotubes (CNT) arrays have been simultaneously synthesized at relatively low growth temperatures (i.e., <700° C.) on both sides of aluminum foil via plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The resulting CNT arrays were highly dense, and the average CNT diameter in the arrays was approximately 10 nm, A CNT TIM that consist of CNT arrays directly and simultaneously synthesized on both sides of various types of foil has been fabricated. The TIM is insertable and allows temperature sensitive and/or rough substrates to be interfaced by highly conductive and conformable CNT arrays. The use of foil, including substrates fabricated from carbon (CNT woven arrays, exfoliated graphite sheets, bucky paper, and the like) is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of graphitic petal synthesis includes a step of providing a flexible carbon substrate, such as that including carbon microfibers. The method further includes the step of subjecting flexible carbon substrate to microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The resulting synthesized graphitic petal structure may optionally be coated with PANI.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an electronic device such as a field effect transistor. One embodiment includes fabrication of an FET utilizing single walled carbon nanotubes as the semiconducting material. In one embodiment, the FETs are vertical arrangements of SWCNTs, and in some embodiments prepared within porous anodic alumina (PAA). Various embodiments pertain to different methods for fabricating the drains, sources, and gates.

Abstract: This disclosure presents the use of electrons as the ‘working fluid’ in conjunction with a solid nanomaterial that hinders electron coupling to the atomic lattice of the nanomaterial, i.e., they are out of equilibrium. The electrons can achieve very high effective temperatures with minimal heating of the solid lattice. These ‘hot’ electrons emit from the absorbing material, carrying both the light energy and energy acquired from the atomic lattice. Thus, the operation of this disclosure includes shining light on an object to make the object cool instead of heat. It is envisioned that one of ordinary skill in the art would find the operation quite counter-intuitive.

Abstract: Networks of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) decorated with Au-coated Pd (Au/Pd) nanocubes are employed as electrochemical biosensors that exhibit excellent sensitivity (2.6 mA mM?1 cm?2) and a low estimated detection limit (2.3 nM) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N=3) in the amperometric sensing of hydrogen peroxide. Biofunctionalization of the Au/Pd nanocube-SWCNT biosensor is demonstrated with the selective immobilization of fluorescently labeled streptavidin on the nanocube surfaces via thiol linking. Similarly, glucose oxidase (GOx) is linked to the surface of the nanocubes for amperometric glucose sensing. The exhibited glucose detection limit of 1.3_M (S/N=3) and linear range spanning from 10 ?M to 50 mM substantially surpass other CNT-based biosensors.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays are attractive thermal interface materials with high compliance and conductance that can remain effective over a wide temperature range. Disclosed herein are CNT interface structures in which free CNT ends are bonded using palladium hexadecanethiolate Pd(SC16H35)2 to an opposing substrate (one-sided interface) or opposing CNT array (two-sided interface) to enhance contact conductance while maintaining a compliant joint. The palladium weld is mechanically stable at high temperatures. A transient photoacoustic (PA) method is used to measure the thermal resistance of the palladium bonded CNT interfaces. The interfaces were bonded at moderate pressures and then tested at 34 kPa using the PA technique. At an interface temperature of approximately 250° C., one-sided and two-sided palladium bonded interfaces achieved thermal resistances near 10 mm2 K/W and 5 mm2 K/W, respectively.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays are attractive thermal interface materials with high compliance and conductance that can remain effective over a wide temperature range. Disclosed herein are CNT interface structures in which free CNT ends are bonded using palladium hexadecanethiolate Pd(SC16H35)2 to an opposing substrate (one-sided interface) or opposing CNT array (two-sided interface) to enhance contact conductance while maintaining a compliant joint. The palladium weld is mechanically stable at high temperatures. A transient photoacoustic (PA) method is used to measure the thermal resistance of the palladium bonded CNT interfaces. The interfaces were bonded at moderate pressures and then tested at 34 kPa using the PA technique. At an interface temperature of approximately 250° C., one-sided and two-sided palladium bonded interfaces achieved thermal resistances near 10 mm2 K/W and 5 mm2 K/W, respectively.

Abstract: A method to bond carbon nanotubes to a surface. The mechanism of this bonding is studied, and shows that intercalation of alkali ions is possibly the central mechanism. Bonding pull-off forces of 4-5 N/cm2 were measured. This bonding also provides improved interfacial properties for other phenomenon, including improved thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A method to bond carbon nanotubes to a surface. The mechanism of this bonding is studied, and shows that intercalation of alkali ions is possibly the central mechanism. Bonding pull-off forces of 4-5 N/cm2 were measured. This bonding also provides improved interfacial properties for other phenomenon, including improved thermal conductivity.