Abstract: A textile-based hydrogel electrode comprises a textile-based backing layer, a conductive structure coupled to the textile-based backing layer, and a hydrogel body in contact with at least a first portion of the conductive structure, wherein the first portion of the conductive structure and the hydrogel body form an ionic interface configured to generate an electrical signal through the conductive structure corresponding to a biopotential change proximate to the textile-based hydrogel electrode.

Abstract: A plush toy system comprises a plush toy body with an outer fabric layer, wherein the outer fabric layer forms an interactive surface engageable by a user, an array of textile-based pressure sensors coupled to the plush toy body proximate to the outer fabric layer, and sensor conditioning circuits coupled to the plush toy, the sensor conditioning circuits being configured to interpret signals from the textile-based pressure sensors to identify interaction between the user and the interactive surface.

Abstract: A heating element composite comprises a substrate of one or more fibers or threads and an electrically-conductive polymer coating comprising an electrically-conductive polymer material deposited onto the one or more fibers or threads. A thickness of the electrically-conductive polymer coating is at least about 100 nanometers and the electrically-conductive polymer coating covers at least about 75% of an external surface area of the one or more fibers or threads of the substrate. The resulting heating element composite has a sheet resistance of from about 2?/? to about 200?/?.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a textile having a photothermal absorber layer, which comprises a conjugated polymer; and a transmissive layer, which comprises fibers that forward scatter incident visible light with a transmission of 60% or greater. The photothermal absorber layer can be nylon coated with a conjugated polymer, such as PEDOT. The transmissive layer can be a non-woven polypropylene material. The disclosure also provides wearables, such as a clothing, comprising such textile, and methods for making the same.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and compositions for producing liquid repellant materials include a first support configured to support a spool of flexible substrate, a second support configured to support a plurality of compressing rollers configured to apply a force to a segment of the flexible substrate that extends from the roll. The segment is located within a zone between the compressing rollers. The system, in an embodiment, has a plurality of gas directors, wherein each one of the gas directors is configured to direct a stream of gas that flows at least partially around one of the compressing rollers. The streams cause an air pressure reduction in the zone. Also, the system has a precursor supply configured to expose the substrate to a precursor (e.g., a siloxane precursor), resulting in a coated material or protected material.

Abstract: A garment system comprises a garment substrate formed from one or more textile-based sheets, a distributed array of a plurality of resistive pressure sensors coupled to the garment substrate at a set of first specified locations. Each of the plurality of resistive sensors comprises a pair of first textile-based outer layers each having an electrical resistance of no more than 100 ohms and a textile-based inner layer sandwiched between the pair of first textile-based outer layers having an electrical resistance of at least 1 mega-ohm. The system also includes electronics configured to process signals from the distributed array of resistive pressure sensors to determine one or more physiological properties of a wearer of the garment substrate.

Abstract: A garment system comprises a garment substrate formed from one or more textile-based sheets, a distributed array of a plurality of resistive pressure sensors coupled to the garment substrate at a set of first specified locations. Each of the plurality of resistive sensors comprises a pair of first textile-based outer layers each having an electrical resistance of no more than 100 ohms and a textile-based inner layer sandwiched between the pair of first textile-based outer layers having an electrical resistance of at least 1 mega-ohm. The system also includes electronics configured to process signals from the distributed array of resistive pressure sensors to determine one or more physiological properties of a wearer of the garment substrate.

Abstract: A garment system comprises a garment substrate formed from one or more textile-based sheets, a distributed array of a plurality of resistive pressure sensors coupled to the garment substrate at a set of first specified locations. Each of the plurality of resistive sensors comprises a pair of first textile-based outer layers each having an electrical resistance of no more than 100 ohms and a textile-based inner layer sandwiched between the pair of first textile-based outer layers having an electrical resistance of at least 1 mega-ohm. The system also includes electronics configured to process signals from the distributed array of resistive pressure sensors to determine one or more physiological properties of a wearer of the garment substrate.

Abstract: A heating element composite comprises a substrate of one or more fibers or threads and an electrically-conductive polymer coating comprising an electrically-conductive polymer material deposited onto the one or more fibers or threads. A thickness of the electrically-conductive polymer coating is at least about 100 nanometers and the electrically-conductive polymer coating covers at least about 75% of an external surface area of the one or more fibers or threads of the substrate. The resulting heating element composite has a sheet resistance of from about 2 ?/? to about 200 ?/?.

Abstract: A heating element composite comprises a substrate of one or more fibers or threads and an electrically-conductive polymer coating comprising an electrically-conductive polymer material deposited onto the one or more fibers or threads. A thickness of the electrically-conductive polymer coating is at least about 100 nanometers and the electrically-conductive polymer coating covers at least about 75% of an external surface area of the one or more fibers or threads of the substrate. The resulting heating element composite has a sheet resistance of from about 2 ?/? to about 200 ?/?.

Abstract: A textile-based hydrogel electrode comprises a textile-based backing layer, a conductive structure coupled to the textile-based backing layer, and a hydrogel body in contact with at least a first portion of the conductive structure, wherein the first portion of the conductive structure and the hydrogel body form an ionic interface configured to generate an electrical signal through the conductive structure corresponding to a biopotential change proximate to the textile-based hydrogel electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrically insulating substrate comprising a p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) layer disposed thereon, where the p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) layer is manufactured by a method comprising charging a vapor comprising 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene into a reactor; where the reactor comprises the electrically insulating substrate; charging a vapor comprising an iron salt into the reactor; polymerizing the 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with the iron salt to form the p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene); and disposing the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A heating element composite comprises a substrate of one or more fibers or threads and an electrically-conductive polymer coating comprising an electrically-conductive polymer material deposited onto the one or more fibers or threads. A thickness of the electrically-conductive polymer coating is at least about 100 nanometers and the electrically-conductive polymer coating covers at least about 75% of an external surface area of the one or more fibers or threads of the substrate. The resulting heating element composite has a sheet resistance of from about 2 ?/? to about 200 ?/?.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrically insulating substrate comprising a p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) layer disposed thereon, where the p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) layer is manufactured by a method comprising charging a vapor comprising 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene into a reactor; where the reactor comprises the electrically insulating substrate; charging a vapor comprising an iron salt into the reactor; polymerizing the 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene with the iron salt to form the p-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene); and disposing the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) layer on the substrate.

Abstract: Electromechanical devices described herein may employ tunneling phenomena to function as low-voltage switches. Opposing electrodes may be separated by an elastically deformable layer which, in some cases, may be made up of a non-electrically conductive material. In some embodiments, the elastically deformable layer is substantially free of electrically conductive material. When a sufficient actuation voltage and/or force is applied, the electrodes are brought toward one another and, accordingly, the elastically deformable layer is compressed. Though, the elastically deformable layer prevents the electrodes from making direct contact with one another. Rather, when the electrodes are close enough to one another, a tunneling current arises therebetween. The elastically deformable layer may exhibit spring-like behavior such that, upon release of the actuation voltage and/or force, the separation distance between electrodes is restored.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide functionalized carbon nanostructures for use in various devices, including photovoltaic devices (e.g., solar cells). In some embodiments, carbon nanostructures substituted with at least one cyclobutyl and/or cyclobutenyl group are provided. Devices including such materials may exhibit increased efficiency, increased open circuit potential, high electron/hole mobility, and/or low electrical resistance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making analog and digital electronics which includes a composite including a squishable material doped with conductive particles. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device has a channel made from the composite, where the channel forms a primary conduction path for the device. Upon applied voltage, capacitive actuators squeeze the composite, causing it to become conductive. The squishable device includes a control electrode, and a composite electrically and mechanically connected to two terminal electrodes. By applying a voltage to the control electrode relative to a first terminal electrode, an electric field is developed between the control electrode and the first terminal electrode. This electric field results in an attractive force between the control electrode and the first terminal electrode, which compresses the composite and enables electric control of the electron conduction from the first terminal electrode through the channel to the second terminal electrode.

Abstract: Electromechanical devices described herein may employ tunneling phenomena to function as low-voltage switches. Opposing electrodes may be separated by an elastically deformable layer which, in some cases, may be made up of a non-electrically conductive material. In some embodiments, the elastically deformable layer is substantially free of electrically conductive material. When a sufficient actuation voltage and/or force is applied, the electrodes are brought toward one another and, accordingly, the elastically deformable layer is compressed. Though, the elastically deformable layer prevents the electrodes from making direct contact with one another. Rather, when the electrodes are close enough to one another, a tunneling current arises therebetween. The elastically deformable layer may exhibit spring-like behavior such that, upon release of the actuation voltage and/or force, the separation distance between electrodes is restored.

Abstract: An optical material system for nanopatterning is provided that includes one or more material systems having spectrally selective reversible and irreversible transitions by saturating one of the spectrally selective reversible transitions with an optical node retaining a single molecule in a configuration and exposing the single molecule to its spectrally irreversible transitions to form a pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making analog and digital electronics which includes a composite including a squishable material doped with conductive particles. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device has a channel made from the composite, where the channel forms a primary conduction path for the device. Upon applied voltage, capacitive actuators squeeze the composite, causing it to become conductive. The squishable device includes a control electrode, and a composite electrically and mechanically connected to two terminal electrodes. By applying a voltage to the control electrode relative to a first terminal electrode, an electric field is developed between the control electrode and the first terminal electrode. This electric field results in an attractive force between the control electrode and the first terminal electrode, which compresses the composite and enables electric control of the electron conduction from the first terminal electrode through the channel to the second terminal electrode.