Abstract: A composition that includes an activatable aggregate is described herein. The aggregate has a core and a shell. In some embodiments, when the aggregate is exposed to acoustic energy, the core of the aggregate includes a hydrogel that is capable of absorbing a relatively large amount of water. The core of the aggregate is covalently bound to a shell of linear aliphatic moieties. The aggregate is synthesized to minimize the amount of water in the core, prior to exposure to acoustic energy. Methods of hydrating using the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An optically active composition is described. The composition may include a copolymer of two or more polyepoxides covalently linked by a fused arene.

Abstract: Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) include a polymeric barrier coating that is a copolymer of ethylene and substituted vinyl constituents configured to protect the OLEDs from both oxygen and water. The substituted vinyl of the coating may be selected, in conjunction with the permeability properties provided by the ethylene, to include chemical structures, physical structures, and chemical functional groups that effectively and efficiently create a barrier towards both oxygen and water. Methods for producing and using the coatings are also disclosed.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for microfluidic channel devices. Some example devices may include a substrate having a substrate surface, with an array of drive electrode assemblies disposed upon the substrate surface. The drive electrode assemblies may be arranged along a path. Each drive electrode assembly may include one or more of a drive electrode layer, a dielectric layer and/or a stationary phase layer. The device may further include a plate including a plate surface. The device may further include a reference electrode configured on the plate surface to face the stationary phase layer of the drive electrode assemblies and separated from the substrate surface by a distance. The device may further include a voltage source effective to output a voltage potential, the voltage source configured in communication with the drive electrode assembly and the reference electrode. The device may further include an electrode selector effective to control the voltage source.

Abstract: Cutaneous treatment apparatuses are provided that enhance percutaneous absorption of a treatment formulation. Related methods are also provided. In general, examples of the cutaneous treatment systems and/or apparatuses described herein are capable of attaching to a cutaneous surface and applying a treatment formulation to a localized cutaneous region. Embodiments of a cutaneous treatment apparatus generally include a heater and a treatment delivery component, including a treatment portion. The treatment portion includes a treatment formulation, including a therapeutic compound, and a treatment surface configured to contact the cutaneous region. The heater component is removably couplable with the treatment delivery component and is configured to transfer heat to the treatment portion. Upon heating, the therapeutic compound is configured to release from the treatment portion through the treatment surface towards the cutaneous region.

Abstract: Optical modulators, one or more components of various optical modulators, and methods of forming optical modulators and/or one or more components are disclosed. A substrate may be provided and a precursor material may be applied to the substrate with a micro-contact printing stamp. The precursor material may be cured on the substrate and the waveguide may be formed into a micro-ring resonator. The micro-contact printing stamp may be configured to create a waveguide on the substrate.

Abstract: A system is configured to apply a voltage, charge, and/or an electric field to a combustion reaction responsive to acoustic feedback from the combustion reaction.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for changing a property of a coating are provided. The coating includes a dynamic material configured to be reversibly convertible between a hydrophobic state and a hydrophilic state, wherein transition between the hydrophilic state to the hydrophobic state occurs in an environment dependent manner. The coating also includes an environment altering material configured to alter the hydrophobic or hydrophilic state of the dynamic material.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for an electron conductive polymer capacitor may incorporate a conductive polymer mixture embedded with carbon nanoparticles between electrodes to rapidly charge and store large amounts of charge compared to conventional electrolytic capacitors. Such a capacitor may be constructed with a laminate sheet including layers of inner and outer electrodes, an electrolyte mixture between the electrodes, a conductive polymer mixture, and a composite mixture of carbon nanoparticles embedded in the conductive polymer between the inner electrodes. The laminate sheet may be wound into a roll and the inner and outer electrodes are coupled electrically. When an electric field is applied, cations within the electrolyte mixture move towards the outer electrodes and anions towards the inner electrodes.

Abstract: A cosmetic formulation applicator is provided for applying cosmetic formulation to a user's skin. The cosmetic formulation applicator includes a reservoir that contains a cosmetic formulation, a brush head base, a plurality of bristles, and one or more dispenser nozzles. The brush head base is attached to the reservoir on a first side of the brush head base and the plurality of bristles extend from a second side of the brush head base. The one or more dispenser nozzles are configured to permit passage of the cosmetic formulation from the reservoir through the brush head base to the plurality of bristles. The cosmetic formulation applicator includes a plunger that is configured to force cosmetic formulation from the reservoir to the plurality of bristles via the plurality of dispenser nozzles. The plunger can be driven to control flow of the cosmetic formulation through the plurality of dispenser nozzles.

Abstract: A polymer includes a monomeric repeat unit represented by Formula I: In Formula I, R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl; R2 is alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl; R3 is alkyl, OH, halo, or alkoxy; R4 is alkyl, OH, halo, or alkoxy; Y is absent, C(O), C1-C4 alkylidene, or C1-C4 alkylideneamino; L is alkylidene, alkylidene-O-alkylidene, alkylidene-S-alkylidene, alkenylidene, cycloalkylidene, arylene, heteroarylene, C(O)O, or C(O)S; n1 is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and n2 is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for photo-wettable paint coatings. In some examples, a coating may include a charge photo-ejector, a charge transporter; and/or a charge storage material. The charge photo-ejector may absorb light and eject a charge. The charge may be received by the charge transporter and transported to the charge storage material, which may store charge at an air-paint interface. Alternating exposure to light and dark conditions, such as daytime and nighttime, may cycle surface energy states of the photo-wettable paint coating. The photo-wettable paint coating may cycle between a charged, wettable, relatively lower surface energy state when lighted and a relatively hydrophobic, higher surface energy state when in a charge-dissipated and/or unlighted state. Cycling between different states may promote self-cleaning of the photo-wettable paint coatings of contaminants, further in combination with water provided by rain, dew, washing, spraying, or the like.

Abstract: Described herein are hydrophilic biopolymer coatings, films, and membranes, methods for coating a substrate with a hydrophilic biopolymer coating and methods for producing hydrophilic biopolymer films and membranes.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for an air monitoring device, a method for forming an air monitoring device, and methods and systems for monitoring air using an air monitoring device. A method of forming an air monitor device may include placing a sorbent membrane on a material of n type conductivity. The method may further include placing an electrode on the membrane and placing a thermoelectric heater in thermal communication with the membrane. The method may further include placing the membrane, material, and electrode in a sealed container including a valve to form the air monitor device. The valve may be effective to selectively expose the membrane to an environment outside of the container.

Abstract: A flame may be selectively shaped by application of one or more electric fields, charge, or voltage proximate the flame.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for electrochemical capacitor devices. Some example electrochemical capacitor devices may include a composite electrode that includes an electrode substrate coupled to a polymeric electrochemical layer. The polymeric electrochemical layer may include: a conductive polymer electrically coupled to the electrode substrate; a solid state, ionically conductive electrolyte polymer; and non-conducting cross-links that covalently link the conductive polymer and the electrolyte polymer. Various example electrochemical capacitor devices may be constructed by laminating two of the composite electrodes against opposing sides of an ionically conducting separator membrane, and contacting the composite electrodes and the separator membrane with a liquid electrolyte. Some example electrochemical capacitor devices may display favorable performance such as symmetric charge storage, non-Faradic charge storage, and/or similar or greater capacity compared to carbon based systems.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a wind energy harnessing device. The device may include a tapered hollow tube and an attached curved tube which may be filled with a fluid. A permeable membrane may be inserted into a constricted inner channel of the hollow tube and may be configured to oscillate in response to incoming airflow through the hollow tube. The fluid in the curved tube may be displaced in response to a pressure differential caused by oscillation of the membrane. Conducting coils may be wound around the attached curved tube, and a magnet suspended within the fluid may oscillate with the fluid between the conducting coils, and may generate a magnetic flux which may induce a voltage in the coils. The coils may be connected to an external power grid for converting the induced voltage into usable electrical energy.

Abstract: Polypeptides are provided, where the polypeptides include one or more groups of formula —R1—C(O)R2, where R1 is an amino acid side chain, R2 is a C8-C24 polyunsaturated alkenyl group, and the polypeptide is a gelatin.

Abstract: Combustion deposition systems and methods of using combustion deposition systems are disclosed. In an embodiment, a combustion deposition system may include a burner that is in fluid communication with at least one supply of at least one precursor such that the at least one precursor can be introduced to a flame output from the burner, at least one electrode positioned at least proximate to the flame, and a voltage source operably coupled to the at least one electrode. The at least one electrode and the at least one voltage source may be configured to generate an electric field for influencing at least one of flame shape, flame temperature, or kinetics of chemical reactions occurring within the flame, thereby providing enhanced selective control of combustion deposition characteristics. For example, the combustion deposition systems disclosed herein may, for example, be configured to control deposition of a combustion-deposited film on a substrate.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for microfluidic channel devices. Some example devices may include a substrate having a substrate surface, with an array of drive electrode assemblies disposed upon the substrate surface. The drive electrode assemblies may be arranged along a path. Each drive electrode assembly may include one or more of a drive electrode layer, a dielectric layer and/or a stationary phase layer. The device may further include a plate including a plate surface. The device may further include a reference electrode configured on the plate surface to face the stationary phase layer of the drive electrode assemblies and separated from the substrate surface by a distance. The device may further include a voltage source effective to output a voltage potential, the voltage source configured in communication with the drive electrode assembly and the reference electrode. The device may further include an electrode selector effective to control the voltage source.