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: The disclosure relates to providing printed structures of polymer that have substantially flat printed surfaces. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a post-printing treatment apparatus for receiving a substrate supporting a polymer printing thereon. The polymer can be PMMA or other suitable polymer. In a related embodiment, the polymer defines a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature. The apparatus can comprise of a chamber, and input manifold, an exhaust manifold, a solvent reservoir and a gas reservoir. The solvent reservoir provides one or more solvent systems adapted to chemically bind, and potentially react, with the polymer. The gas reservoir provides one or more gases for drying the substrate and printed polymer after the solvent treatment step. In one application, a substrate having printed surface thereon is placed in the chamber and exposed to the solvent system for sufficient period of time to provide substantially flat print surfaces.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for micro-contact printing of micro-electromechanical systems (“MEMS”) in a solvent-free environment. The disclosed embodiments enable forming a composite membrane over a parylene layer and transferring the composite structure to a receiving structure to form one or more microcavities covered by the composite membrane. The parylene film may have a thickness in the range of about 100 nm-2 microns; 100 nm-1 micron, 200-300 nm, 300-500 nm, 500 nm to 1 micron and 1-30 microns. Next, one or more secondary layers are formed over the parylene to create a composite membrane. The composite membrane may have a thickness of about 100 nm to 700 nm to several microns. The composite membrane's deflection in response to external forces can be measured to provide a contact-less detector. Conversely, the composite membrane may be actuated using an external bias to cause deflection commensurate with the applied bias.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to electrodes formed by oxidative chemical vapor deposition and related methods and devices.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide sensitive pixel arrays formed using solvent-assisted or unassisted release processes. Exemplary devices include detectors arrays, tunable optical instruments, deflectable minors, digital micro-mirrors, digital light processing chips, tunable optical micro-cavity resonators, acoustic sensors, acoustic actuators, acoustic transducer devices and capacitive zipper actuators to name a few.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide sensitive pixel arrays formed using solvent-assisted or unassisted release processes. Exemplary devices include detectors arrays, tunable optical instruments, deflectable mirrors, digital micro-mirrors, digital light processing chips, tunable optical micro-cavity resonators, acoustic sensors, acoustic actuators, acoustic transducer devices and capacitive zipper actuators to name a few.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method used to provide power or photovoltaic functionality to a display or device containing a display without impacting the visual perception of the display. The wavelength-selective photovoltaic (WPV) element is visibly transparent, in that it absorbs selectively around the visible emission (or reflection) peaks generated by the display. The photovoltaic material is able to cover a portion or the entire surface area of the display, without substantially blocking or perceptually impacting the emission (or reflection) of content from the display. The incident light that is absorbed by the photovoltaic element is then converted into electrical energy to provide power to the device, for example.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to optoelectronic devices based, on ultra-thin, lightweight and in-situ deposited parylene substrates, as well as methods of manufacture. Using a bottom-up approach, a readily releasable parylene thin film can be used for fabricating thin film electronic and optoelectronic systems on the thin and light substrates having thicknesses in the nanometer to low micron range. The disclosed method enables the integration of forming a parylene substrate with, the fabrication of a complete photovoltaic device under a fully contained, controlled environment.

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: A solar cell and method of making are disclosed. The solar cell includes an acceptor layer a donor layer treated with a first quantum dot (QD) ligand and a blocking layer treated with a second, different, QD ligand. The acceptor layer has an acceptor layer valence band and an acceptor layer conduction band. The donor layer has a donor layer valence band and a donor layer conduction band, the donor layer valence band is higher than the acceptor layer valence band, the donor layer conduction band is higher than the acceptor layer conduction band. The blocking layer least partially blocks electron flow in at least one direction, the blocking layer having a blocking layer valence band and a blocking layer conduction band, the blocking layer valence band is higher than the donor layer valence band, the blocking layer conduction band is higher than the donor layer conduction band.

Abstract: A white light emitting semiconductor nanocrystal includes a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals.

Abstract: Methods for depositing nanomaterial onto a substrate are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions useful for depositing nanomaterial, methods of making devices including nanomaterials, and a system and devices useful for depositing nanomaterials.

Abstract: Light-emitting devices and displays with improved performance are disclosed. A light-emitting device includes an emissive material disposed between a first electrode, and a second electrode. Various embodiments include a device having a peak external quantum efficiency of at least about 2.2%; a device that emits light having a CIE color coordinate of x greater than 0.63; a device having an external quantum efficiency of at least about 2.2 percent when measured at a current density of 5 mA/cm2. Also disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting red light upon excitation, wherein the device has a peak luminescent efficiency of at least about 1.5 lumens per watt. Also disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting red light upon excitation, wherein the device has a luminescent efficiency of at least about 1.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and a method for the design and fabrication of the device for enhancing the brightness of luminescent molecules, nanostructures, and thin films. The device includes a mirror, a dielectric medium or spacer, an absorptive layer, and a luminescent layer. The absorptive layer is a continuous thin film of a strongly absorbing organic or inorganic material. The luminescent layer may be a continuous luminescent thin film or an arrangement of isolated luminescent species, e.g., organic or metal-organic dye molecules, semiconductor quantum dots, or other semiconductor nanostructures, supported on top of the absorptive layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment the disclosure relates to an apparatus for depositing an organic material on a substrate, including a source heater for heating organic particles to form suspended organic particles; a transport stream for delivering the suspended organic particles to a discharge nozzle, the discharge nozzle having a plurality of micro-pores, the micro-pores providing a conduit for passage of the suspended organic particles; and a nozzle heater for pulsatingly heating the micro-pores nozzle to discharge the suspended organic particles from the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for depositing an organic film layer on a substrate. In one implementation a method to deposit organic film by generating vaporized organic particles; streaming a carrier fluid proximal to a source to carry the vaporized organic particles and solid organic particles from the source towards the substrate; transporting the vaporized and solid organic particles through a discharge nozzle with a plurality of micro-pore openings, placed between the source and the substrate, that permits the passage of at least a portion of the vaporized or solid organic particles through the micro-pores; depositing the vaporized organic particles and the solid organic particles that are transported through the discharge nozzle onto the substrate.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and apparatus for release-assisted microcontact printing of MEMS. Specifically, the principles disclosed herein enable patterning diaphragms and conductive membranes on a substrate having articulations of desired shapes and sizes. Such diaphragms deflect under applied pressure or force (e.g., electrostatic, electromagnetic, acoustic, pneumatic, mechanical, etc.) generating a responsive signal. Alternatively, the diaphragm can be made to deflect in response to an external bias to measure the external bias/phenomenon. The disclosed principles enable transferring diaphragms and/or thin membranes without rupturing.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to fabrication steps, and operation principles for microelectromechanical (MEMS) transducers. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a texture morphing device. The texture morphing device includes: a plurality of supports arranged on a substrate to support a deformable mirror; an ITO layer; and a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) layer. A pair of adjacent supports form a cavity with the ITO layer and the deformable mirror. When the height of the cavity changes responsive to an external pressure, the internal reflection within the cavity is changed. The change in the height of the cavity causes the exterior texture to morph. Similar principles are disclosed for constructing sensor and actuators.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for depositing films on a substrate which may form part of an LED or other types of display. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for depositing ink on a substrate. The apparatus includes a chamber for receiving ink; a discharge nozzle having an inlet port and an outlet port, the discharge nozzle receiving a quantity of ink from the chamber at the inlet port and dispensing the quantity of ink from the outlet port; and a dispenser for metering the quantity of ink from the chamber to the inlet port of the discharge nozzle; wherein the chamber receives ink in liquid form having a plurality of suspended particles and the quantity of ink is pulsatingly metered from the chamber to the discharge nozzle; and the discharge nozzle evaporates the carrier liquid and deposits the solid particles on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to cathode buffer materials and devices and methods comprising the cathode buffer materials.