Abstract: Described herein is an approach using inexpensive, disposable chemical sensor probes that can be mounted on a small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and used to analyze a site (such as one known or suspected to contain explosive residue, spilled material or contaminated soil) without the need for a person to conduct ground operations at the site. The method involves contacting a soil or a surface with a filter paper wetted with a solvent, then subjecting the filter paper to voltammetry and/or spectroscopy, thus detecting a possible variation indicative of one or more analytes, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polar aprotic or protic solvents having a boiling point of at least 100° C., room temperature ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents.

Abstract: Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R1 is an organic group, and each R2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties.

Abstract: Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R1 is an organic group, and each R2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties.

Abstract: Described herein is an approach using inexpensive, disposable chemical sensor probes that can be mounted on a small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and used to analyze a site (such as one known or suspected to contain explosive residue, spilled material or contaminated soil) without the need for a person to conduct ground operations at the site. The method involves contacting a soil or a surface with a filter paper wetted with a solvent, then subjecting the filter paper to voltammetry and/or spectroscopy, thus detecting a possible variation indicative of one or more analytes, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of polar aprotic or protic solvents having a boiling point of at least 100° C., room temperature ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents.

Abstract: A composition of matter and method of forming copper indium gallium sulfide (CIGS), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGSe), or copper indium gallium telluride thin film via conversion of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled Cu—In—Ga oxide (CIGO) nanoparticles and polyelectrolytes. CIGO nanoparticles are created via a flame-spray pyrolysis method using metal nitrate precursors, subsequently coated with polyallylamine (PAH), and dispersed in aqueous solution. Multilayer films are assembled by alternately dipping a substrate into a solution of either polydopamine (PDA) or polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) and then in the CIGO-PAH dispersion to fabricate films as thick as 1-2 microns. After LbL deposition, films are oxidized to remove polymer and sulfurized, selenized, or tellurinized to convert CIGO to CIGS, CIGSe, or copper indium gallium telluride.

Abstract: A method, and an article made therefrom, of: contacting a substrate with a first solution of a first polyelectrolyte polymer to form a layer of the first polyelectrolyte polymer on the substrate; and contacting the layer of the first polyelectrolyte polymer with a second solution of a second polyelectrolyte polymer to form a layer of the second polyelectrolyte polymer on the layer of the first polyelectrolyte polymer. The first polyelectrolyte is a polyanion or polycation polymer. The second polyelectrolyte is a polyanion or polycation polymer of a charge opposite to that of the first polyelectrolyte polymer. At least one of the first solution or the second solution is an aggregate-forming solution comprising an ionic species having at least two discrete sites of a charge opposite to that of the polyelectrolyte polymer in the aggregate-forming solution.

Abstract: A method, and an article made therefrom, of: contacting a substrate with a first solution of first polyelectrolyte chains to form a layer of the first polyelectrolyte on the substrate; and contacting the layer of the first polyelectrolyte with a second solution of second polyelectrolyte chains to form a layer of the second polyelectrolyte. The first polyelectrolyte has a polyanion or polycation chain. The second polyelectrolyte has a polyanion or polycation chain of a charge opposite to that of the first polyelectrolyte. The first solution or the second solution is an aggregate-forming solution comprising an ionic species having at least two discrete sites of a charge opposite to that of the polyelectrolyte chains in the aggregate-forming solution. The ionic species forms, via bridging interactions, aggregates of the polyelectrolyte chains that remain intact in the aggregate-forming solution during the contact.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure having a spatially organized polymer nanostructured thin film and a metal coating on the film. The thin film is made by directing a monomer vapor or pyrolyzed monomer vapor towards a substrate at an angle other than perpendicular to the substrate, and polymerizing the monomer or pyrolyzed monomer on the substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R1 is an organic group, and each R2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured polyp-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties.

Abstract: A spatially organized polymer nanostructured thin film and a ligand adsorbate attached to the polymer nanostructured thin film and, optionally, an additional material or materials attached to the ligand adsorbate. A method for forming a structure by: providing a spatially organized polymer nanostructured thin film and a ligand adsorbate, and adsorbing the ligand adsorbate onto the thin film and, optionally, binding additional material or materials to the ligand adsorbate.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure exhibiting the ability to degrade chemical or biological agents upon contact comprising a substrate to be protected from the deleterious effects of chemical or biological agents possessing surface groups capable of deactivating materials having the ability to degrade chemical or biological agents, a buffer film, coated onto the substrate, that blocks the ability of the substrate surface groups to deactivate the materials having the ability to degrade chemical or biological agents, and a protective film, coated onto the buffer film, containing materials having the ability to degrade chemical or biological agents encapsulated in or comprising the outer surface of the protective film.

Abstract: Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R1 is an organic group, and each R2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a conformal antenna on a surface by providing a composition comprising a polymer matrix and a plurality of metalized tubules and applying the composition to the surface as two parallel wires connected at their ends to make a closed loop with one of the parallel wires broken in the middle. Also disclosed is an alternate method for making a conformal antenna on a surface by spraying a first material comprising a polymer matrix onto the surface and simultaneously spraying a second material comprising a plurality of metalized tubules and a coagulant onto the surface, wherein the first and second materials mix together during the spraying.

Abstract: A catalyst nanoparticle covalently bonded to a surface ligand wherein the surface ligand has a peripheral functional group having a property suitable to ensure solubility in a fluid such as a hydroxylic solvent, water, lower molecular weight alcohol, methanol, ethanol, iso-propanol, or and mixtures thereof. The peripheral functional group can have an ability to couple the catalyst nanoparticle to a second catalyst nanoparticle or to a bridging material. The peripheral functional group can be capable of interacting with a surface functional group on a conductive electrode substrate. The covalently-bound ligand bearing a peripheral functional group can have a charge opposite to or chemical reactivity amenable with that of the surface functional group. A method of making a catalyst nanoparticle comprising bonding a surface ligand to a catalyst nanoparticle wherein the bonding is via a covalent bond and the surface ligand has a peripheral functional group.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructured electrode comprising depositing a self-assembled monolayer on a substrate, depositing a catalyst nanoparticle covalently bonded to a ligand, and depositing a material capable of binding to the self-assembled monolayer. The method includes depositing on a conductive electrode substrate a catalytic nanoparticle stabilized by a covalently-bound ligand bearing a peripheral functional group and depositing a material capable of binding to the peripheral functional group, wherein the conductive electrode substrate is chemically modified to create a surface functional group capable of supporting multilayer deposition. The method can include covalent grafting of a functional group to create an initial layer of positive charge on the surface, depositing a platinum nanoparticle stabilized by negatively-charged ligands onto the functional group, and providing a polymer component.

Abstract: The present invention provides microwave attenuating, filled composite materials which contain a polymer or ceramic matrix and metallic tubules and processes for making the same and devices which contain such materials.

Abstract: A nanostructured electrode comprising a conductive electrode substrate having a surface functional group, a catalytic nanoparticle stabilized by a covalently-bound ligand bearing a peripheral functional group capable of interacting to the surface functional group, and a material capable of binding to the peripheral functional group. The conductive electrode substrate can be chemically modified and the surface functional group can create a layer of charge or chemical reactivity. The conductive electrode substrate can be chemically or electrochemically modified to create a surface functional group via covalent grafting capable of supporting multilayer deposition to create a layer of charge or chemical reactivity on the surface. The nanoparticle can be a platinum nanoparticle with covalently bonded negatively-charged ligands and the bridging material can be a polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a conformal antenna on a surface by providing a composition comprising a polymer matrix and a plurality of metalized tubules and applying the composition to the surface as two parallel wires connected at their ends to make a closed loop with one of the parallel wires broken in the middle. Also disclosed is an alternate method for making a conformal antenna on a surface by spraying a first material comprising a polymer matrix onto the surface and simultaneously spraying a second material comprising a plurality of metalized tubules and a coagulant onto the surface, wherein the first and second materials mix together during the spraying.

Abstract: Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R1 is an organic group, and each R2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure having a spatially organized polymer nanostructured thin film and a metal coating on the film. The thin film is made by directing a monomer vapor or pyrolyzed monomer vapor towards a substrate at an angle other than perpendicular to the substrate, and polymerizing the monomer or pyrolyzed monomer on the substrate.