Abstract: Methods and compositions for 3D and 4D printing inks exhibit desirable electrical and rheological properties. The compositions disclosed include a 3D printing ink employing a liquid metal emulsion and a method of creating a stretchable electronic device using the same. The compositions also include 4D printing inks and methods of tuning said inks to have desirable properties.

Abstract: A method of forming an innervated liquid crystal elastomer (iLCE) actuator comprises extruding a filament through a nozzle moving relative to a substrate, where the filament has a core-shell structure including a shell comprising a liquid crystal elastomer surrounding a core configured to induce a nematic-to-isotropic transition of the liquid crystal elastomer. The filament is subjected to UV curing as the filament is extruded, and the filament is deposited on the substrate as the nozzle moves. A director of the liquid crystal elastomer is aligned with a print path of the nozzle, and a 3D printed architecture configured for actuation is formed.

Abstract: A method of depositing a film comprising a monolayer of particles. The method includes providing a dispersion comprising particles and at least two liquids and depositing drops of the dispersion onto a substrate and evaporating the at least two liquids resulting in a film of a monolayer of the particles. One embodiment of the method includes a coating on the outer surface of particles such that the coating makes the particles substantially non-dispersible, substantially non-soluble and substantially non-suspendable in one of the liquids. A particulate film containing at least one layer of particles, wherein the at least one layer is substantially made of particles of a chemical composition and has uniform thickness. Optical devices containing a particulate film containing at least one layer of particles, wherein the at least one layer is substantially made of particles of a chemical composition and has uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method of depositing a film comprising a monolayer of particles. The method includes providing a dispersion comprising particles and at least two liquids and depositing drops of the dispersion onto a substrate and evaporating the at least two liquids resulting in a film of a monolayer of the particles. One embodiment of the method includes a coating on the outer surface of particles such that the coating makes the particles substantially non-dispersible, substantially non-soluble and substantially non-suspendable in one of the liquids. A particulate film containing at least one layer of particles, wherein the at least one layer is substantially made of particles of a chemical composition and has uniform thickness. Optical devices containing a particulate film containing at least one layer of particles, wherein the at least one layer is substantially made of particles of a chemical composition and has uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method of depositing a film comprising a monolayer of particles. The method includes providing a dispersion comprising particles and at least two liquids and depositing drops of the dispersion onto a substrate and evaporating the at least two liquids resulting in a film of a monolayer of the particles. One embodiment of the method includes a coating on the outer surface of particles such that the coating makes the particles substantially non-dispersible, substantially non-soluble and substantially non-suspendable in one of the liquids. A particulate film containing at least one layer of particles, wherein the at least one layer is substantially made of particles of a chemical composition and has uniform thickness. Optical devices containing a particulate film containing at least one layer of particles, wherein the at least one layer is substantially made of particles of a chemical composition and has uniform thickness.

Abstract: A shape-shifting structured lattice comprises a printed lattice including printed ribs joined at nodes. Each printed rib has a predetermined sweep angle {tilde over (?)}i between adjacent nodes and a bilayer structure including at least two printed filaments in contact along a length thereof. The at least two printed filaments comprise different linear coefficients of thermal expansion and/or different values of elastic modulus. When exposed to a stimulus, the printed lattice adopts a predetermined three-dimensional geometry.

Abstract: A method of processing a liquid material. The method includes mixing a liquid material with a solvent, wherein the solvent has a constituent capable of coating the particles of the material. The liquid material mixed with the solvent is then particlized, deposited on a substrate and activated to form a pre-defined electrically conductive pattern. Particlization methods include sonication and the deposition methods include ink-jet printing. Activation methods include applying mechanical pressure. The method can be used to produce electronic devices. The electronic devices made by the method include strain gauges. The substrates utilized for making the electronic devices utilizing the method can be wearable or stretchable or both.

Abstract: A method of depositing a film comprising a monolayer of particles. The method includes providing a dispersion comprising particles and at least two liquids and depositing drops of the dispersion onto a substrate and evaporating the at least two liquids resulting in a film of a monolayer of the particles. One embodiment of the method includes a coating on the outer surface of particles such that the coating makes the particles substantially non-dispersible, substantially non-soluble and substantially non-suspendable in one of the liquids. A particulate film containing at least one layer of particles, wherein the at least one layer is substantially made of particles of a chemical composition and has uniform thickness. Optical devices containing a particulate film containing at least one layer of particles, wherein the at least one layer is substantially made of particles of a chemical composition and has uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method of processing a liquid material. The method includes mixing a liquid material with a solvent, wherein the solvent has a constituent capable of coating the particles of the material. The liquid material mixed with the solvent is then particlized, deposited on a substrate and activated to form a pre-defined electrically conductive pattern. Particlization methods include sonication and the deposition methods include ink-jet printing. Activation methods include applying mechanical pressure. The method can be used to produce electronic devices. The electronic devices made by the method include strain gauges. The substrates utilized for making the electronic devices utilizing the method can be wearable or stretchable or both.

Abstract: An engine emissions control system is provided. The system may include an exhaust producing engine and an exhaust system through which the exhaust produced by the engine may flow. The system may also include a NOx sensor configured to take a NOx measurement of the amount of NOx in the exhaust produced by the engine. The system may further include a charge density sensing system configured to measure the charge density of a combustion mixture of the engine. In addition, the system may include a controller configured to receive information related to the measurement of the amount of NOx. The controller may be further configured to control a charge density of the combustion mixture with which the engine operates based on the NOx measurement and the charge density measured by the charge density sensing system.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine including an exhaust gas recirculation system and method for operating a gaseous fuel engine are provided. The exhaust gas recirculation system has an adjustable flow and is operable to supply exhaust gas to at least one engine cylinder. The engine further includes means for determining a value indicative of a charge density of a combustion mixture that includes gaseous fuel, air and exhaust gas supplied to the at least one cylinder, and adjusting a flow quantity through the exhaust gas recirculation system based at least in part on the value.

Abstract: The present spark plug is of the encapsulated design and facilitates the life of the spark plug, enhances the combustion process and reduces emissions. The position of an ignition chamber of the spark plug is substantially within a combustion chamber of an engine. The configuration of a parabolic end forms the ignition chamber, reduces the heat transferred to the spark plug and increases the life of the spark plug. The configuration or design of the spark plug makes the manufacturing process less costly and facilitates the combustion process by using one of a single orifice or a plurality of orifices positioned at and in a preestablished manner. The configuration will reduce or eliminate pre-ignition and other detonation problems enabling the timing to be advanced further reducing emissions.

Abstract: A method of controlling a compressor includes measuring a pressure of fluid entering the compressor, measuring a pressure of fluid exiting the compressor, and measuring a rotational speed of the compressor. Signals indicative of the measured pressure of fluid entering the compressor, measured pressure of fluid exiting the compressor, and measured rotational speed of the compressor are sent to an electronic control unit. The operation of the compressor is controlled in response to at least the signal indicative of the measured rotational speed of the compressor received by the electronic control unit.

Abstract: The present spark plug is of the encapsulated design and facilitates the life of the spark plug, enhances the combustion process and reduces emissions. The position of the spark plug is substantially within a cylinder head external of a combustion chamber of an engine and close to a cooling passage which reduces the heat transferred to the spark plug and increases the life of the spark plug. The configuration or design of the spark plug makes the manufacturing process less costly and facilitates the combustion process by using one of a single orifice or a plurality of orifices positioned at and in a preestablished manner. The configuration will reduce or eliminate pre-ignition and other detonation problems enabling the timing to be advanced further reducing emissions.