Abstract: Method of Making particles including a YAG core and a coating of sintering aid deposited thereon. The particles and agglomerates thereof maybe formed as a powder. The coated YAG-containing particles are well-suited to production of polycrystalline YAG-containing ceramics. The coated YAG-containing particles may be fabricated using a novel fabrication method which avoids the need for formation of a homogeneous powder mixture of YAG and sintering aid. The mixture may be sprayed into a drying column and dried to produce coated particles. Alternatively, the YAG particles and sintering aid or sintering aid precursor solution may be separately introduced to the drying column and dried to form coated YAG-containing particles.

Abstract: A nanoparticle containing monoclinic lutetium oxide. A method of: dispersing a lutetium salt solution in a stream of oxygen gas to form droplets, and combusting the droplets to form nanoparticles containing lutetium oxide. The combustion occurs at a temperature sufficient to form monoclinic lutetium oxide in the nanoparticles.

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 for synthesizing Cu(InxGa1-x)S2 and Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2 nanopowders using flame spray pyrolysis to form solar cell absorber materials. The flame spray product is the oxide nanoparticles of the absorber materials (copper indium gallium oxide). The oxide nanoparticles may be deposited directly onto glass substrates. The oxide nanoparticles are then sulfurdized or selenized with a post deposition anneal directly on the substrate to form the absorber layer for a solar cell device.

Abstract: An electrically conductive film suited to use as a transparent anode, a method of forming the film, and an electronic device comprising the film are disclosed. The device includes a conductive polymer electrode defining first and second surfaces and having an electrical conductivity gradient between the first and second surfaces. A second electrode is spaced from the second surface by at least one organic material layer, such as a light emitting layer.

Abstract: A composite made of alternating layers of elastic and plastic material provides desirable mechanical properties including high toughness. Each layer has a thickness of between 10 nanometers and 500 microns. Plastic materials that may be used include thermoplastic/thermoset elastomers, aluminum, alloys of aluminum, titanium, and alloys of titanium. Elastic materials include various thermoplastic or thermoset polymers, Al2O3, SiC, TiB2 and B4C.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing Cu(InxGa1-x)S2 and Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2 nanopowders using flame spray pyrolysis to form solar cell absorber materials. The flame spray product is the oxide nanoparticles of the absorber materials (copper indium gallium oxide). The oxide nanoparticles may be deposited directly onto glass substrates. The oxide nanoparticles are then sulfurdized or selenized with a post deposition anneal directly on the substrate to form the absorber layer for a solar cell device.

Abstract: A p-type transparent conductive material can comprise a thin film of BCSF on a substrate where the film has a conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. The substrate may be a plastic substrate, such as a polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, or some other suitable plastic or polymeric substrate.

Abstract: A bulk barium copper sulfur fluoride (BCSF) material can be made by combining Cu2S, BaS and BaF2, heating the ampoule between 400 and 550° C. for at least two hours, and then heating the ampoule at a temperature between 550 and 950° C. for at least two hours. The BCSF material may be doped with potassium, rubidium, or sodium. Additionally, a p-type transparent conductive material can comprise a thin film of BCSF on a substrate where the film has a conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. The substrate may be a plastic substrate, such as a polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, or some other suitable plastic or polymeric substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a rare earth doped polycrystalline ceramic laser gain medium by hot pressing a rare earth doped polycrystalline powder where the doping concentration is greater than 2% and up to 10% and where the grain size of the final ceramic is greater than 2 ?m. The polycrystalline powder can be Lu2O3, Y2O3, or Sc2O3, and the rare earth dopant can be Yb3+, Er3+, Tm3+, or Ho3+. Also disclosed is the related rare earth doped polycrystalline ceramic laser gain medium prepared by this method.

Abstract: Monodisperse metal oxide nanopowders are prepared by treating a dispersion of crude metal oxide nanopowder with ultrasonication, allowing the dispersion to settle, and subjecting the remaining suspended portion to centrifugation to obtain a supernatant comprising metal oxide nanopowder.

Abstract: Method of Making particles including a YAG core and a coating of sintering aid deposited thereon. The particles and agglomerates thereof maybe formed as a powder. The coated YAG-containing particles are well-suited to production of polycrystalline YAG-containing ceramics. The coated YAG-containing particles may be fabricated using a novel fabrication method which avoids the need for formation of a homogeneous powder mixture of YAG and sintering aid. The mixture may be sprayed into a drying column and dried to produce coated particles. Alternatively, the YAG particles and sintering aid or sintering aid precursor solution may be separately introduced to the drying column and dried to form coated YAG-containing particles.

Abstract: Monodisperse metal oxide nanopowders are prepared by treating a dispersion of crude metal oxide nanopowder with ultrasonication, allowing the dispersion to settle, and subjecting the remaining suspended portion to centrifugation to obtain a supernatant comprising metal oxide nanopowder.

Abstract: A method for making a smooth ceramic including loading ceramic powder to be densified into a hot press die, placing one or more spacers with a polished surface between a hot press punch and the ceramic powder, placing the die and punch into a hot press and hot pressing the ceramic powder, and removing a smooth ceramic shape that requires no subsequent polishing or processing and has a surface roughness of 5 nm RMS or better. The smooth ceramic shape may be transparent, and it may be spinel, magnesia, yttria, lutetia, scandia, YAG, any composites thereof, or any of their rare earth doped compounds. Also disclosed is the related smooth ceramic made by this process.

Abstract: A nanoparticle containing monoclinic lutetium oxide. A method of: dispersing a lutetium salt solution in a stream of oxygen gas to form droplets, and combusting the droplets to form nanoparticles containing lutetium oxide. The combustion occurs at a temperature sufficient to form monoclinic lutetium oxide in the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A transparent polycrystalline ceramic having scattering and absorption loss less than 0.2/cm over a region comprising more than 95% of the originally densified shape and a process for fabricating the same by hot pressing. The ceramic can be any suitable ceramic such as yttria (Y2O3) or scandia (Sc2O3) and can have a doping level of from 0 to 20% and a grain size of greater than 30 ?m, although the grains can also be smaller than 30 ?m. Ceramic nanoparticles can be coated with a sintering aid to minimize direct contact of adjacent ceramic powder particles and then baked at high temperatures to remove impurities from the coated particles. The thus-coated particles can then be densified by hot pressing into the final ceramic product. The invention further provides a transparent polycrystalline ceramic solid-state laser material and a laser using the hot pressed polycrystalline ceramic.

Abstract: A bulk barium copper sulfur fluoride (BCSF) material can be made by combining Cu2S, BaS and BaF2, heating the ampoule between 400 and 550° C. for at least two hours, and then heating the ampoule at a temperature between 550 and 950° C. for at least two hours. The BCSF material may be doped with potassium, rubidium, or sodium. Additionally, a p-type transparent conductive material can comprise a thin film of BCSF on a substrate where the film has a conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. The substrate may be a plastic substrate, such as a polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, or some other suitable plastic or polymeric substrate.

Abstract: A transparent polycrystalline ceramic having scattering and absorption loss less than 0.2/cm over a region comprising more than 95% of the originally densified shape and a process for fabricating the same by hot pressing. The ceramic can be any suitable ceramic such as yttria (Y2O3) or scandia (Sc2O3) and can have a doping level of from 0 to 20% and a grain size of greater than 30 ?m, although the grains can also be smaller than 30 ?m. Ceramic nanoparticles can be coated with a sintering aid to minimize direct contact of adjacent ceramic powder particles and then baked at high temperatures to remove impurities from the coated particles. The thus-coated particles can then be densified by hot pressing into the final ceramic product. The invention further provides a transparent polycrystalline ceramic solid-state laser material and a laser using the hot pressed polycrystalline ceramic.

Abstract: A transparent polycrystalline ceramic having scattering and absorption loss less than 0.2/cm over a region comprising more than 95% of the originally densified shape and a process for fabricating the same by hot pressing. The ceramic can be any suitable ceramic such as yttria (Y2O3) or scandia (Sc2O3) and can have a doping level of from 0 to 20% and a grain size of greater than 30 although the grains can also be smaller than 30 ?m. Ceramic nanoparticles can be coated with a sintering aid to minimize direct contact of adjacent ceramic powder particles and then baked at high temperatures to remove impurities from the coated particles. The thus-coated particles can then be densified by hot pressing into the final ceramic product. The invention further provides a transparent polycrystalline ceramic solid-state laser material and a laser using the hot pressed polycrystalline ceramic.

Abstract: A transparent polycrystalline ceramic having scattering and absorption loss less than 0.2/cm over a region comprising more than 95% of the originally densified shape and a process for fabricating the same by hot pressing. The ceramic can be any suitable ceramic such as yttria (Y2O3) or scandia (Sc2O3) and can have a doping level of from 0 to 20% and a grain size of greater than 30 ?m, although the grains can also be smaller than 30 ?m. Ceramic nanoparticles can be coated with a sintering aid to minimize direct contact of adjacent ceramic powder particles and then baked at high temperatures to remove impurities from the coated particles. The thus-coated particles can then be densified by hot pressing into the final ceramic product. The invention further provides a transparent polycrystalline ceramic solid-state laser material and a laser using the hot pressed polycrystalline ceramic.