Abstract: Provided herein is a method of preparing a ceramic material, the method including: providing a ceramic gel including a plurality of metal salts and compressing the ceramic gel thereby inducing stress-induced mineralization of the ceramic gel and formation of the ceramic material, wherein the ceramic gel exists in isolated form.

Abstract: A method for microengineering a gradient structure on a metal surface. A metal surface including at least first, second, and third metal surface regions is exposed to a metal-removing agent. A portion of surface metal atoms is removed by the metal-removing agent in each of the first, second, and third metal surface regions. Sequential metal removal processes expose only the second and third regions to the metal-removing agent, followed by exposing only the third region to the metal-removing agent. A gradient metal surface is formed having different properties in each of the first, second, and third metal surface regions. In a further aspect, quantitative surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy may be performed using the treated metal surface. An amount of an analyte is determined based on its position in one of the first, second, or third metal surface regions.

Abstract: A method for making inorganic mineral hydrogels is provided. In one aspect, a first solution including one or more metal cations from one or more inorganic precursors is used. The metal cations are one or more of Fe, Mg, Ca, Co, Ni, Zn, Ti, Cu, Sn, or Mn. A second solution includes one or more polyoxometalates of Mo, W, V, Nb, or Ta. The first and second solutions are mixed together to form the inorganic mineral hydrogel. In one example, an aqueous solution of ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) is mixed with an aqueous solution of ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate ((NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O), under ambient conditions. The two reactants first form a yellow precipitate (FeMo2Ox(OH)y), which subsequently dissolves back into the solution to gradually produce a viscous hydrogel that traps a large volume of water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of detecting zinc pyrithione (ZPT) in a sample such as water, waste water, shampoos, etc. The method includes steps of, (a) contacting the sample with a substrate having a layer of metal nanostructure deposited thereon thereby coating the layer of metal nanostructure of the substrate with the sample; and (b) subjecting the sample coated substrate to Raman spectroscopy analysis; wherein, the presence of peaks at 575, 829, 1136 and 1545 cm?1 in Raman spectrum indicates the presence of ZPT in the sample. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may detect ZPT in a concentration ranging from 0.1 ng/mL to 8 ?g/mL.

Abstract: A method for preparing an entropy-stabilized ceramic thin film coating includes preparing a first layer formed by raw materials with a plurality of metal elements, and subjecting the first layer to reaction with anion thereby transforming at least a portion of the first layer to a second layer. The present invention also discloses an entropy-stabilized ceramic thin film coating and a component coated with an entropy-stabilized ceramic thin film coating.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of preparing a ceramic material, the method including: providing a ceramic gel including a plurality of metal salts and compressing the ceramic gel thereby inducing stress-induced mineralization of the ceramic gel and formation of the ceramic material, wherein the ceramic gel exists in isolated form.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a metallic structure, the metallic structure being made of a first metallic material, the method including the steps of: (a) releasing metallic ions from the surface of the metallic structure; and (b) depositing a nano-structured metallic layer onto the surface of the metallic structure from the released metallic ions, wherein the nano-structured metallic layer includes uniform nanoparticles.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of preparing a ceramic material including the steps of providing a ceramic gel comprising a plurality of metal hydroxides and a solvent; and subjecting the ceramic gel to a drying process thereby removing at least a portion of the solvent and forming the ceramic material; and ceramic gels useful for preparing molded ceramic structures.

Abstract: A minimally invasive controlled drug delivery system for delivering a particular drug or drugs to a particular location of the eye, the system including a porous film template having pores configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive at least one drug therein, and wherein the template is dimensioned to be delivered into or onto the eye.

Abstract: A minimally invasive controlled drug delivery system for delivering a particular drug or drugs to a particular location of the eye, the system including a porous film template having pores configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive at least one drug therein, and wherein the template is dimensioned to be delivered into or onto the eye.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for performing a surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) to the surface of a variety of materials including thin films, nanomaterials, and other delicate and brittle materials. In an aspect, a surface of a material is modified to a modified surface and from an original state to a modified state, wherein the modified state comprises a physical modification, a chemical modification, or a biological modification. In another aspect, a surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) is applied to the modified surface of the material for a defined duration of time, wherein a condition associated with the SMAT is adjusted based on a structural composition of the material. In yet another aspect, a defined strain is imposed on the structural composition of the material based on the SMAT.

Abstract: A metallic structure and a method for surface treatment of a metallic structure. The method includes the steps of: defining a first surface morphology on a surface of the metallic structure using a first surface treatment process; and manipulating the surface using a second surface treatment process to transform the first surface morphology to a second surface morphology; wherein the metallic structure is substantially made of a first metallic material; and wherein the second surface treatment process includes performing at least one cycle of depositing the first metallic material on the surface of the metallic structure and etching away at least some of the first metallic material from the metallic structure.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a metallic structure, the metallic structure being made of a first metallic material, the method including the steps of: (a) releasing metallic ions from the surface of the metallic structure; and (b) depositing a nano-structured metallic layer onto the surface of the metallic structure from the released metallic ions, wherein the nano-structured metallic layer includes uniform nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of making carbon nanotubes doped with iron, nitrogen and sulphur for an oxygen reduction reaction catalyst includes the steps of mixing an iron containing oxidising agent with a sulphur-containing dye to form a fibrous fluctuate of reactive templates and using these for in-situ polymerisation of an azo compound to form polymer-dye nanotubes, adding an alkali to precipitate magnetite, and subjecting the nanotubes to pyrolysis, acid leaching, and heat treatment.

Abstract: A metallic structure and a method for surface treatment of a metallic structure. The method includes the steps of: defining a first surface morphology on a surface of the metallic structure using a first surface treatment process; and manipulating the surface using a second surface treatment process to transform the first surface morphology to a second surface morphology; wherein the metallic structure is substantially made of a first metallic material; and wherein the second surface treatment process includes performing at least one cycle of depositing the first metallic material on the surface of the metallic structure and etching away at least some of the first metallic material from the metallic structure.

Abstract: A method for preparing an entropy-stabilized ceramic thin film coating includes preparing a first layer formed by raw materials with a plurality of metal elements, and subjecting the first layer to reaction with anion thereby transforming at least a portion of the first layer to a second layer. The present invention also discloses an entropy-stabilized ceramic thin film coating and a component coated with an entropy-stabilized ceramic thin film coating.

Abstract: A method for chemically modifying a surface of a metallic substrate material being made of a first metallic material includes the steps of a) bonding an alloy material made of the first metallic material and a second metallic material onto the substrate material; and b) etching away at least some of the first metallic material from the bonded substrate material to obtain a modified substrate material, wherein the modified substrate material has an increased specific surface area. A substrate for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) includes a modified substrate material.

Abstract: A material for an electronic device includes a substance arranged to emit light in a predetermined range of wavelength upon receiving an excitation energy, wherein the substance includes a plurality of carbon nitride particles and a siloxane material. A method of producing the material and a light emitting device including the material are also described.

Abstract: A method of making carbon nanotubes doped with iron, nitrogen and sulphur for an oxygen reduction reaction catalyst includes the steps of mixing an iron containing oxidising agent with a sulphur-containing dye to form a fibrous fluctuate of reactive templates and using these for in-situ polymerisation of an azo compound to form polymer-dye nanotubes, adding an alkali to precipitate magnetite, and subjecting the nanotubes to pyrolysis, acid leaching, and heat treatment.

Abstract: A method for chemically modifying a surface of a metallic substrate material being made of a first metallic material includes the steps of a) bonding an alloy material made of the first metallic material and a second metallic material onto the substrate material; and b) etching away at least some of the first metallic material from the bonded substrate material to obtain a modified substrate material, wherein the modified substrate material has an increased specific surface area. A substrate for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) includes a modified substrate material.