Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) printing of graphene materials and methods and apparatuses for making same. In some embodiments, combined metal powder and carbon growth sources (such as powder Ni and sucrose) are utilized in the 3D printing process. In other embodiments, metal powders with binders (such as powder Ni and a polymer bases binder) are utilized in the 3D printing process. The metal in the resulting 3D printed composite material can then be etched or otherwise removed yielding the 3D printed graphene materials.

Abstract: Virus and microbe-killing, self-sterilizing resistive heated air filters and methods of making and using same methods. The air filter is includes laser-induced graphene (LIG), a porous conductive graphene foam formed through photothermal conversion of a polyimide film (or another source or source of polymer or other LIG precursor material) by a laser source. The LIG in the air filter can capture particulates and bacteria. The bacteria cannot proliferate even when submerged in culture medium. Through a periodic Joule-heating mechanism, the filter easily reaches greater than 300° C. This destroys any microorganisms including bacteria, along with molecules that can cause adverse biological reactions and diseases such as viruses, pyrogens, allergens, exotoxins, endotoxins, teichoic acids, mycotoxins, nucleic acids, and prions.

Abstract: Virus and microbe-killing, self-sterilizing resistive heated air filters and methods of making and using same methods. The air filter is includes laser-induced graphene (LIG), a porous conductive graphene foam formed through photothermal conversion of a polyimide film (or another source or source of polymer or other LIG precursor material) by a laser source. The LIG in the air filter can capture particulates and bacteria. The bacteria cannot proliferate even when submerged in culture medium. Through a periodic Joule-heating mechanism, the filter easily reaches greater than 300° C.

Abstract: Methods that expand the properties of laser-induced graphene (LIG) and the resulting LIG having the expanded properties. Methods of fabricating laser-induced graphene from materials, which range from natural, renewable precursors (such as cloth or paper) to high performance polymers (like Kevlar). With multiple lasing, however, highly conductive PEI-based LIG could be obtained using both multiple pass and defocus methods. The resulting laser-induced graphene can be used, inter alia, in electronic devices, as antifouling surfaces, in water treatment technology, in membranes, and in electronics on paper and food Such methods include fabrication of LIG in controlled atmospheres, such that, for example, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic LIG surfaces can be obtained. Such methods further include fabricating laser-induced graphene by multiple lasing of carbon precursors. Such methods further include direct 3D printing of graphene materials from carbon precurors.

Abstract: Methods that expand the properties of laser-induced graphene (LIG) and the resulting LIG having the expanded properties. Methods of fabricating laser-induced graphene from materials, which range from natural, renewable precursors (such as cloth or paper) to high performance polymers (like Kevlar). With multiple lasing, however, highly conductive PEI-based LIG could be obtained using both multiple pass and defocus methods. The resulting laser-induced graphene can be used, inter alia, in electronic devices, as antifouling surfaces, in water treatment technology, in membranes, and in electronics on paper and food Such methods include fabrication of LIG in controlled atmospheres, such that, for example, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic LIG surfaces can be obtained. Such methods further include fabricating laser-induced graphene by multiple lasing of carbon precursors. Such methods further include direct 3D printing of graphene materials from carbon precursors.

Abstract: Methods that expand the properties of laser-induced graphene (LIG) and the resulting LIG having the expanded properties. Methods of fabricating laser-induced graphene from materials, which range from natural, renewable precursors (such as cloth or paper) to high performance polymers (like Kevlar). With multiple lasing, however, highly conductive PEI-based LIG could be obtained using both multiple pass and defocus methods. The resulting laser-induced graphene can be used, inter alia, in electronic devices, as antifouling surfaces, in water treatment technology, in membranes, and in electronics on paper and food Such methods include fabrication of LIG in controlled atmospheres, such that, for example, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic LIG surfaces can be obtained. Such methods further include fabricating laser-induced graphene by multiple lasing of carbon precursors. Such methods further include direct 3D printing of graphene materials from carbon precurors.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) printing of graphene materials and methods and apparatuses for making same. In some embodiments, combined metal powder and carbon growth sources (such as powder Ni and sucrose) are utilized in the 3D printing process. In other embodiments, metal powders with binders (such as powder Ni and a polymer bases binder) are utilized in the 3D printing process. The metal in the resulting 3D printed composite material can then be etched or otherwise removed yielding the 3D printed graphene materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastic-fit fingernail-attached stylus, held to the end-portion of the user's fingernail (or to a fingernail extension) principally by an elastic fit around the fingernail/extension. The portion of the sleeve on the underside of the fingernail/extension includes a substantially transverse extension pointing in the direction of the user's fingertip and is designed to contact the flesh of the user's finger, when in use. A substantially spherical projection is on the opposite side of the sleeve with the forward most portion of the sphere and is designed to make contact with the touchscreen (or the keys of the touchscreen keyboard). The stylus is preferably formed of an elastomer, e.g., a silicone rubber composition, preferably including a conducting material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastic-fit fingernail-attached stylus, held to the end-portion of the user's fingernail (or to a fingernail extension) principally by an elastic fit around the fingernail/extension. The portion of the sleeve on the underside of the fingernail/extension includes a substantially transverse extension pointing in the direction of the user's fingertip and is designed to contact the flesh of the user's finger, when in use. A substantially spherical projection is on the opposite side of the sleeve with the forward most portion of the sphere and is designed to make contact with the touchscreen (or the keys of the touchscreen keyboard). The stylus is preferably formed of an elastomer, e.g., a silicone rubber composition, preferably including a conducting material.

Abstract: A method of designing a conductive pattern with reduced channel break visibility includes generating a representation of the conductive pattern in a software application and placing a plurality of non-linear channel break voids that partition the conductive pattern into a plurality of channels. Each non-linear channel break isolates adjacent channels.

Abstract: A method of designing a conductive pattern with reduced channel break visibility includes generating a representation of the conductive pattern in a software application and placing a plurality of non-linear channel break voids that partition the conductive pattern into a plurality of channels. Each non-linear channel break isolates adjacent channels.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll electroless plating system for controlled substrate depth includes electroless plating solution disposed within an electroless plating bath, a conveyor system configured to convey a roll-to-roll substrate material through the electroless plating solution, a first depth setting roller disposed at an entry location of the roll-to-roll substrate material to the electroless plating solution, and a second depth setting roller disposed at an exit location of the roll-to-roll substrate material from the electroless plating solution. A diameter of the first and the second depth setting rollers is selected to dispose the roll-to-roll substrate material at a predetermined depth of the electroless plating solution.

Abstract: A method of controlling oxygen levels for electroless plating of catalytic fine lines or features includes selecting a substrate that includes a plurality of catalytic lines or features that are part of or are disposed on the substrate. The plurality of catalytic lines or features include at least one catalytic fine line or feature and at least one catalytic standard line or feature. A dissolved oxygen concentration of an electroless plating solution is regulated to a candidate controlled oxygen level. The candidate controlled oxygen level is set to a smallest value in a regulated range in a first pass of the method. The substrate is submerged in the solution for a period of time sufficient to initiate plating of the at least one catalytic standard line or feature. The substrate is evaluated and candidate controlled oxygen level is incremented or the previous value is selected as the regulated oxygen level.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a conductive pattern includes disposing an image of the conductive pattern on a substrate. The image includes material capable of being electroless plated. The image is electroless plated with a first metal forming a plated image. The first metal includes copper. The plated image is bathed in an immersion bath that includes a metal ion source of a second metal that reacts with the first metal. The second metal includes palladium. The conductive pattern includes a first metal layer having a first metal thickness, an intermetallic first metal-second metal interface layer, and a second metal layer having a second metal thickness.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a conductive pattern includes disposing an image of the conductive pattern on a substrate. The image includes material capable of being electroless plated. The image is electroless plated with a first metal forming a first plated image. The first plated image is electroless plated with a second metal forming a second plated image. The second metal passivates the first metal. The second plated image is bathed in an immersion bath comprising a darkening material.