Abstract: A family of low-molecular-weight, main-chain thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyimides (TLC-PI) that are crosslinkable is disclosed. These all-aromatic TLC-PI are derived from (i) wholly aromatic and flexible diamine monomers, in which the linkage between the two aniline-ends contains a relatively high heat-tolerant but flexible chain constituted by two or more units of 1,4-phenoxy or 1,3-phenoxy or in combinations of both. Processes of making and using such all-aromatic TLC-PI is also provided.

Abstract: Liquid reservoirs, cartridge assemblies and related systems and methods are disclosed. An example implementation includes an apparatus that includes a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface and a storage chamber having an opening at the top surface. The cover covers or is positioned within the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and covers the opening of the storage chamber. The top surface and the first portion define a plenum. The cover is at least one of piercable, breakable, or movable to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum without venting the plenum to atmosphere.

Abstract: A family of low-molecular-weight, main-chain thermotropic liquid-crystalline co-polyimides (TLC-CoPI) that are crosslinkable, and based on a unique, liquid-crystallinity (LC)-enabling diamine, namely, 1,3-bis[4-(4?-aminophenoxy)cumyl]benzene (BACB) and two or more mesogenic dianhydrides, at least one of which is a diphthalic dianhydride (DPA) that contains one or more thermally reactive and crosslinkable moieties similar to that of phenylethynyl (PE) is disclosed. Processes of making and using such low-molecular-weight, main-chain thermotropic liquid-crystalline co-polyimides are also provided.

Abstract: A family of low-molecular-weight, main-chain thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyimides (TLC-PI) that are crosslinkable is disclosed. These all-aromatic TLC-PI are derived from (i) wholly aromatic and flexible diamine monomers, in which the linkage between the two aniline-ends contains a relatively high heat-tolerant but flexible chain constituted by two or more units of 1,4-phenoxy or 1,3-phenoxy or in combinations of both. Processes of making and using such all-aromatic TLC-PI is also provided.

Abstract: Applicants disclose a family of low-molecular-weight, main-chain thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyimides (TLC-PI) that are thermally crosslinkable and processes of making and using same. Such materials provide flexibility advantage when modifying ink materials to meet varying processing conditions in additive manufacturing of devices and components that require high-temperature polymers.

Abstract: Crosslinkable, low-molecular-weight, main-chain thermotropic liquid-crystalline co-polyimides derived from the polycondensation of (i) liquid-crystallinity-enabling, wholly aromatic and flexible diamine monomers, in which the linkage between the two aniline-ends contains a relatively high heat-tolerant but flexible chain constituted by multiple phenoxy (MP) moieties, i.e., two or more units of 1,4-phenoxy or 1,3-phenoxy or in combinations of both. Such polyimides allow the modification of ink materials to meet varying processing conditions in additive manufacturing of devices and components that require high-temperature polymers.

Abstract: Applicants disclose a family of rod-like dianhydrides that contain two phthalic anhydride moieties linked by a bridge that is comprised of at least one ethynyl and one paraphenylene group and processes of making and using such rod-like dianhydrides. Such rod-like dianhydrides can endow net-work structures with improved mechanical and thermal properties in the crosslinked-polymer products.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanohybrids that are gold nanorod J-aggregates having a broadened surface plasmonic resonance band, processes of making such gold nanorod J-aggregates and products comprising such gold nanorod J-aggregates. Such gold nanorod J-aggregates exhibit broad localized surface plasmonic reasonable range from 800 nm to 2000 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to cross-linkable thermoplastics, processes of making such cross-linkable thermoplastics and products comprising such cross-linkable thermoplastics. Such cross-linkable thermoplastics provide articles made by the additive manufacturing (AM) process with increased strength, the desired in use temperature stability and the desired thermo-oxidative stability.

Abstract: The invention relates to bis(aniline) compounds containing multiple arylethynyl, alkylethynyl, ethynyl groups or their combinations, processes of making such compounds and materials comprising such compounds. Such, bis(aniline) compounds preferably comprise multiple phenylethynyl (PE) groups, i.e. 2-4 PE moieties. Such compounds are useful monomers for the preparation of polyimides, polyamides and poly(amide-imides) whose post-fabrication crosslinking chemistry (i.e. reaction temperature) can be controlled by the number of PE per repeat unit as well as finding utility in thermosetting matrix resins, 3D printable resins, and as high-carbon-content precursors to carbon-carbon composites.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to shape memory films that are tri-functionally crosslinked and that comprise multiple, non-terminal, phenylethynyl moieties. In addition, the present invention relates methods of fabricating such films. Due to the improved properties of such SMPs, the SMP designer can program in to the SMP thermomechanical property enhancements that make the SMP suitable, among other things, for advanced sensors, high temperature actuators, responder matrix materials and heat responsive packaging.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to shape memory films that are tri-functionally crosslinked and that comprise multiple, non-terminal, phenylethynyl moieties. In addition, the present invention relates methods of fabricating such films. Due to the improved properties of such SMPs, the SMP designer can program in to the SMP thermomechanical property enhancements that make the SMP suitable, among other things, for advanced sensors, high temperature actuators, responder matrix materials and heat responsive packaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to nanohybrids that are gold nanorod J-aggregates having a broadened surface plasmonic resonance band, processes of making such gold nanorod J-aggregates and products comprising such gold nanorod J-aggregates. Such gold nanorod J-aggregates exhibit broad localized surface plasmonic reasonable range from 800 nm to 2000 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to bis(aniline) compounds containing multiple arylethynyl, alkylethynyl, ethynyl groups or their combinations, processes of making such compounds and materials comprising such compounds. Such, bis(aniline) compounds preferably comprise multiple phenylethynyl (PE) groups, i.e. 2-4 PE moieties. Such compounds are useful monomers for the preparation of polyimides, polyamides and poly(amide-imides) whose post-fabrication crosslinking chemistry (i.e. reaction temperature) can be controlled by the number of PE per repeat unit as well as finding utility in thermosetting matrix resins, 3D printable resins, and as high-carbon-content precursors to carbon-carbon composites.

Abstract: A two-photon absorbing (TPA) compound is provided along with a method of making same. The TPA compound has a general structural formula: where R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl chains having a general formula CnH2n+1, n ranges from about 6 to about 20, and ethoxylated alkyls having a general formula R3(OCH2CH2)mOCH2CH2—, where R3 is a C1 to C4 alkyl group, and where m ranges from 0 to about 3; and where Y is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, and alkoxyl groups.

Abstract: A two-photon absorbing (TPA) compound is provided along with a method of making same. The TPA compound has a general structural formula: where R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl chains having a general formula CnH2n+1, n ranges from about 6 to about 20, and ethoxylated alkyls having a general formula R3(OCH2CH2)mOCH2CH2—, where R3 is a C1 to C4 alkyl group, and where m ranges from 0 to about 3; and where Y is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, and alkoxyl groups.

Abstract: A flexible, asymmetric electrochemical cell comprising: (A) A sheet of graphene paper as first electrode comprising nano graphene platelets having a platelet thickness less than 1 nm, wherein the first electrode has electrolyte-accessible pores; (B) A thin-film or paper-like first separator and electrolyte; and (C) A thin-film or paper-like second electrode which is different in composition than the first electrode; wherein the separator is sandwiched between the first and second electrode to form a flexible laminate configuration. The asymmetric supercapacitor cells with different NGP-based electrodes exhibit an exceptionally high capacitance, specific energy, and stable and long cycle life.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium cell comprising: (a) an anode comprising an anode active material; (b) a cathode comprising a hybrid cathode active material composed of an electrically conductive substrate and a phthalocyanine compound chemically bonded to or immobilized by the conductive substrate, wherein the phthalocyanine compound is in an amount of from 1% to 99% by weight based on the total weight of the conductive substrate and the phthalocyanine compound combined; and (c) electrolyte or a combination of electrolyte and a porous separator, wherein the separator is disposed between the anode and the cathode and the electrolyte is in ionic contact with the anode and the cathode. This secondary cell exhibits a long cycle life, the best cathode specific capacity, and best cell-level specific energy of all rechargeable lithium-ion cells ever reported.

Abstract: A supercapacitor comprising a two electrodes, a porous separator disposed between the two electrodes, and an ionic liquid electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein at least one of the two electrodes comprises a meso-porous structure being formed of a plurality of nano graphene platelets and multiple pores having a pore size in the range of 2 nm and 25 nm, wherein the graphene platelets are not spacer-modified or surface-modified platelets. Preferably, the graphene platelets are curved, not flat-shaped. The pores are accessible to ionic liquid molecules, enabling the formation of large amounts of electric double layer charges in a supercapacitor, which exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacitance and high energy density.

Abstract: A spacer-modified nano graphene platelet electrode, comprising: (a) multiple nano graphene platelets or sheets having an average thickness smaller than 10 nm; and (b) discrete, non-metallic nano-scaled particles that are disposed between two graphene platelets or sheets to serve as a spacer. In such a spacer-modified graphene electrode, large amounts of electrolyte-accessible pores are formed, enabling the formation of large amounts of electric double layer charges in a supercapacitor, which exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacitance.