Abstract: A glass fiber-reinforced polymer composite includes a polymer matrix, a plurality of glass fibers embedded within the polymer matrix, a first hollow glass fiber containing a resin embedded within the polymer matrix, a second hollow glass fiber containing a catalyst suitable for curing the resin embedded within the polymer matrix. When damage occurs to such a composite, the glass fibers containing the resin and the catalyst are ruptured, resulting in their mixing together so that the resin is cured for repairing the ruptured location.

Abstract: Different kinds of printing pastes or inks are utilized in various combinations to develop multiple ceramic dielectric layers on graphitic substrates in order to create effective dielectric ceramic layers that combine good adhesion to both graphitic substrates and printed copper traces, and strong insulating capability. The pastes or inks may comprise a high thermal conductivity powder.

Abstract: Silicon dioxide particles can reinforce the mechanical properties of an epoxy matrix. Combining carbon nanotubes with the icon dioxide particles to co-reinforce the epoxy matrix achieves increases in compression strength, flexural strength, compression modulus, and flexural modulus. Such composites have increased mechanical properties over that of neat epoxy.

Abstract: A dielectric layer is directly applied onto the surface of a heat sink part. For example, the composition for making the dielectric layer may be made into a paste or ink and then printed as a paste or ink, or applied with some other equivalent method, such as a lamination technique. The electrical circuit traces are then printed in a similar fashion onto the dielectric layer in the required pattern for whatever circuitry is to be applied. That circuitry (e.g., circuit elements) is then attached to the electrical traces as needed for the particular application.

Abstract: Reflective color inks are used, such as for signage applications and as an electronic display medium and material. The reflective color inks comprise a core-shell particle that includes a core particle coated with a molecular surface coating. One example of such a particle is using a core of a polystyrene type of material that has a relatively low refractive index, with a high reflective index acrylic copolymer added as the shell material.

Abstract: Nanoparticle inks and powders are sintered using an applied mechanical energy, such as uniaxial pressure, hydrostatic pressure, and ultrasonic energy, which may also include applying a sheer force to the inks or powders in order to make the resultant film or line conductive.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for the analysis of gases for medical purposes are described. In one aspect, a system includes a sample collector to collect a physical sample associated with an individual and present a gas sample for analysis, a gas analysis device to analyze the gas sample presented by the sample collector to determine a concentration of one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample, a data storage device that includes information reflecting a correlation between concentration of the one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample and a disease state, and a data analysis device to determine a medical condition of the individual based on the concentration of one or more non-aqueous gases in the gas sample and the information.

Abstract: A process where a printed ink is placed onto a sacrificial ribbon. The ink is then converted to a metal film and transferred to a substrate, such as a silicon solar cell at very low temperatures. Further low-temperature processing may be utilized to form an ohmic contact. This process provides the speed and low-cost structure of ink and paste based processing with the diffusion control of vacuum deposited films.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermal management hybrid article includes electroplating a copper layer on a graphitic layer, adhering the copper-plated graphitic layer to a plate of aluminum with a nano-copper paste to form a substrate, heating the substrate in a forming gas at a temperature less than 500° C. to melt to recrystallize the nano-copper paste, and cooling the substrate after the heating. A method of manufacturing a thermal management hybrid article includes electroplating a copper layer on a graphitic layer, electroplating copper on a plate of aluminum, and soldering the copper-plated layer on the graphitic layer to the copper-plated plate of aluminum. A method of manufacturing a thermal management hybrid article also includes electroplating a copper layer on a graphitic layer and immersing the copper-plated graphitic layer in molten aluminum to cast the an aluminum layer on the copper layer.

Abstract: A buffer layer is used to coat on the multi-filament wrapped string to fill the gaps. The polymers of the buffer-layer coating have a high melt-flow (low viscosity) during coating process to fill all the gaps between the filaments, and the filaments are fixed by the coatings onto base core materials. An outer protective coating is applied, which may comprise a composite nylon, clay nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, an impact modifier, or any combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: A nylon 11 composite has significantly improved flexural modulus while keeping or even increasing the impact strength. This composite system may comprise a nylon 11/filler/modifier. The “ball” portion of badminton shuttlecocks made by this type of composite more closely emulate the flight capabilities of natural feather shuttlecocks than neat nylon 11.

Abstract: A layer of material having a low thermal conductivity is coated over a substrate. A film of conductive ink is then coated over the layer of material having the low thermal conductivity, and then sintered. The film of conductive ink does not absorb as much energy from the sintering as the film of conductive ink coated over the layer of material having the low thermal conductivity. The layer of material having the low thermal conductivity maybe a polymer, such as polyimide.

Abstract: Conductive lines are deposited on a substrate to produce traces for conducting electricity between electronic components. A patterned metal layer is formed on the substrate, and then a layer of material having a low thermal conductivity is coated over the patterned metal layer and the substrate. Vias are formed through the layer of material having the low thermal conductivity thereby exposing portions of the patterned metal layer. A film of conductive ink is then coated over the layer of material having the low thermal conductivity and into the vias to thereby coat the portions of the patterned metal layer, and then sintered. The film of conductive ink coated over the portion of the patterned metal layer does not absorb as much energy from the sintering as the film of conductive ink coated over the layer of material having the low thermal conductivity. The layer of material having the low thermal conductivity may be a polymer, such as polyimide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems of modulating step function phenomena by varying nanoparticle size—particularly wherein a plurality of such nanoparticles are employed, and wherein said nanoparticles comprise a size distribution favorable for collectively smoothing the step function. Such methods and systems are particularly favorable for hydrogen sensors.

Abstract: A highly transparent and electrically conductive substrate is made by applying a conductive mesh over a transparent substrate, depositing a UV-curable transparent material over the conductive mesh and the transparent substrate, and exposing the UV-curable transparent material to a directional UV light from a UV light source positioned so that the UV light emitted from the UV light source travels through the transparent substrate before being received by the UV-curable transparent material, wherein the UV-curable transparent material is cured in response to exposure from the UV light except for those portions of the UV-curable transparent material masked from exposure to the UV light by the conductive mesh. Uncured portions of the UV-curable transparent material are removed, and a transparent conductive material layer is deposited over the cured UV-curable transparent material and conductive mesh.

Abstract: Improved mechanical properties of either clay or carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced polymer matrix nanocomposites are obtained by pre-treating nanoparticles and polymer pellets prior to a melt compounding process. The clay or CNTs are coated onto the surfaces of the polymer pellets by a milling process. The introduction of moisture into the mixture of the nanoparticles and the polymer pellets results in the nanoparticles more easily, firmly, and thoroughly coating onto the surfaces of the polymer pellets.

Abstract: The instant article of manufacture is made by applying optical energy to one or more layers of nanoparticulate materials under predetermined conditions to produce a nanostructure. The nanostructure has layers of optically fused nanoparticles including a predetermined pore density, a predetermined pore size, or both. The predetermined conditions for applying the optical energy may include a predetermined voltage, a predetermined duration, a predetermined power density, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A metallic ink including a vehicle, a multiplicity of copper nanoparticles, and an alcohol. The conductive metallic ink may be deposited on a substrate by methods including inkjet printing and draw-down printing. The ink may be pre-cured and cured to form a conductor on the substrate.

Abstract: An electronic odor sensor is used in conjunction with a surgical tool, for example when wounds are cleansed to remove dead tissue and exudates, known clinically as debridement. The surgical tool will atomize substrate tissues and thereby mechanically generate vapors that can be sensed. Abrasion will likewise atomize substrate tissues liberating odors. Air near the surgical tool is collected and fed into the electronic odor sensor. The odor is analyzed by the sensor and a signal fed back based on the analysis.

Abstract: A base material or composite material such as graphite, may be combined with another material, such as aluminum oxide or polyimide, to produce a new insulating thermal management material. The base material may be impregnated with another metal to create a composite base material.