Abstract:
A sensor can include a conductive region in electrical communication with at least two electrodes, the conductive region can include a complex, and the complex can include a carbon nanotube that is functionalized by a porphyrin.
Abstract:
Carbon-based materials, and associated methods and articles, are generally provided. In some embodiments, a carbon-based material comprises a carbon-based portion and a functional group bonded to the carbon-based portion. The functional group may be capable of forming a reversible covalent bond with a species. Carbon may make up greater than or equal to 30 wt % of the carbon-based portion. The carbon-based portion may comprise graphene, and a ratio of a total number of functional groups in a plurality of functional groups bonded to the graphene to a total number of carbon atoms in the plurality of carbon atoms of the graphene may be greater than or equal to 1:50. The carbon-based portion may comprise graphene, and greater than or equal to 70% of the graphene sheets may be spaced apart from their nearest neighbors by a distance of greater than or equal to 10 Å. A method may comprise applying a voltage to a carbon-based material. The voltage may be applied in the presence of a combination of solvents comprising a dissolved species. The combination of solvents may comprise a solvent stable at voltages of greater than or equal to −3.15 V and less than or equal to −2.2 V and/or may comprise a solvent with a surface tension within 25% of a surface tension of the carbon-based material. The voltage may be a decreasing voltage that decreases at a rate of greater than or equal to 2 μV/s and less than or equal to 40 μV/s and has a value of greater than or equal to −2.2 V and less than or equal to −3.15 V at at least one point in time.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for forming droplets and/or emulsions. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods comprise two or more components miscible at a first temperature and immiscible at a second temperature, dispersed in an outer phase.
Abstract:
A composition for stabilizing dispersed particles in an ionically charged solution is disclosed. The composition includes a carbonaceous substrate, the carbonaceous substrate operable to undergo a grafting-to approach for functionalization. The composition also includes a covalently bound stabilizing polymer, the covalently bound stabilizing polymer operable to be prepared as a diazonium salt for grafting to the carbonaceous substrate and a plurality of positively and negatively charged subgroups, the plurality of positively and negatively charged subgroups positioned within the covalently bound stabilizing polymer, where the plurality of positively and negatively charged subgroups are operable to stabilize the dispersed particles amongst positively and negatively charged ions within the ionically charged solution.
Abstract:
Embodiments described herein may be useful for optofluidic devices. For example, optofluidic devices using dynamic fluid lens materials represent an ideal platform to create versatile, reconfigurable, refractive optical components. For example, the articles described herein may be useful as fluidic tunable compound micro-lenses. Such compound micro-lenses may be composed of two or more components (e.g., two or more inner phases) that form stable bi-phase emulsion droplets in outer phases (e.g., aqueous media). Advantageously, the refractive index contrast at each material interface and/or the curvature of each interface may contribute to the focusing power of a refractive optical element, allowing for a wide tuning range of the emulsion lenses' focal length, and thereby enabling switching between converging or diverging lens geometries. Advantageously, the radius of curvature between two or more components and/or the average focal length of transmitted or reflected light through the droplets may be controlled by exposing the plurality of droplets to a stimulus.
Abstract:
Electromechanical devices described herein may employ tunneling phenomena to function as low-voltage switches. Opposing electrodes may be separated by an elastically deformable layer which, in some cases, may be made up of a non-electrically conductive material. In some embodiments, the elastically deformable layer is substantially free of electrically conductive material. When a sufficient actuation voltage and/or force is applied, the electrodes are brought toward one another and, accordingly, the elastically deformable layer is compressed. Though, the elastically deformable layer prevents the electrodes from making direct contact with one another. Rather, when the electrodes are close enough to one another, a tunneling current arises therebetween. The elastically deformable layer may exhibit spring-like behavior such that, upon release of the actuation voltage and/or force, the separation distance between electrodes is restored. Thus, the electromechanical device may be actuated between open and closed switch positions.
Abstract:
A sensor device can include a transition metal complex capable of interacting with a carbon-carbon multiple bond moiety. The sensor can detect the fruit-ripening hormone ethylene with high sensitivity.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to emissive materials, devices, and related methods. In some cases, the present invention provides sensors and methods for the determination of analytes, wherein the analytes may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of an emissive material upon exposure to an analyte. The analyte and the emissive material may interact via a chemical reaction, such as an oxidative addition reaction, or other chemical, biochemical or biological interaction (e.g., recognition), to form a new emissive species. In some cases, the present invention may be useful in the detection of a wide variety of analytes, such as toxins, chemical warfare agents, and explosives. The present invention also provides emissive compounds, and related methods, including metal complexes that are capable of interacting with an analyte to produce a change in the emission of the compound. Some advantages of the present invention include the determination of analytes with high specificity and sensitivity and the ability to fabricate simplified and highly portable devices.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to colloids and methods for changing the arrangement of droplet phases. In some embodiments, the colloids and methods comprise a plurality of droplets comprising two or more components, such that the two or more components can change arrangement of the components in the presence of an external stimulus. In some embodiments, the change in component arrangement is reversible. In certain embodiments, the change in component arrangement forms Janus droplets.