Abstract:
Preparing porous materials includes forming a mixture including a geopolymer resin and a liquid between which a nanoscale (1 - 1000 nm), microscale (1 - 1000 m), and/or milliscale (1 - 10 mm) phase separation occurs. The mixture is solidified (e.g., at an ambient temperature or a relatively low temperature), and a portion (e.g., a majority or a significant majority) of the liquid is removed from the solidified mixture. The liquid can include organic liquids from agricultural, geological, industrial, or household sources. The porous materials have accessible pores with a range of pore sizes including nanoscale pore sizes, microscale pore sizes, milliscale pore sizes, or a combination thereof. The porous material may be treated further to form another material, such as a composite.
Abstract:
A refractory, porous ceramic composite including crystalline mullite (3Al 2 O 3 +2SiO 2 or 3Al 6 Si 2 O 11 ) and a crystalline phase of LaPO 4 is formed from a mullite-LaPO 4 sol-gel by annealing the dried gel. During the annealing process, particle sintering and self-foaming occur in the glassy state, and pores are produced due at least in part to the release of entrapped gases that form during the pyrolysis of the gel. The resulting crystalline composite, or crystalline nanocomposite, has a high porosity and is dimensionally and chemically stable at high temperatures. The composite also has a high degree of structural (e.g., mechanical) stability, related at least in part to the fine texturing and mixing of the mullite and LaPO 4 during preparation of the sol. The resulting ceramic composite shows little or no shrinkage or expansion between about 1000C and about 1200°C.
Abstract:
Embodiments of wearable flexible devices and related methods are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
Abstract:
Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for generating reusable and reconfigurable biosensors. A microfluidic device includes a substrate layer and an electrode layer disposed above the substrate layer. A spacer layer is disposed above the electrode layers to form at least two channels. Another electrode layer is disposed above the spacer layer. Also, another substrate layer is disposed above the other electrode layer. The other substrate layer can include at least two inlets, each connected to one of the at least two channels, two outlets corresponding to the two inlets, and two electrical contacts filled with a conductive material to form a conductive feedthrough to the other electrode layer.
Abstract:
Some embodiments teach a method of preparing a flexible substrate assembly. The method can include: (a) providing a carrier substrate; (b) providing a cross-linking adhesive; (c) providing a plastic substrate; and (d) coupling the carrier substrate to the plastic substrate using the cross-linking adhesive. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for growing photosynthetic cells that may be used to produce a biomass. The systems and methods recycle liquid and can produce a high cell concentration harvested biomass.
Abstract:
The present invention comprises methods and devices for modulating the activity or activities of living cells, such as cells found in or derived from humans, animals, plants, insects, microorganisms and other organisms. Methods of the present invention comprise use of the application of ultrasound, such as low intensity, low frequency ultrasound, to living cells to affect the cells and modulate the cells' activities. Devices of the present invention comprise one or more components for generating ultrasound waves, such as ultrasonic emitters, transducers or piezoelectric transducers, composite transducers, CMUTs, and which may be provided as single or multiple transducers or in an array configurations. The ultrasound waves may be of any shape, and may be focused or unfocused.
Abstract:
A platinum (II) complex of the general formula (I) or (II), in which Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each independently aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic. Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 together form a tridentate ligand coordinated to the platinum through atoms X, Y, and Z, respectively, and X, Y, and Z are independently carbon or nitrogen. V is a bridging group or a covalent bond, and W is an anion. In general formula (I) in some cases, Ar1 is an anion and Ar2 and Ar3 are neutral; in other cases, Ar1 and Ar3 are neutral and Ar2 is an anion. In general formula (II), in some cases, Ar3 is an anion and Ar1 and Ar2 are neutral; in other cases, Ar1 and Ar3 are neutral and Ar2 is an anion. The complexes are asymmetric. The complexes emit in the UV to near IR range and are useful as emitters for organic light emitting devices.