Disclosed is a technical idea of forming ruthenium and ruthenium-cobalt alloy nanowires having various diameters using electroplating. More particularly, a technology of forming ruthenium and ruthenium-cobalt alloy nanowires on a porous template, on pores of which nanotubes are deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD), using electroplating, and annealing the ruthenium and ruthenium-cobalt alloy nanowires to form ruthenium-cobalt alloy nanowires having various diameters.

A nanowire structure is manufactured by forming islands of conductive material on a substrate, and a conductive sacrificial layer in the space between conductive islands. The conductive islands include an anodic etch barrier layer. An anodizable layer is formed, over the conductive islands and sacrificial layer, and anodized to form a porous template. Nanowires are formed in regions of the porous template that overlie the conductive islands. Removal of the porous template and sacrificial layer leaves a nanowire structure including isolated groups of nanowires connected to respective conductive islands which function as current collectors. Respective stacks of conductive and insulator layers are formed over different groups of the nanowires to form respective capacitors that are electrically isolated from one another. A monolithic component may thus be formed including an array of isolated capacitors formed over nanowires.

A method of manufacturing a nano-structured aluminum oxide film. The first step involves degreasing an aluminum plate using a degreasing solution. The next step involves electropolishing the aluminum plate after degreasing with an electropolishing solution that is free of perchloric acid and chromic acid. The next step involves pre-anodizing the aluminum plate after electropolishing with an anodization acid solution for a first predetermined time period. The next step involves anodizing the aluminum plate after electropolishing with the anodization acid solution for a second predetermined time period to form an anodized membrane on the aluminum plate. The next step involves separating the anodized membrane from the aluminum plate with a solution free of chrome. The last step involves cleaning the anodized membrane.

A system comprises a member to receive a mechanical force, and a sensor to sense the mechanical force. The sensor is mounted on the member using a set of nanoparticles and a set of nanowires coupled to the set of nanoparticles.

At least one embodiment relates to a method for transforming at least part of a valve metal layer into a template that includes a plurality of spaced channels aligned longitudinally along a first direction. The method includes a first anodization step that includes anodizing the valve metal layer in a thickness direction to form a porous layer that includes a plurality of channels. Each channel has channel walls and a channel bottom. The channel bottom is coated with a first insulating metal oxide barrier layer as a result of the first anodization step. The method also includes a protective treatment. Further, the method includes a second anodization step after the protective treatment. The second anodization step substantially removes the first insulating metal oxide barrier layer, induces anodization, and creates a second insulating metal oxide barrier layer. In addition, the method includes an etching step.

We provide an electrochemical sensor in which working microelectrodes are arranged in an array and interconnected in parallel. The working electrodes are arranged so that in use, they are electrochemically coupled to a counter electrode structure through an electrolyte. The sensor also includes a microporous body arranged so that in use, it is situated at a boundary between a gaseous environment and the electrolyte. In another aspect, we provide a method of sensing in which a sample of gas is admitted to a liquid electrolyte maintained by pores of a porous substrate. A voltage is applied to the liquid electrolyte, and an electrical response to the applied voltage is observed, thereby to detect electrochemical evidence of an analyte within the liquid electrolyte.

An antimicrobial protective film that can be applied to a surface such as a screen of a smartphone or computing device. The user is able to view items displayed on the screen and to interact with the screen via touch or the like. The protective film includes a base layer or film upon which a second layer is formed, and this second layer includes numerous structures, e.g., micro or nano structures. The structures have a geometry that is unfriendly for viruses and bacteria. The structures are embedded with antimicrobial and/or antiviral agents that migrate out of the structures and kill or at least detrimentally affect the viruses or bacteria received within the second layer. This effect is combined with the fact that the structures are made with geometries particularly devastating to microbes during elongation and contraction of the structures with the thermal-based expansion and contraction of the underlying base layer.

A structure that includes: an insulating layer; a first metal layer above a first portion of the insulating layer; a first porous region of anodic oxide, above and in contact with the first metal layer; and a second porous region of anodic oxide, surrounding the first porous region, in contact with a second portion of the insulating layer adjacent to the first portion of the insulating layer, and in contact with the first metal layer, the second porous region forming an insulating region.

The embodiments described herein relate to anodizing and anodized films. The methods described can be used to form opaque and white anodized films on a substrate. In some embodiments, the methods involve forming anodized films having branched pore structures. The branched pore structure provides a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, the methods involve infusing metal complex ions within pores of an anodized. Once within the pores, the metal complex ions undergo a chemical change forming metal oxide particles. The metal oxide particles provide a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, aspects of the methods for creating irregular or branched pores and methods for infusing metal complex ions within pores are combined.

Porous solid materials are provided. The porous solid materials include a plurality of interconnected wires forming an ordered network. The porous solid materials may have a predetermined volumetric surface area ranging between 2 m.sup.2/cm.sup.3 and 90 m.sup.2/cm.sup.3, a predetermined porosity ranging between 3% and 90% and an electrical conductivity higher than 100 S/cm. The porous solid materials may have a predetermined volumetric surface area ranging between 3 m.sup.2/cm.sup.3 and 72 m.sup.2/cm.sup.3, a predetermined porosity ranging between 80% and 95% and an electrical conductivity higher than 100 S/cm. The porous solid materials (100) may have a predetermined volumetric surface area ranging between 3 m.sup.2/cm.sup.3 and 85 m.sup.2/cm.sup.3, a predetermined porosity ranging between 65% and 90% and an electrical conductivity higher than 2000 S/cm. Methods for the fabrication of such porous solid materials and devices including such porous solid material are also disclosed.