The present disclosure provides organic-inorganic hybrid polymer particles, which have desirable surface chemistry and optical properties that make them particularly suitable for biological and optical applications. The present disclosure also provides methods of making organic-inorganic hybrid polymer particles. The present disclosure also provides methods of using the organic-inorganic hybrid polymer particles for biological and optical applications.

The present disclosure provides organic-inorganic hybrid polymer particles, which have desirable surface chemistry and optical properties that make them particularly suitable for biological and optical applications. The present disclosure also provides methods of making organic-inorganic hybrid polymer particles. The present disclosure also provides methods of using the organic-inorganic hybrid polymer particles for biological and optical applications.

The present invention provides a composite material having excellent dispersibility in a solvent and increased conductivity. The composite material comprises a carbon material and a conductive dispersant physically or chemically bonded to the carbon material, the conductive dispersant is constituted by a conductive polymer, and the conductive polymer has a number average molecular weight of 2000 or more and 100000 or less.

The present invention provides a composite material having excellent dispersibility in a solvent and increased conductivity. The composite material comprises a carbon material and a conductive dispersant physically or chemically bonded to the carbon material, the conductive dispersant is constituted by a conductive polymer, and the conductive polymer has a number average molecular weight of 2000 or more and 100000 or less.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

An enclosure and a method of making the enclosure is provided that includes mixing stainless steel, rubber, and polycarbonate to produce a material mixture that is electrically conductive. Carbon black powder and polyethylene are blended to produce an electrically resistive additive for dissipating static electricity. At least one injection mold for the enclosure is positioned in fluid communication with an exit end of a heating barrel. The weatherproof material mixture is injected into an entry end of the heating barrel to produce a melted weatherproof material mixture. The electrically resistive additive is introduced through a lateral port of the heating barrel proximate to the exit end to partially mix with the melted weatherproof material mixture to produce an injection mixture. The injection mixture into the at least one injection mold to produce the enclosure that is weatherproof, electrically conductive, and electrically resistive.

A hinge-type actuator device in accordance with the present disclosure may include a first and second paddle, a first and second artificial muscle actuator segment, and a plurality of contacts, where the first and second artificial muscle actuator segments are actuated via the contacts, actuation of the first artificial muscle actuator segment causes the first and second paddle to open the hinge-type actuator, and actuation of the second artificial muscle actuator segment causes the first and second paddle to close the hinge-type actuator.

An actuator device that includes a first fiber, a conducting material, and a coating. The coating coats the first fiber or the conducting material. The coating may also provide moisture protection, UV protection, thermal insulation and thermal conductivity.

This invention relates to particulate electroactive materials comprising a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a porous carbon framework including micropores and optional mesopores having a total volume of at least 0.7 cm.sup.3/g and up to 2 cm.sup.3/g, wherein at least half of the total micropore and mesopore volume is in the form of pores having a diameter of no more than 1.5 nm; and (b) silicon located within the micropores and optional mesopores of the porous carbon framework in a defined amount relative to the total volume of the micropores and optional mesopores.