A conductive ink and a conductive coating are provided. The conductive ink includes a conductive polymer solution comprising conductive polymer dissolved in an aqueous-based media and a mixture of carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide sheets dispersed in the conductive polymer solution, wherein a weight ratio of the carbon nanotubes to the graphene oxide sheets is in a range from 0.25 to 2.5. The conductive coating includes a conductive polymer and a mixture of graphene oxide sheets and carbon nanotubes dispersed in the conductive polymer, wherein a weight ratio of the carbon nanotubes to the graphene oxide sheets is in a range from 0.25 to 2.5, and wherein the conductive coating has an optical transmittance value at 550 nm of at least 75%.

This present invention disclosed a compressive graphene hydrogel and relates to a preparation method thereof. The compressive graphene hydrogel is obtained using the oxidized graphene and phytic acid as raw materials, wherein the oxidized graphene is used as the precursor. The obtained graphene hydrogel has a rich micro gap structure, a super large surface area, and high conductivity.

This present invention disclosed a compressive graphene hydrogel and relates to a preparation method thereof. The compressive graphene hydrogel is obtained using the oxidized graphene and phytic acid as raw materials, wherein the oxidized graphene is used as the precursor. The obtained graphene hydrogel has a rich micro gap structure, a super large surface area, and high conductivity.

A carbon nanofiber aggregate (CNFA) system and method provides self-sensing capabilities that can be used to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may include cement, aggregate, silica fume, high-range water reducer (HRWR), and/or carbon nanofibers. The metal meshes in the CNFA may be utilized to monitor the electric properties of the CNFA to detect strain, moisture, and temperature changes. The CNFA may be embedded in concrete structures to allow detection of strain, moisture, and temperature changes that may cause damage to structures. Several metal meshes may be embedded in the CNFA.

Using SWNT-CA as scaffolds to fabricate stiff, highly conductive polymer (PDMS) composites. The SWNT-CA is immersing in a polymer resin to produce a SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin. The SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin is cured to produce the stiff and electrically conductive composite of carbon nanotube aerogel and polymer.

Using SWNT-CA as scaffolds to fabricate stiff, highly conductive polymer (PDMS) composites. The SWNT-CA is immersing in a polymer resin to produce a SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin. The SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin is cured to produce the stiff and electrically conductive composite of carbon nanotube aerogel and polymer.

A method for preparing microsensors (e.g., microelectrodes) suitable for use in electrophysiology and electrochemistry studies in vitro and in vivo is described. The method can involve preparing a polymeric resin-insulated electron conducting fiber using a 3D printed mold comprising one or more channels, wherein each of the channels includes a tapered section. An electron conducting fiber partially enclosed within a metal or glass support can be laid in a channel; and a polymeric resin can be poured into the channel and cured, providing a polymer-insulated electron conducting fiber having a tapered section in proximity to a polymer-free electroactive tip area. For example, the method can be used to provide a polyimide-insulated carbon fiber microsensor. The mold can be used for the batch fabrication of the microsensors. The microsensors themselves, the molds for making the microsensors, and methods of using the microsensors are also described.

A method for preparing microsensors (e.g., microelectrodes) suitable for use in electrophysiology and electrochemistry studies in vitro and in vivo is described. The method can involve preparing a polymeric resin-insulated electron conducting fiber using a 3D printed mold comprising one or more channels, wherein each of the channels includes a tapered section. An electron conducting fiber partially enclosed within a metal or glass support can be laid in a channel; and a polymeric resin can be poured into the channel and cured, providing a polymer-insulated electron conducting fiber having a tapered section in proximity to a polymer-free electroactive tip area. For example, the method can be used to provide a polyimide-insulated carbon fiber microsensor. The mold can be used for the batch fabrication of the microsensors. The microsensors themselves, the molds for making the microsensors, and methods of using the microsensors are also described.

A composition and method for fabricating graphitic nanocomposites in solid state matrices is presented. The process for fabricating graphitic nanocomposites in solid state matrices may include selecting one or a mixture of specific graphitic nanomaterials. The graphitic nanomaterial(s) may be functionalizing with a moiety similar to the building blocks of the solid state matrices. The functionalized graphitic nanomaterials are mixed with the building blocks of the solid state matrices. The mixture may be cured, which causes in situ formation of the sol-gel solid state matrices that entraps and/or covalently links with the graphitic nanomaterials during the network growing process. This process allows the nanomaterials to be introduced into the matrices homogeneously without forming large aggregations.

A composition and method for fabricating graphitic nanocomposites in solid state matrices is presented. The process for fabricating graphitic nanocomposites in solid state matrices may include selecting one or a mixture of specific graphitic nanomaterials. The graphitic nanomaterial(s) may be functionalizing with a moiety similar to the building blocks of the solid state matrices. The functionalized graphitic nanomaterials are mixed with the building blocks of the solid state matrices. The mixture may be cured, which causes in situ formation of the sol-gel solid state matrices that entraps and/or covalently links with the graphitic nanomaterials during the network growing process. This process allows the nanomaterials to be introduced into the matrices homogeneously without forming large aggregations.