The present invention is directed to devices and methods for assembling particulates through the use of non-contact electrokinetic forces applied to polymeric, organic, non-organic, and metallic micro- and nano-particulates in an aqueous solution. The present invention features an electrode comprising a conductive substrate with a layer of photosensitive polymer disposed on it with a plurality of windows etched into the layer. The plurality of windows expose certain portions of the conductive substrate. Applying electric signals to the conductive substrate (e.g. by a function generator) causes materials to attract to only the exposed portions of the conductive substrate. The materials may comprise a plurality of organic, non-organic, and metallic micro- and nano-particulates disposed in an aqueous solution.

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.

The present invention relates to a nanocoil-substrate complex for controlling adhesion and differentiation of stem cells, a manufacturing method thereof, and a method of controlling adhesion and differentiation of stem cells by using the nanocoil-substrate complex, and the method of controlling adhesion and differentiation of stem cells may temporally and reversibly control adhesion and phenotypic differentiation of stem cells in vivo and ex vivo by controlling application/non-application of a magnetic field to the nanocoil-substrate complex.

A metal foam-based filtration system and method for removing sub-micron particles and contaminants from a gas or fluid flow with the use of ultralow density metal nanowire meshes that have nanometer to micron scale pores for trapping air/fluid-borne particulates. Filters can use metal foams and coated metal foams alone or in tandem. The size and density of pores in the foam can be adjusted with synthesis conditions. Foams with pore size gradients promote the trapping of different sized particulates at different regions of a foam. Multiple rounds of electrodeposition may be applied to increase the surface area and curvature of a nanowire mesh and strengthen the mesh to make it self-supporting, free-standing and capable of supporting a much heavier mass without collapse. A metal and/or a coated metal foam can act as a catalyst or substrate for absorption or adsorption to capture target particles and/or contaminants.

The present invention is directed to devices and methods for assembling particulates through the use of non-contact electrokinetic forces applied to polymeric, organic, non-organic, and metallic micro- and nano-particulates in an aqueous solution. The present invention features an electrode comprising a conductive substrate with a layer of photosensitive polymer disposed on it with a plurality of windows etched into the layer. The plurality of windows expose certain portions of the conductive substrate. Applying electric signals to the conductive substrate (e.g. by a function generator) causes materials to attract to only the exposed portions of the conductive substrate. The materials may comprise a plurality of organic, non-organic, and metallic micro- and nano-particulates disposed in an aqueous solution.

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.

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for the detection and/or sorting of nucleic acids. Further disclosed are methods for device fabrication.

Synthetic brochosomes can be prepared by disposing a monolayer of first polymer microspheres on a substrate and forming a layer of metal on the monolayer of the first polymer microspheres. A monolayer of second polymer microspheres is then disposed on the layer of metal to form a template. The second polymer microspheres are smaller than the first polymer microspheres. A brochosome material is then electrodeposited on the template. The brochosome material is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal oxide, a polymer or a hybrid thereof. The first polymer microspheres and the second polymer microspheres are then removed to form a coating of synthetic brochosomes of the brochosome material on the substrate.

At least one embodiment relates to a method fabricating a solid-state battery cell. The method includes forming a plurality of spaced electrically conductive structures on a substrate. Forming the plurality of spaced electrically conductive structures on the substrate includes 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. Transforming at least part of the valve metal layer into the template includes a first anodization step, a second anodization step, an etching step in an etching solution, and a deposition step. The method also includes forming a first layer of active electrode material on the plurality of spaced electrically conductive structures, depositing an electrolyte layer over the first layer of active electrode material, and forming a second layer of active electrode material over the electrolyte later.