Electrochemical liquid phase epitaxy (ec-LPE) processes and devices are provided that can form precipitated epitaxial crystalline films or layers on a substrate. The precipitated films may comprise a semiconductor, such as germanium, silicon, or carbon. Dissolution into, saturation within, and precipitation of the semiconductor from a liquid metal electrode (e.g., Hg pool) near an interface region with a substrate yields a polycrystalline semiconductor material deposited as an epitaxial film. Reactor cells for use in an electrochemical liquid phase epitaxy (ec-LPE) device are also provided that include porous membranes to facilitate formation of the precipitated epitaxial crystalline films.

A device for converting a carbon pill into graphene is provided including a space between at least two electrically conductive surfaces, wherein the electrically conductive surfaces are configured to support a carbon pill in the space. The device also includes at least two electrodes electrically coupled to the at least two electrically conductive surfaces. The device also includes a power supply connected to the electrodes for passing a current through the electrodes to convert the carbon pill into graphene. A carbon pill for graphene conversion is also provided including a first carbon material for synthesizing to graphene by joule heating. The first carbon material is compressed from a powder form into a pill form. The carbon pill includes a second material for at least one of binding the first carbon material from a powder form into a pill form and improving conductivity of the first carbon material.

A self-aligned tunable metamaterial is formed as a wire mesh. Self-aligned channel grids are formed in layers in a silicon substrate using deep trench formation and a high-temperature anneal. Vertical wells at the channels may also be etched. This may result in a three-dimensional mesh grid of metal and other material. In another embodiment, metallic beads are deposited at each intersection of the mesh grid, the grid is encased in a rigid medium, and the mesh grid is removed to form an artificial nanocrystal.

A self-aligned tunable metamaterial is formed as a wire mesh. Self-aligned channel grids are formed in layers in a silicon substrate using deep trench formation and a high-temperature anneal. Vertical wells at the channels may also be etched. This may result in a three-dimensional mesh grid of metal and other material. In another embodiment, metallic beads are deposited at each intersection of the mesh grid, the grid is encased in a rigid medium, and the mesh grid is removed to form an artificial nanocrystal.

A method for producing homoepitaxial diamond layers is provided. A substrate comprising diamond and having a first side and an opposite second side is provided, at least the first side having a [100] orientation. Protruding structures are provided on the first side by masking and subsequently etching the substrate. Diamond is deposited from an activated process gas on the first side of the substrate, wherein pyramids are produced around the protruding structures, the side faces of which are at least partially [111]-oriented.

A method for producing homoepitaxial diamond layers is provided. A substrate comprising diamond and having a first side and an opposite second side is provided, at least the first side having a [100] orientation. Protruding structures are provided on the first side by masking and subsequently etching the substrate. Diamond is deposited from an activated process gas on the first side of the substrate, wherein pyramids are produced around the protruding structures, the side faces of which are at least partially [111]-oriented.

Disclosed herein are methods of preparing a composition comprising crystalline biomolecules, for example, crystalline antibodies. In exemplary embodiments, the method comprises forming a fluidized bed of crystalline biomolecules using, for example, a counter-flow centrifuge to exchange buffer and/or to concentrate the crystalline biomolecules in a solution. Also provided are methods of detecting crystalline biomolecules and/or amorphous biomolecules in a sample.

The invention is a high-throughput voltage screening crystallographic device and methodology that uses multiple micro wells and electric circuits capable of assaying different crystallization condition for the same or different proteins of interest at the same of different voltages under a humidity and temperature controlled environment. The protein is solubilized in a lipid matrix similar to the lipid composition of the protein in the native environment to ensure stability of the protein during crystallization. The invention provides a system and method where the protein is transferred to a lipid matrix that holds a resting membrane potential, which reduces the degree of conformational freedom of the protein. The invention overcomes the majority of the difficulties associated with vapor diffusion techniques and essentially reconstitutes the protein in its native lipid environment under cuasi physiological conditions.

An object of the present invention is to produce a member useful for preventing edible oil from degrading by performing simple, economical, and safe steps.

A method for producing an edible oil degradation-preventing member, comprising the steps of: (1) forming titanium nitride on the surface of a metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material by one treatment method selected from the group consisting of a heat treatment under an ammonia gas atmosphere and a heat treatment under a nitrogen gas atmosphere, at a heating temperature of 750 C. or higher; (2) anodizing the metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material with the titanium nitride formed on the surface thereof obtained in step (1) by applying a voltage of 10 V or more in an electrolyte solution having no etching effect on titanium, thereby forming a titanium oxide film; and (3) heating the metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material with the titanium oxide film formed on the surface thereof obtained in step (2) at a temperature of 400 C. or higher in an atmosphere selected from an air atmosphere, a mixed atmosphere of oxygen gas and nitrogen gas, and an oxygen gas atmosphere.

An object of the present invention is to produce a member useful for preventing edible oil from degrading by performing simple, economical, and safe steps.

A method for producing an edible oil degradation-preventing member, comprising the steps of: (1) forming titanium nitride on the surface of a metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material by one treatment method selected from the group consisting of a heat treatment under an ammonia gas atmosphere and a heat treatment under a nitrogen gas atmosphere, at a heating temperature of 750 C. or higher; (2) anodizing the metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material with the titanium nitride formed on the surface thereof obtained in step (1) by applying a voltage of 10 V or more in an electrolyte solution having no etching effect on titanium, thereby forming a titanium oxide film; and (3) heating the metallic titanium material or titanium alloy material with the titanium oxide film formed on the surface thereof obtained in step (2) at a temperature of 400 C. or higher in an atmosphere selected from an air atmosphere, a mixed atmosphere of oxygen gas and nitrogen gas, and an oxygen gas atmosphere.