Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R.sup.1 is an organic group, and each R.sup.2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R.sup.2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties. ##STR00001##

Self-limiting electrospray compositions including a non-charge-dissipative component and/or a charge-dissipative component. Self-limiting electrospray composition including a plurality of charge-dissipative components and excluding a non-charge-dissipative component. Methods for forming layers of self-limiting thickness. Methods for determining a conductivity of a material. Methods for repairing a flaw in a layer on a surface of an object.

A sample plate in use with a MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight) mass spectrometer. The sample plate is usable for the mass spectrometry of a polymeric material on the order of several hundreds of Da and a method of manufacturing the same sample plate. The sample plate including a target plate, an organic matrix formed on one surface of the target plate, and a Parylene thin film formed on the target plate on which the organic matrix is formed, the Parylene thin film entirely covering the organic matrix.

The present invention relates to polymers and to the use thereof in the form of active electrode material or in an electrode slurry as electrical charge storage means, the electrical charge storage means especially being secondary batteries. The secondary batteries are especially notable for high cell voltages, even when undergoing several charging and discharging cycles, and simple and scalable processing and production methods (for example by means of screen printing).

Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R.sup.1 is an organic group, and each R.sup.2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R.sup.2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties.

##STR00001##

Provided herein are the polymers shown below. The value n is a positive integer. R.sup.1 is an organic group, and each R.sup.2 is H or a chemisorbed group, with at least one R.sup.2 being a chemisorbed group. The polymer may be a nanostructured film. Also provided herein is a method of: converting a di-p-xylylene paracyclophane dimer to a reactive vapor of monomers; depositing the reactive vapor onto a substrate held at an angle relative to the vapor flux to form nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film; reacting the film with an agent to form hydrogen atoms that are reactive with a precursor of a chemisorbed group, if the film does not contain the hydrogen atoms; and reacting the hydrogen atoms with the precursor. Also provided herein is a device having a nanostructured poly(p-xylylene) film on a pivotable substrate. The film has directional hydrophobic or oleophobic properties and directional adhesive properties.

##STR00001##

Self-limiting electrospray compositions including a non-charge-dissipative component and/or a charge-dissipative component. Self-limiting electrospray composition including a plurality of charge-dissipative components and excluding a non-charge-dissipative component. Methods for forming layers of self-limiting thickness. Methods for determining a conductivity of a material. Methods for repairing a flaw in a layer on a surface of an object.

A structure including a coated free-standing film attached to a support wherein the free-standing film is a free-standing film of carbon nanostructures and a parylene-coating having a thickness of 5-200 nm is provided on the free-standing film.

A liquid lens including (i) a first liquid and a second liquid disposed within a containment region, the first liquid and the second liquid forming an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid; (ii) an electrode; and (iii) an insulating layer separating the electrode from the first liquid and the second liquid, the insulating layer comprising a polymeric material and a slippery omniphobic covalently attached liquid that is chemically bonded to the polymeric material, the slippery omniphobic covalently attached liquid providing a surface contacting one or more of the first liquid and the second liquid. The polymeric material of the insulating layer can be a poly(para-xylylene). The slippery omniphobic covalently attached liquid can include units of a silicone or polyolefin, each unit individually bound to a repeating unit of the polymeric material. A liquid lens where the insulating layer has a quality factor at least 200.