The present investigation is development of the TiO.sub.2 nanotubes concept of preparation of and their composite with fine dispersion of copper. The inventions also relates to identify a method for optimum amount of photocatalyst required for efficient and maximum hydrogen production reported than earlier (H.sub.2=99,823 μmol.Math.h.sup.−1.Math.g.sup.−1 catalyst) from glycerol-water mixtures under solar light irradiation. A method is disclosed to produce CuO/TiO.sub.2 nanotubes with high sustainability and recyclable activity for hydrogen production.

A process for manufacturing silver nanowires is provided, wherein the recovered silver nanowires have a high aspect ratio; and, wherein the total glycol concentration is <0.001 wt % at all times during the process.

A lithium-ion battery having an anode including an array of nanowires electrochemically coated with a polymer electrolyte, and surrounded by a cathode matrix, forming thereby interpenetrating electrodes, wherein the diffusion length of the Li.sup.+ ions is significantly decreased, leading to faster charging/discharging, greater reversibility, and longer battery lifetime, is described. The battery design is applicable to a variety of battery materials. Methods for directly electrodepositing Cu.sub.2Sb from aqueous solutions at room temperature using citric acid as a complexing agent to form an array of nanowires for the anode, are also described. Conformal coating of poly-[Zn(4-vinyl-4′methyl-2,2′-bipyridine).sub.3](PF.sub.6).sub.2 by electroreductive polymerization onto films and high-aspect ratio nanowire arrays for a solid-state electrolyte is also described, as is reductive electropolymerization of a variety of vinyl monomers, such as those containing the acrylate functional group. Such materials display limited electronic conductivity but significant lithium ion conductivity. Cathode materials may include oxides, such as lithium cobalt oxide, lithium magnesium oxide, or lithium tin oxide, as examples, or phosphates, such as LiFePO.sub.4, as an example.

Disclosed are a touch sensor and a method of fabricating the same. An insulator of the touch sensor contains a polymer and has an array of vertically aligned nanowires structure. Therefore, the touch sensor can be easily changed in thickness, which facilitates change in electrostatic capacity, thereby increasing sensitivity of the touch sensor. In addition, the present invention can simplify an existing complicated process of fabricating a touch sensor.

A manufacturing method of carbon nanofibers at a high activity is provided. Further, carbon nanofibers produced by the manufacturing method and being excellent in electric conductivity, crystallinity and dispersibility is provided. By a manufacturing method of carbon nanofibers in which an active species including cobalt as a chief component is employed as a catalyst and carbon monoxide is used as a carbon source, wherein said catalyst has 3 to 150 mass % of said active species carried on a carrier composed of a magnesium-containing oxide having a specific surface area of 0.01 to 5 m.sup.2/g, and a reaction temperature, partial pressure of carbon monoxide and a flow rate of raw material gas is controlled, CNFs that are excellent in electric conductivity, crystallinity and dispersibility can be manufactured at high activity, so that carbon nanofibers that is excellent in electric conductivity, crystallinity and dispersibility is obtained.

Described is a composition suitable for the preparation of an electroconductive transparent layer, said composition comprising silver nanowires and dispersed polymer beads.

The present document provides details of a nanostructured material defined by an anodized alumina having a nanostructure with transverse pores that pass through and connect longitudinal pores grown on an aluminum substrate. This document also describes the process for producing said nanostructured material and the possible use thereof as a template or mould for obtaining nanostructures formed by nanowires, which are generated in the cavities or pores of the aforementioned nanostructure of the nanomaterial of the invention. Likewise, this document details the use of the nanostructured anodized alumina material as a mould for producing nanostructures.

A conductive composite including: a polymer matrix including a microcellulose fiber; and at least two conductive nanomaterials dispersed in the polymer matrix, wherein the conductive nanomaterial includes a metal nanowire, wherein the at least two of the conductive nanomaterials provide an assembled layer surrounding a surface of the microcellulose fiber.

Vertically oriented nanowire transistors including semiconductor layers or gate electrodes having compositions that vary over a length of the transistor. In embodiments, transistor channel regions are compositionally graded, or layered along a length of the channel to induce strain, and/or include a high mobility injection layer. In embodiments, a gate electrode stack including a plurality of gate electrode materials is deposited to modulate the gate electrode work function along the gate length.

Semiconductor light emitting diodes (LEDs) formed as (Al)GaN-based nanowire structures have a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a thin metallic layer fabricated therebetween. The structures, operating in the deep ultraviolet (UV) spectral range, exhibit high photoluminescence efficiency at room temperature. The structures may be formed of an epitaxial metal tunnel junction operating as a reflector that enhances carrier transport to and from the semiconductor alloy layers, capable of producing external quantum efficiencies at least one order of magnitude higher than convention devices.