Abstract:
Proton exchange membranes incorporating modified carbon products. The modified carbon products advantageously enhance the properties of proton exchange membranes, leading to more efficiency within a fuel cell or similar device.
Abstract:
Bipolar plates incorporating modified carbon products. The modified carbon products advantageously enhance the properties of the bipolar plates, leading to more efficiency within a fuel cell or a similar device.
Abstract:
Energy devices such as batteries and methods for fabricating the energy devices. The devices are small, thin and lightweight, yet provide sufficient power for many handheld electronics.
Abstract:
A method for encapsulating organic molecules, and in particular, biomolecules using sol-gel chemistry. A silica sol is prepared from an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution, such as a mixture of silicon dioxide and sodium or potassium oxide in water. The pH is adjusted to a suitably low value to stabilize the sol by minimizing the rate of siloxane condensation, thereby allowing storage stability of the sol prior to gelation. The organic molecules, generally in solution, is then added with the organic molecules being encapsulated in the sol matrix. After aging, either a thin film can be prepared or a gel can be formed with the encapsulated molecules. Depending upon the acid used, pH, and other processing conditions, the gelation time can be from one minute up to several days. In the method of the present invention, no alcohols are generated as by-products during the sol-gel and encapsulation steps. The organic molecules can be added at any desired pH value, where the pH value is generally chosen to achieve the desired reactivity of the organic molecules. The method of the present invention thereby presents a sufficiently mild encapsulation method to retain a significant portion of the activity of the biomolecules, compared with the activity of the biomolecules in free solution.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to modifications to nanostructure based transparent conductors to achieve increased haze/light-scattering with different and tunable degrees of scattering, different materials, and different microstructures and nanostructures.
Abstract:
Anodized electroplated aluminum structures and methods for making the same are disclosed. Cosmetic structures according to embodiments of the invention are provided by electroplating a non-cosmetic structure with aluminum and then anodizing the electroplated aluminum. This produces cosmetic structures that may possess desired structural and cosmetic properties and that may be suitable for use as housing or support members of electronic devices.
Abstract:
The invention relates to reflective features formed from multiple inks. In one embodiment, the reflective feature includes a substrate having a first region and a second region, the first and second regions having different surface characteristics; a first reflective element disposed on the first region; and a second reflective element disposed on the second region, wherein the first reflective element is more adherent than the second reflective element to the first region. In another embodiment, the reflective feature includes multiple layers formed from different inks exhibiting enhanced reflectivity and/or durability. The invention is also to processes for forming these features, preferably through a direct write printing process.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to modifications to nanostructure based transparent conductors to achieve increased haze/light-scattering with different and tunable degrees of scattering, different materials, and different microstructures and nanostructures.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for the manufacture of electrodes for fuel cells. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for the manufacture of anodes and cathodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, particularly direct methanol fuel cells. The methods can utilize direct-write tools to deposit ink compositions and form functional layers of a membrane electrode assembly having controlled properties and enhanced performance.
Abstract:
The invention relates to reflective and non-reflective features formed from multiple inks. In one embodiment, the printed feature comprises a substrate having a first region and a second region, the first and second regions having different surface characteristics; a first printed element disposed on the first region; and a second printed element disposed on the second region, wherein the first printed element is more adherent than the second printed element to the first region. In another embodiment, the printed feature comprises multiple layers formed from different inks exhibiting enhanced durability. The invention is also to processes for forming these features, preferably through a direct write printing process.