Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been used for decades to make thin films, fibers, and bulk materials used in a range of applications. Modifications of CVD, for example, plasma enhanced CVD, have been used to create unique structures by varying process parameters. This technology results in particles with the structure of an inverted truncated right circular cone that could serve as interconnects or as mini energy storage units for solar cells. It could also be used as filler particles in polymer composites, where their unique structure could provide advantageous properties.

This technology relates to nanoparticles that are particularly beneficial in optical systems. The nanoparticles include phosphor-functionalized particles with an inorganic nanoparticle core, surface polymer brushes in the form of long and short-chain polymers bonded to the inorganic nanoparticle core, and organic phosphors bonded to the inorganic nanoparticle core or the short-chain polymers. Applications for this technology include LEDs, lighting devices, fixtures, efficient light conversion materials, etc.

Rensselaer researchers have developed a thermodynamically stable dispersion technology resulting in thick, transparent, high refractive index silicone nanocomposites that increase the light efficiency of LEDs and improve the emitted light color quality. The nanocomposites could also be processed as transparent bulk material with high filler loading, which is essential for optical, magnetic and biomedical applications.

This technology relates to fabricating tunable refractive index nanoporous thin films on flexible polymer substrates. The refractive index of the nanoporous thin film can be tuned during fabrication to a designed vale by adjusting the porosity of the thin optical film. Experiments show that thin-film SiO2 with tunable porosity fabricated by oblique angle electron beam deposition can be deposited on polymer substrates. Further, these SiO2 thin films show remarkably good adhesion to the polymer substrate.

This technology relates to nanofilled polymeric materials with a tunable refractive index without increased scattering or loss. The tunability allows the creation of hybrid nanocomposites that combine the advantages of organic polymers (low weight, flexibility, good impact resistance, and excellent processability) and inorganic materials (high refractive index, good chemical resistance and high thermal stability).

Block copolymers are polymers whose molecular chains consist of incompatible segments that can self-assemble to form separated phases or microdomains. The versatile properties of block copolymers are determined by their phase-separated microdomains, generating a variety of applications in biomedical materials, engineering thermoplastics and elastomers, and optical and electrical materials. This invention is directed to a novel method of assembling and controlling the properties of block copolymers.

Polymers play an important role in electrical insulating and field grading technology because of their high electrical strength, ease of fabrication, low cost and simple maintenance. Conventionally, additives have been mixed into polymer matrices to improve their resistance to degradation, to modify mechanical and thermomechanical properties, and to improve electrical properties such as high-field stability. However, concentional additives have a negative effect on electrical properties.

There is an increasing interest in using nanoparticles as building blocks for well-defined structures that have practical applications owing to the various novel properties of nanoparticles. However, their assembly is a challenging task. Methods based on surface functionalization, andor template patterning have been used for this purpose, but both of these processes can be rather complicated. Thus, there is a continuing need for a simple method for synthesizing high aspect ratio microstructures constituted of nanoparticle building blocks.

For most types of gelatin-based imaging elements, surface abrasion and scratching results in reduction of image quality. Thus, processing the image and, later, casual handling of the image can easily mark or disfigure the image. There is, therefore, a need for an imaging element having improved scratch resistance over materials currently used.

Ceramics are used in applications requiring strength, hardness, light weight, and resistance to abrasion, erosion, and corrosion, at both ambient and elevated temperatures. However, traditional ceramic materials are characteristically brittle, and this brittleness limits their use. While reduction of brittleness has been obtained with fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites, there continues to be a need for materials that combine the desirable properties of ceramics with improved fracture toughness.