Search Results - physical+science

This invention demonstrates the use of polyelectrolyte complexes (PSS/PDADMAC) by leveraging the “saloplastic” properties as well as post-process annealing to fabricate sustainable, high-performance filtration membrane. This approach replaces traditional toxic organic solvents with water and salt, which does not only reduce environmental and health hazards but also simplifies the manufacturing process and cuts down on waste management costs.

Neuromorphic computing, systems designed to mimic the biological nervous system, require far less power than current computer processors. The increased efficiency makes feasible artificial intelligence applications for smaller, hand-held devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets).  To this end, UMass inventors have designed hardware components that mimic neuronal synapses (Figure A). Specifically, diffusive Ag-in-oxide memristors show a temporal response during and after stimulation similar to that of a biological synapse. The novel diffusive memristor and its synapse-like dynamics enable a direct emulation of both short- and long-term plasticity of biological synapses and represent a major advancement in a hardware implementation for neuromorphic computing.

This invention provides a novel method for the formation of graphene films, high-quality graphene films made thereby, and applications thereof.

As industry 4.0 pushes the limits of micro and nano-scale technologies, semiconductor, GPU, and robotics manufacturers are searching for ways to optimize their production lines while still maintaining the highest level of quality. Visual inspection of these advanced micro and nano-scale technologies requires remarkably high levels of precision and control. The piezoelectric actuators used for metrology are currently burdened by non-linearities that require slow and expensive internal closed-loop controllers to deliver sufficient precision to the imaging system. A UMass Amherst research team has developed a new control method that reduces the cost and complexity of high-precision imaging systems while still delivering rapid acquisition of clear and crisp images. The new method integrates the focus measurement and the troublesome non-linear effects in a single learning-based model. The method involves evaluating the focus from a short sequence of images in a deep learning-based control model to determine the optimal position for the lens. The technology leverages Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) because of its superior ability to draw inferences from learned time sequence data. This novel method also utilizes an optimized backpropagation algorithm for efficiency, as well as a unique S-curve control input profile to minimize motor and image jerks. This method supports both rapid and stable dynamic lens transitions for a wide variety of imaging applications. Compared with the leading autofocus technologies, this method demonstrates significant advantages regarding autofocus time.  

This invention provides novel, deoxybenzoin-based anti-flammable polymers and cured epoxy resins for a variety of end-use applications.

New compositions of matter have been invented, specifically organic buffer layer materials that can greatly enhance power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices and can effectively functionalize metal electrodes. Conventional-architecture OPV devices made using the new buffer layer have average PCEs greater than 8%, with the highest PCE value exceeding 9.5%. This new buffer layer can be used with Ag, Cu, and Au cathodes, opening routes to all-solution-based device fabrication and roll-to-roll processing. In addition, the new buffer layer materials can be applied at a layer thickness of up to 55 nm, avoiding processing challenges that occur with ultrathin buffer layers and enabling a simplified and reproducible process for device fabrication.

This invention provides a new polymer processing technique, termed Melt-Mastication, which improves the properties of commodity semi-crystalline polymers, such as polypropylene. Compared with conventional methodology for processing polymers, Melt-Mastication creates unique microstructures in the polymer material, which results in improved mechanical and thermal properties of the polymer material and enables commodity polymers to compete with more costly materials in a variety of industries.

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This invention provides new chemical compositions and methods for the preparation of adhesive materials with low flammability. The low flammability is due to newly invented organic/polymeric components used in the adhesive formulation, rather than through the addition of a conventional anti-flammable additives such as halogenated organic molecules or phosphorous-containing structures.

This technology provides self-reinforced polymeric materials with greatly improved physical and mechanical properties as well as a unique and simple method for generating these materials. The concept involves using a low molecular weight crystalline compound in a polymer blend to form reinforcing crystalline particles. The presence of the crystalline particles simultaneously improves the impact or fracture toughness, enhances processibility through reduced viscosity, increases or does not otherwise detrimentally decrease the modulus, and lowers the coefficient of thermal expansion, among other improvements. These advantageous characteristics will allow self-reinforced polymeric materials to compete in markets currently using more expensive compounds. Virtually any polymeric material can benefit from this technology.