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Spray-Coated Polymer Solar Cells Based on Low-Band-Gap Donors Processed with ortho-Xylene
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Spray-Coated Polymer Solar Cells Based on Low-Band-Gap Donors Processed with ortho-Xylene

A low-band-gap material blend was dissolved in the non-chlorinated solvent ortho-xylene for both spin-coating and spray-coating of active layers for polymer solar cells. The results open the way to the use of spray-coating to scale up the deposition of active layers.
Native Oxide Barrier Layer for Selective Electroplated Metallization of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells
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Native Oxide Barrier Layer for Selective Electroplated Metallization of Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

An alternative low-silver approach for low-temperature metallization of SHJ solar cells through selectivity of etchants and plating processes was demonstrated. The NOBLE approach saves processing steps and consumables with encouraging results.
Nanodiamond‐Based Separators for Supercapacitors Realized on Paper Substrates
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Nanodiamond‐Based Separators for Supercapacitors Realized on Paper Substrates

Herein, a scalable, low-cost, and easy-to-process approach for the preparation of supercapacitors using large area techniques like spray and blade coating is presented.
Assessment of Possibilities of Ceramic Biomaterial Fracture Surface Reconstruction Using Laser Confocal Microscopy and Long Working Distance Objective Lenses
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Assessment of Possibilities of Ceramic Biomaterial Fracture Surface Reconstruction Using Laser Confocal Microscopy and Long Working Distance Objective Lenses

The roughness of an alumina surface on an aluminum alloy was analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy using various objective lenses with different working distances. It was found that the confocal microscope provides an advantage over conventional optical microscopy in terms of image quality and resolution.
Super-Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Aluminum Alloy Surfaces via Chemical Etching and Functionalization
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Super-Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Aluminum Alloy Surfaces via Chemical Etching and Functionalization

Super-hydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces, on aluminum alloy substrates, were achieved by engineered surface roughness using a chemical etching process followed by the deposition of an organically modified silicate coating.
Effects of Multi-Scale Patterning on the Run-In Behavior of Steel – Alumina Pairings under Lubricated Conditions
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Effects of Multi-Scale Patterning on the Run-In Behavior of Steel – Alumina Pairings under Lubricated Conditions

Multi-scale surface roughness patterns were prepared on stainless steel substrates using micro-coining and direct laser interference patterning. The effects of hierarchical surface roughness on friction resistance were studied in steel-aluminum pairings.
Flexible Micropillar Electrode Arrays for In Vivo Neural Activity Recordings
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Flexible Micropillar Electrode Arrays for In Vivo Neural Activity Recordings

Flexible electronics that can form tight interfaces with neural tissues hold great promise for improving the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders and advancing brain/machine interfaces. Here, the facile fabrication of a novel flexible micropillar electrode array (μPEA) is described based on a biotemplate method.
Super-Resolution Microscopy by Movable Thin Films with Embedded Microspheres
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Super-Resolution Microscopy by Movable Thin Films with Embedded Microspheres

Microsphere-assisted imaging has emerged as a simple technique to obtain optical super-resolution. This work addresses the methodology of the resolution measurements and the limited field-of-view provided by each sphere.
Breathable and Flexible Polymer Membranes with Mechanoresponsive Electrical Resistance
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Breathable and Flexible Polymer Membranes with Mechanoresponsive Electrical Resistance

Flexible low-resistance membranes that tolerate very high deformability, produce low joule heating, and allow the passage of gases for human comfort are desired for wearable devices. Herein, a network of silver nanowires
(AgNWs) between two highly porous electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membranes is presented.
Film Adhesion of Flexible Electronics Influenced by Interlayers
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Film Adhesion of Flexible Electronics Influenced by Interlayers

Compression-induced delamination is a technique that uses the buckling dimensions to evaluate the interfacial adhesion of materials on flexible substrates quantitatively. This study shows that spontaneous buckles are formed in gold (Au) films, which are deposited without an interlayer. Conversely, external loading is required to delaminate the Au film with the tantalum (Ta) adhesion layer indicating higher adhesion energy.
Flexible Thin-Film Electronics
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Flexible Thin-Film Electronics

Fast-forward and electronics are ubiquitous throughout our lives. Most electronic devices are composed of rigid circuit boards containing electronic components (e.g., transistors, resistors, and capacitors), and printed metallic interconnects. Now, flexible electronics are currently being developed for next-generation devices.
Boosted UV Photodetection Performance in Chemically Etched Amorphous Gallium(III) Oxide Thin-Film Transistors
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Boosted UV Photodetection Performance in Chemically Etched Amorphous Gallium(III) Oxide Thin-Film Transistors

Bottom-gate amorphous gallium oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated to boost their UV photodetection properties. A simple chemical-etching solution was employed that is easy to use, low cost, and compatible with traditional lithographic processes to selectively etch a-Gallium(III) oxide films.
A Novel Slicing Method for Thin Supercapacitors
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A Novel Slicing Method for Thin Supercapacitors

Thin and flexible supercapacitors with low cost and uniform thicknesses were fabricated by a new and efficient slicing method. The morphology of the thin supercapacitors was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy, which revealed uniform thicknesses and well-formed interfaces between the electrode and the gel electrolyte.
Multiscale and Uniform Liquid Metal Thin‐Film Patterning Based on Soft Lithography for 3D Heterogeneous Integrated Soft Microsystems: Additive Stamping and Subtractive Reverse Stamping
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Multiscale and Uniform Liquid Metal Thin‐Film Patterning Based on Soft Lithography for 3D Heterogeneous Integrated Soft Microsystems: Additive Stamping and Subtractive Reverse Stamping

This paper demonstrates multiscale and uniform EGaIn thin‐film patterning by utilizing an additive stamping process for large‐scale soft electronics and a subtractive reverse stamping process for microscale soft electronics.
The Use of Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM) in Materials Science
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The Use of Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM) in Materials Science

Herein, several examples that exploit the laser scanning confocal microscope’s capabilities of pseudo-infinite depth of field imaging, topographic imaging, fluorescence imaging, and photo-stimulated luminescence imaging for the characterization of different materials are provided.
In Operando Monitoring by Analysis of Backscattered Electrons during Electron Beam Melting
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In Operando Monitoring by Analysis of Backscattered Electrons during Electron Beam Melting

A comparison between the obtained intensity map and the as-built surface analyzed by (confocal) laser scanning microscopy shows a remarkable correlation, which might be suitable for process monitoring and quality control purposes.
Laser‐Assisted, Large‐Area Selective Crystallization and Patterning of Titanium Dioxide Polymorphs
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Laser‐Assisted, Large‐Area Selective Crystallization and Patterning of Titanium Dioxide Polymorphs

Herein, a qualitative method is presented for the processing of an amorphous photosensitive precursor to achieve high‐yield conversion to highly crystalline TiO2 at room temperature and in ambient environment using a low‐energy laser.
Rapid Softlithography Using 3D‐Printed Molds
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Rapid Softlithography Using 3D‐Printed Molds

The feasibility of producing master molds suitable for rapid softlithography is demonstrated using a newly developed 3D‐printing resin.
Stereolithography of SiOC Polymer‐Derived Ceramics Filled with SiC Micronwhiskers
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Stereolithography of SiOC Polymer‐Derived Ceramics Filled with SiC Micronwhiskers

Due to complicated manufacturing methods and lack of machinability, the use of...
Rapid Softlithography Using 3D‐Printed Molds
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Rapid Softlithography Using 3D‐Printed Molds

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a long‐standing material of significant interest in microfluidics due to its unique features.