Abstract: A fluid dispenser formed of a bottle for housing the fluid, a discharge mechanism for discharging fluid from the bottle, and a protrusion that is connected to and extends from the bottom of the bottle. The protrusion has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the bottom wall of the bottle. The bottle is capable of standing upward on a horizontal surface without the use of a separate base or mount when the protrusion extends into an aperture in the horizontal surface such that the bottom wall of the bottle rests on the horizontal surface.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing doped semiconductor nanocrystals.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a process for the synthesis of nanotubes of transition metal dichalcogenides, of fullerene-like nanostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides, of nanotubes of transition metal dichalcogenides, filled with fullerene-like nanostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides, of quasi one-dimensional structures (nanowires, microwires and ribbons) of transition metal oxides and of quasi one-dimensional structures of transition metal dichalcogenides, consisting of fine crystallites of transition metal dichalcogenides. The process is characterized in that the synthesis occurs by the chemical transformation of quasi one-dimensional compounds with a sub-micron diameter, described by the formula M6CyHz, 8.2<y+z?10, where M is a transition metal (Mo, W, Ta, Nb), C is a chalcogen (S, Se, Te), H is a halogen (I).

Abstract: A method of synthesizing nanostructures. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating a reaction mixture at an elevated temperature, T, for a period of time effective to allow the growth of desired nanostructures. The reaction mixture contains an amount, P, of a carboxylate salt and an amount, L, of a fatty acid ligand, defining a molar ratio of the fatty acid ligand to the carboxylate salt, ?=L/P, and a hydrocarbon solvent. The reaction mixture is characterizable with a critical ligand protection, ?, associating with the chemical structure of the carboxylate salt such that when ?<?, the reaction mixture is in a limited ligand protection (LLP) domain, and when ?>?, the reaction mixture is in a sufficient ligand protection (SLP) domain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a superabsorbent polymer that includes a (meth)acrylic acid made by a process that comprises the following process steps: a) (meth)acrylic acid is crystallized out from a mother liquor; b) crystallized (meth)acrylic acid is separated from the mother liquor; c) at least part of the separated (meth)acrylic acid crystals are melted; d) the melted part is at least partially recycled to the step a) or step b). The superabsorbent polymer according to the present invention includes an process to make (meth)acrylic acid, the apparatus suitable for implementing the process, and the use of the apparatus for the production of (meth)acrylic acid characterized by a high purity of the thereby obtainable (meth)acrylic acid as well as by a high efficiency with regard to the achievable yield and necessary energy requirement, thereby providing an improved superabsorbent polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of cleaning boreholes, boring equipment and borings with an aqueous cleaning of one more lithium salts of alkyl sulfates of formula (I): R—O—SO3?Li+??(I) in which R is a saturated, unsaturated, branched or linear alkyl group containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably the lithium salts of alkyl sulfates are comprised of a mixture of those in which R is a saturated, linear alkyl groups having 8 to 14 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for production of acrylic acid, comprising the steps of a) dehydration of glycerine to an acrolein-comprising dehydration product; b) gas phase oxidation of the dehydration product to obtain an acrylic acid-comprising monomer gas; c) bringing into contact of the monomer gas with a quench agent to obtain an acrylic acid-comprising quench phase; and d) work-up of the quench phase to obtain an acrylic acid-comprising monomer phase; whereby, during the dehydration a liquid phase a1 and a gas phase a2 is present, whereby in the liquid phase a1 a plurality of gas bubbles is generated, as well as a process for production of polymers by polymerization of acrylic acid, preferably for production of water-absorbing polymers, the water-absorbing polymers obtainable by this process, a composite, a process for production of a composite, the composite obtainable by this process, and further chemical products.

Abstract: A system of measuring oxygen levels based on the intensity of a sensor material. Through use of intensity-based measurement techniques and improved light rejection, less excitation light and system gain are required as compared to certain conventional lifetime/phase shift techniques. One embodiment applies an intensity-based measuring system for taking measurements, and on an intermittent basis, using a lifetime/phase shift-type sensor in order to automatically calibrate the intensity-based measuring system in situ. A single sensing membrane may be provided while still allowing the system to be used in both the lifetime/phase-shift mode and the intensity mode. The system of the present invention may also include use of a variable thickness sensor for an oxygen sensing system, such as a portable handheld sensor and/or a sensor or controller at a fixed location.

Abstract: The present invention provides new compositions containing nearly monodisperse colloidal core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals with high photoluminescence quantum yields (PL QY), as well as other complex structured semiconductor nanocrystals. This invention also provides new synthetic methods for preparing these nanocrystals, and new devices comprising these compositions. In addition to core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals, this patent application also provides complex semiconductor nanostructures, quantum shells, quantum wells, doped nanocrystals, and other multiple-shelled semiconductor nanocrystals.

Abstract: A process is described for recycling superabsorbent polymer fines into a process that includes treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with caustic and a polymerization step for making the superabsorbent polymer gel. The process requires treating the superabsorbent polymer fines with a caustic, followed by mixture with polymerizable monomer solution, and polymerizing the mixture of the superabsorbent polymer fines and monomer to form the aqueous fluid absorbent polymer. In the process, the fines are incorporated into the new polymer gel and become indistinguishable there from. The gel may then be comminuted into a particulate dried and then separated into a portion having a desired minimum particle size in a fines portion having less than the desired size. The particulate may then be coated with a surface crosslinking agent and surface additives and heated for surface conversion.

Abstract: The invention relates to absorptive, crosslinked polymers which are based on partly neutralized, monoethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying acid groups wherein the absorptive crosslinked polymer may be coated with a thermoplastic polymer, and have improved properties, in particular in respect of their capacity for transportation of liquids in the swollen state, and which has a high gel bed permeability and compatibility to affix to a thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A process for producing an absorbent polymer including a first mixing event, in which a plurality of absorbent polymer particles (1) are mixed with a liquid (2) and a second mixing event, in which the liquid (2) is homogenized within the interior of the polymer particles. The polymer particles (1) in the first mixing event are mixed with a speed such that the kinetic energy of the individual polymer particles (1) is on average larger than the adhesion energy of the individual polymer particles (1), and the polymer particles (1) in the second mixing event are stirred at a lower speed than in the first mixing event. The different speeds effect a fluidization of the polymer particles (1), which prevents a clumping of the polymer particles (1) during the mixing event. The absorbent polymers thus produced are distinguished by a particularly rapid swelling behavior.

Abstract: Absorbent polymer granulate comprising the following process steps: i) polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution to obtain a polymer gel; ii) comminution of the polymer gel to obtain a gel granulate; and iii) drying of the gel granulate, and is characterized in that the gel granulate after step ii) has a spread behavior. The production process of an absorbent polymer distinguishes itself by a particularly efficient drying step iii), which enables a particularly gentle and uniform drying of the gel granulate. The obtained absorbent polymers and products and items produced therefrom have a particularly uniform product quality and constant physical-chemical properties.

Abstract: A system for use in association with a container and a pump having an intake for transferring semisolid material from the container. The apparatus includes a first element that is inserted into the container and a second element that is also inserted into the container and moves the semisolid material with respect to the first element. An actuator moves the second element together with the semisolid material towards the intake of the pump. A method for use in transferring semisolid material from the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system including a biological reactor is disclosed. At least one controlled-reaction-volume module is provided to the biological reactor. The at least one controlled-reaction-volume module includes a fixed-film media for supporting a biological growth. At least one mixer, such as, for example, a high momentum mixer, for communicate a fluid to the at least one controlled-reaction-volume module so that wastewater and the biological growth communicate to thereby treat the wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating fabrics to facilitate moisture transfer from one side of the fabric to the other, and fabrics made according to such methods. The fabrics generally have one side or surface of the fabric treated with a net hydrophobic composition, whereas the opposing surface of the fabric is not treated with the net hydrophobic composition.