Abstract: A light harvesting supercapacitor and a method of preparing the light harvesting supercapacitor is disclosed. The light harvesting supercapacitor includes a transparent conducting substrate, an active layer including TiO2 nanoparticles and polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles disposed on the transparent conducting substrate, an electrolyte layer including a solid separator soaked with an electrolyte comprising polyvinyl alcohol and at least one ionic material selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, an alkali metal phosphate salt, an alkali metal sulfate salt, an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal halide, and a mixture of a halogen and an alkali metal halide disposed on the active layer, a carbon electrode disposed on the electrolyte layer, and a metal layer disposed on the activated carbon electrode. The light harvesting supercapacitor of the present disclosure can be used in a photovoltaic device.

Abstract: Copper-boron-ferrite (Cu—B—Fe) composites may be prepared and immobilized on graphite electrodes in a silica-based sol-gel, e.g., from rice husks. Different bimetallic loading ratios can produce fast in-situ electrogeneration of reactive oxygen species, H2O2 and ·OH, e.g., via droplet flow-assisted heterogeneous electro-Fenton reactor system. Loading ratios of, e.g., 10 to 30 wt. % Fe3+ and 5 to 15% wt. Cu2+, can improve the catalytic activities towards pharmaceutical beta blockers (atenolol and propranolol) degradation in water. Degradation efficiencies of at least 99.9% for both propranolol and atenolol in hospital wastewater were demonstrated. Radicals of ·OH in degradation indicate a surface mechanism at inventive cathodes with correlated contributions of iron and copper. Copper and iron can be embedded in porous graphite electrode surface and catalyze the conversion of H2O2 to ·OH to enhance the degradation.

Abstract: A method of making a CsSnI3 perovskite thermoelectric (TE) material including mixing a fatty acid, a fatty amine, a C8-C30 hydrocarbon, and CsCO3 in a vessel to form a cesium mixture; heating the cesium mixture to a temperature of 400-450 K to form a heated mixture; dissolving SnI2 in an organophosphine to form a tin solution; mixing the tin solution and the heated mixture to form a reaction mixture; cooling the reaction mixture to form a precipitate comprising a CsSnI3 perovskite; enclosing the CsSnI3 perovskite in a chamber; pressurizing the chamber to a hydrostatic pressure of at least 0.1 GPa; and heating the chamber to a temperature of 300-1,000 K to form the CsSnI3 perovskite TE material having a ZT that is at least 0.1.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates drilling fluids and methods of producing and using drilling fluids. The drilling fluid include an aqueous base fluid; at least one of a clay-based component and a mud; and a shale inhibitor comprising silica grafted with glutamate-glycol, wherein the drilling fluid does not comprise KC1, has a shale cutting rate from 65% to 99%, and has an anti-swelling capacity from 55% to 99%. The method of using the drilling fluid in drilling operations includes mixing an aqueous base fluid, a shale inhibitor comprising silica grafted with glutamate-glycol, and at least one of a clay material and a mud to produce a drilling fluid; and introducing the drilling fluid to a subsurface formation, wherein the drilling fluid does not comprise KC1, has a shale cutting recovery rate from 65% to 99%, and has an anti-swelling capacity from 55% to 99%.

Abstract: A three-tandem (3T) perovskite/silicon (PVT)-based tandem solar cell (TSC) includes an antireflection coating (ARC), a first transparent conductive oxide layer (TCO), a hole transport layer (HTL), a perovskite (PVT) layer, a second transparent conductive oxide layer (TCO), an electron transport layer (ETL), a plurality of buried contacts, a p-type Si layer, a p-type wafer-based homo-junction silicon solar cell, a n+ silicon layer, a back contact layer. The solar cell further includes a top sub-cell, a bottom sub-cell and a middle contact-based tandem. The top sub-cell includes the PVT layer. The bottom sub-cell includes the silicon solar cell. The middle contact-based tandem includes the second TCO layer to be used as the middle contact-based tandem, as well as a recombination layer for current collection. Further, a conduction and a valence band edge are employed at a front surface of the ETL.

Abstract: A method of drilling a subterranean geological formation is described. The method includes driving a drill bit to form a wellbore in the subterranean geological formation thereby producing a formation fluid including hydrogen sulfide. The method further includes injecting a drilling fluid into the subterranean geological formation through the wellbore. The drilling fluid includes an aqueous solvent, a hydrogen sulfide scavenger including particles of a manganese oxide supported on a porous support. The particles are suspended in the aqueous solvent. The method further includes reacting the hydrogen sulfide scavenger with the hydrogen sulfide present in the formation fluid to form a manganese sulfide.

Abstract: A method includes mixing a dopant salt of at least one of cobalt, nickel, zinc, and scandium with a silicate, in a solvent, to form a first solution. The method includes mixing the first solution with a solvent mixture to form a second solution. The method further includes mixing the second solution with an acid to form an acid solution. The method further includes adding a catalyst and a polymer to the acid solution to form the doped PCM. The doped PCM includes the catalyst, the polymer, at least one of cobalt, nickel, zinc, and scandium, and SiO2.

Abstract: A method for distributing geophones around a seismic data source includes distributing a first geophones each including a first piezoelectric system in a first region in which the seismic data source is located then distributing second geophones each including a solar cell in a second region surrounding the first region. The second geophones further include a housing, a spike provided on a bottom surface of the housing, a sensor configured to sense seismic data; a processor configured to process the seismic data, a transceiver configured to transmit the processed seismic data and receive radio frequency (RF) signals wirelessly; and a power device. The power device is coupled to the sensor, the processor and the transceiver. The power device is configured to harvest energy from an environment where the geophone is located.

Abstract: An anticorrosive nanocomposite is described. The anticorrosive nanocomposite includes a cured epoxy and jute carbon. The jute carbon is in the form of flakes. The flakes have a particle size of 0.05-15 micrometers (?m). Particles of the jute carbon are dispersed in the cured epoxy. A method of preparing the jute carbon is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for a Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM) including cementitious materials, water, and fine aggregate. The cementitious materials include powdered basaltic lava and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). In the composition, the basaltic lava replaces some of the ordinary Portland cement in the CLSM as compared to a conventional CLSM. The basaltic lava replaces 25% to 90% of the OPC in a conventional CLSM. The CLSM can be used as a compacted fill for structural and non-structural construction applications.

Abstract: An europium doped Ni(BTC) Metal Organic Framework (MOF), Eu@Ni(BTC), as a sensor for detecting heteroaromatic compounds. Eu@Ni(BTC) shows selectivity towards thiophene and pyrrole with a detection limit of 0.2 and 8.4 ppm for thiophene and pyrrole, respectively. The sensor can be easily regenerated and can be used to analyze thiophene in water.

Abstract: A method for mitigating gas override in an hydrocarbon reservoir by increasing sweep efficiency and consequently improving incremental oil recovery is provided with at least one injection well, at least one production well, and an hydrocarbon reservoir. The injection well and the production well are in fluid communication with the hydrocarbon reservoir. An injection blend produced by mixing a displacement fluid with an organic solvent is transferred into the hydrocarbon reservoir through the injection well. Preferably, the displacement fluid is supercritical carbon dioxide and the organic solvent is triethyl citrate. The higher density and the viscosity of the injection blend are vital in reducing gravity override and improving sweep efficiency. A resulting injection blend is extracted from the production well and the organic solvent is separated. Since the organic solvent can be reused, the method of mitigating gas override can be financially and operationally beneficial.

Abstract: A composition for a fracturing fluid may include a chelating agent, a polymeric gelling agent, and a base fluid. The base fluid in the fracturing fluid composition may be a produced fluid having a hardness content of at least 7,000 ppm. Method for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation may include introducing a fracturing fluid in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The fracturing fluid contains a chelating agent, a polymeric gelling agent, and a base fluid. The base fluid may be a produced fluid that has a hardness content of at least 7,000 ppm. The fracturing fluid may have a viscosity of at least 200 cp at 150° F., 100 1/s shear rate, and 300 psia when tested using model 5550 HPHT rheometer. After contacting the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the viscosity of the fracturing fluid may drop near a range of 1 cP to 5 cP.

Abstract: A surfactant of formula (I) wherein each of R1 and R2 are independently a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl, R3 and R4 are independently an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl, x is an integer in a range of 2-8, y is an integer in a range of 1-15, z is an integer in a range of 4-10, n is an integer in a range of 2-5, and A is one of a carboxybetaine group, a sulfobetaine group, or a hydroxy sulfobetaine group. An oil and gas well servicing fluid containing the surfactant and methods of servicing an oil and gas well are also described.

Abstract: Capacitor balancing of a dual three-level (3L) T-type converter based on silicon carbide (SiC) discrete semiconductors was performed with the converter feeding an open-ends induction motor (OEIM). A model predictive control (MPC) using a two step cost function calculation was developed to balance the DC link capacitors and control the machine torque simultaneously. The number of redundant switching states used was reduced without affecting the operating voltage vectors, which substantially reduced the computational time. A simulation and experimental results are in good agreement.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a process of forming a catalyst for aromatizing hydrocarbons may include enhancing a mesoporosity of a zeolite support by a base-leaching treatment, an acid-leaching treatment, or both to form a zeolite support having enhanced mesoporosity, mixing the zeolite support having enhanced mesoporosity with a solution containing zinc or gallium to disperse the zinc or gallium on the zeolite support having enhanced mesoporosity, and calcining the zeolite support having enhanced mesoporosity with zinc or gallium dispersed thereon to form a zinc- or gallium-doped zeolite catalyst having a mesopore volume of greater than 0.09 cm3/g and less than 0.20 cm3/g.

Abstract: The method includes mixing an aldehyde and a first solvent to form a mixture. The method further includes mixing an organosulfur phenol and an aromatic compound to the mixture to form a phenol mixture and heating the phenol mixture in the presence of an acid to form a solid. The solid is dried to obtain the cross-linked porous polymer. The obtained cross-linked porous polymer has repeat pyrrole units bonded to one another, and the cross-linked porous polymer has a thiol group which separates non-adjacent pyrrole units. The cross-linked porous polymer obtained after drying is in a form of solid particles having a spherical particle structure.

Abstract: A CoVOx composite electrode and method of making is described. The composite electrode comprises a substrate with an average 0.5-5 ?m thick layer of CoVOx having pores with average diameters of 2-200 nm. The method of making the composite electrode involves contacting the substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent, a cobalt complex, and a vanadium complex. The CoVOx composite electrode is capable of being used in an electrochemical cell for water oxidation.

Abstract: A light harvesting supercapacitor and a method of preparing the light harvesting supercapacitor is disclosed. The light harvesting supercapacitor includes a transparent conducting substrate, an active layer including TiO2 nanoparticles and polyaniline (PAM) nanoparticles disposed on the transparent conducting substrate, an electrolyte layer including a solid separator soaked with an electrolyte comprising polyvinyl alcohol and at least one ionic material selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, an alkali metal phosphate salt, an alkali metal sulfate salt, an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal halide, and a mixture of a halogen and an alkali metal halide disposed on the active layer, a carbon electrode disposed on the electrolyte layer, and a metal layer disposed on the activated carbon electrode. The light harvesting supercapacitor of the present disclosure can be used in a photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A GaON/ZnO photoelectrode involving a nanoarchitectured photocatalytic material deposited onto a surface of a conducting substrate, and the nanoarchitectured photocatalytic material containing gallium oxynitride nanoparticles interspersed in zinc oxide nanoparticles, as well as methods of preparing the GaON/ZnO photoelectrode. A method of using the GaON/ZnO photoelectrode for solar water electrolysis is also provided.