Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an antenna that includes a substrate and a graphene or graphite layer positioned on at least a portion of the substrate. The graphene or graphite layer includes a first zone having a first thickness along a vertical direction of the antenna and a second zone having a second thickness along the vertical direction of the antenna. The second thickness is less than the first thickness such that the second zone has a greater electrical resistance than the first zone.

Abstract: A LiBH4—C60 nanocomposite that displays fast lithium ionic conduction in the solid state is provided. The material is a homogenous nanocomposite that contains both LiBH4 and a hydrogenated fullerene species. In the presence of C60, the lithium ion mobility of LiBH4 is significantly enhanced in the as prepared state when compared to pure LiBH4. After the material is annealed the lithium ion mobility is further enhanced. Constant current cycling demonstrated that the material is stable in the presence of metallic lithium electrodes. The material can serve as a solid state electrolyte in a solid-state lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting tampering with a seal is provided. A loop seal tamper indicating device includes a seal wire that may be passed through a secured item or container to form a loop with the free ends of the seal wire passing through a seal housing. A plunger body including an adhesive-filled cavity is inserted into the seal housing, such that a piston expresses the adhesive into the space between the seal housing and the plunger body. The adhesive may contain reflective particles and is cured to fix the particles and the adhesive in place. A reference image may be taken to record the unique identifier and reflective signature of the adhesive. Future validation images may be compared to the reference image to determine whether the reflective signature has changed, thus indicating that the seal has been tampered with.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the separation of an actinide from another metal. The method comprises the following steps: (a) establishing a non-homogeneous magnetic field across a separation column containing a paramagnetic packing material and (b) providing a fluid containing the actinide and the another metal to the separation column wherein the fluid and the paramagnetic packing material are exposed to the non-homogeneous magnetic field. The non-homogeneous magnetic field is produced by a magnet having a first pole for magnetic interaction with a second pole of the magnet wherein the first pole has a different surface area than the second pole. The non-homogeneous magnetic field has a magnetic field gradient of about 500 lines/cm2/cm or more. In addition, the present invention is also directed to a method for the separation of one heavy metal from another heavy metal.

Abstract: Methods and materials for determining the affinity of separation materials for targeted species are described. A composite separation medium is described that combines a separation material such as an ion exchange material or a sorbent with an SERS substrate. Methods and materials can be utilized to determine the distribution coefficient of a species for a separation material after running a single separation protocol followed by examination of the separation material of the protocol according to SERS. Disclosed methods can be utilized to determine the affinity of existing separation materials for targeted species as well as to determine the affinity of newly engineered separation materials to characterize species.

Abstract: A portable generator includes a combustion engine. The portable generator includes an electric generator coupled to the combustion engine. The portable generator can include a load bank. When the electric generator operates at a first voltage and generates less than a threshold amount, the load bank is coupled to the electric generator in a first configuration. When the electric generator operates at a second voltage that is different than the first voltage, the load bank is coupled to the electric generator in a second configuration that is different than the first configuration.

Abstract: One-step solution combustion synthesis (SCS) methods for fabricating durable crystalline transuranic-doped rare earth zirconium pyrochlores are described. Methods are fast, amenable to upscaling, and present a simple strategy for producing crystalline ceramic materials that meet the minimum attractiveness criteria for special nuclear material. The methods include analysis of reactants and reaction conditions to select proper fuel as well as proper fuel content so as to encourage formation of the crystalline product in a single-step synthesis procedure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the separation of isotopes from an aqueous stream are described as can be utilized in one embodiment to remove and recover tritium from contaminated water. Methods include counter-current flow of an aqueous stream on either side of a separation membrane. The separation membrane includes an isotope selective layer (e.g., graphene) and an ion conductive supporting layer (e.g., Nafion®). An electronic driving force encourages passage of isotopes selectively across the membrane to enrich the flow in the isotopes.

Abstract: A device for collection of residue from separation columns. A manifold provides for multiple sample ports that are fluidly connected to a vacuum port by at least one channel. Residue from the separation columns is pulled through the sample ports, into the channel, and then to the vacuum port. From the vacuum port the residue can be moved, under the force of the vacuum, directly to a drain or to a collection vessel connected with a drain.

Abstract: Sampling devices for mercury speciation protocols are described. Devices can be utilized to separate mercury species from one another as a sample diffuses through a sampling device. Methods can determine the presence or quantity of targeted mercury species in a fluid sample. The devices are passive sampling devices based upon diffusion gradient in thin film (DGT) passive sampling devices. Devices include a reactant component and a sequesterant component that selectively react with a targeted species and retain a species (or a reaction product of a species) of a sample flow. Remaining mercury species can optionally be captured downgradient, for instance at an ion exchange resin.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials for use in reversible, high-capacity hydrogen separation and/or storage are described. Also described are systems incorporating the materials. The multi-functional materials combine a hydrogen absorbing material with a high-efficiency and anon-contact energy absorbing material in a composite nanoparticle. The non-contact energy absorbing material include magnetic and/or plasmonic materials. The magnetic or plasmonic materials of the composite nanoparticles can provide localized heating to promote release of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage component of the composite nanoparticles.

Abstract: Methods for producing non-platinum group metal electrocatalysts effective for the reduction of oxygen in fuel cells and other electrochemical reactions and electrocatalysts as may be produced by these methods are described. The electrocatalysts can be formed according to low to medium temperature formation methods and may be particularly attractive for use in low-temperature fuel cells.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and methods are described that can be utilized for the recovery of tritium directly from a molten lithium metal solution without the need for a separation or concentration step prior to the electrolytic recovery process. The methods and systems utilize an ion conducting electrolyte that conducts either lithium ion or tritide ion across the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A multi-step Q-passivation method for stainless steel is described. The method includes a first high voltage electropolishing step followed by as separate low voltage chromium enhancement step. The method can also include a vacuum heat treatment step that utilizes a cyclic ramp-up period so as to maintain a relatively low pressure and low temperature throughout the step. The method can also include a controlled oxidation step during which the surface is contacted with an oxygen/inert gas mixture at low oxygen partial pressure.

Abstract: Thermal energy storage (TES) systems based on metal hydride pairs using new class of high efficiency materials are evaluated. The use of low temperature metal cost effective material such hydrides NaAlH4 and Na3AlH6 became possible. In order to obtain high efficiency at reasonable cost high temperature materials were altered by the addition of materials to form reversible alloys and hydrides. The compounds were cycled to determine stability of hydrogen capacity over extended number of cycling. A thermal energy storage system based on two metal hydride pairs such as CaAl/CaH2/Al:NaAlH4, Ca2Si/CaH2/Si:Na3AlH6 and NaMgH2F—Si/Mg2Si—NaF:Na3AlH6 allows low cost and high efficiency performance.

Abstract: Thermal cycling devices are provided. In one embodiment, a thermal cycling device includes a packed tube comprising an inlet portion defining an inlet and an outlet portion defining an outlet. The packed tube is provided in a double coil arrangement, wherein the double coil arrangement causes radially neighboring turns of the packed tube to have opposing flow directions therethrough. The thermal cycling device further includes a cooling device disposed axially adjacent to the packed tube, and a heating device disposed axially adjacent to the packed tube opposite the cooling device.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the temperature within a gas adsorbent storage vessel of a vehicle may include an air conditioning system forming a continuous flow loop of heat exchange fluid that is cycled between a heated flow and a cooled flow. The system may also include at least one fluid by-pass line extending at least partially within the gas adsorbent storage vessel. The fluid by-pass line(s) may be configured to receive a by-pass flow including at least a portion of the heated flow or the cooled flow of the heat exchange fluid at one or more input locations and expel the by-pass flow back into the continuous flow loop at one or more output locations, wherein the by-pass flow is directed through the gas adsorbent storage vessel via the by-pass line(s) so as to adjust an internal temperature within the gas adsorbent storage vessel.

Abstract: Superconductive fullerenes, methods for enhancing characteristics of superconductive fullerenes and devices incorporating the fullerenes are disclosed. Enhancements can include increase in the critical transition temperature at a constant magnetic field; the existence of a superconducting hysteresis over a changing magnetic field; a decrease in the stabilizing magnetic field required for the onset of superconductivity; and/or an increase in the stability of superconductivity over a large magnetic field. The enhancements can be brought about by transmitting electromagnetic radiation to the superconductive fullerene such that the electromagnetic radiation impinges on the fullerene with an energy that is greater than the band gap of the fullerene.

Abstract: A hybrid compressed air/water energy storage system is described. The system includes a series of water containers and a plurality of inflatable bladders held within each container. An air compression facility is used to inflate the bladders upon which water is forced out of the containers to a water storage facility at a higher potential energy. The system includes a water powered turbine and an expansion turbine. Thus, the system can produce power from both the water powered turbine (e.g., as a component of a hydroelectric plant) and from the expansion turbine (e.g., as a component of a CAES plant). The system can be utilized in a subsurface land-based system or a submerged water-based system.

Abstract: Highly efficient and universal biomass conversion methods are described. Methods utilize a base-catalyzed decarboxylation reaction in a conversion process carried out in the presence of excess base to overcome carbonate formation from CO2. Methods can efficiently convert all components of a biomass feedstock to liquid hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide byproduct. The process has several versions: hydrolysis and alcoholysis, etc. The chemical process can be carried out with nearly 100% conversion for any type of biomass feedstock and requires no expensive or complicated pretreatment. The conversion reactions can be carried out at moderate temperatures of 170-300° C. and form a product that can include a mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons, including alcohols and phenol derivatives.