Abstract: Provided herein are catalyst materials and processes for processing hydrocarbons. For example, doped ceria-supported metal catalysts are provided exhibiting good activity and stability for commercially relevant DRM process conditions including low temperature and long term operation.

Abstract: A high-efficiency, low-energy consumption and environmental-friendly recycling technology for PETE plastic waste is disclosed. The degradation of PETE plastic waste includes a method for attacking the —O— ester linkage in the repeat unit of PETE plastic with water in saturated pressure and CO2 in supercritical (Sc) conditions.

Abstract: A high-efficiency, low-energy consumption and environmental-friendly recycling technology for PETE plastic waste is disclosed. The degradation of PETE plastic waste includes a method for attacking the —O— ester linkage in the repeat unit of PETE plastic with water in saturated pressure and CO2 in supercritical (Sc) conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and materials for fabricating building materials and other components from coal. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to materials and other components, such as char clay plaster, char brick, and foam glass fabricated from coal, and to methods of forming such materials. In an embodiment is provided a building material fabrication method. The method includes mixing an organic solvent with coal, under solvent extraction conditions, to form a coal extraction residue, and heating the coal extraction residue under pyrolysis conditions to form a pyrolysis char, the pyrolysis conditions comprising a temperature greater than about 500° C. The method further includes mixing the pyrolysis char with water and with one or more of clay, cement, or sand to create a mixture, and molding and curing the mixture to form a building material. Pyrolysis char-containing materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling the extent of denaturation and/or bond cleavages of proteins on any surface (e.g., biological tissues, biofilms, etc.). In one embodiment, a low power laser (e.g., a 5 mW, 362 nm diode laser) is directed through a biological sample to a photodetector. The sample is heated by a set of radiant heaters to between about 220° C. and about 250° C. in a time period of between 10 seconds to 60 seconds. The baseline transmissivity of the sample is monitored continuously throughout treatment of the biological sample via continuous monitoring of the signal voltage detected at the photodetector. Upon detection of increase in relative transmissivity in the biological sample, the heating treatment is concluded and the biological sample is removed for in situ protein identification as part of an imaging MALDI-MS measurement.

Abstract: Methods of natural gas production and carbon sequestration are provided. The method includes delivering a feedstock downhole to a coal reservoir, generating biogas within the coal reservoir, and harvesting the biogas. Another method for tracing the migration of biogas in a coal reservoir includes delivering a feedstock downhole to a coal reservoir, generating biogas that is isotopically differentiable from a background gas within the coal reservoir through microbial action, harvesting the biogas, analyzing the biogas from the coal reservoir at the injection well and at one or more offset wells within the same coal reservoir, detecting the biogas at the offset wells using isotopic differentiation, and mapping the migration of the biogas from the injection well to the offset wells using the biogas as an isotopic tracer.

Abstract: Described are methods and devices for the generation of hydrogel particles with micrometer and submicrometer dimensions using oxygen-inhibited partial polymerization, and the particles generated therefrom. The described methods generate particles with dimensions independent of the starting polymerizable solution dimension, for example, a microdroplet. Further, microfluidic flow parameters (e.g. viscosity, flow rate) and photopolymerization process parameters (e.g. optical exposure intensity and duration) are controlled to generate particles with tunable crosslinking density-determined properties including elasticity, diffusivity, and biomolecular display for diverse applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering cell scaffolds, and single- and multiple-cell therapeutics. Similarly, gradients of crosslinking density-determined properties can be created within single particles through the selection of optical exposure intensity and duration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to processes and apparatus for carbon nanotube formation, and more specifically, to processes and apparatus for carbon nanotube alignment. In an embodiment, a process for aligning carbon nanotubes is provided. The process includes introducing an aqueous solution to a pressure-controlled system that includes a silanated glass element, a porous membrane, and a container. The process further includes applying a pressure differential across the porous membrane to draw the aqueous solution from the silanated glass element, through the porous membrane, and to the container at a flow rate to form a filtrate disposed within the container and a retentate disposed above the porous membrane, the retentate comprising carbon nanotubes. The process further includes optically detecting a position of a meniscus of the aqueous solution in the silanated glass element. Apparatus for forming and aligning carbon nanotubes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the recovery and extraction of rare earth elements. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for separating rare earth elements from coal, coal by-product(s), and/or coal-derived product(s). In an embodiment, a method of removing rare earth elements from a coal-derived product is provided. The method generally includes introducing supercritical CO2 to the coal ash to form a first mixture, introducing a first acid to the first mixture to form a second mixture, and removing a first composition from the second mixture, the first composition comprising the one or more rare earth elements.

Abstract: A hydroponic plant production apparatus comprising: a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube is provided. Methods for use of a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube are also provided.

Abstract: Polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures are provided which include a selectively emissive layer of a polymer or a polymer matrix composite material. Exemplary selective radiative cooling structures are in the form of a sheet, film or coating. Also provided are methods for removing heat from a body by selective thermal radiation using polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures, and a cold collection system comprising a plurality of the polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures.

Abstract: Diabetic wounds have elevated levels of cathepsin K, a protease enzyme, which degrades proteins, such as collagen, causing delayed wound healing. By targeting cathepsin K, diabetic wound healing is ameliorated. Methods and devices for treatment include intradermal injection of odanacatib at or adjacent a wound. Methods and devices for treatment include topical application of pharmacological inhibitors of cathepsin K, for example, in the form of gel, powder, or bandage. Other methods and systems include localized genetic knock out of the cathepsin K gene by topical application of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) or antisense oligonucleotide to aid in wound healing.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture, isolating a residue from the first mixture, forming a second mixture comprising the residue, and electrospinning the second mixture to form a carbon fiber precursor material. In a second embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a mixture comprising solids and a liquid fraction, separating and filtering the liquid fraction from the mixture, and isolating one or more compounds from the liquid fraction. In a third embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture comprising residues, exposing the first mixture to (a) an acid, (b) a solvent, or (c) both to form a second mixture, and isolating rare earth elements and rare earth element compounds.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an optical ice detection method is provided. The method includes contacting a multilayer structure with water under conditions effective to form ice, the multilayer structure comprising an optically transparent or semi-transparent material disposed over at least a portion of a material probe. The method further includes performing Raman spectroscopy on one or more of the material probe, water, or ice to obtain Raman spectra, detecting a shift in the Raman spectra, and calculating ice-induced strain in the material probe. Apparatus for optically detecting ice are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing graphene oxide products are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of producing a graphene oxide product includes contacting a carbon-containing feedstock with an oxidizing composition comprising aqueous nitric acid, wherein the concentration of nitric acid is 50 to 63 wt %, to from a reactant slurry, in response to the contacting step, oxidizing the carbon-containing feedstock of the reactant slurry to form a graphite oxide slurry; and processing the graphite oxide slurry into a graphene oxide product.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising resiniferatoxin (RTX) encapsulated in a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer and compositions, especially topical compositions, comprising the nanoparticles. The compositions can be used as topical formulations for ameliorating pain, including for diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy.

Abstract: A hydroponic plant production apparatus comprising: a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube. Methods for use of a hollow grow tube with a slot formed in the front face of the grow tube, and a matrix media insert composed of two halves, where the media is insertable into the grow tube, allowing plants to be inserted and grown between the two halves of the matrix media insert in the grow tube.

Abstract: Described are methods and devices for the generation of hydrogel particles with micrometer and submicrometer dimensions using oxygen-inhibited partial polymerization, and the particles generated therefrom. The described methods generate particles with dimensions independent of the starting polymerizable solution dimension, for example, a microdroplet. Further, microfluidic flow parameters (e.g. viscosity, flow rate) and photopolymerization process parameters (e.g. optical exposure intensity and duration) are controlled to generate particles with tunable crosslinking density-determined properties including elasticity, diffusivity, and biomolecular display for diverse applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering cell scaffolds, and single- and multiple- cell therapeutics. Similarly, gradients of crosslinking density-determined properties can be created within single particles through the selection of optical exposure intensity and duration.

Abstract: A vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus for allowing vertical hydroponic greenhouse crop production is provided. The apparatus comprises a hollow grow tube having a front face, a back face, an open first end, and an open second end. A slot is formed in the front face of the grow tube with the slot having a width equal to only a portion of a width of the front face. A media material is insertable into the grow tube. The slot allows the front face to expand outward during insertion of the media material and biased inward against the media material once the media material is inserted. The grow tube is positionable in either a horizontal position, vertical position, or any position between the horizontal position and the vertical position allowing inclined, multi-angled crop production and multi-storied conveyor style crop production.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting or dispersing biofilms produced by Listeria monocytogenes on plant matter are described. Embodiments include using formulations comprising active chemical constituents and aqueous extracts or sap from certain trees. Methods of using and producing aqueous formulations derived from hickory and maple wood are provided. Formulations and methods are provided for preventing and dispersing exopolysaccharide-rich listerial biofilms.