Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to isolate nitrogen from a mixture of gases. In an embodiment, a method of isolating nitrogen from a gaseous mixture involves contacting the gaseous mixture with a superparamagnetic catalyst to form a reaction mixture, and exposing the reaction mixture to a fluctuating magnetic field at ambient conditions.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of converting a first alcohol to a second alcohol that includes forming a mixture including a superparamagnetic catalyst and a feedstock, wherein the feedstock includes the first alcohol, and exposing the mixture to a fluctuating magnetic field to form a product, wherein the product includes a second alcohol having a longer carbon chain length than the first alcohol. A flow-through method is described for converting a first alcohol to a second alcohol, wherein the second alcohol has a longer carbon chain length than the first alcohol. Also described is a method of converting glycerol to butanol that includes forming a mixture including a superparamagnetic catalyst and a feedstock, wherein the feedstock includes glycerol, and exposing the mixture to a fluctuating magnetic field to form a product, wherein the product includes butanol. A flow-through method is described for converting glycerol to butanol.

Abstract: A magnetic polymer nanocomposite is provided. The magnetic polymer nanocomposite includes a polymeric matrix and plurality of magnetic nanoparticles embedded within the polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix of the magnetic polymer nanocomposite is configured to adsorb water molecules as air is passed through the nanocomposite and is configured to release the adsorbed water molecules on exposure of the nanocomposite to an electromagnetic field.

Abstract: Inorganic-organic polymer nanocomposites are provided. The inorganic-organic polymer nanocomposite includes a polymeric matrix and a plurality of metal nanoparticles embedded within the polymeric matrix. The plurality of metal nanoparticles are configured to provide cooling of the nanocomposite upon exposure to photoradiation.

Abstract: Methods of forming two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide sheets are provided. The methods include adding a cross-linking agent to an activating agent to form a solution and mixing a two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide with the solution to form a mixture. The methods also include adding a cleaving agent to the mixture to form one or more contiguous sheets of transition metal dichalcogenide.

Abstract: Disclosed are bi-polar semiconductor composites that include at least one organic p-type semiconductor; and at least one organic n-type semiconductor, and methods of making and using them. In particular, collagen based semiconductors may be used. The composite may be used to generate electricity from heat loss via industrial processes, such as heat lost via pipes, heat sinks, and so on.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for synthesizing one or more simple alcohols from mixtures including organic acids, water, and a superparamagnetic catalyst exposed to fluctuating magnetic fields under ambient conditions.

Abstract: A nano-composite material for coating glass, as well as methods of its manufacture and use, are disclosed. The composite may be composed of a first metal oxide bridging a silicone oil moiety and an anionic surfactant moiety, and a second metal oxide bound to the silicone oil moiety. The composite may be fabricated by heating a first metal oxide and a second metal oxide with silicone oil, followed by the addition of a mixture of the surfactant and an oxidizing solution. The composite may be mixed with a suitable solvent and applied to a hot glass sheet. A glass coated with such a composite may transmit visible light, absorb some ultraviolet light, and reflect some near infrared light. The optical characteristics of the coated glass may be used to reduce heat in a glass-enclosed area by reducing the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light transmitted through the glass.

Abstract: Methods of forming transition metal dichalcogenide aerogels are provided.

Abstract: Methods of forming transition metal dichalcogenide aerogels are provided. Some methods include adding at least one solvent to one or more two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide sheets to form a transition metal dichalcogenide solution and freeze drying the transition metal dichalcogenide solution to form frozen transition metal dichalcogenide. The methods also include heating the frozen transition metal dichalcogenide to form a transition metal dichalcogenide aerogel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to produce ammonia from nitrogen and water. In an embodiment, a method of producing ammonia involves contacting nitrogen, water, and at least one superparamagnetic catalyst to form a mixture, and exposing the mixture to a fluctuating magnetic field. In some embodiments, the superparamagnetic catalyst is BVO2FeO2.

Abstract: Methods of forming an organic phosphorescent material are provided. The methods include dissolving a cellulosic material in a solvent to form a cellulosic mixture and filtering the cellulosic mixture. The methods also include heating the cellulosic mixture to form an organic phosphorescent material that includes a plurality of aliphatic compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to isolate nitrogen from a mixture of gases. In an embodiment, a method of isolating nitrogen from a gaseous mixture involves contacting the gaseous mixture with a superparamagnetic catalyst to form a reaction mixture, and exposing the reaction mixture to a fluctuating magnetic field at ambient conditions.

Abstract: Polarized white light emitting devices are provided that have a substrate coated with a film of boron chains embedded in carbon nanotubes. An orientation of magnets adjacent the device polarizes and intensifies the light. Methods of making the devices, and methods of producing polarized white light are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing butanol from carbon dioxide, and water are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of producing butanol from carbon dioxide and water involves contacting carbon dioxide with a reaction mixture containing water and a catalyst, and heating the carbon dioxide and reaction mixture by fluctuating magnetic field. In some embodiments, the catalyst used may be FeAl2O3.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a photocatalytic composite material comprising (a) a first component that generates a photoexcited electron and has at least a certain minimum bandgap to absorb visible light and a structure that substantially prevents the recombination of the photoexcited electron and a hole; (b) a second component that adsorbs/absorbs an oxide of carbon; and (c) a third component that splits the oxide of carbon into carbon and oxygen using the photoexcited electron.

Abstract: Compositions comprising boron chain embedded carbon nanotubes, methods of making, and methods of using are provided. Electroluminescent compositions comprising the same are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are reusable composite materials for scavenging oxygen, methods of preparing the composite materials and method of using them. The composite materials contain porphyrin molecules and a metal oxide comprised within the porphyrin. The metal oxide is oxidizable in the presence of oxygen and the oxidation of the metal oxide is reversible upon exposure of the composite material to light of a fixed wavelength.

Abstract: A nano-composite material for coating glass, as well as methods of its manufacture and use, are disclosed. The composite may be composed of a first metal oxide bridging a silicone oil moiety and an anionic surfactant moiety, and a second metal oxide bound to the silicone oil moiety. The composite may be fabricated by heating a first metal oxide and a second metal oxide with silicone oil, followed by the addition of a mixture of the surfactant and an oxidizing solution. The composite may be mixed with a suitable solvent and applied to a hot glass sheet. A glass coated with such a composite may transmit visible light, absorb some ultraviolet light, and reflect some near infrared light. The optical characteristics of the coated glass may be used to reduce heat in a glass-enclosed area by reducing the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light transmitted through the glass.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a battery, a method for implementing a battery and a rechargeable battery system. In some examples, the rechargeable battery system includes a battery. The battery may include a first electrode including a tantalum component, a vanadium component and a boron component. The battery may further include a second electrode and an electrical insulator between the first and the second electrode. The battery system may include a housing, where the housing includes the first electrode, and where the housing is effective to communicate light and oxygen to the first electrode. A sensor may be disposed so as to be effective to detect a reaction of tantalum and oxygen in the housing and generate a reaction signal in response. A processor may be in electrical communication with the sensor and effective to receive the reaction signal and generate an indication based on the reaction signal.