Abstract: An amalgamation preform is provided. The amalgamation preform includes a base metal, and a plurality of types of solid particles dispersed in the base metal, the base metal including one of a liquid base metal and a solid base metal. The plurality of types of solid particles at least includes: non-reactive magnetic particles, responsive to a magnetic field for controllably dispersing the plurality of types of solid particles in the base metal, and reactive particles, reactable with the base metal under the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of using an amalgamation preform includes providing mating bonding surfaces and placing a particle-liquid mixture corresponding to the amalgamation preform between the mating bonding surfaces. The particle-liquid mixture contains a plurality of types of solid particles and a base metal in a liquid form, and the plurality of types of solid particles at least includes reactive particles reactable with the base metal and non-reactive magnetic particles. A first magnetic field is applied to the particle-liquid mixture to magnetically disperse the plurality of types of solid particles in the liquid base metal to form a particle-liquid dispersion; and a second magnetic field is applied to cure the particle-liquid dispersion to allow reactions between the reactive particles and the base metal.

Abstract: A method of making an amalgamation preform includes providing a particle-liquid mixture containing a plurality of types of solid particles and a liquid base metal. The plurality of types of solid particles at least includes reactive particles, reactable with the base metal, and non-reactive magnetic particles. A magnetic field is applied to the particle-liquid mixture to magnetically disperse the plurality of types of solid particles in the liquid base metal to form a particle-liquid dispersion without substantially inducing a reaction between the reactive particles and the liquid base metal. A playdough-like amalgamation preform is prepared based on the particle-liquid dispersion without solidifying the liquid base metal.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructure are synthesized by pyrolyzing an organic material. The carbon nanostructures are synthesized on a stainless steel substrate that is reused. After synthesizing the carbon nanostructures, the stainless steel substrate is contacted with an acid, heated, quenched and reused for synthesis of carbon nanostructures.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures are synthesized from a feedstock that includes polyethylene terephthalate. In a first furnace, the feedstock that includes polyethylene terephthalate and calcium oxide (CaO) or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) are pyrolyzed to obtain one or more gaseous decomposition products. The gaseous decomposition productions are optionally filtered to remove any solid particles. The one or more gaseous decomposition products are passed across a stainless steel substrate in a second furnace to form the carbon nanostructures.

Abstract: A method of using an amalgamation preform includes providing mating bonding surfaces and placing a particle-liquid mixture corresponding to the amalgamation preform between the mating bonding surfaces. The particle-liquid mixture contains a plurality of types of solid particles and a base metal in a liquid form, and the plurality of types of solid particles at least includes reactive particles reactable with the base metal and non-reactive magnetic particles. A first magnetic field is applied to the particle-liquid mixture to magnetically disperse the plurality of types of solid particles in the liquid base metal to form a particle-liquid dispersion; and a second magnetic field is applied to cure the particle-liquid dispersion to allow reactions between the reactive particles and the base metal.

Abstract: An amalgamation preform is provided. The amalgamation preform includes a base metal, and a plurality of types of solid particles dispersed in the base metal, the base metal including one of a liquid base metal and a solid base metal. The plurality of types of solid particles at least includes: non-reactive magnetic particles, responsive to a magnetic field for controllably dispersing the plurality of types of solid particles in the base metal, and reactive particles, reactable with the base metal under the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of making an amalgamation preform includes providing a particle-liquid mixture containing a plurality of types of solid particles and a liquid base metal. The plurality of types of solid particles at least includes reactive particles, reactable with the base metal, and non-reactive magnetic particles. A magnetic field is applied to the particle-liquid mixture to magnetically disperse the plurality of types of solid particles in the liquid base metal to form a particle-liquid dispersion without substantially inducing a reaction between the reactive particles and the liquid base metal. A playdough-like amalgamation preform is prepared based on the particle-liquid dispersion without solidifying the liquid base metal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate carbon nanostructures from organic materials are described. Certain embodiments provide solid waste materials into a furnace, that pyrolyzes the solid waste materials into gaseous decomposition products, which are then converted to carbon nanostructures. Methods and apparatuses described herein provide numerous advantages over conventional methods, such as cost savings, reduction of handling risks, optimization of process conditions, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the conversion of solid organic waste material, such as waste plastics, into fuel for the generation of heat and power. In addition, embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein relate to converting solid organic waste material into a gasified material for mixing with an oxidizing gas to allow for clean combustion of the fuel, thereby minimizing emissions of pollutants.

Abstract: Methods for activating the surface of steel alloys to produce catalytic substrates for the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials by chemical vapor deposition are provided. Steel alloy substrates in a variety of forms are activated by brief (10 sec to 30 min) pre-treatment at high temperature (600-1000° C.) in an oxidizing environment (e.g., air) to activate the catalyst. Upon high temperature oxidative treatment, the initially smooth and protective chromium oxide coating layer of the steel alloy is destroyed, and the catalyst surface roughness progressively increases. Upon exposure of the pre-treated SS substrates to pyrolyzed hydrocarbon gases in nitrogen, carbon nanotubes are readily formed, and their diameters correlate with substrate surface roughness. Forests of vertically aligned nanotubes can be prepared with the method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate carbon nanostructures from organic materials are described. Certain embodiments provide solid waste materials into a furnace, that pyrolyzes the solid waste materials into gaseous decomposition products, which are then converted to carbon nanostructures. Methods and apparatuses described herein provide numerous advantages over conventional methods, such as cost savings, reduction of handling risks, optimization of process conditions, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate carbon nanostructures from organic materials are described. Certain embodiments provide solid waste materials into a furnace, that pyrolyzes the solid waste materials into gaseous decomposition products, which are then converted to carbon nanostructures. Methods and apparatuses described herein provide numerous advantages over conventional methods, such as cost savings, reduction of handling risks, optimization of process conditions, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the conversion of solid organic waste material, such as waste plastics, into fuel for the generation of heat and power. In addition, embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein relate to converting solid organic waste material into a gasified material for mixing with an oxidizing gas to allow for clean combustion of the fuel, thereby minimizing emissions of pollutants.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate carbon nanostructures from organic materials are described. Certain embodiments provide solid waste materials into a furnace, that pyrolyzes the solid waste materials into gaseous decomposition products, which are then converted to carbon nanostructures. Methods and apparatuses described herein provide numerous advantages over conventional methods, such as cost savings, reducion of handling risks, optimization of process conditions, and the like.