Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for producing biofuel from a feedstock that includes one or more coffee sources, such as green coffee beans, whole roasted coffee beans, ground coffee, or spent coffee grounds. Triglycerides and other materials, such as antioxidants, are extracted from the coffee source. In some example, the triglycerides are then transesterified to produce a fatty acid ester biofuel product. In further examples, the method includes obtaining spent coffee grounds from one or more sources, such as residences or businesses that generate spent coffee grounds. The present disclosure also provides biofuels produced using the disclosed method, including mixtures of such biofuels with other fuels, such as other biofuels or petroleum based fuels. Materials obtained from the disclosed method may be put to other uses, such as cosmetics, medicinal products, food products, or combustible materials.

Abstract: A titanium substrate is anodized to form an array of titanium dioxide nanotubes on the substrate surface. The nanotubes have hexagonal pore structures, are hexagonal in nature along their length and are tightly packed. The electrolyte solution used in the anodization process comprises the complexing agent Na2[H2EDTA]. The titanium dioxide nanotubes are formed at a rate of about 40 ?m/hr. A titanium dioxide nanotube array detaches from the underlying titanium dioxide substrate by allowing the array to stand at room temperature, or by applying heat to the array. The resulting titanium dioxide membrane has a barrier layer on the back side of the membrane, which closes one end of the constituent nanotubes. The barrier layer can be removed via a chemical etch to create a membrane comprising nanotubes with open ends. The titanium dioxide membrane can be filled with a photosensitive dye and used as part of a dye sensitive photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A system including nanostructure arrays for converting carbon dioxide to an organic compound, e.g., methanol, which does so, for example, without any external electric energy. In one embodiment, the system for converting carbon dioxide to an organic compound includes an array of nanotubes, which include nanoparticles of an electron mediator, e.g. palladium, dispersed on a surface of the nanotubes, and an electrically conductive fluid. The array of nanotubes is at least partially immersed in the electrically conductive fluid. The system further includes a light source that irradiates the array of nanotubes, a source of carbon dioxide, and an inlet for delivering the carbon dioxide to the electrically conductive fluid whereat at least a portion of the carbon dioxide is converted to a different organic compound, such as methanol, via contact with an irradiated array of nanotubes. In one example, the array is an ordered array of titania nanotubes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of detecting triacetone triperoxide. In a particular implementation, the method includes providing an array of titanium nanostructures that include a sensitizing agent. The array is contacted with a fluid sample, such as vapor sample. The resistance of the array is measured. The measured resistance of the array can be used to determine whether the sample includes triacetone triperoxide. The nanostructures are, in some cases, titania nanotubes. The sensitizing agent is, in a specific example, zinc. The present disclosure also provides a triacetone triperoxide sensor that includes an array of nanostructures, at least a portion of which are sensitized with a sensitizer, such as one or more of Li+, Cu2+, In3+, Sb3+, Sc3+, NH4+, Na+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Ti4+. A plurality of electrical contacts are coupled to the array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a nanotubular titania substrate having a titanium dioxide surface comprised of a plurality of vertically oriented titanium dioxide nanotubes containing oxygen vacancies, including the steps of anodizing a titanium metal substrate in an acidified fluoride electrolyte and annealing the titanium oxide surface in a non-oxidating atmosphere. The invention further relates to a nanotubular titania substrate having an annealed titanium dioxide surface comprised of self-ordered titanium dioxide nanotubes containing oxygen vacancies. The invention further relates to a photo-electrolysis method for generating H2 wherein the photo-anode is a nanotubular titania substrate of the invention. The invention also relates to an electrochemical method of synthesizing CdZn/CdZnTe nanowires, wherein a nanoporous TiO2 template was used in combination with non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and heavy metals from water using metal salt hydroxide-gels is provided. The arsenic present in water is adsorbed onto the hydroxide-gels which can effectively be filtered through a diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration bed. The combination of DE mixed hydroxide-gels is also effective in removing arsenic from water and heavy metals from water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioceramic coated apparatus and method of forming the same. The apparatus may be a medical implant such as, for example, an orthopedic implant or a dental implant. The bioceramic coating is designed to increase tissue and/or bone growth upon implantation of the apparatus. The apparatus has a valve metal substrate having a nanoporous valve metal oxide surface layer. The nanoporous surface layer contains a plurality of nanopores. The nanopores have adsorbed phosphate ions on at least their interior surfaces. A bioceramic coating is formed on the nanoporous surface and anchored into the nanopores. Optionally, the nanopores are formed into a tapered shape in order to increase adhesion to the bioceramic coating.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and heavy metals from water using metal salt hydroxidegels is provided. The arsenic present in water is adsorbed onto the hydroxide-gels which can effectively be filtered through a diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration bed. The combination of DE mixed hydroxide-gels is also effective in removing arsenic from water and heavy metals from water.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods for producing biofuel from a biological material that includes protein and a biofuel feedstock, such as triglycerides. In a specific example, the biological material is hydrolyzed to obtain the biofuel feedstock, such as by treatment with a base. Free fatty acids or triglycerides are then extracted using an organic solvent. The free fatty acids or triglycerides are converted to fatty acid esters, useable as biofuel, by esterification or transesterification, respectively. In a more specific example, the biological material is converted to a biofuel in a one step process by treating the biological material with base and an appropriate alcohol. In some implementations, a disclosed method uses chicken feathers obtained from a chicken processing operation as the biological material.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides filtering compositions, their method of production, and methods for their use. In specific implementations, the filtering composition includes lanthanum and has a surface area of at least about 125 g/m2. In more specific examples, the filtering composition is free-flowing or has a moisture content between about 10 wt % about 30 wt %. Particular compositions include at least one of iron or magnesium. Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide filtering compositions that are resilient or leach-resistant.

Abstract: A method for passivating sulfidic iron-containing rock comprising: contacting sulfidic iron-containing rock with a magnesium-containing substance, a manganese-containing substance, and a calcium-containing substance; and adjusting the pH of the system to below about 11, is provided. The method can be used to prevent acid rock drainage of metal-bearing rocks or to produce a pretreated ore or rock which can be contacted with a lixiviating agent to extract metals from the pretreated ore or rock.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a disposal container for nuclear materials. According to certain ambodiments, the disposal container includes a nuclear material sub-container of a first type and a plurality of nuclear material sub-containers of a second type. In particular implementations, the disposal container includes a plurality of nuclear material sub-containers of a first type. The nuclear material sub-containers of a second type may surround the nuclear material sub-container of a first type. In particular examples, the nuclear material sub-containers of a second type are arranged concentrically around the nuclear material sub-container of a first type. The disclosed disposal containers may provide more efficient storage of nuclear materials, such as nuclear waste.

Abstract: Leaching of copper from minerals containing sulfur and copper is hampered by the formation of sulfur on the surface of the mineral during conventional processing. An improved method for extracting copper from a sulfur-containing copper mineral is provided, comprising adding a lixiviant and a silica-containing or titanium-containing compound to a sulfur-containing copper mineral.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and heavy metals from water using metal salt hydroxidegels is provided. The arsenic present in water is adsorbed onto the hydroxide-gels which can effectively be filtered through a diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration bed. The combination of DE mixed hydroxide-gels is also effective in removing arsenic from water and heavy metals from water.

Abstract: A method is provided for passivating sulfidic iron-containing rock comprising contacting sulfidic iron-containing rock with one or more members of the group consisting of magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium chloride, magnesium nitrate and magnesium carbonate, thereby reducing the acid generation potential of rock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controlled growth of carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using novel porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates, which have been seeded with transition metal catalysts. The resulting CNT bundles may be dense and long and can be used for numerous applications. Further, the porous AAO templates and the CNTs grown thereby, can be functionalized and used for separation of chemical species, hydrogen storage, fuel cell electrocatalyst and gas flow membranes, other catalytic applications, and as a bulk structural material.

Abstract: A method for passivating sulfidic iron-containing rock comprising: contacting sulfidic iron-containing rock with a magnesium-containing substance, a manganese-containing substance, and a calcium-containing substance; and adjusting the pH of the system to below about 11, is provided. The method can be used to prevent acid rock drainage of metal-bearing rocks or to produce a pretreated ore or rock which can be contacted with a lixiviating agent to extract metals from the pretreated ore or rock.

Abstract: A method of removing both Sr and Cs from an alkaline solution having a pH between about 9 to 14 includes providing a keratin protein from essentially a fiber portion separated from a quill portion of a poultry feather. A slurry is made of the keratin protein and the alkaline solution and is treated ultrasonically. The Sr and Cs may each be present in the alkaline solution at least at about 5 ppb. The keratin protein is contacted with the Sr and Cs by mechanical agitation at a temperature between about 20 to 90° C. and at a pressure not greater than about 10 psi. A supernatant produced in the step of contacting is then filtered.

Abstract: A method is provided for passivating sulfidic iron-containing rock comprising contacting sulfidic iron-containing rock with one or more members of the group consisting of magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium chloride, magnesium nitrate and magnesium carbonate, thereby reducing the acid generation potential of rock.

Abstract: Methods for rendering a cyanide or cyanide-containing compound substantially insoluble in an aqueous solution or suspension of cyanide-containing materials comprising: mixing a reagent comprising a thiosulfate salt with said solution or suspension; and adding to said material a complexing agent selected from the group consisting of divalent copper salts, divalent iron salts, divalent cobalt salts, activated carbon and mixtures of the foregoing are provided.