Abstract: A catalyst made of non-noble metals is provided. The catalyst includes oxides of cadmium, iron, and cobalt, represented by a general formula CdFe2-3Co1-3O5-9. An electrocatalyst including conductive electrode dispersed with the catalyst is also provided. A method for preparing the catalyst of the formula CdFe2-3Co1-3O5-9 is also provided. The electrocatalyst is used for the water-splitting process to obtain hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: Catalysts for hydrogen production from NaBH4 by hydrolysis or alcoholysis are provided. The catalysts comprise hydrogel beads formed from alginate and starch. The hydrogel beads optionally comprise metal nanoparticles on their surfaces, and the hydrogen generation reactions are optionally conducted in the presence of one or more surfactants.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer microgel involving the reduction of metal ions in a metal ion-loaded biopolymer microgel. The method yields a metal nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer microgel. Also disclosed is a method of catalytically reducing an organic pollutant in water using the metal nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer microgel and a reducing agent.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer microgel involving the reduction of metal ions in a metal ion-loaded biopolymer microgel. The method yields a metal nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer microgel. Also disclosed is a method of catalytically reducing an organic pollutant in water using the metal nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer microgel and a reducing agent.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer microgel involving the reduction of metal ions in a metal ion-loaded biopolymer microgel. The method yields a metal nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer microgel. Also disclosed is a method of catalytically reducing an organic pollutant in water using the metal nanoparticle-loaded biopolymer microgel and a reducing agent.

Abstract: The method of making thin film humidity sensors uses thermal vapor deposition or drop casting techniques to fabricate nickel phthalocyanine-fullerene-based (NiPc-C60) quick response humidity sensors with negligible hysteresis. Prior to the deposition of aluminum electrodes, a glass substrate is cleaned by using acetone in an ultrasonic bath for 10 minutes. After cleaning, the substrate is washed with de-ionized water and then dried. A gap is created between two electrodes by masking the glass substrate with copper wire. This assembly is plasma-cleaned for 5 minutes in a thermal evaporator. Subsequently aluminum (Al) thin films are deposited on the assembly. Next, a mixture of equal parts NiPc-C60 is deposited onto the gap between the Al electrodes by thermal vapor deposition or by drop casting. A method of forming NiPc-graphene oxide (NiPc-GO) humidity sensors without using instrumentation drop casts an NiPc-GO suspension onto aluminum foil electrodes taped to a substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using of flexible elastic photo-thermoelectric or thermoelectric cells is being presented, where the thermoelectric materials have been used in nanohybrid (pristine form). The casing of the cells is made up of flexible elastic materials (plastic, rubber). The casing may have different shapes as rod, semi-circular, wave-form, spiral etc., that makes them easy for practical applications and the thermoelectric cells can potentially provide high efficiency. The flexible thermoelectric cells based on carbon nano-tubes (CNT) and its blend with cobalt oxide/graphene oxide nanohybrid have been made and tested.

Abstract: A method of fabricating and using of flexible elastic photo-thermoelectric or thermoelectric cells is being presented, where the thermoelectric materials have been used in nanohybrid (pristine form). The casing of the cells is made up of flexible elastic materials (plastic, rubber). The casing may have different shapes as rod, semi-circular, wave-form, spiral etc., that makes them easy for practical applications and the thermoelectric cells can potentially provide high efficiency. The flexible thermoelectric cells based on carbon nano-tubes (CNT) and its blend with cobalt oxide/graphene oxide nanohybrid have been made and tested.

Abstract: The method of making a flexible elastic conductive material for strain sensor and resistance applications using rubbing-in technology is shown. The thin rubber or any conductive material (substrates) is fixed at strained condition on the solid plate, by rubbing-in technology. Nanopowder of nanomaterials (organic semiconductors, carbon nanotubes, copper doped tin oxide, manganese doped tin oxide) at room temperature are embedded into the rubber conductive material to make built-in structure of conductive flexible elastic substrates that can be used for strain sensors, gages and resistance applications. The resultant product showed good sensitivity, stability and reliability during and after the rubbing-in operation.

Abstract: The method of making thin film humidity sensors uses thermal vapor deposition or drop casting techniques to fabricate nickel phthalocyanine-fullerene-based (NiPc-C60) quick response humidity sensors with negligible hysteresis. Prior to the deposition of aluminum electrodes, a glass substrate is cleaned by using acetone in an ultrasonic bath for 10 minutes. After cleaning, the substrate is washed with de-ionized water and then dried. A gap is created between two electrodes by masking the glass substrate with copper wire. This assembly is plasma-cleaned for 5 minutes in a thermal evaporator. Subsequently aluminum (Al) thin films are deposited on the assembly. Next, a mixture of equal parts NiPc-C60 is deposited onto the gap between the Al electrodes by thermal vapor deposition or by drop casting. A method of forming NiPc-graphene oxide (NiPc-GO) humidity sensors without using instrumentation drop casts an NiPc-GO suspension onto aluminum foil electrodes taped to a substrate.

Abstract: A strain sensor fabrication and its use as flexible elastic heart strain sensors in form of a Wheatstone bridge are described. All arms of the bridge are nanocomposite based strain sensors. The silver selenide nanocomposite is especially developed by simple rubbing in method where the nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Ag2Se nanoparticles are embedded into a porous rubber. This is a low cost easy to make strain sensor that has excellent resistance to humidity and temperature.

Abstract: A novel composition for a photocatalyst Fe doped ZnO nano-particle photocatalyst that enables the decontamination process by degrading toxic organic material such as brilliant cresyl blue, indigo carmine and gentian blue by using solar light is described. In the current disclosure method of making a specific size of the nano photocatalyst is described. Characterization of the photocatalyst, optimal working conditions and efficient use of solar light has been described to show that this photocatalyst is unique. The process described to use the photocatalyst to degrade toxic organic material using the solar light to activate the photocatalyst is cost efficient and cheap to clean our water resources.

Abstract: A novel composition for a photocatalyst Fe doped ZnO nano-particle photocatalyst that enables the decontamination process by degrading toxic organic material such as brilliant cresyl blue, indigo carmine and gentian blue by using solar light is described. In the current disclosure method of making a specific size of the nano photocatalyst is described. Characterization of the photocatalyst, optimal working conditions and efficient use of solar light has been described to show that this photocatalyst is unique. The process described to use the photocatalyst to degrade toxic organic material using the solar light to activate the photocatalyst is cost efficient and cheap to clean our water resources.

Abstract: Toxic organic materials contaminate water resources and one need to find an easy and energy efficient way to decontaminate water resources. The current invention discloses a photocatalyst Fe doped ZnO nano-particle photocatalyst that enables the decontamination process by degrading toxic organic material such as brilliant cresyl blue, indigo carmine and gentian blue by using solar light. In the current disclosure many examples of characterization of the photocatalyst, optimal working conditions and efficient use of solar light has been described. The process described to use the photocatalyst to degrade toxic organic material using the solar light to activate the photocatalyst is cost efficient and cheap to clean our water resources.