Abstract: A desalination cell which works with flat membranes for water purification purposes. A feed fluid is stirred on a feed side of the membrane to minimize cake formation. A purified liquid is formed on the permeate side of the membrane, and a reject fluid formed on the feed side of the membrane. When thick ceramic membranes are used, the desalination cell can be adapted to have a sealing gasket around the circumference of the membrane to prevent the feed fluid from by-passing the membrane and contaminating the purified fluid.

Abstract: Conventional sintering processes convert a portion of cBN to hBN which is softer than cBN which negatively affects functional properties of an alumina composite. The invention is directed to method for making an alumina-cubic boron nitride (Al2O3-cBN) composite that contains substantially no hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) by non-conventional spark plasma sintering of cBN with nano-sized alumina particles. The invention is also directed to Al2O3-cBN/Ni composites, which contain substantially no hBN, and which exhibit superior physical and mechanical properties compared to alumina composites containing higher amounts of hBN.

Abstract: A process for making an iron oxide impregnated carbon nanotube membrane. In this template-free and binder-free process, iron oxide nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed onto the surface of carbon nanotubes by wet impregnation. The amount of iron oxide nanoparticles loaded on the carbon nanotubes range from 0.25-80% by weight per total weight of the doped carbon nanotubes. The iron oxide doped carbon nanotubes are then pressed to form a carbon nanotube disc which is then sintered at high temperatures to form a mixed matrix membrane of iron oxide nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed across a carbon nanotube matrix. Methods of characterizing porosity, hydrophilicity and fouling potential of the carbon nanotube membrane are also described.

Abstract: A Ca—SiAlON ceramic with enhanced mechanical properties and a method employing micron-sized and submicron precursors to form the Ca—SiAlON ceramic. The Ca—SiAlON ceramic comprises not more than 42 wt % silicon, relative to the total weight of the Ca—SiAlON ceramic. The method employs submicron particles and also allows for substituting a portion of aluminum nitride with aluminum to form the Ca—SiAlON ceramic with enhanced mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method for ball milling a SnTe alloy into a solid solution or a face-centered cubic crystalline (fcc) phase. A SnTe alloy in the form of nanoparticles of a solid solution or a face-centered cubic crystalline (fcc) phase that can be prepared by this method.

Abstract: A process for making an iron oxide impregnated carbon nanotube membrane. In this template-free and binder-free process, iron oxide nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed onto the surface of carbon nanotubes by wet impregnation. The amount of iron oxide nanoparticles loaded on the carbon nanotubes range from 0.25-80% by weight per total weight of the doped carbon nanotubes. The iron oxide doped carbon nanotubes are then pressed to form a carbon nanotube disc which is then sintered at high temperatures to form a mixed matrix membrane of iron oxide nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed across a carbon nanotube matrix. Methods of characterizing porosity, hydrophilicity and fouling potential of the carbon nanotube membrane are also described.

Abstract: Conventional sintering processes convert a portion of cBN to hBN which is softer than cBN which negatively affects functional properties of an alumina composite. The invention is directed to method for making an alumina-cubic boron nitride (Al2O3-cBN) composite that contains substantially no hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) by non-conventional spark plasma sintering of cBN with nano-sized alumina particles. The invention is also directed to Al2O3-cBN/Ni composites, which contain substantially no hBN, and which exhibit superior physical and mechanical properties compared to alumina composites containing higher amounts of hBN.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite of cubic boron nitride dispersed in a SiAlON ceramic. This method involves mixing silicon nitride nanoparticles, aluminum nitride nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, calcium oxide nanoparticles, and cubic boron nitride microparticles to produce a mixture. The cubic boron nitride may be coated with nickel. The mixture is sintered to produce the composite, and this sintering may involve spark plasma sintering and/or sintering at a relatively low temperature. The composite may comprise a mixture of Ca-?-SiAlON and ?-SiAlON ceramic reinforced by boron nitride in either or both cubic and hexagonal phases.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite of cubic boron nitride dispersed in a SiAlON ceramic. This method involves mixing silicon nitride nanoparticles, aluminum nitride nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, calcium oxide nanoparticles, and cubic boron nitride microparticles to produce a mixture. The cubic boron nitride may be coated with nickel. The mixture is sintered to produce the composite, and this sintering may involve spark plasma sintering and/or sintering at a relatively low temperature. The composite may comprise a mixture of Ca-?-SiAlON and ?-SiAlON ceramic reinforced by boron nitride in either or both cubic and hexagonal phases.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite of cubic boron nitride dispersed in a SiAlON ceramic. This method involves mixing silicon nitride nanoparticles, aluminum nitride nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, calcium oxide nanoparticles, and cubic boron nitride microparticles to produce a mixture. The cubic boron nitride may be coated with nickel. The mixture is sintered to produce the composite, and this sintering may involve spark plasma sintering and/or sintering at a relatively low temperature. The composite may comprise a mixture of Ca-?-SiAlON and ?-SiAlON ceramic reinforced by boron nitride in either or both cubic and hexagonal phases.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A Ca—SiAlON ceramic with enhanced mechanical properties and a method employing micron-sized and submicron precursors to form the Ca—SiAlON ceramic. The Ca—SiAlON ceramic comprises not more than 42 wt % silicon, relative to the total weight of the Ca—SiAlON ceramic. The method employs submicron particles and also allows for substituting a portion of aluminum nitride with aluminum to form the Ca—SiAlON ceramic with enhanced mechanical properties.

Abstract: Two-dimensional material based filters, their method of manufacture, and their use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a membrane may include an active layer including a plurality of defects and a deposited material associated with the plurality of defects may reduce flow therethrough. Additionally, a majority of the active layer may be free from the material. In another embodiment, a membrane may include a porous substrate and an atomic layer deposited material disposed on a surface of the porous substrate. The atomic layer deposited material may be less hydrophilic than the porous substrate and an atomically thin active layer may be disposed on the atomic layer deposited material.

Abstract: A Ca—SiAlON ceramic with enhanced mechanical properties and a method employing micron-sized and submicron precursors to form the Ca—SiAlON ceramic. The Ca—SiAlON ceramic comprises not more than 42 wt % silicon, relative to the total weight of the Ca—SiAlON ceramic. The method employs submicron particles and also allows for substituting a portion of aluminum nitride with aluminum to form the Ca—SiAlON ceramic with enhanced mechanical properties.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite of cubic boron nitride dispersed in a SiAlON ceramic. This method involves mixing silicon nitride nanoparticles, aluminum nitride nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, calcium oxide nanoparticles, and cubic boron nitride microparticles to produce a mixture. The cubic boron nitride may be coated with nickel. The mixture is sintered to produce the composite, and this sintering may involve spark plasma sintering and/or sintering at a relatively low temperature. The composite may comprise a mixture of Ca-?-SiAlON and ?-SiAlON ceramic reinforced by boron nitride in either or both cubic and hexagonal phases.