Abstract: This invention relates to non-precious metal fuel cell cathode catalysts, fuel cells that contain these catalysts, and methods of making the same. The fuel cell cathode catalysts are highly nitrogenated carbon materials that can contain a transition metal. The highly nitrogenated carbon materials can be supported on a nanoparticle substrate.

Abstract: A catalytic burner includes a porous diffuser member and a porous distributor member. At least one seal extends between the porous diffuser member and the porous distributor member thereby defining an oxidation chamber. Catalyst media particles for catalyzing an oxidation reaction of a fuel stream to produce heat and an exhaust stream is disposed within the oxidation chamber. The catalyst media particles comprise carrier particles. The carrier particles comprise refractory material, and at least some of the carrier particles have thereon an outer coating comprising an oxidation catalyst. The catalyst media particles have a void fraction of at least 0.6.

Abstract: A process for capturing or concentrating microorganisms for detection or assay comprises (a) providing a particulate concentration agent that comprises gamma-FeO(OH); (b) providing a fluid sample comprising at least one microorganism strain; and (c) contacting the concentration agent with the sample such that at least a portion of the concentration agent is dispersed in the sample and at least a portion of the at least one microorganism strain is bound to or captured by the concentration agent.

Abstract: Acicular boehmite nanoparticles, methods of making acicular boehmite nanoparticles, and composite materials that contain acicular boehmite nanoparticles are described. The acicular boehmite nanoparticles are prepared in a continuous hydrothermal reactor from a feedstock solution containing a soluble aluminum-containing precursor.

Abstract: Described are catalyst compositions, oxidizable-gas burner systems, methods of oxidizing oxidizable gas, and methods of preparing catalyst compositions and oxidizable-gas burner systems

Abstract: A concentration agent for capture of microorganisms, including diatomaceous earth bearing, on at least a portion of its surface, a surface treatment comprising a surface modifier comprising titanium dioxide, fine-nanoscale gold or platinum, or a combination thereof, and methods for making the concentration agent.

Abstract: A process for producing gold-based, heterogeneous catalyst systems comprises depositing fine-nanoscale gold onto a nanoparticulate support medium by physical vapor deposition in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: Described herein is a filtration medium comprising a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a thermolysis product of (i) a carbon substrate having a surface of COxEy, wherein E is selected from at least one of S, Se, and Te; and wherein x and y are greater than 0; and (ii) a metal salt; and methods of removing chloramine from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Described herein is a liquid filtration device is disclosed comprising a fluid conduit fluidly connecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet; and a water filtration medium disposed in the fluid conduit; the water filter medium comprising a metal-containing particulate, wherein the metal-containing particulate comprises a thermolysis product of a metal carboxylate; and methods of removing chloramines from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Described herein is a liquid filtration device is disclosed comprising a fluid conduit fluidly connecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet; and a water filtration medium disposed in the fluid conduit; the water filter medium comprising a metal-containing particulate, wherein the metal-containing particulate comprises a thermolysis product of a metal salt wherein the salt is selected from nitrogen-containing oxyanions, sulfur-containing anions, chlorides, phosphates, and combinations thereof; and methods of removing chloramines from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to systems and methods of graft cartilage management for repairing a defect in a joint of a patient that include providing a donor database that includes information on a plurality of donor sites, receiving first data relating to the defect of the joint of the patient, and identifying, based on the first data, at least one donor site from the donor database for harvesting a graft specimen dimensioned greater than the defect in the joint of the patient. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to systems and methods of graft cartilage management that include a donor database of like and unlike joint donor sites and identifying at least one unlike joint donor site for harvesting a graft. In addition, exemplary embodiments are directed to systems and methods of defect region management that include a database of joint defects and identifying at least one joint defect for repair.

Abstract: An adhesive masking article for shielding a protected work surface from a coating applied to a surface adjacent the protected work surface includes a backing layer having first and second opposed major surfaces, and at least one edge, an adhesive on at least a portion of at least one of the first and second backing layer opposed major surfaces, and a barrier inducing treatment on at least an edge surface of the masking article to contact the coating when the coating contacts the edge of the backing layer, thereby causing a barrier to form along the edge of the masking article that impedes the migration of the coating past the edge of the masking article beneath the masking article.

Abstract: A supplemental lighting system includes a charging circuit having a reference voltage for the charging circuit set through changes to reference resistances, and/or having an output voltage, current or power set through a connector configuration. In one example, a battery storage connector can be used to select a particular resistance for setting the reference voltage. Additionally, a supplemental lighting system may have a rechargeable battery coupled to a low-voltage part of the circuit, for example protected by an isolation circuit. Furthermore, a lithium ion or similar rechargeable battery supply can include a circuit for allowing it to be used with a circuit designed for a NiCad powered system or with a circuit designed for a lithium ion powered system.

Abstract: A nano-scale tower structure array having increased surface area on each tower for gathering incident light is provided for use in three-dimensional solar cells. Embodiments enhance surface roughness of each tower structure to increase the surface area available for light gathering. Enhanced roughness can be provided by manipulating passivation layer etching parameters used during a formation process of the nano-scale tower structures, in order to affect surface roughness of a photoresist layer used for the etch. Manipulable etching parameters can include power, gas pressure, and etching compound chemistry.

Abstract: A nano-scale tower structure array having increased surface area on each tower for gathering incident light is provided for use in three-dimensional solar cells. Embodiments enhance surface roughness of each tower structure to increase the surface area available for light gathering. Enhanced roughness can be provided by manipulating passivation layer etching parameters used during a formation process of the nano-scale tower structures, in order to affect surface roughness of a photoresist layer used for the etch. Manipulable etching parameters can include power, gas pressure, and etching compound chemistry.

Abstract: A system for maximizing the value of allocation of processes to resources within an operational system includes a capability engine responsive to data representing measures of effectiveness and associated measures of performance, one or more operational objectives, and failure modes of the operational system and configured to generate workload requirements and an operational event timeline. A coarse-grained allocation engine is responsive to the workload requirements and the operational event timeline and is configured to generate a coarse-grained resource lineup and an operational value. A fine-grained optimization engine is responsive to the coarse-grained resource lineup and the operational value and is configured to generate a fine-grained resource lineup, a maximized operational value, and a total resource utilization.

Abstract: Use of physical vapor deposition methodologies to deposit nanoscale gold on activating support media makes the use of catalytically active gold dramatically easier and opens the door to significant improvements associated with developing, making, and using gold-based, catalytic systems. The present invention, therefore, relates to novel features, ingredients, and formulations of gold-based, heterogeneous catalyst systems generally comprising nanoscale gold deposited onto a nanoporous support.

Abstract: Heterogeneous catalyst systems, methods of making these systems, and methods of using these systems, wherein catalytically active gold is deposited onto composite support media. The composite support media is formed by providing nanoporous material on at least a portion of the surfaces of carbonaceous host material. In representative embodiments, relatively fine, nanoporous guest particles are coated or otherwise provided on surfaces of relatively coarser activated carbon particles. Catalytically active gold may be deposited onto one or both of the guest or host materials either before or after the guest and host materials are combined to from the composite host material. PVD is the preferred catalyst system of depositing gold.

Abstract: A concentration agent for capture of microorganisms, including diatomaceous earth bearing, on at least a portion of its surface, a surface treatment comprising a surface modifier comprising titanium dioxide, fine-nanoscale gold or platinum, or a combination thereof, and methods for making the concentration agent.

Abstract: Use of physical vapor deposition methodologies to deposit nanoscale gold on activating support media makes the use of catalytically active gold dramatically easier and opens the door to significant improvements associated with developing, making, and using gold-based, catalytic systems. The present invention, therefore, relates to novel features, ingredients, and formulations of gold-based, heterogeneous catalyst systems generally comprising nanoscale gold deposited onto a nanoporous support.