Abstract: A stable three-dimensional core-shell metal-nitride catalyst consisting of NiFeN nanoparticles decorated on NiMoN nanorods supported on porous Ni foam (NiMoN@NiFeN), which functions as an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst for alkaline seawater electrolysis. It yields large current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm?2 at overpotentials of 369 and 398 mV, respectively, in alkaline natural seawater at 25° C. Combined with an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst of NiMoN nanorods, current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm?2 at low voltages of 1.608 and 1.709 V, respectively are achieved for overall alkaline seawater splitting at 60° C.

Abstract: A detoxification device for removing pathogens from air within an environment. The detoxification device may include a filtration media for catching and retaining particles larger than about 0.3 micrometers (?m) with an efficiency of at least 99%. The detoxification device may also include a heating element having a metallic foam. The heating element may be heated upon application of an electrical current to the heating element. The heating element may, upon being heated, heat the filtration media to a target temperature that is effective to kill a pathogen.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting comprising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by growing electrocatalyst comprising primarily metallic phosphides on a three-dimensional substrate by: immersing the substrate in an iron nitrate solution to form a once disposed substrate; subjecting the once disposed substrate to thermal phosphidation with phosphorus powder under inert gas to grow metal phosphides thereupon and form a once subjected substrate; cooling the once subjected substrate to form a cooled, once subjected substrate; immersing the cooled, once subjected substrate in an iron nitrate solution to form a twice disposed substrate; and subjecting the twice disposed substrate to thermal phosphidation with phosphorus powder under inert gas to provide an electrode comprising the bifunctional electrocatalyst on the three-dimensional substrate.

Abstract: A ZrCoBi-based p-type half-Heusler material can have a formula: ZrCoBi1-x-ySnxSby, where x can vary between 0.01 and 0.25, and y can vary between 0 and 0.2. An average dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) for the material can be greater than or equal to about 0.80 as calculated by an integration method for temperatures between 300 and 973 K. A ZrCoBi-based n-type half-Heusler material can have a formula: ZrCo1-xNixBi1-ySby, where x can vary between 0.01 and 0.25, and y can vary between 0 and 0.3. The material has an average dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) is greater than or equal to about 0.65 as calculated by an integration method for temperatures between 300 and 973 K.

Abstract: A facile and scalable method to prepare graphene-based amphiphilic Janus nanosheets with high efficiency utilizing the formation of hydrogen bonding to immobilize graphene oxide (GO) on the surfaces of starch microspheres. After selective functionalization of the exposed surface using alkylamine, amphiphilic Janus nanosheets (AJN) were obtained by releasing the nanosheets from the starch microspheres.

Abstract: New thermoelectric materials, such as Mg3Bi2-based Zintl phase compounds are described, where the semi-metallic Mg3.2Bi2 show an unexpectedly large Seebeck coefficient at 350 K and enhanced thermoelectric performances.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode by disposing a three-dimensional substrate in a metal nitrate solution, drying, and thermally phosphatizing with a phosphorus source under inert gas to form a metal based phosphate catalyst on the substrate. An electrocatalyst and electrode produced via the method are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is used with supplied power for treating air in an environment. A housing is mobile in the environment and has an intake and an exhaust. At least one prime mover disposed in the housing between the intake and the exhaust is operable to move the air in the environment through the housing from the intake to the exhaust. At least one ultraviolet light source disposed in the housing is connected in electrical communication with the supplied power and is configured to generate ultraviolet radiation in at least one a portion of the housing through which the moved air passes from the intake to the exhaust. At least one permeable barrier disposed in the housing is configured to impede the moved air flow therethrough up to an impedance threshold. The at least one permeable barrier is connected in electrical communication to the supplied power and being heated to a surface temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus is used with supplied power for treating air flow of an air handing system of a facility. A frame has a plenum with an inlet and an outlet. The frame is configured to position in the air flow of the air handing system for passage of the air flow therethrough. A filter is disposed in the plenum and is configured to filter the air flow therethrough up to a filtration threshold. An ultraviolet light source disposed in the plenum is connected in electrical communication with the supplied power and is configured to generate ultraviolet radiation in the plenum. A permeable metal barrier disposed in the plenum is configured to impede the air flow therethrough up to an impedance threshold. The barrier is connected in electrical communication to the supplied power and is heated to a surface temperature.

Abstract: A hybrid three dimensional (3D) hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst that is formed from a porous Ni foam support, a NiSe2 scaffold positioned on the support; and layered transition metal dichalcogenide (LTMDC) or first-row transition metal dichalcogenide particles positioned on the NiSe2 scaffold. The catalyst provides a low onset potential, large cathode current density, small Tafel slopes, and large exchange current densities, similar in catalytic power to Pt HER catalysts.

Abstract: A method for growing bulk boron arsenide (BA) crystals, the method comprising utilizing a seeded chemical vapor transport (CVT) growth mechanism to produce single BAs crystals which are used for further CVT growth, wherein a sparsity of nucleation centers is controlled during the further CVT growth. Also disclosed are bulk BAs crystals produced via the method.

Abstract: A ZrCoBi-based p-type half-Heusler material can have a formula: ZrCoBi1-x-ySnxSby, where x can vary between 0.01 and 0.25, and y can vary between 0 and 0.2. An average dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) for the material can be greater than or equal to about 0.80 as calculated by an integration method for temperatures between 300 and 973 K. A ZrCoBi-based n-type half-Heusler material can have a formula: ZrCo1-xNixBi1-ySby, where x can vary between 0.01 and 0.25, and y can vary between 0 and 0.3. The material has an average dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) is greater than or equal to about 0.65 as calculated by an integration method for temperatures between 300 and 973 K.

Abstract: Systems and methods discussed herein relate to Zintl-type thermoelectric materials, including a p-type thermoelectric material according to the formula AMyXy, and includes at least one of calcium (Ca), europium (Eu), ytterbium (Yb), and strontium N (Sr), and has a ZT of the above about 0.60 above 675 K. The n-type thermoelectric component includes magnesium (Mg), tellurium (Te), antimony (Sb), and bismuth (Bi) according to the formula Mg3.2Sb1.5Bi0.5-xTex that has an average ZT above 0.8 from 400 K to 800 K. The p-type and n-type materials discussed herein may be used alone, in combination with other materials, or in combination with each other in various configurations.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting comprising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by growing electrocatalyst comprising primarily metallic phosphides on a three-dimensional substrate by: immersing the substrate in an iron nitrate solution to form a once disposed substrate; subjecting the once disposed substrate to thermal phosphidation with phosphorus powder under inert gas to grow metal phosphides thereupon and form a once subjected substrate; cooling the once subjected substrate to form a cooled, once subjected substrate; immersing the cooled, once subjected substrate in an iron nitrate solution to form a twice disposed substrate; and subjecting the twice disposed substrate to thermal phosphidation with phosphorus powder under inert gas to provide an electrode comprising the bifunctional electrocatalyst on the three-dimensional substrate.

Abstract: A composition composed of highly reactive metal particles that are ball milled, bead milled or blended and dispersed in a solvent with/without polymer for significantly reducing the viscosity of heavy oil for extracting viscous heavy oil, such that the composition reacts with water and oil to produce heat, H2 gas, and hydroxide to lower the oil viscosity and facilitate extraction from an underground formation or transport of heavy oil, such as in a pipe from one place to another place.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode by disposing a three-dimensional substrate in a metal nitrate solution, drying, and thermally phosphatizing with a phosphorus source under inert gas to form a metal based phosphate catalyst on the substrate. An electrocatalyst and electrode produced via the method are also provided.

Abstract: A Janus graphene nanosheet (JGN) surfactant formed from a two-dimensional graphene oxide sheet and functionalized to produce an amphiphilic graphene nanosheet. The JGN may be a component of a nanofluid utilized in nanofluid flooding for oil recovery. The JGN may also be used as solid surfactants to form emulsions for oil recovery.

Abstract: Discussed herein are systems and methods for fabrication of MgSnGe-based thermoelectric materials for applications from room temperature and near room temperature to high temperature applications. The TE materials may be fabricated by hand or ball milling a powder to a predetermined particle size and hot-pressing the milled powder to form a thermoelectric component with desired properties including a figure of merit (ZT) over a temperature range. The TE materials fabricated may be disposed in thermoelectric devices for varying applications.

Abstract: A facile and scalable method to prepare graphene-based amphiphilic Janus nanosheets with high efficiency utilizing the formation of hydrogen bonding to immobilize graphene oxide (GO) on the surfaces of starch microspheres. After selective functionalization of the exposed surface using alkylamine, amphiphilic Janus nanosheets (AJN) were obtained by releasing the nanosheets from the starch microspheres.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the manufacture of n-type and p-type filled skutterudite thermoelectric legs of an electrical contact. A first material of CoSi2 and a dopant are ball-milled to form a first powder which is thermo-mechanically processed with a second powder of n-type skutterudite to form a n-type skutterudite layer disposed between a first layer and a third layer of the doped-CoSi2. In addition, a plurality of components such as iron, and nickel, and at least one of cobalt or chromium are ball-milled form a first powder that is thermo-mechanically processed with a p-type skutterudite layer to form a p-type skutterudite layer “second layer” disposed between a first and a third layer of the first powder. The specific contact resistance between the first layer and the skutterudite layer for both the n-type and the p-type skutterudites subsequent to hot-pressing is less than about 10.0 ??·cm2.