Abstract: Disclosed are a chemochromic nanoparticle, a method for manufacturing the chemochromic nanoparticle, and a hydrogen sensor comprising the chemochromic nanoparticle. In particular, the chemochromic nanoparticle has a core-shell structure such that the chemochromic nanoparticle and comprises a core comprising a hydrated or non-hydrated transition metal oxide; and a shell comprising a transition metal catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention includes a nanostructure, a method of making thereof, and a method of photocatalysis. In one embodiment, the nanostructure includes a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase in contact with the crystalline phase. Each of the crystalline and amorphous phases has at least one dimension on a nanometer scale. In another embodiment, the nanostructure includes a nanoparticle comprising a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase. The amorphous phase is in a selected amount. In another embodiment, the nanostructure includes crystalline titanium dioxide and amorphous titanium dioxide in contact with the crystalline titanium dioxide. Each of the crystalline and amorphous titanium dioxide has at least one dimension on a nanometer scale.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a sheet or a fabric with crystalline TiO2 nano-particles includes providing a polymer material as a support, and then synthesizing the crystalline TiO2 nano-particles with immobilizing them on a surface of the support, followed by forming the fabric or the sheet. The fabric is a textile or a nonwoven fabric. A type of the support is a fiber or a sheet type. The synthesizing of the crystalline TiO2 nano-particles is performed by occurring a sol-gel reaction under a microwave irradiation, wherein a TiO2 precursor, water, an alcohol, and an ionic liquid applied in the sol-gel reaction during the synthesizing.

Abstract: A method for one step synthesizing and immobilzing crystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) nano-particles simultaneously on a polymer support and a use thereof are provided. The method includes adding TiO2 precursor, water, alcohol and an ionic liquid in a sol-gel reaction under microwave irradiation, so that a plurality of TiO2 crystalline nano-particles are synthesized and immobilized on the polymer support simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing metal bearing gases involves generating a toroidal plasma in a plasma chamber. A metal bearing gas is introduced into the plasma chamber to react with the toroidal plasma. The interaction between the toroidal plasma and the metal bearing gas produces at least one of a metallic material, a metal oxide material or a metal nitride material.

Abstract: A simple, room-temperature method of producing zinc oxide nanoparticles was established by reacting zinc nitrate hexahydrate and cyclohexylamine (CHA) in either aqueous or EtOHic medium. Particles of polyhedra morphology were obtained for zinc oxide, prepared in EtOH (ZnOE), while an irregular spherical morphology, mixed with some chunky particles forzinc oxide prepared in water (ZnOW). The results indicate that there are significant morphological differences between ZnOE and ZnOW. ZnOE showed a regular polyhedral shape, while spherical and chunky particles were observed for ZnOW. The morphology was crucial in enhancing the cyanide ion photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ZnOE by a factor of 1.5 in comparison to the efficiency of ZnOW at equivalent loading of 0.02 ZnO nanoparticles wt %. Increasing the loading wt % of ZnOE from 0.01 to 0.07 led to an increase in the photocatalytic degradation efficiency from 67% to 90% after 45 minutes and a doubling of the first-order rate constant (k).

Abstract: A proton conductor system includes a solid oxide having at least one hydrogen vibrational mode defined by a bandwidth and resonance frequency. A light source irradiates the solid oxide with infrared light in a wavelength band having a center frequency matching the resonance frequency.

Abstract: The application generally relates to a process for generating hydrogen, oxygen or both from water. More particularly, the application generally relates to a lanthanide-mediated photochemical process for generating hydrogen, oxygen or both from water.

Abstract: A method of forming a zinc oxide film or a magnesium zinc oxide film which has a high transmittance. The method of forming a zinc oxide film or a magnesium zinc oxide film includes (A) converting a solution containing zinc, or zinc and magnesium into mist, (B) heating a substrate, and (C) supplying the solution converted into mist, and ozone to a first main surface of the substrate under heating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of oxidizing a substance in a liquid containing nitrous oxide (N2O) and an oxidation apparatus therefor. In this method, oxidation of a substance is conducted by allowing a substance to be present in a solution containing nitrous oxide (N2O) and irradiating the solution with light including a wavelength of at least 240 nm or less.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing a catalyst composition. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a catalyst can comprise: forming a catalyst composition from a catalyst precursor and a volatile compound, disposing the catalyst composition on a substrate to form a supported composition, treating the supported composition with electromagnetic radiation, and removing at least a portion of the volatile compound to form the catalyst. In another embodiment, the method for manufacturing a catalyst can comprise: forming a catalyst composition comprising a volatile compound and a catalyst precursor, disposing the catalyst composition onto a substrate, and drying the catalyst composition at a temperature greater than or equal to a dew point of the volatile compound and less than or equal to a decomposition temperature of the catalyst precursor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of activating a photosensitizer, wherein for the photosensitizer nanoparticles of a catalyst capable of catalyzing the production of active oxygen (1) is selected, which is further subjected to irradiation by light (5). Preferably, heterocrystal minerals are used as a source of nanoparticles. Preferably, the photosensitizer is combined with a liquid (3), to which a suitable amount of oxygen gas (4) is added. Still preferably, the photosensitizer is chemically coupled to a DNA-molecule and a suitable anti-metabolic agent. The invention further relates to a method for treating a health disorder using activated photosensitizer provided in nanoparticle form, whereby the activated nanoparticle photosensitizer is administered to a recipient (7).

Abstract: A method for the production of an oxide layer, involving oxidizing a metal surface, wherein the metal surface is electrically connected to an electronic control unit (ECU); wherein the metal oxide layer produced has an amount of metal present in said metal oxide layer that is higher than that present in a metal oxide layer produced by oxidizing the metal surface in the absence of the ECU; or oxidizing an oxidizable non-metallic conductive surface, wherein the oxidizable non-metallic conductive surface is electrically connected to an electronic control unit (ECU); wherein the oxide layer produced is denser than that produced by oxidizing the oxidizable non-metallic conductive surface in the absence of the ECU; and the metal oxide or oxide layers produced thereby.

Abstract: Self-organized niobium oxide nanocones with nano-sized tips are prepared by anodization of niobium in the presence of an electrolyte such as hydrofluoric acid (HF) (aq.). Dimensions and integrity of the bulk nanostructures formed are strongly dependent on potential, temperature, electrolyte composition, and anodization times. Accordingly, the morphology, topology, uniformity and bioactivity of the niobium oxide nanostructures formed can be readily adjusted by adjusting these anodization parameters. A bioactive form of crystalline niobium oxide is formed by anodizing niobium metal in the presence of an electrolyte that includes HF and at least one salt such as Na2SO4 or NaF. One property of bioactive niobium oxide formed by anodizing niobium metal in the presence of HF (aq.) is its ability to interact with hydroxylapatite.

Abstract: A layer (20) on a composite (22) of aluminum (26) and a non-conductive material (24) and a method of forming the layer (20) are described. A first embodiment comprises a method of forming a composite layer (101) comprising combining a non-conductive material (24) and aluminum (26) to form a composite (22), and electrochemically oxidizing (103) the aluminum (26) on a surface of the composite (22) to form aluminum oxide (28). In a particular embodiment, the non-conductive material (24) is diamond. In other particular embodiments, the step of combining (101) the non-conductive material (24) and aluminum (26) comprises at least one of cold spraying and electrolytic codeposition. In another particular embodiment, the oxidizing step (103) comprises anodizing. In yet another particular embodiment, the oxidizing step (103) comprises hard anodizing.

Abstract: Titania is dissolved in a hydrogen peroxide solution to produce an amorphous titania gel, then the amorphous titania gel and a hydrogen peroxide solution are mixed together to produce an amorphous titania sol, and then an alkali solution is supplied to the solution containing the amorphous titania sol to thereby adjust a pH of the solution to 2 to 10. Even if the obtained solution containing amorphous titania is, for example, left to stand at normal temperature for a long time, gelling or aggregation of titania can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to obtain a titania solution that can maintain the state where fine particles of titania are highly dispersed in the solution, over a long term.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a titanium dioxide material for coating on a substrate and method of making the same. The coated material is resistant to delamination and can be used for air-purification purposes.

Abstract: Methods for producing metal/metalloid oxide particles comprise rare earth metals herein include reacting a reactant stream in a gas flow. The reactant stream includes a rare earth metal precursor and an oxygen source. A collection of particles comprising metal/metalloid oxide have an average particle size from about 15 nm to about 1 micron. The metal/metalloid oxide comprises a non-rare earth metal oxide wherein less than about 25 percent of a non-rare earth metal is substituted with a rare earth metal. The metal/metalloid oxide particles can be reacted with H2S or C2S to form corresponding metal/metalloid sulfide particles. The metal/metalloid sulfide particles can be doped with rare earth metals. The particles are useful as phosphors, for example for use in displays.

Abstract: A method to select and prepare polymorphs of materials by switching the polarization state of light employing non-photochemical laser-induced nucleation.

Abstract: Laser pyrolysis can be used to produce directly metal vanadium oxide composite nanoparticles. To perform the pyrolysis a reactant stream is formed including a vanadium precursor and a second metal precursor. The pyrolysis is driven by energy absorbed from a light beam- Metal vanadium oxide nanoparticles can be incorporated into a cathode of a lithium based battery to obtain increased energy densities. Implantable defibrillators can be constructed with lithium based batteries having increased energy densities.

Abstract: Tantalum and niobium aluminate mixed metal oxides may be made by a process comprising mixing a first metal compound selected from the group consisting of aluminum alkoxide, aluminum beta-diketonate, aluminum alkoxide beta-diketonate, and mixtures thereof with a second metal compound selected from the group consisting of niobium alkoxide, niobium beta-diketonate, niobium alkoxide beta-diketonate, tantalum alkoxide, tantalum beta-diketonate, tantalum alkoxide beta-diketonate, and mixtures thereof to provide a precursor and then hydrolyzing the mixture. The resulting mixed metal oxide may be used in a variety of components of integrated circuits.

Abstract: Tantalum and niobium aluminate mixed metal oxides may be made by a process comprising mixing a first metal compound selected from the group consisting of aluminum alkoxide, aluminum beta-diketonate, aluminum alkoxide beta-diketonate, and mixtures thereof with a second metal compound selected from the group consisting of niobium alkoxide, niobium beta-diketonate, niobium alkoxide beta-diketonate, tantalum alkoxide, tantalum beta-diketonate, tantalum alkoxide beta-diketonate, and mixtures thereof to provide a precursor and then hydrolyzing the mixture. The resulting mixed metal oxide may be used in a variety of components of integrated circuits.

Abstract: A process for hydrating CaO residues in fluidized bed combustor ashes that achieves a better level of hydration, which does not add significantly to the cost of the hydration process, which reduces the consumption of water in the hydration process, and which if desired can trap at least some of the CO2 in the furnace gasses, by using some of it to convert the hydrated CaO to CaCO3. This both reduces the amount of CO2 released to the atmosphere, and converts the potentially dangerous CaO in the ashes into an effectively inert and benign material. By exposing the ash/water mixture to sound under the correct conditions of frequency, and power input, it is possible to improve both the rate of hydration, and the level of hydration, of FBC ashes. The process can be carried out either batchwise or continuously, and does not require an extended time period.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for forming a sorbent-metal complex. The process includes oxidizing a sorbent precursor and contacting the sorbent precursor with a metallic species. The process further includes chemically reacting the sorbent precursor and the metallic species, thereby forming a sorbent-metal complex. In one particular aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the sorbent precursor is transformed into sorbent particles during the oxidation step. These sorbent particles then are contacted with the metallic species and chemically reacted with the metallic species, thereby forming a sorbent-metal complex. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a process for forming a sorbent metal complex in a combustion system. The process includes introducing a sorbent precursor into a combustion system and subjecting the sorbent precursor to an elevated temperature sufficient to oxidize the sorbent precursor and transform the sorbent precursor into sorbent particles.