Abstract: The present invention provides for a method to increase the triplet yield of a photosensitizer by the coupling to metal surface plasmons which leads to increased singlet oxygen generation by electric field enhancement or enhanced energy absorption of the photosensitizer. The extent of singlet oxygen enhancement can be tuned for applications in singlet oxygen based clinical therapy by modifying plasmon coupling parameters, such as metallic nanoparticle size and shape, photosensitizer/metallic nanoparticle distance, and the excitation wavelength of the coupling photosensitizer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for electrolessly depositing Co, Ni, or alloys thereof onto a substrate in manufacture of microelectronic devices. Grain refiners, levelers, oxygen scavengers, and stabilizers for electroless Co and Ni deposition solutions.

Abstract: A new photocatalyst, which is high in visible light response, is great in quantum efficiency, and is more excellent in photocatalytic activity, is provided. A composite metal oxide, prepared combining two photocatalytic systems of TiO2 and BiVO4, including elements of Bi, Ti, and Vi as composition elements, can be a photocatalyst having a high activity under visible light. Particularly, BiTiVO6, which is obtained at a compounding ratio of 1:1, can be a photocatalyst having a remarkably high activity under visible light. Moreover, a composite metal oxide expressed by a general formula BiTiMO6 (in the formula, M represents at least one element selected from a group consisting of V, Nb, and Ta) can be a photocatalyst having a high activity under visible light.

Abstract: A fuel stabilization unit includes an electrochemical device for promoting the formation of water utilizing oxygen from a fuel stream for generating an oxygen partial pressure differential across an oxygen permeable membrane.

Abstract: A method for making super-oxygenated and structured water that includes receiving water from a source, preconditioning the water for electrolysis, performing electrolysis on the preconditioned water to produce alkaline water, combining the alkaline water with oxygen, spinning the alkaline water/oxygen combination, outputting super-oxygenated, tuned and structured water, receiving the super-oxygenated and structured water into a coil system and passing the water therethrough, combining water output by the coil system with structured ozone, inputting the combined water and structured ozone to a multicoil system and passing the water therethrough and outputting super-oxygenated, tuned and structured water.

Abstract: A reverse synthetic strategy for making organic non-linear optical chromophores involves building up the chromophore from the electron-withdrawing end toward the electron-donating end.

Abstract: Transparent monolithic aerogels based on silica, the bioderived polymer chitosan, and coordinated ions are employed to serve as a three-dimensional scaffold decorated with metal ions such as Au, Pt and Pd ions. It has also been found that the metal aerogels, such as Au(III) aerogels, can be imaged photolytically to produce nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for the ultra-fast photodissociation of water molecules into H2 and O2 gases is presented. Water vapor is initially produced and supplied to a photolysis bottle. Within the photolysis bottle, the water vapor is illuminated by a light signal to dissociate H2 and O2 gases from the water vapor. The dissociated H2 and O2 gases are radiated with an RF signal to inhibit recombination of the dissociated H2 and O2 gases, and the dissociated H2 and O2 gases are subsequently recovered.

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 photocatalyst including a metal oxide semiconductor represented by the formula: In1?xMxAO4 wherein M represents a transition metal element, A represents an element belonging to the Group 5a of the Periodic Table and x is a number greater than 0 but smaller than 1.

Abstract: Nonlinear optically active compounds, methods for making nonlinear optically active compounds, compounds useful for making nonlinear optically active compounds, methods for making compounds useful for making nonlinear optically active compounds, macrostructures that include nonlinear optically active components, and devices including the nonlinear optically active compounds and the macrostructures.

Abstract: To measure or exert optically-induced forces on at least one particle in the focus of an optical cage, the following steps are taken: a) the focus is positioned in a microelectrode arrangement with a three-dimensional electrical field that has a field gradient which forms an electrical capture area, and the focus is at a distance from the capture are and b) the amplitude of the electrical field, the light power of the light beam forming the optical cage, and/or the distance of the capture area from the focus are varied to detect which varied field property moves the particle from the focus to the capture area or vice versa, or at least to temporarily move the particle into the capture area.

Abstract: The present invention is a high volume, wall-mountable air sanitation apparatus for disinfecting and removing VOCs from air with high energy UV light and ozone. The apparatus has a powerful fan and an elongated UV light source and target for use with the movement of a large volume of air. The target includes a mesh and a secondary target both comprising a target compound which creates hydro-peroxides, super oxide ions and hydroxyl radicals in the presence of water also for removing pollutants in the air.

Abstract: Contaminated water is disinfected by admixture of a highly reactive gas stream containing ions of oxygen and nitrogen, formed by exposure of air to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation, and of chlorine, formed by electrolysis of a brine solution. Solids removal can be accomplished by electrophoresis in the same unit employed for electrolysis of brine to release chlorine, or in a separate unit.

Abstract: A method of producing calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate is disclosed, including the steps of exposing a mixture including a calcium sulfate form selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcium sulfate &bgr;-hemihydrate, water-soluble calcium sulfate anhydrite, and mixtures thereof, water, and a crystallization catalyst, to microwave radiation to produce calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate; and separating at least a portion of the calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate to provide a solid comprising calcium sulfate &agr;-hemihydrate and a filtrate and/or remainder that can be recycled to provide at least one of a calcium sulfate form, water, a crystallization catalyst, a crystal habit modifier, and a surfactant for use in production of additional &agr;-hemihydrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for electrolyzing water for enhanced production of oxygen, hydrogen and heat by the steps of (i) providing an electrochemical cell comprising an isotopic hydrogen storage cathode, an electrically conductive anode and an ionically conducting electrolyte comprising water, and (ii) impressing a repeating sequence of voltages across the cathode and anode comprised of at least two cell voltage regimes, a first cell voltage regime consisting of a voltage sufficient to enhance cathodic absorption of hydrogen, and a second cell voltage regime consisting of at least one voltage pulse which is at least two times the voltage of the first cell voltage regime for a total duration no greater than 0.10 seconds.

Abstract: Contaminated water, particularly, ballast water, blackwater, galley water, accommodation water, laundry water, fresh water and seawater, is disinfected by admixture of a highly reactive gas stream containing ions of oxygen and nitrogen, formed by exposure of air to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation, and of chlorine, formed in situ by electrolysis of salt in the water. Solids removal can be accomplished by electrophoresis in the same unit employed for electrolysis to release chlorine, or in a separate unit. Heavy metals maybe removed by plating or sacrificing electrodes.

Abstract: A composite metal material of formula (I) are stable and not deteriorated for a long time and have excellent activities in photolyzing water with visible light: x(A)y(B)z(C)-p(P)n(N)  (I) wherein, (A) is Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 or Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3, (B) is PbTiO3, (C) is LiTaO3, (P) is a metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Au, Ag, Pd and Rh, (N) is an oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Fe, Sr, Sc, Ru, Cu and Cd, x is a number in the range of 0.65 to 0.98, y is a number in the range of 0.01 to 0.34, z is a number in the range of 0.01 to 0.1, and p and n are each independently a number in the range of 0.01 to 5.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for generating ozone from oxygen or air with irradiation such as from an electron beam. A means for cooling and preferentially positioning oxygen or air to increase ozone yield efficiency and concentration is employed. The disclosed method and apparatus may also be used for other process applications including waste gas and wastewater decontamination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decomposing bromate ions contained in a liquid. The method includes the sequential steps of bringing the liquid into contact with a photocatalyst; and irradiating the photocatalyst with a light ray having an energy that is not lower than that of a band gap of the photocatalyst, thereby generating a photocatalytic reaction to decompose the bromate ions. The invention further relates to an apparatus for decomposing bromate ions contained in a liquid. The apparatus includes a first section for generating therein a photocatalytic reaction to decompose the bromate ions; a photocatalyst adapted to be brought into contact with the liquid in the first section; and a light source for irradiating the photoacatalyst with the light ray such that the photocatalytic reaction is generated in the first section when the photocatalyst is in contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A process for reacting a molecule using light as an energy source is described which comprises exposing the molecule to a catalyst material, the catalyst material in contact with an illuminated, quantum confined Group IV semiconductor domain of silicon or germanium. The Group IV semiconductor domain having a band gap greater than bulk silicon and sufficiently large for reacting the molecule. The process is particularly useful in decomposing water into hydrogen and oxygen, as well as photocatalytically degrading pollutants in a waste stream. A device based on a Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles for conducting photo electrochemistry is also disclosed.

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: An amorphous potassium aluminosilicate filtration media which may be mixed with activated carbon filters water to remove oxygen, chlorines, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, sodium sulfite and other contaminants. The particular sodium aluminosilicate is a porous amorphous material formed under ultraviolet light or sunlight to produce pore sizes of 60 Å to 250 Å at ambient temperatures (20° C.-35° C.) and low relative humidity (5%-20%). The media is initially formed as a microporous primarily amorphous gel containing Na2O, Al2O3, SiO2 and H2O. The sodium therein is displaced by potassium, whereby the filter removes impurities from water without introducing sodium. The potassium aluminosilicate may be a second stage filter to a first stage filter composed of a strong base anion media charged with potassium carbonate and/or bicarbonate.

Abstract: Tin oxide nanoparticles were produced with tin in a variety of oxidation states. In particular, nanoparticles of single phase, crystalline SnO2 were produced. Preferred tin oxide nanoparticles have an average diameter from about 5 nm to about 100 nm with an extremely narrow distribution of particle diameters. The tin oxide nanoparticles can be produced in significant quantities using a laser pyrolysis apparatus. Nanoparticles produced by laser pyrolysis can be subjected to further processing to change the properties of the particles without destroying the nanoscale size of the particles. The nanoscale tin oxide particles are useful for the production of transparent electrodes for use in flat panel displays.

Abstract: A method of forming oxide from nitride, in which the oxidation is enhanced by illuminating the nitride material with UV light. This method produces a rapid growth of oxide and allows for the monitoring of the oxide thickness in situ. The method comprises the steps of (i) placing the nitride material on an illuminating holder; (ii) dipping the nitride material and the illuminating holder in an electrolyte; and (iii) illuminating the nitride material with a light having an energy larger than the energy gap of the nitride material. The nitride material can be connected to a conductive electrode located in the electrolyte via a galvanometer to monitor a photo current generated by the oxidation of the nitride material so as to monitor the thickness of the oxide formed on the nitride material in situ. A metal coating can be coated on the nitride material to define the oxide forming region. The pH value of the electrolyte is in a range of approximately 3 to 10, and is preferably about 3.5.

Abstract: A method of purifying fluids in which a filter is disposed at sufficient depth in a channel, a fluid is electrolyzed to produce a gas, and expansion of the gas is used to raised the filtrate upwards. The methods are contemplated to be particularly useful with salty or brackish feed fluids, and in which the channel provides a head pressure equivalent to a depth of at least 100 meters, or more preferably several hundred meters. The electrolysis preferably employs a catalyst, and produces hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: Controlled generation of ozone is provided by flowing air around an electrodeless low pressure discharge lamp having high ultraviolet transmission properties. Power to the lamp is controlled by a circuit that is driven by a photocell for detecting visible light emissions from a phosphor triggered by ultraviolet radiation from the lamp upon the phosphor.