Abstract: A hybrid battery with a sodium anode is designed for use at a range of temperatures where the sodium is solid and where the sodium is molten. When the battery is at colder temperatures or when the vehicle is idle and needs to be “started,” the anode will be solid sodium metal. At the same time, the battery is designed such that, once the electric vehicle has been “started” and operated for a short period of time, heat is directed to the battery to melt the solid sodium anode into a molten form. In other words, the hybrid battery operates under temperature conditions where the sodium is solid and under temperature conditions where the sodium is molten.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state sodium-based secondary cell (or rechargeable battery). While the secondary cell can include any suitable component, in some cases, the secondary cell comprises a solid sodium metal negative electrode that is disposed in a non-aqueous negative electrolyte solution that includes an ionic liquid. Additionally, the cell comprises a positive electrode that is disposed in a positive electrolyte solution. In order to separate the negative electrode and the negative electrolyte solution from the positive electrolyte solution, the cell includes a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane. Because the cell's negative electrode is in a solid state as the cell functions, the cell may operate at room temperature. Additionally, where the negative electrolyte solution contains the ionic liquid, the ionic liquid may impede dendrite formation on the surface of the negative electrode as the cell is recharged and sodium ions are reduced onto the negative electrode.

Abstract: Ketones, specifically Methyl ethyl ketone (“MEK”) and octanedione, may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a six carbon sugar and then reacting the sugar to form levulinic acid and formic acid. The levulinic acid and formic acid are then converted to an alkali metal levulinate and an alkali metal formate (such as, for example, sodium levulinate and sodium formate.) The alkali metal levulinate is placed in an anolyte along with hydrogen gas that is used in an electrolytic cell. The alkali metal levulinate within the anolyte is decarboxylated to form MEK radicals, wherein the MEK radicals react with hydrogen gas to form MEK, or MEK radicals react with each other to form octanedione. The alkali metal formate may also be decarboxylated in the cell, thereby forming hydrogen radicals that react with the MEK radicals to form MEK.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering a therapeutic is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a syringe having a barrel and a plunger and having an ozone generator associated therewith. The generator is initiated and a therapeutic gas is accumulated within the barrel, at which point it can be delivered from the barrel into a target site via a needle, thereby delivering therapeutic effects to that target site.

Abstract: Methods, equipment, and reagents for preparing organic compounds using custom electrolytes based on different ionic liquids in electrolytic decarboxylation reactions are disclosed.

Abstract: A NaSICON cell is used to convert carbon dioxide into a usable, valuable product. In general, this reaction occurs at the cathode where electrons are used to reduce the carbon dioxide, in the presence of water and/or hydrogen gas, to form formate, methane, ethylene, other hydrocarbons and/or other chemicals. The particular chemical that is formed depends upon the reaction conditions, the voltage applied, etc.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur, nitrogen or metals from an oil feedstock (such as heavy oil, bitumen, shale oil, etc.) The method involves reacting the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and a radical capping substance. The alkali metal reacts with the metal, sulfur or nitrogen content to form one or more inorganic products and the radical capping substance reacts with the carbon and hydrogen content to form a hydrocarbon phase. The inorganic products may then be separated out from the hydrocarbon phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incinerating a medical waste material. The method includes introducing a volume of the medical waste material into a plasma zone of a non-thermal plasma generator. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the non-thermal plasma generator. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the non-thermal plasma generator to incinerate the medical waste material.

Abstract: A method of upgrading an oil feedstock by removing heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals from the oil feedstock composition. This method reacts the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and an upgradant hydrocarbon. The alkali metal reacts with a portion of the heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals to form an inorganic phase separable from the organic oil feedstock material. The upgradant hydrocarbon bonds to the oil feedstock material and increases the number of carbon atoms in the product. This increase in the number of carbon atoms of the product increases the energy value of the resulting oil feedstock.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a hexose sugar. The hexose sugar may be derived from biomass. The hexose sugar is reacted to form an alkali metal levulinate, an alkali metal valerate, an alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or an alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. An anolyte is then prepared for use in a electrolytic cell. The anolyte contains the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. The anolyte is then decarboxylated. This decarboxylating operates to decarboxylate the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate to form radicals, wherein the radicals react to form a hydrocarbon fuel compound.

Abstract: A process to facilitate gravimetric separation of alkali metal salts, such as alkali metal sulfides and polysulfides, from alkali metal reacted hydrocarbons. The disclosed process is part of a method of upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock by removing heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals from the hydrocarbon feedstock composition. This method reacts the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and an upgradant hydrocarbon. The alkali metal reacts with a portion of the heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals to form an inorganic phase containing alkali metal salts and reduced heavy metals, and an upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock. The inorganic phase may be gravimetrically separated from the upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock after mixing at a temperature between about 350° C. to 400° C. for a time period between about 15 minutes and 2 hours.

Abstract: A system and process to make cyclic, saturated hydrocarbons from aromatic hydrocarbon intermediates from catalyzed nonoxidative dehydroaromatization (DHA) of methane. The system includes two reaction zones, one containing a dehydroaromatization catalyst and a second containing a hydrogenation catalyst. Methane reacts in the first reaction zone with the DHA catalyst resulting in aromatic hydrocarbons concomitantly produced with hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is removed and introduced to the second reaction zone with the aromatic hydrocarbon to reductively produce saturated, cyclic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molten sodium secondary cell. In some cases, the secondary cell includes a sodium metal negative electrode, a positive electrode compartment that includes a positive electrode disposed in a molten positive electrolyte comprising Na—FSA (sodium-bis(fluorosulonyl)amide), and a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane that separates the negative electrode from the positive electrolyte. One disclosed example of electrolyte membrane material includes, without limitation, a NaSICON-type membrane. The positive electrode includes a sodium intercalation electrode. Non-limiting examples of the sodium intercalation electrode include NaxMnO2, NaxCrO2, NaxNiO, and NaxFey(PO4)z. The cell is functional at an operating temperature between about 100° C. and about 150° C., and preferably between about 110° C. and about 130° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molten sodium secondary cell. In some cases, the secondary cell includes a sodium metal negative electrode, a positive electrode compartment that includes a positive electrode disposed in a molten positive electrolyte comprising Na-FSA (sodium-bis(fluorosulonyl)amide), and a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane that separates the negative electrode from the positive electrolyte. One disclosed example of electrolyte membrane material includes, without limitation, a NaSICON-type membrane. Non-limiting examples of the positive electrode include Ni, Zn, Cu, or Fe. The cell is functional at an operating temperature between about 100° C. and about 150° C., and preferably between about 110° C. and about 130° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical cell that includes an anolyte compartment housing an anode electrode; a catholyte compartment housing a cathode electrode; and a solid alkali ion conductive electrolyte membrane separating the anolyte compartment from the cathode compartment. In some cases, the electrolyte membrane is selected from a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane and a lithium ion conductive membrane. In some cases, the at least one of anode or the cathode includes an alkali metal intercalation material.

Abstract: Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali monosulfide and polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali monosulfide, an alkali polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte includes molten alkali metal. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfide and polysulfide in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Liquid sulfur separates from the anolyte solution and may be recovered. The electrolytic cell is operated at a temperature where the formed alkali metal and sulfur are molten.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering a therapeutic is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a syringe having a barrel and a plunger and having an ozone generator associated therewith. The generator is initiated and a therapeutic gas is accumulated within the barrel, at which point it can be delivered from the barrel into a target site via a needle, thereby delivering therapeutic effects to that target site.

Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an anode containing lithium and a cathode comprising elemental sulfur. The cathode may include at least one solvent selected to at least partially dissolve the elemental sulfur and Li2Sx. A substantially non-porous lithium-ion-conductive membrane is provided between the anode and the cathode to keep sulfur or other reactive species from migrating therebetween. In certain embodiments, the lithium-sulfur battery may include a separator between the anode and the non-porous lithium-ion-conductive membrane. This separator may prevent the lithium in the anode from reacting with the non-porous lithium-ion-conductive membrane. In certain embodiments, the separator is a porous separator infiltrated with a lithium-ion-conductive electrolyte.

Abstract: A battery cell is described that has an anode made of an alkali metal or alkali metal alloy, an alkali metal conductive membrane, and a cathode compartment that houses a hydrogen evolving cathode and a catholyte. The catholyte has dissolved salt comprising cations of the alkali metal. The battery also includes a zone where hydrogen may vent from the catholyte and a zone where water may transport into the catholyte. The zone where water may transport into the catholyte restricts the transport of ions. The battery may be operated (1) in freshwater where there is low ion-conductivity and (2) in seawater where there is a quantity of cations (such as sodium ions) that are incompatible with the alkali metal conductive membrane. The battery is designed such that the alkali metal conductive membrane is protected from cations that operate to foul the alkali metal conductive membrane.

Abstract: A method that produces coupled radical products. The method involves obtaining a sodium salt of a sulfonic acid (R—SO3—Na). The alkali metal salt is then used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane). When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the sulfonic acid desulfoxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon. The produced hydrocarbon may be, for example, saturated, unsaturated, branched, or unbranched, depending upon the starting material.