Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are methods and processes for the removal of cadmium (Cd) from wet-process phosphoric acid that may contain Cd, including excessive amounts of Cd. The process developed is based on the application of commercially available ion exchange resins with the application of Continuous Ion Exchange (CIX) technology. In alternative embodiments, provided are processes and methods for the recovery and/or the removal of cadmium from wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange approach. In alternative embodiments, use of processes and methods as provided herein allows for the reduction of cadmium metal contaminants with minimal phosphate losses and dilution in order to produce a phosphoric acid that is suitable for the production of fertilizers and phosphoric acid products, such as world-class diammonium phosphate fertilizer (DAP), merchant-grade phosphoric acid, super-phosphoric acid, and other phosphoric acid products.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are methods and processes for the removal of cadmium (Cd) from wet-process phosphoric acid that may contain Cd, including excessive amounts of Cd. The process developed is based on the application of commercially available ion exchange resins with the application of Continuous Ion Exchange (CIX) technology. In alternative embodiments, provided are processes and methods for the recovery and/or the removal of cadmium from wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange approach. In alternative embodiments, use of processes and methods as provided herein allows for the reduction of cadmium metal contaminants with minimal phosphate losses and dilution in order to produce a phosphoric acid that is suitable for the production of fertilizers and phosphoric acid products, such as world-class diammonium phosphate fertilizer (DAP), merchant-grade phosphoric acid, super-phosphoric acid, and other phosphoric acid products.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are methods and processes for the removal of cadmium (Cd) from wet-process phosphoric acid that may contain Cd, including excessive amounts of Cd. The process developed is based on the application of commercially available ion exchange resins with the application of Continuous Ion Exchange (CIX) technology. In alternative embodiments, provided are processes and methods for the recovery and/or the removal of cadmium from wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange approach. In alternative embodiments, use of processes and methods as provided herein allows for the reduction of cadmium metal contaminants with minimal phosphate losses and dilution in order to produce a phosphoric acid that is suitable for the production of fertilizers and phosphoric acid products, such as world-class diammonium phosphate fertilizer (DAP), merchant-grade phosphoric acid, super-phosphoric acid, and other phosphoric acid products.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product.

Abstract: A horizontal-motion vibration isolator utilizes a plurality of bent flexures to support an object to be isolated from horizontal motion. Each bent flexure includes a fixed end coupled to a base and a floating end which is cantilevered and coupled to the object being isolated. The arrangement of bent flexures allows the vertical height of the isolator to be reduced without compromising vibration isolation performance. Compressed springs or spring-like elements can be added to bear some of the weight of the object being isolated thus increasing the payload capacity of the isolator.

Abstract: A horizontal-motion vibration isolator utilizes a plurality of bent flexures to support an object to be isolated from horizontal motion. Each bent flexure includes a fixed end coupled to a base and a floating end which is cantilevered and coupled to the object being isolated. The arrangement of bent flexures allows the vertical height of the isolator to be reduced without compromising vibration isolation performance. Compressed springs or spring-like elements can be added to bear some of the weight of the object being isolated thus increasing the payload capacity of the isolator.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product.

Abstract: A horizontal-motion vibration isolator utilizes a plurality of bent flexures to support an object to be isolated from horizontal motion. Each bent flexure includes a fixed end coupled to a base and a floating end which is cantilevered and coupled to the object being isolated. The arrangement of bent flexures allows the vertical height of the isolator to be reduced without compromising vibration isolation performance. Compressed springs or spring-like elements can be added to bear some of the weight of the object being isolated thus increasing the payload capacity of the isolator.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for extracting and recovering rare earth materials from a wet-process phosphoric acid using one or more continuous ion exchange resin systems. In alternative embodiments, the method is particularly suited for use in extracting and recovering multiple rare earth materials present in low concentrations contained in wet-process phosphoric acid.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product.

Abstract: In particular, in alternative embodiments, the invention provides for a method to recover silicofluoride and phosphate species from wastewaters, or barometric condenser waters, that are typically utilized in wet-process phosphoric acid facilities. The species are recovered via a continuous ion exchange approach that allows for economic recovery of the materials and especially with the silicofluoride component allows for the production of valuable industrial materials such as hydrofluoric acid and other fluoride salts as well as industrial-grade precipitated silica materials. Return of the treated waste water to the phos-acid plant allows for optimization of reagent usage.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery or the removal of the so-called “Minor Elements” consisting of iron, aluminum and magnesium (expressed as oxides), from wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange approach. In alternative embodiments, use of processes and methods of the invention allows for the reduction of these Minor Elements with minimal phosphate losses and dilution in order to produce a phosphoric acid that is suitable for the production of fertilizer products such as world-class diammonium phosphate (DAP), merchant-grade phosphoric acid, superphosphoric acid, and other phosphoric acid products. Further, use of the invention would allow the use of lower grade phosphate rock or ore, which would greatly expand the potential phosphate rock reserve base for phosphate mining activities, and allow for better overall utilization of resources from a given developed mine site.

Abstract: A collimated laser beam is directed towards the wafer bottom such that the impinging light is partially forward deflected along the vias' bottom edges. Concentric laser interference fringes occur on the wafer top from constructive and destructive interference between the forward deflected and directly through propagating laser. A top down optical image from a number of vias' top openings and a top down fringe image from the same vias' concentric fringe sets are processed to three dimensionally characterize the vias.

Abstract: Negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be incorporated with structural devices that are used on spacecraft that provide thermal coupling between a vibrating source and a vibration-sensitive object. Negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be associated with a flexible conductive link (FCL) or “thermal strap” or “cold strap” to reduce the positive stiffness of the FCL. The negative-stiffness-producing mechanism can be loaded so as to create negative stiffness that will reduce or negate the natural positive stiffness inherent with the FCL. The FCL will still be able to provide maximum thermal conductance while achieving low or near-zero stiffness to maximize structural decoupling.

Abstract: A vertical-motion vibration isolator utilizes negative-stiffness-producing mechanism which includes a plurality of compressed flexures, each having a particular length in the compressed direction of the flexure and being oriented in a horizontal direction, wherein the plurality of compressed flexures are positioned relative to each other such that the length of each compressed flexure substantially overlaps the length of each of the other compressed flexures. At least some of the plurality of compressed flexures can be positioned in a stacked arrangement. The arrangement of compressed flexures forming a portion of the negative-stiffness mechanism can reduce the size of the isolator without compromising vibration isolation performance.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for extracting and recovering rare earth materials from a wet-process phosphoric acid using one or more continuous ion exchange resin systems. In alternative embodiments, the method is particularly suited for use in extracting and recovering multiple rare earth materials present in low concentrations contained in wet-process phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A vertical-motion vibration isolator utilizes negative-stiffness-producing mechanism which includes a plurality of compressed flexures, each having a particular length in the compressed direction of the flexure and being oriented in a horizontal direction, wherein the plurality of compressed flexures are positioned relative to each other such that the length of each compressed flexure substantially overlaps the length of each of the other compressed flexures. At least some of the plurality of compressed flexures can be positioned in a stacked arrangement. The arrangement of compressed flexures forming a portion of the negative-stiffness mechanism can reduce the size of the isolator without compromising vibration isolation performance.

Abstract: Negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be incorporated with structural devices that are used on spacecraft that provide thermal coupling between a vibrating source and a vibration-sensitive object. Negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be associated with a flexible conductive link (FCL) or “thermal strap” or “cold strap” to reduce the positive stiffness of the FCL. The negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be loaded so as to create negative stiffness that will reduce or negate the natural positive stiffness inherent with the FCL. The FCL will still be able to provide maximum thermal conductance while achieving low or near-zero stiffness to maximize structural decoupling.

Abstract: Negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be incorporated with structural devices that are used on spacecraft that provide thermal coupling between a vibrating source and a vibration-sensitive object. Negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be associated with a flexible conductive link (FCL) or “thermal strap” or “cold strap” to reduce the positive stiffness of the FCL. The negative-stiffness-producing mechanism can be loaded so as to create negative stiffness that will reduce or negate the natural positive stiffness inherent with the FCL. The FCL will still be able to provide maximum thermal conductance while achieving low or near-zero stiffness to maximize structural decoupling.