Abstract: Provided herein are new methods and apparatus for quantitative measurement and analysis of particles, including new apparatus systems to process and detect nanoparticles in suspension. By focusing a laser beam at the center of a reservoir, nanoparticles are concentrated by optical energy, and fluorescent intensity at the focal point of the laser is measured to quantify particle concentration in the reservoir. The techniques may be applied to the analysis of suspensions of nanoparticles, including natural particles (e.g., microorganisms including whole viruses, bacteria, animal cells, and proteins) and synthetic particles (e.g., colloidal latexes, paints, pigments, and metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles) for medical and industrial applications, among others.

Abstract: A new type of solid acid catalyst, which promises better catalytic performance than conventionally prepared supported metal oxides due to its precisely synthesized nanostructure has been described. The catalyst is nanoparticulate in form and is comprised of monolayers of tungstated zirconia of the formula, WOxZryO4-2y made by impregnating a support with zirconium and tungsten. The support catalyst is further characterized in having a tugsten monolayer between greater than 0001 W/nm2 to about 30 W/nm2.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatus to remove unwanted elements in commercial powders, and particularly in commercial powders that include one or more of a crystalline ceramic oxide. The methods involve treating powders in reduced pressure atmosphere, such as a vacuum, with or without heating, for a period of time sufficient to remove impurities. Impurities and contaminants, including anionic species, are removed from the powders without any undesirable changes in the physical characteristics of the starting material, such as particle size and particle size distribution, surface area, and volume, for example. The resulting purified powder starting material can be consolidated without the need for any sintering aids such as LiF to produce nearly colorless, extremely transparent polycrystalline articles that approach identical properties and performance of single crystal spinels.

Abstract: This application relates to pharmacologically-active vanilloid compounds which are useful for the treatment of various anti-inflammatory states characterized by inhibition of FAAH, such as, Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease, depression, pain, rheumatoid arthritis, pathophysiology of mood disorders, multiple sclerosis, and inflammation, or antagonism of TRPV1, such as, for example, Huntington's disease, hypertension, arthritis, allergic airway inflammation, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Three unique subtypes of N-hydroxyamides and N-hydroxycarbamates containing both the vanilloid moiety (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl) and a lipophilic aliphatic moiety. Also disclosed are direct syntheses of these vanilloid fatty hydroxamates. The compounds possess inhibitory activity against the enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and matrix metallo-proteinase 9 (MMP-9). In addition, these substances bind to the calcium channel protein TRPV1 and inhibit vesicant-induced inflammation in skin and cornea. The compounds have utility in treating topical or systemic inflammatory processes in the skin and/or eye.

Abstract: A biocompatible inorganic porous material having a three-dimensional coexistent network of interconnected macro-pores and nanopores produced by the steps of mixing an organic water-soluble polymer (e.g., polyethylene oxide or a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide), an alkoxysilane, and an inorganic water-soluble calcium salt in an aqueous acid solution, such that a sol-gel process of hydrolysis and polycondensation is initiated and thereby producing a gel; drying the gel to remove solvent by evaporation; and heating the gel to remove the polymer by thermal decomposition, thereby forming an inorganic porous material, which may be suitable for use as a bone tissue scaffold.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for use in wastewater treatment. In some examples, the systems and methods involve different combinations of ion exchange and membrane based systems and processes that can be used to remove radium and recover and purify barium and strontium salts to render the wastewater depleted of those regulated toxic metals. Treated wastewater having less than 12000 pCi/L of any of radium, barium or strontium is then subjected to tertiary treatment where it is subjected to processes in an evaporator/crystallizer which drives out water in the form of vapor, leaving behind salts of innocuous metals such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium, among others. In some examples, water vapor from the processes is condensed to produce water suitable for reuse, such as reuse in the hydro-fracturing process.

Abstract: A III-Nitride semiconductor LED provides broadband light emission, across all or most of the visible light wavelength spectrum, and a method for producing same. The LED includes a polarization field management template that has a three-dimensional patterned surface. The surface may be patterned with an array of hemispherical cavities, which may be formed by growing the template around a temporary template layer of spherical or other crystals. The method involves growing a quantum well layer on the patterned surface. The topographical variations in the patterned surface of the template cause corresponding topographical variations in the quantum well layer. These variations in spatial orientation of portions of the quantum well layer cause the polarization field of the quantum well layer to vary across the surface of the LED, which leads to energy transition shifting that provides “white” light emission across a broad wavelength spectrum.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for preparing nano-macroporous glass articles, such as bioscaffolds, from starting materials such as phosphosilicate glasses made by melt-quench methods, mixed with a soluble pore former such as a sugar, followed by steps of dissolving, heating, and leaching to yield a glass composition having a highly interconnected system of both macropores and large scale nanoporosity.

Abstract: Provided herein are new compact and miniature oxygen concentrator apparatus, as well as methods incorporating use of the apparatus. The apparatus and methods utilize selected cycle times, adsorbent specifications and novel conditions to produce a fast Pressure Swing Adsorption (“PSA”) system. The oxygen concentrator apparatus and methods herein have significant utility in the fields of biotechnology, engineering, and medicine. A particularly advantageous use of this invention is as a “snap on” portable oxygen concentrator, where piped compressed air is already available such as in civil and military hospitals, ambulances, air craft cabins, mobile fish tanks, etc. Those embodiments eliminate the need for dedicated moving machinery (blower, compressor, vacuum pump) normally associated with a conventional PSA oxygen concentrator.

Abstract: Boats and suspensions are provided, wherein the boat includes at least one hull, and at least one sponson, the at least one hull and at least one sponson connected by a shock-absorbing suspension member. The suspension greatly reduces the accelerations of the main hull, such that the hull accelerations are generally substantially less than the accelerations of the sponsons at selected speeds.

Abstract: Methods for rapid sensing of dissolved toxic heavy metals use a hybrid inorganic material (“HIM”), which is synthesized from hydrated iron oxide (“HFO”) and calcium magnesium silicate. HIM thus synthesized is used in sensing dissolved toxic heavy metals. Water containing toxic heavy metals (e.g., lead, copper, zinc, nickel, etc.) is passed through a sorbent bed of HIM, whereupon it shows a sharp drop in pH after a certain length of time. The presence of HFO and calcium magnesium silicates in HIM synergistically provide a precipitous drop in pH, which is characteristic of the concentration and type of toxic heavy metal. Therefore, observing a change in pH indicates the presence and identity of heavy metal ions in a test water sample.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of synthesizing large-pore periodic mesoporous quartz. Using the methods herein, large-pore periodic mesoporous quartz has been synthesized at a lower pressure and a temperature than in any previous mesoporous crystalline method, yielding a unique mesoporous article having crystalline pore walls. For example, the methods involve modified nanocasting methods using a mesoporous starting material comprising silica, carbon as a an infiltrating pore filler, followed by application of pressure and heat sufficient to crystallize silica in the infiltrated starting material to form a mesoporous crystalline article having crystalline pore walls therein, and useful in many applications, including as a catalyst.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatus for capturing or otherwise decreasing the amount of CO2 in an exhaust stream. The separation process for removing CO2 from a waste stream preferably operates substantially at atmospheric pressure and at a preselected temperature, and without the need of thermal swing regeneration. This novel elimination of the heat up and cool down periods allows the inventive cycle herein to be run faster, and more efficiently than in previously known systems. Further, in some examples herein, the heat of adsorption is used to provide the heat of regeneration.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first transistor in a common-collector configuration and a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) in a common-emitter configuration. The first transistor has a base coupled to an input node for receiving a pulsed signal. A collector of the first transistor is coupled to a first voltage source node. A base of the HBT is coupled to an emitter of the first transistor. A collector of the HBT is coupled to a second voltage source node configured to bias the HBT normally off. The HBT operating isothermally when the pulsed signal has a short-pulse width and a low duty cycle. The first transistor drives the HBT when the pulsed signal is received at the base of the first transistor to output an amplified pulsed signal at the collector of the HBT.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel nanoporous glass fibers, and methods of preparing and using such fibers. In some embodiments, articles are made from particular glass starting materials, such as soda-lime phosphosilicate glass fabricated by melt-quench methods. The articles include nanoporous fibers that can be used alone, or sewn, woven, bundled, and otherwise incorporated to form nanoporous articles, including bioactive articles.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first gain medium configured to be excited by an energy source and in response generate a first optical signal having first and second wavelengths. A Q-switch is disposed adjacent to the first gain medium for generating a pulsed optical signal in response to receiving the first optical signal. A non-linear optical crystal is configured to output a second optical signal having a frequency based on difference frequency generation of the first and second wavelengths of the pulsed optical signal.

Abstract: This invention discloses a stabilized biosolids composition and a method for the stabilization of biosolids. It entails the use of a chemically and biologically reactive material, in the form of ultrafine iron particles. The nanometer-sized iron particles are capable of degrading odorous organosulfur compounds, transforming persistent and toxic organic pollutants such as PCBs and chlorinated pesticides, inhibiting the growth of pathogens by increasing pH and maintaining the increased pH of the stabilized biosolids, immobilizing toxic metal ions such as mercury and lead, and improving the overall quality of biosolids for land application and plant growth.

Abstract: A tight emitting device comprises at least one p-type layer and at least one n-type layer and a microlens array surface. A method for improving light efficiency of a light emitting device, comprises depositing polystyrene microspheres by rapid convection deposition on surface of light emitting device; depositing a monolayer of close-packed SIO2 microspheres onto the polystyrene microspheres; and heal treating to convert the polystyrene microspheres into a planar microlayer film to provide a surface comprising substantially two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal close-packed SIO2 colloidal microsphere crystals partially imposed into a polystyrene monolayer film.

Abstract: Water-soluble dimethyl amino ethyl ether psoralens useful in the treatment of proliferative skin disorders, microbial infections and diseases, disorders of the blood and bone marrow of mammals and in microbiocidal compositions for sterilization of blood and blood products and surgical implants and inhibition of microbial growth in industrial applications are provided.