Abstract: The multi-layered membrane (100) for separating oil and water includes a porous top layer (110), a porous bottom layer (130), and a particulate middle layer (120) positioned between the top layer (110) and the bottom layer (130), the middle layer (120) being hydrophobic and adapted for adsorbing oil, such as trace amounts of oil, that may pass through the top layer (110). The top layer (110) and the bottom layer (130) are hydrophilic and oleophobic. While the membrane (100) does not require any external pressure other than the gravitational forces exerted on the oil/water mixture W to drive the filtration of the oil/water mixture W through the membrane (100), the filtration can be driven by a vacuum or other type of external pressure.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for producing carbon and syngas from carbon dioxide (CO2). The system includes a first reactor (7) for producing solid carbon (15) from a feed including CO2 and a volatile organic compound such as methane (1), and a second reactor (20) for producing syngas. Reactions in the first reactor (7) are conducted in a limited oxygen atmosphere. The second reactor (20) can use dry reforming, steam reforming, and/or partial oxidation reforming to produce the syngas (22).

Abstract: The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction includes nanosheets of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) deposited on a carbon fiber substrate. The catalyst is formed in stepwise fashion by chemical vapor deposition of nanosheets of MoO3 onto the substrate, then reducing the MoO3 to nanosheets of MoO2 using sublimed sulfur, then by reaction of sulfur vapor with the MoO2 to form nanosheets of MoS2 on the carbon fiber substrate. The catalyst is multifaceted, having a large density of edges providing catalytically active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The activity of the catalyst is enhanced by coating the catalyst with spherical fullerenes (nC60).

Abstract: The organic semiconductor polymers relate to polymers containing an indolo-naphthyridine-6,13-dione thiophene (INDT) chromophore. The organic semiconductor polymers are formed by polymerizing INDT monomer with thiophene to obtain a conjugated polymer of the chromophore linked by thiophene monomers (INDT-T), with phenyl to obtain a conjugated polymer of the chromophore linked by phenyl monomers (INDT-P), with selenophene to obtain a conjugated polymer of the chromophore linked by selenophene monomers (INDT-S), or with benzothiadazole to obtain a conjugated polymer of the chromophore linked by benzothiadazole monomers (INDT-BT).

Abstract: The orthophosphate electrodes for rechargeable batteries include an anode and a cathode, each formed from an orthophosphate material, for use in a conventional electrolytic cell-type rechargeable battery. The orthophosphate anode is an anode formed from an orthophosphate material having the formula A2T2B(PO4)3, and the orthophosphate cathode is a cathode formed from an orthophosphate material having the formula A3T2B(PO4)3, where A represents an alkali metal and T and B each represent a transition metal. The alkali metal may be lithium (Li) sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), monovalent cations thereof, or combinations thereof and each transition metal may be titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The metal-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of a lactone is a method of alkoxycarbonylating a ?-lactone, specifically 3-ethylidene-6-vinyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-one. The method includes combining the ?-lactone with an alcohol in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system that includes palladium or a salt thereof to form a reaction mixture, which is heated to 110-130° C. at a pressure of 20-50 bar for between 3-5 hours under flow of carbon monoxide gas. The product of the reaction is a substituted 2-octendioate diester. The alcohol may be methyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, 2-ethylhexanol, isobutyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, or phenol. The solvent may be toluene, acetonitrile, or tetrahydrofuran. The method may include adding an acid to the reaction mixture, which may be dilute (about 5 mol %) sulfuric or p-toluenesulfonic acid. The catalyst system may also include a phosphine ligand.

Abstract: The two-dimensional metal carbide desalination membrane includes a stack of two-dimensional metal carbide layers. A two-dimensional metal carbide included in the two-dimensional metal carbide layers may have the formula Ti3C2Tx, where T represents a terminating functional group, and x represents a number of the terminating functional groups. The terminating group may be oxygen, hydroxide (OH), fluorine or combinations thereof. The two-dimensional metal carbide desalination membrane includes nano-channels which are selectively permeable to ions. The two-dimensional metal carbide desalination membrane is selectivity permeable to a number of different cations, including Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+ and Al3+, with counter Cl? anions. Permeation rates depend on the charges of the cations and the ions' hydrated radius, with a critical point around 4.0 ?. The two-dimensional metal carbide desalination membranes can be used as desalination and/or water filtration membranes.

Abstract: The cross-layer time synchronization method is a cross-layer synchronization approach that utilizes a timing recovery module at a physical layer (PHY), derives the information about the clock frequency offset from the timestamp-embedded message, and exploits it for synchronization at the higher layers. This approach either results in minimizing the cost of synchronization resulting in energy efficiency or improving the accuracy of the clock parameters' estimates by exploiting the PHY information. Some applications of this cross-layer technique include, but are not limited to, energy efficient wireless networks, cooperative networks or distributed MIMO networks.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an iron-modified montmorillonite adsorbent for effectively removing heavy metals from water. The iron modified montmorillonite can be synthesized using a facile intercalation wet synthesis procedure that requires low energy and minimal use of chemicals. The iron modified montmorillonite adsorbent effectively removes heavy metals, such as arsenite, strontium, barium, phosphate, from water.

Abstract: The dispiro-oxepine/dispiro-thiapine derivatives for optoelectronic semiconductors is a compound based on a structure having a functionalized dispiro compound of formula (Ia) or (Ib) with the core unit being a seven-membered heterocycle oxepine or thiapine, the derivative being formed by combining (Ia) or (Ib): with two moities selected from K1 and K2: The derivative is used as a hole transporting material in an optoelectronic and/or photoelectrochemical device.

Abstract: The antimicrobial agent includes at least one two-dimensional metal carbide layer. The two-dimensional metal carbide has the formula Tin+1CnTx, where T represents a terminal functional group and x represents the number of terminal functional groups. The two-dimensional metal carbide is preferably Ti3C2Tx. The terminating group may be oxygen, hydroxide (OH), fluorine or combinations thereof. The antimicrobial agent may be used as a two-dimensional metal carbide antimicrobial membrane (10) or filter for removal of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and B. subtilis. A stack of two-dimensional metal carbide layers (14) may be supported on a polymer filter substrate (12), such as a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) supporting substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for advanced oxidation (10) of treated sewage effluent provide additional treatment to treated sewage effluent (TSE) for reuse thereof. The method includes exposing TSE to ozone and hydrogen peroxide to oxidize contaminants; coagulating remaining waste in the TSE; flocculating the coagulated TSE; holding the flocculated treated sewage effluent in a settling tank for sedimentation; removing coarse suspended particles from the flocculated TSE by filtration after sedimentation; and removing fine suspended particles by ultrafiltration of the TSE after removing the coarse suspended particles. The system includes a chemical mixing tank (16); a homogenizing tank (22); an advanced oxidation process system (24); a rapid mixer; a flocculation tank (28); a sedimentation tank (32); a sand filter (34); and at least one ultrafiltration system (38), (36).

Abstract: The hybrid desalination system (10) includes a reverse osmosis filtration system (14), a forward osmosis filtration system (18), and a multi-effect distillation system (16). A condenser (12) receives seawater (S) and produces cooled seawater (CS). The cooled seawater (CS) is filtered by the reverse osmosis filtration system (14), which outputs a first brine reject stream (BR1) and a permeate stream (P). The multi-effect distillation system (16) outputs a second brine reject stream (BR2). A feed side (20) of the forward osmosis filtration system (18) receives the first brine reject stream (BR1), and the second brine reject stream (BR2) is received by the draw side (22), which outputs diluted brine (DB). The multi-effect distillation system (16) is in fluid communication with the forward osmosis filtration system (18) and recycles the diluted brine (DB). The multi-effect distillation system (16) outputs a return condensate (RC) and a pure water distillate (D).

Abstract: The system for camera control in robotic and laparoscopic surgery (100) includes a head tracking system (130) for tracking movements of an operator's head during laparoscopic surgery, a robotic laparoscope holder (110) operatively engaged to a laparoscope (200), an interface workstation (120) having a processor (540) and inputs connecting the sensor signal and the servo control system (515) signals to the processor (540), and a clutch switch (180) connected to the processor (540) for activating and inactivating the interface workstation (120). The head tracking system (130) includes at least one optical marker (415) to be worn on the operator's head and an optical tracker (410) for detecting movement of the at least one optical marker (415) and transmitting a corresponding sensor signal. The laparoscope includes an articulating distal portion (214), a tip (216), and a camera (150) disposed at the tip (150).

Abstract: The geo-security method and system uses spatio-temporal radio channel information during authentication to grant permission to access, use and/or operate the intended device. The geo-security method and system uses a wideband radio channel impulse response (or transfer function of radio channel) from antenna of RF source to antenna of a RF receiver at the device position to determine the legitimacy of the intended device's location.

Abstract: The flexible dust shield (10) is a dust cover for repelling dust particles from a photovoltaic solar collector panel, the exposed glass surfaces of a high-rise building façade or the like by action of an electric field. The dust shield (10) includes a pattern of electrodes (12) made from a conductive ink, such as silver ink or carbon ink, which is printed on a flexible substrate (14) made from a thermoplastic film. A cover sheet (16) of thermoplastic film is laminated to the substrate (14) over the pattern of electrodes (12). The electrodes (12) are adapted for attachment to a single phase or multi-phase alternating current signal, which generates an electric field for repelling dust particles.

Abstract: The hybrid desalination system is a desalination system for seawater which uses both filtering and treatment from a reverse osmosis filter system as well as evaporative distillation for the production of potable water. The hybrid desalination system includes a recovery system, which may be a reverse osmosis system, a forward osmosis system, or a combination thereof, for at least partially desalinating a volume of saltwater and outputting a treated fluid. A boiler is in fluid communication with the recovery system for receiving the treated fluid and producing pure water by evaporative desalination. The boiler includes an internal heating coil for passing a heated working fluid therethrough. A collection tank is in communication with to the boiler for receiving the pure water. At least one solar parabolic trough is in fluid communication with the internal heating coil of the boiler for heating the heated working fluid.

Abstract: The cross-layer time synchronization method is a cross-layer synchronization approach that utilizes a timing recovery module at a physical layer (PHY), derives the information about the clock frequency offset from the timestamp-embedded message, and exploits it for synchronization at the higher layers. This approach either results in minimizing the cost of synchronization resulting in energy efficiency or improving the accuracy of the clock parameters' estimates by exploiting the PHY information. Some applications of this cross-layer technique include, but are not limited to, energy efficient wireless networks, cooperative networks or distributed MIMO networks.

Abstract: The flexible dust shield (10) is a dust cover for repelling dust particles from a photovoltaic solar collector panel, the exposed glass surfaces of a high-rise building façade or the like by action of an electric field. The dust shield (10) includes a pattern of electrodes (12) made from a conductive ink, such as silver ink or carbon ink, which is printed on a flexible substrate (14) made from a thermoplastic film. A cover sheet (16) of thermoplastic film is laminated to the substrate (14) over the pattern of electrodes (12). The electrodes (12) are adapted for attachment to a single phase or multi-phase alternating current signal, which generates an electric field for repelling dust particles.

Abstract: The flow battery utilizing caustic waste includes at least one battery cell (100), which is formed from an ion-exchange membrane (106) disposed between porous anode and cathode electrode layers (108, 104). A cathode bipolar plate (102) is positioned adjacent the porous cathode electrode layer (104) and, similarly, an anode bipolar plate (110) is positioned adjacent the porous anode electrode layer (108). The anode bipolar plate (110) is adapted for receiving spent caustic waste and transporting the spent caustic waste to the anode electrode layer (108), and the cathode bipolar plate (102) is adapted for receiving an oxidant and transporting the oxidant to the porous cathode electrode layer (104) for generation of electricity while converting the spent caustic waste (303) into fresh caustic (306).