Abstract: A method, comprising i) contacting an aqueous solution of an organic ligand salt of the formula Ax(L?x) with a mesoporous material (MPM) to form an impregnated mesoporous salt material of the formula Ax(L?x)/MPM, ii) treating the impregnated mesoporous salt material with an aqueous acidic solution to form an impregnated mesoporous acid material of the formula Hx(L?x)/MPM, iii) contacting an aqueous solution of a metal precursor of the formula M+y(B)y with the impregnated mesoporous acid material to form an impregnated mesoporous metal organic framework precursor of the formula [M+y(B)y][Hx(L?x)]/MPM, and iv) at least one of 1) heating the impregnated mesoporous metal organic framework precursor in the absence of a solvent or 2) exposing the impregnated mesoporous metal organic framework precursor to a volatile vapor in the absence of a solvent such that the heating or the exposing forms a hybrid material of the formula (M+yL?x)/MPM, wherein the hybrid material comprises a nano-crystalline metal organic framew

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to delivery and release systems, such as core-shell particles. An exemplary composition according to the disclosure can include a degradable polymeric shell surrounding a core that includes a crosslinker, which can encompass a metal, such as chromium. The core-shell particles can be provided with a gel-forming polymer, such as a polyacrylamide, into a subterranean reservoir having conditions such that the shell of the core-shell polymer degrades, and the so-released metal is effective to at least partially crosslink the gel-forming polymer to form a gel. The so-formed gel can be effective to control water flow through the subterranean reservoir, such as in relation to a waterflood of the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for making a metal organic framework suspension is described herein. The method includes providing a hybrid material comprising a nano-crystalline metal organic framework comprising micropores and a mesoporous polymeric material comprising mesopores, wherein the nano-crystalline metal organic framework is homogeneously dispersed and substantially present only within the mesopores or void spaces of the mesoporous polymeric material; and wherein the hybrid material has a weight percentage of the metal organic framework in the range of 5-50% relative to the total weight of the hybrid material. The method includes contacting the hybrid material with a solvent in which the mesoporous polymeric material is soluble, thereby forming a polymeric solution in which the nano-crystalline metal organic framework is substantially homogeneously dispersed and suspended.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing an electronic smoking (e-smoking) device includes an electronic circuit for electronically activating an e-smoking device and causing the e-smoking device to generate a plurality of puffs by converting a wicking fluid therein into a plurality of puffs without a need for a human to physically contact the e-smoking device during puff generation, and a wireless controller for controlling the electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is configured for activating the e-smoking device to generate the plurality of puffs based on wireless signals received at the wireless controller. The apparatus is further configured for measuring a characteristic of the e-smoking device, which may include a rate of conversion of the wicking fluid to vapor as a function of time for the plurality of puffs.

Abstract: Described herein is a nanostructured silicon carbonaceous composite material and methods for producing the same. The methods include formation of a metal organic framework/silica (MOF/SiO2) intermediate material and conversion of the MOF/SiO2 intermediate material to the nanostructured silicon carbonaceous composite material. Relatively inexpensive and/or recycled materials can be used as precursors in manufacturing the nanostructured silicon carbon composition material, which can be used in various applications, including as silicon anode material in a lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: The present application discloses compounds of e.g. formulae (2), (1A), (1B) or (1C) as selective atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) modulators for the treatment of e.g. cancer, atherosclerotic vascular disease, cardiovascular diseases, fibrosis (e.g. cardiac fibrosis), inflammatory or autoimmune diseases and conditions, conditions of excessive or abnormal vascularization (e.g. wound healing), stem cell differentiation and mobilization disorders, brain and neuronal dysfunctions (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and demyelinating diseases), kidney dysfunction, renal dysfunction, preeclampsia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and obesity. Further provided are said compounds for use in methods for in vitro or ex vivo diagnosis, prediction, prognosis and/or monitoring of a disease or condition characterized by an aberrant level of ACKR3 polypeptide, as well as for use in in vitro methods for identifying an agent useful as a therapeutic. An exemplary compound is e.g. WW-1.

Abstract: A membrane assembly for separating a feed liquid into a permeate and a retentate includes a semipermeable membrane and conductive members for applying a voltage effective for charging a semipermeable surface of the membrane, thereby reducing or preventing fouling or scaling of the membrane. The conductive members may be positioned adjacent to the semipermeable membrane, and may be configured as feed spacers or permeate spacers. Alternatively or additionally, the membrane may be electrically conductive. Power from an external source may be supplied to one or more of the conductive members, or also the membrane if conductive, which may be done wirelessly. One or more membrane assemblies may be provided in a container. One or more membrane assemblies may be provided in a stacked configuration, or wrapped around a tube in a spiral configuration.

Abstract: Syntactic foams are materials including hollow microspheres distributed throughout a cured polymeric resin. Hollow microspheres within syntactic foams, including collapsible shells that enclose empty cavities, can serve as receptacles to capture environmental constituents upon applied temperature and pressure. An epoxy formulation including of EPON™ 828, HELOXY™ 61, and TETA was combined with hollow glass microspheres with isostatic crush strengths of 300, 3000, and 10,000 psi. Effects of pressure and temperature on the mechanical properties were evaluated via dynamic mechanical analysis. Storage modulus and glass transition temperature depended on formulation. Upon exposure to specific temperature and pressures, the hollow glass spheres embedded within the resin lose mechanical integrity and collapse, resulting in the generation of unencapsulated void spaces, primed to capture embedded liquid.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide reduction reaction electrocatalyst comprises a pyrolyzed copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) that produces isopropanol from electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide. A process for producing isopropanol from electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide comprises applying a potential in an electrochemical cell in the range of about ?2V to about ?3V versus a silver chloride electrode.

Abstract: A method, comprising i) contacting an aqueous solution of an organic ligand salt of the formula AX(L?X) with a mesoporous material (MPM) to form an impregnated mesoporous salt material of the formula AX(L?X)/MPM, ii) treating the impregnated mesoporous salt material with an aqueous acidic solution to form an impregnated mesoporous acid material of the formula HX(L?X)/MPM, iii) contacting an aqueous solution of a metal precursor of the formula M+y(B)y with the impregnated mesoporous acid material to form an impregnated mesoporous metal organic framework precursor of the formula [M+y(B)y][Hx(L?x)]/MPM, and iv) at least one of 1) heating the impregnated mesoporous metal organic framework precursor in the absence of a solvent or 2) exposing the impregnated mesoporous metal organic framework precursor to a volatile vapor in the absence of a solvent such that the heating or the exposing forms a hybrid material of the formula (M+yL?x)/MPM, wherein the hybrid material comprises a nano-crystalline metal organic framew

Abstract: Synthesis gas containing nitrogen as the majority component is processed to increase the hydrogen to carbon dioxide ratio. Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other contaminants are subsequently removed by a purification unit to produce a purified hydrogen gas stream. A recycle stream within the purification unit helps achieve a hydrogen purity greater than 99.9 percent, and hydrogen recovery greater than 99 percent.

Abstract: A chemical sensor and a system and method for sensing a chemical species. The chemical sensor includes a plurality of nanofibers whose electrical impedance varies upon exposure to the chemical species, a substrate supporting and electrically isolating the fibers, a set of electrodes connected to the plurality of fibers at spatially separated points to permit the electrical impedance of the plurality of fibers to be measured, and a membrane encasing the fibers and having a thickness ranging from 50 ?m to 5.0 mm. The system includes the chemical sensor, an impedance measuring device coupled to the electrodes and configured to determine an electrical impedance of the plurality of fibers, and an analyzer configured to identify the chemical species based on a change in the electrical impedance.

Abstract: An oral fluid collection device is provided that includes a borosilicate glass collection tube that can be capped post-collection for containing a human donor's expectorated oral fluid. The collection tube has a lyophilized reagent disposed therein that is essentially free of surfactants and solvents and includes a bacteriostatic, a peptidoglycan cleaving enzyme, an esterase inhibitor, an antioxidant, and a buffer at a pH range of about 5.7 to about 6.5 for stabilizing drugs and drug metabolites that may be present in the donor oral fluid. Interaction between the collected oral fluid and the buffer-preservative is provided by gravity drawing the collected oral fluid downward into contact with the lyophilized buffer-preservative.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is operated at fuel-rich conditions by adjusting one or more operating parameters such as, for example, a throttle, an ignition timing, a load coupled to the engine, a fuel pressure, power to a supercharger, and power to a preheater to maintain a specified engine speed and a temperature of an exhaust gas. Operating the engine under these conditions allows the engine to function as a reformer producing a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Water-dispersible pharmaceutical compositions of hydroxychloroquine sulfate in powder or granule form are provided that allow for ease of preparation of measured-dose, liquid suspensions that are palatable and suitable for pediatric administration. The compositions in granular or powder form are efficiently dissolvable in water and can be provided encapsulated within a two-piece releasable hard capsule or a packet or pouch for easy release. An ion-pairing agent is present in the formulation of the composition that masks the bitter taste of the hydroxychloroquine sulfate, significantly reducing the need for addition of a sweetening agent. Methods are provided for preparing the water-dispersible pharmaceutical compositions of hydroxychloroquine sulfate and for preparing palatable weight-based pediatric doses.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus, as well as associated systems and methods for removing acid gas components from gas streams. The disclosure provides a rotating packed bed (RPB)-based absorber with a non-aqueous liquid solvent contained therein for treatment of the gas streams, wherein the non-aqueous liquid solvent captures acid components from the gas stream. Various advantages, e.g., with respect to spatial considerations and associated expenses can be realized using the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides perovskite catalytic materials and catalysts comprising platinum-group metals and perovskites. These catalysts may be used as oxygen storage materials with automotive applications, such as three-way catalysts. They are also useful for water or CO2 reduction, or thermochemical energy storage.

Abstract: A solvent system for the removal of acid gases from mixed gas streams is provided. Also provided is a process for removing acid gases from mixed gas streams using the disclosed solvent systems. The solvent systems may be utilized within a gas processing system.

Abstract: Zinc oxide-based sorbents, and processes for preparing and using them are provided, wherein the sorbents are preferably used to remove one or more reduced sulfur species from gas streams. The sorbents contain an active zinc component, optionally in combination with one or more promoter components and/or one or more substantially inert components. The active zinc component is a two-phase material, consisting essentially of a zinc oxide (ZnO) phase and a zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4) phase. Each of the two phases is characterized by a relatively small crystallite size of typically less than about 50 nm (500 Angstroms). Preferably the sorbents are prepared by using an alkali metal base to convert a precursor mixture, containing a precipitated zinc oxide precursor and a precipitated aluminum oxide precursor, to the two-phase, active zinc oxide containing component, with the resulting sorbent having a sodium level within a desired range.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to use calcium cobalt zirconium perovskites as oxygen-selective sorbents for the separation of oxygen from a gas mixture such as air. Systems and high temperature oxygen detectors are also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the perovskite is configured as a membrane.