Abstract: Embodiments provide a multi-cone X-ray imaging Bragg crystal spectrometer for spectroscopy of small x-ray sources with a well-defined spectral resolution. The spectrometer includes a glass substrate machined to a multi-cone form; and a thin crystal slab attached to the glass substrate, whereby the multi-cone X-ray imaging Bragg crystal spectrometer provides rotational symmetry of a ray pattern, providing for accurate imaging, for each wavelength in the spectral range of interest. One or more embodiments include a streak camera and/or a gated strip detector.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a pelletized sorbent comprising a first component comprising Basic Immobilized Amine Sorbent, a second component comprising inorganic strength additive, and a third component comprising polymer binder, where the Basic Immobilized Amine Sorbent and solid inorganic strength additive are interconnected by the polymer binder. The pelletized sorbent is useful for removing CO2 from a gaseous mixture such as a post combustion gas stream.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method to create a ceramic waste form from used nuclear fuel. An active metal salt waste, a rare earth metal waste, and raw materials are received. The active metal salt waste is combined with the rare earth metal waste, forming a waste salt. The waste salt is then heated to approximately 500° C. The raw materials are also heated to approximately 500° C. The waste salt and raw materials are then blended to form a homogenous waste mixture. The homogenous waste mixture is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time, creating a ceramic waste form. The ceramic waste form is cooled to a second predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for the separation of a gas constituent from a gaseous mixture. The disclosure also provides polyethylene glycol disubstituted siloxane based solvents for use in the method. These solvents are of use for pre-combustion CO2 capture and are capable of replacing glycol-based solvents while offering operation at a higher temperature region. These solvents are also of use for generation of hydrogen from reformed natural gas or syngas, adjusting CO/H2 ratio for Coal & Biomass to Liquids, removal of CO2 from syngas for coal & biomass to NH3/Fertilizer, natural gas sweetening, and upgrading of landfill and biogas.

Abstract: An optical sensor device includes an optical waveguide portion having a core, the core having a first refractive index, and a functional material layer coupled to the optical fiber portion, the functional material layer being made of a metal oxide material, the functional material layer being structured to have a second refractive index, the second refractive index being less than the first refractive index. The functional material layer may be a nanostructure material comprising the metal oxide material with a plurality of holes or voids formed therein such that the functional material layer is caused to have the second refractive index.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus relate to producing synthesis gas or carbon and hydrogen utilizing a reduced catalyst CuO—Fe2O3. The method comprises introducing CH4; reducing the CuO—Fe2O3 with the introduced CH4, yielding at least a reduced metal catalyst; oxidizing the reduced metal with O2 yielding CuO—Fe2O3; and generating heat that would be used for the hydrogen and carbon or syngas production with the reduced catalyst CuO—Fe2O3.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is a catalyst that includes a solid support, a first metal that includes at least one of ruthenium (Ru), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) deposited on the solid support, and a second metal comprising at least one of tin (Sn), rhenium (Re), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), or tungsten (W) deposited on the solid support, where the first metal and the second metal are present at a first metal to second metal mass ratio between about 1.0:2.0 and about 1.0:0.5.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a curved surface bonding technique using low melting temperature nanoparticles or nanofilms/nanoparticles of reactive metals as eutectic compounds. The ability of nanomaterials to melt at low temperature lowers the bonding temperature and reduces/eliminates the residual stresses generated in bulk material during the bonding process of two materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion. The nanoscale materials will then be integrated and the new bond will assume properties of the bulk material, including its higher melting temperature.

Abstract: An electrochemical filter system is provided that can produce an ultra-clean electrolyte solution. The filter uses a working electrode with binding sites that adsorb impurities present in the electrolyte solution using a pseudocapacitive process.

Abstract: The invention provides a use of metal ferrite oxygen carrier for converting carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide or synthesis gas via three processes: catalytic dry reforming of methane, chemical looping dry reforming of fuel and promoting coal gasification with CO2. The metal ferrite oxygen carrier comprises MzFexOy, where MzFexOy is a chemical composition with 0<x?4, z>0 and 0<y?6 and M is one of Ca, Ba, and/or combinations thereof. For example, MzFexOy may be one of CaFe2O4, BaFe2O4, MgFe2O4, SrFe2O4 and/or combinations thereof. In catalytic dry reforming, methane and carbon dioxide react in the presence of metal ferrites generating a product stream comprising at least 50 vol. % CO and H2. In another embodiment, chemical looping dry reforming process where metal ferrite is reduced with a fuel and then oxidized with carbon dioxide is used for production of CO from carbon dioxide. In another embodiment, the metal ferrite is used as a promoter to produce CO continuously from coal gasification with CO2.

Abstract: An exemplary method of bonding of silicon carbide and objects having a hermetic silicon carbide-iridium-silicon carbide bond. The method includes the steps of inserting an iridium foil between two SiC layers; heating the iridium foil and SiC layers at a temperature of 1500 C in a vacuum of <10?5 ton; applying a pressure between 1 ksi and 7 ksi to the iridium foil and SiC layers; maintaining the temperature and pressure for 6-10 hours; and forming a hermetic seal having a leak rate <3×10?9 cm3/sec between the iridium foil and the two SiC layers. The SiC-iridium bonds lack cracks and are hermetic.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to materials, methods to prepare, and methods of use of a thermal electrokinetic microjet apparatus. The electrokinetic microjet apparatus includes a reservoir; a jet assembly fluidly communicating with at least the reservoir; and a target electrode spaced from at least the jet assembly.

Abstract: A method of mechanically processing a metallic material component is provided whereby alloying, carburizing, nitriding and boriding can be performed using a friction stir processing tool. This method for mechanically processing metallic material surfaces is cost effective, efficient and does not require specialized equipment.

Abstract: Methods for manipulating charge states of Au nanoparticles and uses for the corresponding nanoparticles are described. A preferred embodiment comprises the following steps: 1) combining at least one Au nanocluster with at least one electron accepting molecule in the presence of an excess amount of counter ion; and 2) exposing the nanocluster, electron acceptor and counter ion mixture to light creating Au+ nanoclusters. In one or more embodiments, an additional step of depositing the Au+ nanoclusters onto a catalyst support is performed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for concentrating rare earth elements (REEs) from a coal byproduct. The method includes mixing the coal byproduct input with aluminum phosphate, sulfur and/or other compounds used as an additive; heating the coal byproduct input in air for a period of 3 minutes or longer at a temperature above a liquid starting temperature of the coal byproduct input, forming a molten coal byproduct; cooling the molten coal byproduct at a rate slower than critical glass transition cooling rate of the melt, forming REE phosphate product; heating the coal byproduct input above the liquid starting temperature of the coal byproduct after REE phosphate product is formed; and cooling the coal byproduct input at a rate faster than the critical glass transition cooling rate of the melt, minimizing forming unwanted solids.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for H2 sensing in a gas stream utilizing a hydrogen sensing material. The hydrogen sensing material is comprised of Pd-based or Pt-based nanoparticles having an average nanoparticle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers dispersed in an inert matrix having a bandgap greater than or equal to 5 eV, and an oxygen ion conductivity less than approximately 10?7 S/cm at a temperature of 700° C. Exemplary inert matrix materials include SiO2, Al2O3, and Si3N4 as well as modifications to modify the effective refractive indices through combinations and/or doping of such materials. Additional exemplary matrix materials consist of zeolitic and zeolite-derivative structures which are microporous and/or nanoporous such as the alumino-silicates and the dealuminated zeolite NaA structures.

Abstract: A reaction apparatus includes a hollow chamber with a stirring shaft. The chamber is maintained at a predetermined pressure and accepts at least two reactants from two storage tanks. The stirring shaft rotates around an axis and creates a reaction product. Taylor vortexes are created while the pressure minimizes the volume possession of the gas phase. The reaction product of micron and sub-micron particles is removed from the chamber and depressurized.

Abstract: A single-heating stage method for reclaiming or recovering metals like nickel and vanadium from a petroleum waste byproduct has three steps: melting the petroleum waste byproduct in a reducing atmosphere, generating agglomerated metal in the melted byproduct, and lifting the agglomerated metal to an exposed surface of the melted byproduct. The metal precipitates out of the molten byproduct, agglomerates into a separate portion, and rises to an exposed surface of the melted petroleum waste byproduct even though the metal may have greater density than the molten petroleum waste byproduct. The original petroleum waste byproduct stratifies into a byproduct remnant and the agglomerated metal disk. The agglomerated metal disk is separable from the byproduct remnant and may be additionally separated into constituent metals in those embodiments with multiple metals in the disk.

Abstract: The present invention comprise an elastic piston system for the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy, the system comprising a solar energy concentrator 202, and at least two solar energy conversion cells 200 being configured to receive the sunlight 204 reflected from the solar energy concentrator 202. The solar energy conversion cell 200 comprises at least two elastic piston 302, 304 components. The elastic pistons 302, 304 being coupled via a conduit 314, 416 for the transmittal of a predetermined working fluid 418. The elastic pistons 302, 304 are configured to receive polarized sunlight and generate electrical energy in response to the reception of the polarized sunlight, The solar energy conversion cell further comprises a controller 306 component, The controller 306 being configured to regulate the compression cycles within the elastic piston 302, 304 components and extract electrical energy produced within the cell 200.

Abstract: A method to separate rare earth material from a rare earth magnet. At least one embodiment comprises a method that heats a provided rare earth magnet to at least 600° C. whereby the rare earth magnet absorbs a dry gas. Separated rare earth materials are created. Magnetic rare earth materials are produced from the separated rare earth materials.