Abstract: A method of recovering carbon black includes the step of providing a carbonaceous source material containing carbon black. The carbonaceous source material is contacted with a sulfonation bath to produce a sulfonated material. The sulfonated material is pyrolyzed to produce a carbon black containing product comprising a glassy carbon matrix phase having carbon black dispersed therein. The pyrolysis can be conducted at a temperature from 1100° C. to 1490° C. A method of making a battery electrode and a lithium ion or sodium ion battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing one or more hydrocarbon compounds from at least one of 2,3-butanediol, acetoin, and ethanol, the method comprising contacting said at least one of 2,3-butanediol, acetoin, and ethanol with a catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 500° C. to result in said 2,3-butanediol, acetoin, and/or ethanol being converted to said one or more hydrocarbon compounds, wherein said catalyst is either: (i) a catalyst comprising nanoparticles composed of (a) a first metal oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide, cerium oxide, titanium oxide, and lanthanum oxide, and (b) a main group metal oxide; or (ii) a catalyst comprising a zeolite loaded with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and ruthenium in an amount of 1-30 wt % by weight of the zeolite.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture relating to a transparent/translucent insulating material formed by a hybrid silica gel composition made of porous silica particles joined with each other by silane crosslinking through a three dimensional silica network. In one embodiment, the hybrid silica gel includes small porous silica particles, and is made by a process that avoids energy intensive techniques.

Abstract: A method of making an acoustic wave sensor includes the steps of providing a piezoelectric substrate layer and printing on the substrate layer a sensor layer comprising a first interdigitated acoustic wave transducer, a sensing film, and positioned on an opposing side of the sensing film from the first interdigitated acoustic wave transducer at least one selected from the group consisting of a second interdigitated acoustic wave transducer and a Bragg reflector. An insulation layer can be printed. An antenna can be printed in an antenna layer, and the insulation layer can be interposed between the antenna layer and the sensor layer. An electrical connection can be printed between the antenna and the first interdigitated acoustic wave transducer. An acoustic wave sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for producing light is provided. The system comprises a sealed enclosure surrounding a porous graphite foam conductor which is exposed to an electromagnetic field generated by an oscillating circuit. When exposed, the foam conductor conducts induced electric current which heats the same to product light. The amount of light is controllable by changing the output of a drive circuit. The oscillating circuit comprises a first inductor and a first capacitor. The first inductor has a first terminal and a second terminal. The output of the drive circuit is controlled by turning a MOSFET OFF and ON. The MOSFET is turned ON when an integrated signal representative of a difference between a voltage proportional to the first terminal and a voltage proportional to the second terminal is between a first voltage threshold and a second voltage threshold and based on a timing signal.

Abstract: A solid particulate composition useful in extracting a lithium salt from aqueous solutions, the composition comprising lithium, metal atoms, oxygen atoms, and at least one anionic species (X) selected from halide, nitrate, sulfate, carbonate and bicarbonate, all in a framework structure, wherein said metal atoms are selected from at least one of oxophilic main group metal and oxophilic transition metal atoms, provided that, if the metal atoms comprise aluminum atoms, then at least 10 mol % of said aluminum atoms are substituted with at least one metal atom selected from said at least one oxophilic main group and oxophilic transition metal atoms, other than aluminum, and wherein said lithium is present in said composition in an amount less than a saturated amount in order to permit extraction of lithium salt. Methods for extracting and recovering a lithium salt from an aqueous solution by use of the above-described composition are also described.

Abstract: An electrode material includes a lithium active material composition. The lithium active material composition includes lithium and an active anode material. The lithium active material composition is coated with a lithium ion conducting passivating material, such that the electrode material is lithiated and pre-passivated. An electrode and a battery are also disclosed. Methods of making an electrode material, electrode and battery that are lithiated and pre-passivated are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ionic liquid composition comprising a complex of a trihalo aluminum (III) species with at least one organic uncharged ligand comprising a ring structure having at least three ring carbon atoms and at least one ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen and sulfur, wherein the complex is a liquid at a temperature of 100° C. or less. Methods of electroplating aluminum onto a metallic substrate using the above-described ionic liquid composition are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and device for building an article by additive manufacturing or 3-D printing. The method includes feeding a supply of particulate slurry to and through a nozzle, such as including an integrated pump, to form a plurality of beads and layers of the slurry on a deposition surface, and ultimately forming a desirable article from the layers of deposited material. The liquid phase of the slurry is desirably removed by heat, and the deposited layers can be sintered or otherwise fused as needed.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline network compositions comprising azo-containing aromatic epoxy units cross-linked with alkylene diacid units having alkylene segments containing at least one methylene unit, wherein the azo-containing aromatic epoxy units and alkylene diacid units are connected by ester linkages resulting from ring-opening esterification between the epoxy units and alkylene diacids, and wherein the azo-containing aromatic epoxy units and alkylene diacid units are in a molar ratio that results in the liquid crystalline network composition exhibiting a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 25° C. Methods for producing these compositions and their use in light- or thermal-activated physical deformation, shape memory applications, and self-healing, as well as their ability to be recycled and used in additive manufacturing processes are also described.

Abstract: This disclosure provides genetically modified plants having desirable levels of sugar release and syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio; methods of genetically modifying plants to modulate sugar release and S/G ratio; and uses of such plants. The inventors have determined that genetic modification of a laccase gene (LAC2) from Populus, encoded by locus Potri.008G064000 resulted in transgenic Populus trees with changes in syringyl/guaiacyl ratios as well as altered sugar release phenotypes. Plants with altered sugar release, and S/G ratio, based on modulation of the expression or activity of the LAC2 gene, have divergent uses including pulp and paper production, and biofuel and bioproducts production.

Abstract: A build platform and methods of fabricating an article with such a platform in an extrusion-type additive manufacturing machine are provided. A platform body 202 includes features 204 that extend outward from the body 202. The features 204 define protrusive areas 206 and recessive areas 208 that cooperate to mechanically engage the extruded material that forms the initial layers 220 of an article when the article is being fabricated by a nozzle 12 of the additive manufacturing machine 10.

Abstract: An apparatus and device for creating a vertical strengthening feature within a 3D printed article of manufacture for improving mechanical performance in the Z-direction. Fill material is deposited in voids vertically crossing multiple layers during the build of 3D printing. The device includes a penetrating extension that fits within the void to create a vertical strengthening feature via heat and/or extruded fill material. The size and/or movement of the heated extension can impact the void side walls to reflow the build material and blend the layers together within the void side walls.

Abstract: A fluffy nano-material and method of manufacture are described. At 2000× magnification the fluffy nanomaterial has the appearance of raw, uncarded wool, with individual fiber lengths ranging from approximately four microns to twenty microns. Powder-based nanocatalysts are dispersed in the fluffy nanomaterial. The production of fluffy nanomaterial typically involves flowing about 125 cc/min of organic vapor at a pressure of about 400 torr over powder-based nano-catalysts for a period of time that may range from approximately thirty minutes to twenty-four hours.

Abstract: A functionalized carbon fiber having covalently bound on its surface a sizing agent containing epoxy groups, at least some of which are engaged in covalent bonds with crosslinking molecules, wherein each of said crosslinking molecules possesses at least two epoxy-reactive groups and at least one free functional group reactive with functional groups of a polymer matrix in which the carbon fiber is to be incorporated, wherein at least a portion of said cros slinking molecules are engaged, via at least two of their epoxy-reactive groups, in crosslinking bonds between at least two epoxy groups of the sizing agent. Composites comprised of these functionalized carbon fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix are also described. Methods for producing the functionalized carbon fibers and composites thereof are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synthesizing continuous single crystal graphene are provided. A catalytic substrate is drawn through a chemical vapor deposition chamber in a first lengthwise direction while flowing a hydrogen gas through the chemical vapor deposition chamber in the same lengthwise direction. A hydrocarbon precursor gas is supplied directly above a surface of the catalytic substrate. A high concentration gradient of the hydrocarbon precursor at the crystal growth front is generated to promote the growth of a continuous single crystal graphene film while suppressing the growth of seed domains ahead of the crystal growth front.

Abstract: A method for the desalination of water, the method comprising flowing salt water through a free-standing single-layer membrane of nanoporous graphene having a first planar side that makes contact with the salt water and an opposing second planar side from which desalinated water exits, wherein said membrane contains nanopores having a size of up to 1 nm, along with a substantial absence of pores above 1 nm in size, wherein said nanopores up to 1 nm in size have pore edges passivated with silicon, wherein salt ions in said salt water are blocked from passing through said membrane while water in said salt water passes through said membrane to result in desalinated water exiting said membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for used in a directional-neutron detector is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a structure having a plurality of parallel active channels separated by inactive regions. The plurality of active channels is filled with scintillating material. The scintillating material is configured to emit light in response to neutron scattering. The scintillating material may be neutron-gamma discriminating. The scintillating material may be sealed in the plurality of active channels. The seal is disposed on respective ends of the plurality of active channels. Directional-neutron detectors are also disclosed having the structure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides genetically modified plants having desirable levels of sugar release, cellulose content and reduction of recalcitrance; methods of genetically modifying plants to modulate sugar release, cellulose and lignin contents; and uses of such plants. The inventors have determined that genetic modification of PdDUF266A from Populus, encoded by locus Potri.011G009500 resulted in transgenic Populus trees with changes in lignin and cellulose content as well as altered sugar release phenotypes. Plants with altered sugar release, cellulose and lignin content, based on modulation of the expression or activity of the PdDUF266A gene, have diverse uses including pulp and paper production, and biofuel and bioproducts production.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode comprising carbon fibers, a binder composition with conductive carbon, and a lithium rich composition. The lithium rich composition comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of Li1+x(My MzII MwIII)O2 where x+y+z+w=1, and xLi2MnO3(1?x)LiMO2, where x=0.2-0.7, and where M, MII and MIII are interchangeably manganese, nickel and cobalt, and LiM2?xMxIIO4, where M and MII are manganese and nickel, respectively, with x=0.5. A negative electrode comprises carbon fibers having bound thereto silicon nanoparticles, and a mesophase pitch derived carbon binder between the silicon nanoparticles and the carbon fibers. An electrolyte is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Methods of making positive and negative electrodes are also disclosed.