Abstract: A method of producing carbon-oxygen structures by the Decomposition of Carbon Dioxide Gas at low pressure, from 14.7 to 100 psi, using laser irradiation in the mid-infrared spectrum, from 2.3 to 3.3 microns.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to generating non-thermal plasma to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material, a precursor material, and a plasma promoter material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material, the precursor material, and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a micro-plasma. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the micro-plasma. The exposure of the precursor material to the micro-plasma and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor-liquid junction based photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell for the unassisted solar splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gas, the solar-driven reduction of CO2 to higher-order hydrocarbons, and the solar-driven synthesis of NH3. The disclosed system can employ a photocathode based upon wurtzite hexagonal semiconductors that can be tailored with proper band alignment for the redox potentials for water, CO2 reduction, and NH3 production, and with bandgap energy for maximum solar absorption. The design maximizes the carrier collection efficiency by leveraging spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization in these materials systems to generate hot electrons within the photocathode. These electrons have sufficient excess energy, preserved at a designed energy capture region, to overcome the kinetic overpotential (surface chemistry limitation) required for the reactions to occur at a high rate.

Abstract: A microwave induced solvothermal method to prepare lithium thiophosphate composites including ?-Li3PS4 and crystalline Li7P3S11 is provided. The method is scaleable to commercial size production.

Abstract: Dye-sensitized ion-pumping membranes and methods of preparing said membranes are described herein. A regenerative and reversible photoactive dye is covalently-bonded to membrane or separator for ion-pumping. The photoactive dye-functionalized membranes can be arranged with other ion-exchange membranes, which serve as selective contacts to afford photovoltaic action and therefore form a power-producing membrane that pumps ions for use in driving an ion-exchange or ion-transport process, such as desalination and electrodialysis.

Abstract: A method of dissociating hydrogen and oxygen from a water molecule comprises isolating a predetermined volume of water between concentrically-mounted electrodes; applying a magnetic field across the predetermined volume of water, the magnetic field focused radially and attracting diametrically across the electrodes; exciting water molecules in the isolated volume of water to a resonant harmonic frequency; and synchronously applying short burst high voltage, high frequency AC pulse packets to the isolated volume of water to create an electric field. The AC pulse packets have a burst width of up to 1 millisecond and a voltage up to about 10 MV, and generate an oscillating electromotive force which acts on the excited water molecules to dissociate hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: First and second laser beams having respective first and second wavelengths respectively excite palladium isotopes at a ground level to a first excited level then to a second excited level. At first and second excitation steps, palladium isotopes having an odd mass number are selectively excited to the second excited level, with the identity of the ion core state of each of the palladium isotopes retained between the first excited level and the second excited level. The first wavelength and the second wavelength are selected to allow the second excited level to be an autoionization level or, in a case where the second excited level is not the autoionization level, the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and a third wavelength are selected to excite the palladium isotopes at the second excited level to the autoionization level with a third laser beam having the third wavelength at a third excitation step.

Abstract: Photocatalytic device to dissociate an aqueous phase to product hydrogen gas, said device being set up in such a way that at least one photocatalytic system in contact with said aqueous phase can be irradiated by a light source to produce—through an oxidation reaction in said aqueous phase—oxygen gas, electrons and protons at a means of electron capture, said device comprising: a first zone comprising said aqueous phase, and a means for reducing said protons set up to carry out a reduction reaction on said protons by said electrons in order to generate hydrogen gas. said device being characterised in that said means for proton reduction is a proton exchange interface with a front side facing said means of electron capture, and a back side, with only said back side of said proton exchange interface bearing at least one catalyst and/or at least one catalytic system.

Abstract: A liquid treatment device comprising: two antennae; an enclosure for holding a liquid including a solvent and a solute; a generator operatively connected to the two antennae to generate an oscillating voltage in each antenna, wherein each voltage is out of phase with the other to create an oscillating electric-field; and the liquid in the enclosure being subjected to the electric-field in the presence of a magnetic field to change the chemical and/or physical properties of the solute, without the liquid contacting the two antennae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a non-acid-treated eco friendly cellulose nanocrystal and the cellulose nanocrystals prepared by the same. The methods for preparing the non-acid-treated cellulose nanocrystal and extracting the cellulose nanocrystal from cellulosic materials of the present invention are eco-friendly methods, compared with the conventional preparation method for cellulose nanocrystal based on acid-hydrolysis; are efficient due to the total energy saving process; are easy to utilize side products; and are characterized by high yield to produce the target cellulose nanocrystal.

Abstract: Methods of determining the dose of UVC light delivered to a sample comprising a low optical transmission complex fluid are provided. Also provided are methods of inactivation of an organism, such as a spore, a bacteria or a virus, in a sample comprising dose of UVC light delivered to a sample comprising a low optical transmission complex fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a low temperature method of preparing graphene. The method comprises applying a graphene oxide to a substrate and treating the graphene oxide on the substrate using photoreduction to reduce and stitch the graphene oxide to graphene. The present disclosure is also directed to graphene produced according to the aforementioned method.

Abstract: The process describes the capability of solid-state metals to oxidize in water to produce hydrogen when stimulated by laser. The solid-state metals with an adherent surface layer of the oxide component is introduced into water or another suitable oxidizer. The metal-oxidizer reaction to form hydrogen is initiated and maintained by a laser periodically/continually ablating the metal. The energy, pulse duration and wavelength of the laser may be tailored to control the rate of reaction of the source material with the oxidizer, and thereby control the rate of formation of hydrogen. Application of energy produced by such method may include powering large scale commercial and residential energy companies, providing sustainable and continuous fuel for intergalactic missions, providing an alternative fuel sources for on-board hydrogen-powered vehicles and smaller scale applications such as emergency generators.

Abstract: A radioactive cesium adsorbent includes photocatalyst particles and Prussian blue. The ferric ions of the Prussian blue are reduced to ferrous ions by activation of the photocatalyst particles. A method of removing radioactive cesium using the radioactive cesium adsorbent includes preparing a composition comprising photocatalyst particles and Prussian blue; preparing a precursor solution by mixing radioactive cesium and the composition prepared in the preparing of a composition; and reducing ferric ions of the Prussian blue to ferrous ions by activating the photocatalyst particles in the precursor solution prepared in the preparing of a precursor solution.

Abstract: A method for producing a reaction product, with which the reaction product is obtained from a starting material through a particular organic synthesis reaction, the method includes (a) a step of setting a target wavelength to a peak wavelength of a reaction region involved in the organic synthesis reaction in an infrared absorption spectrum of the starting material; (b) a step of preparing an infrared heater that emits an infrared ray having a peak at the target wavelength from a structure constituted by a metal pattern, a dielectric layer, and a metal substrate stacked in this order from an outer side toward an inner side; and (c) a step of obtaining the reaction product by allowing the organic synthesis reaction to proceed while the infrared ray having a peak at the target wavelength is being applied to the starting material from the infrared heater.

Abstract: Microwave chemical processing system having a microwave plasma reactor, and a multi-stage gas-solid separation system are disclosed. The microwave energy source has a waveguide, a reaction zone, and an inlet configured to receive the input material, and the input material is converted into separated components. The separated components include hydrogen gas and carbon particles. The multi-stage gas-solid separation system has a first cyclone separator to filter the carbon particles from the separated components, and a back-pulse filter system coupled to the output of the first cycle separator to filter the carbon particles from the output from the first cyclone separator.

Abstract: Process for producing pristine graphene nanoplatelets, comprising the expansion of flakes of intercalated graphite and the collection thereof in water with formation of a dispersion in the substantial absence of surfactants, followed by an exfoliation and size reduction treatment carried out using ultrasonication of the aqueous dispersion or using high pressure homogenization thereof in a high shear homogenizer. A dispersion of pristine graphene is obtained in the form of nanoplatelets, at least 90% of which have a lateral size (x, y) from 50 to 50,000 nm and a thickness (z) from 0.34 to 50 nm, having a C/O ratio ?100:1 and a high electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A gas conversion apparatus (100) for converting a process gas to one or more other gases comprises: means (105) for introducing process gas into a liquid medium in a column (125); and an ultrasonic energy generator (140) arranged to generate ultrasonic energy, the apparatus (100) being configured to launch ultrasonic energy generated by the generator (140) into the liquid medium such that process gas is exposed to ultrasonic energy, the apparatus (100) being arranged to allow collection of process gas that has been exposed to ultrasonic energy. The apparatus (100) also preferably comprises a microbubble generator (120) to generate microbubbles of the process gas for exposure to the ultrasonic energy. The ultrasonic energy generator (140) may be configured to generate ultrasonic energy as a consequence of a flow of a drive gas therethrough.

Abstract: A moisture control apparatus includes at least one electrode configured to receive at least one of an alternating current or a direct current, and to direct at least one of an electric field, a magnetic field, an electromagnetic field, an electromagnetic wave, a sonic wave, or a supersonic wave toward a substance. The moisture control apparatus further includes a controller configured to communicate with the at least one electrode, wherein the controller is configured to control a voltage applied to the at least one electrode to induce a bonded state between water molecules of moisture present in the substance.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device of an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a cylindrical container where the exhaust gas is separated from the water vapor and purified from solid suspensions, and a cell where the purified exhaust gas is converted into oxygen once it has been disassociated by bombarding with ultraviolet rays. The oxygen thus recovered can be re-introduced into the atmosphere or reused for the combustion process.