Abstract: There is provided a method for reducing the content of at least one water soluble volatile organic compound in a gas. The method comprises contacting the gas with an aqueous acidic oxidizing composition comprising H2O2 and a metal catalyst, and submitting the at least one water soluble volatile organic compound and the aqueous acidic oxidizing composition to an UV radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode electrode including a nitride semiconductor layer. This nitride semiconductor layer includes an AlxGa1-xN layer (0<x?0.25), an AlyGa1-yN layer (0?y?x), and a GaN layer. The AlyGa1-yN layer is interposed between the AlxGa1-xN layer and the GaN layer. The value of x is fixed in the thickness direction of the AlxGa1-xN layer. The value of y decreases from the interface with the AlxGa1-xN layer f toward the interface with the GaN layer. The AlxGa1-xN layer is irradiated with light having a wavelength of 360 nm or less so as to reduce carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The disclosure provides conductive membranes for water splitting and solar fuel generation. The membranes comprise an embedded semiconductive/photoactive material and an oxygen or hydrogen evolution catalyst. Also provided are chassis and cassettes containing the membranes for use in fuel generation.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of initiating chain reaction in a chain reaction medium including (a) a macroinitiator and (b) chain reactants selected from monomers, reactive oligomers, reactive diluents and derivatives thereof and mixtures of the forgoing. The macroinitiator includes a multidentate anchor segment coordinated with a magnetic nanoparticle through more than one bond, and a chain reaction initiator segment bound to the multidentate anchor and providing a weak bond that can be cleaved to initiate a chain reaction. The method further comprises subjecting the chain reaction medium to an alternating current magnetic field to vibrate the magnetic nanoparticle and thereby cleave the weak bond, the cleavage resulting in the initiation of a chain reaction involving the chain reactants.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to photovoltaic and photoelectrosynthetic cells, devices, methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A gas generating device for generating an oxygen gas and/or a hydrogen gas from an electrolytic solution containing water, including an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a plurality of through holes and a gas containing unit. The anode electrode (photocatalyst supporting electrode) has a photocatalyst-containing layer containing a photocatalyst producing an oxygen gas from the electrolytic solution by a photocatalytic reaction. The cathode electrode produces a hydrogen gas from electrons and hydrogen ions that are generated in the electrolytic solution by the photocatalytic reaction at the photocatalyst-containing layer. The through holes are formed on at least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and the through holes allow the produced oxygen gas or hydrogen gas to pass therethrough, but do not allow the electrolytic solution to pass therethrough. The gas containing unit holds the oxygen gas or hydrogen gas that has passed through the through holes.

Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing CO2 to produce hydrocarbons are disclosed. A device comprises a photoanode capable of splitting H2O into electrons, protons, and oxygen; an electrochemical cell cathode comprising an electro-catalyst capable of reducing CO2; H2O in contact with the surface of the photoanode; CO2 in contact with the surface of the cathode; and a proton-conducting medium positioned between the photoanode and the cathode. Electrical charges associated with the protons and the electrons move from the photoanode to the cathode, driven in part by a chemical potential difference sufficient to drive the electrochemical reduction of CO2 at the cathode. A light beam is the sole source of energy used to drive chemical reactions. The photoanode can comprise TiO2 nanowires or nanotubes, and can also include WO3 nanowires or nanotubes, quantum dots of CdS or PbS, and Ag or Au nanostructures.

Abstract: A method of photooxidizing carbon nanotubes, such as single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes are purified and dispersed in a solvent, such as n-methyl pyrrolidinone or dimethylformamide. A singlet oxygen sensitizer like Rose Bengal is added to the solution. Oxygen gas is continuously supplied while irradiating the solution while irradiating the solution with ultraviolet light to produce singlet oxygen to oxidize the single-walled carbon nanotubes. Advantageously, the method significantly increases the level of oxidation compared with prior art methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hierarchical structure of graphene-carbon nanotubes and a method for preparing the same, and, more specifically, to a method for growing graphene into carbon nanotubes having a hierarchical structure by adding metal nanoparticles on the graphene. According to the present invention, carbon nanotubes having a hierarchical structure, which have an increased specific surface area compared to existing carbon nanotubes, can be obtained, and a carbon nanotube structure which is metal-functionalized by a metal precursor can be obtained. In addition, carbon nanotubes can be prepared in an environmentally-friendly manner by the use of microwaves.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing butanol from carbon dioxide, and water are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of producing butanol from carbon dioxide and water involves contacting carbon dioxide with a reaction mixture containing water and a catalyst, and heating the carbon dioxide and reaction mixture by fluctuating magnetic field. In some embodiments, the catalyst used may be FeAl2O3.

Abstract: A method for processing liquids and suspensions using shockwaves that includes providing an apparatus including a shockwaves generation section and a shockwaves processing section; placing media to be processed into the shockwaves processing section through continuous or intermittent injection; introducing a pressurizing gas into the shockwaves generation section; introducing a detonable mixture into the shockwaves generation section; causing formation of at least one of a shockwave within the shockwaves generation section by igniting the detonable mixture so that at least one of a shockwave propagates from detonation section into shockwaves processing section; utilizing physical, chemical, biological or mechanical effects of the shockwaves in the shockwaves processing section; venting detonation products from the shockwaves generation section via a pressure relief valve; and repeating to achieving a pre-determined degree of processing liquids, liquid suspension, colloids, gels, pastes located in the shockwav

Abstract: The solar fuels generator includes an ionically conductive separator between a gaseous first phase and a second phase. A photoanode uses one or more components of the first phase to generate cations during operation of the solar fuels generator. A cation conduit is positioned provides a pathway along which the cations travel from the photoanode to the separator. The separator conducts the cations. A second solid cation conduit conducts the cations from the separator to a photocathode.

Abstract: Provided are systems that comprises an oxygen-metal catalyst, which systems can be used to perform water-splitting or other reactions. The systems can be operated in a photochemical manner.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for effecting a photocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic reaction of a reactant comprising contacting a metallic material having an electrical conductivity of 105 to 106 S/m with the reactant and exposing the metallic material and the reactant to visible light so as to catalyze the reaction of the reactant.

Abstract: A reactor assembly comprising a reservoir, a reaction chamber, and a valve assembly comprising at least one valve. The reservoir, reaction chamber, and valve assembly are non-magnetic. The valve assembly is adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A hydrogen production device of the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion portion having a light-receiving surface and a back surface, a first electrolysis electrode provided on the back surface, and a second electrolysis electrode provided on the back surface. As a result of reception of light by the photoelectric conversion portion, a potential difference is generated between a first area on the back surface and a second area on the back surface, the first area becomes electrically connected to the first electrolysis electrode, and the second area becomes electrically connected to the second electrolysis electrode.

Abstract: A method (20) of making a fuel is disclosed. The method has a first step of exposing a liquid having biologically derived particles therein to an ultrasonic wave producing cavitation in the liquid and release of a precursor of the fuel from at least some of the particles into the liquid (22). The method also comprises the step of exposing the liquid with another ultrasonic wave insufficient to produce substantial cavitation in the liquid, the another ultrasonic wave providing a reaction between the liquid and the precursor to form the fuel (24).

Abstract: A method for inducing chemical reactions using X-ray radiation comprises generating an irradiation volume within the interior of a reaction vessel by introducing X-ray radiation into the volume, in which two or more reactants are introduced. With respect to the two or more reactants and any subsequently created intermediate reactant or reactants, the aggregate extent to which the foregoing reactants are to be ionized to any degree is selectively controlled, and the average degree of ionization in the irradiation volume, from partial to total, of that portion of the foregoing reactants which is to be ionized is selectively controlled, through control of the fluence and energy of the X-ray radiation, to thereby induce selective reactions of reactants to occur in the irradiation volume. One or more reactants may be delivered through a double-walled pipe containing X-ray shielding to prevent their premature irradiation before being injected into the irradiation volume.

Abstract: A guided wave applicator comprising two electrically conductive waveguide walls and a waveguide dielectric. The volume of the waveguide dielectric is composed of non-gaseous dielectric material and is positioned between the two waveguide walls. The waveguide dielectric includes first and second longitudinal ends and includes first, second, third and fourth sides extending longitudinally between the two longitudinal ends. The first waveguide wall is positioned so that it covers the first side of the waveguide dielectric, and the second waveguide wall is positioned so that it covers the second side of the waveguide dielectric. In operation, electrical power can be supplied to one or both longitudinal ends of the waveguide dielectric, whereby the power can be coupled to a plasma through the exposed sides of the waveguide dielectric.

Abstract: Materials such as biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) and hydrocarbon-containing materials are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, or oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, bitumen, and coal to produce altered materials such as fuels (e.g., ethanol and/or butanol). The processing includes exposing the materials to an ion beam.