Abstract: This invention relates to a novel fluidized bed membrane reactor for autothermal operations. More particularly, this invention pertains to a unique fluidized bed membrane reactor which includes internal catalyst solids circulation for conveying heat between a reforming zone and an oxidation zone.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nanocrystallite from a M-containing salt forms a nanocrystallite. The nanocrystallite can be a member of a population of nanocrystallites having a narrow size distribution and can include one or more semiconductor materials. Semiconducting nanocrystallites can photoluminesce and can have high emission quantum efficiencies.

Abstract: A continuous gas-phase method for producing single-wall carbon nanotubes at high catalyst productivity and high yield is disclosed. The method involves the use of a novel in-situ formed catalyst to initiate and grow single-wall carbon nanotubes using a carbon-containing feedstock in a high temperature and pressure process. The catalyst comprises in-situ-generated transition metal particles in contact with in-situ-generated refractory particles. The population of nucleating sites for single-wall carbon nanotubes is enhanced due to the ease of formation of a population of refractory particles. These, in turn, improve the nucleation and stability of the transition metal particles that grow on them. The larger number of transition metal particles translate into a larger number of sites for single-wall carbon nanotube production. The higher catalyst yields provide a means for obtaining higher purity single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream by converting the carbon dioxide to a solid, stable form is provided. In a sequestration process, carbon dioxide enriched air is passed through a gas diffusion membrane to transfer the carbon dioxide to a fluid medium. The carbon dioxide rich fluid is then passed through a matrix containing a catalyst specific for carbon dioxide, which accelerates the conversion of the carbon dioxide to carbonic acid. In the final step, a mineral ion is added to the reaction so that a precipitate of carbonate salt is formed. This solid mineral precipitate can be safely stored for extended periods of time, such as by burying the precipitate in the ground or depositing the precipitate into storage sites either on land or into a body of water. An apparatus for removing carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream is also provided.

Abstract: A simple chemical technique has been developed to grow large quantity of carbon nanostructures, including carbon nanotubes, hydrocarbon nanotubes and carbon nanoonions, in the organic solution at ambient (room) temperature and atmospheric pressure using silicon nanostructures (nanowires, nanodots, ribbons, and porous silicon) as starting materials. These CNT and CNO have the lattice d-spacing from 3.4 ? to 5 ?.

Abstract: A composite structure including a base substrate and a layer of a mixture of strontium titanate and strontium ruthenate is provided. A superconducting article can include a composite structure including an outermost layer of magnesium oxide, a buffer layer of strontium titanate or a mixture of strontium titanate and strontium ruthenate and a top-layer of a superconducting material such as YBCO upon the buffer layer.

Abstract: Highly purified, porous silica microspheres contain functional groups which are capable of selectively binding to reaction impurities, such as excess reactant or reaction by-products, which are contained in a reaction medium. The reaction impurities can thereby be efficiently removed from the reaction medium, providing a convenient method for product purification.

Abstract: Various aspects and applications of microsystem process networks are described. The design of many types of microsystems can be improved by ortho-cascading mass, heat, or other unit process operations. Microsystems having exergetically efficient microchannel heat exchangers are also described. Detailed descriptions of numerous design features in microcomponent systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method for functionalizing the wall of single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes involves the use of acyl peroxides to generate carbon-centered free radicals. The method allows for the chemical attachment of a variety of functional groups to the wall or end cap of carbon nanotubes through covalent carbon bonds without destroying the wall or endcap structure of the nanotube. Carbon-centered radicals generated from acyl peroxides can have terminal functional groups that provide sites for further reaction with other compounds. Organic groups with terminal carboxylic acid functionality can be converted to an acyl chloride and further reacted with an amine to form an amide or with a diamine to form an amide with terminal amine. The reactive functional groups attached to the nanotubes provide improved solvent dispersibility and provide reaction sites for monomers for incorporation in polymer structures. The nanotubes can also be functionalized by generating free radicals from organic sulfoxides.

Abstract: Supramolecular complexes designed to produce hydrogen from water are provided. The supramolecular complexes absorb visible light and undergo charge transfer, leading to the collection of electrons at a reactive metal center, where the electrons reduce water to hydrogen. The complex remains intact during electron collection and hydrogen production.

Abstract: A description follows of a bimetallic catalyst, obtained by dispersing in sequence and alternating the precursors of the single metal components of the catalyst on a carrier, and a process for the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide by the direct reaction of hydrogen with oxygen, in a solvent medium containing a halogenated promoter and an acid promoter, in the presence of said catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of functionalizing the sidewalls of a plurality of carbon nanotubes with oxygen moieties, the method comprising: exposing a carbon nanotube dispersion to an ozone/oxygen mixture to form a plurality of ozonized carbon nanotubes; and contacting the plurality of ozonized carbon nanotubes with a cleaving agent to form a plurality of sidewall-functionalized carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: There is described a flexible oriented film (301) which acts a replacement for tear film, the film (301) having at least one tear susceptible line (307, 309) or pattern thereon (preferably weaker than the surrounding film), the film tearing substantially therealong when tearing is initiated therealong, characterised in that the line (307, 309) or pattern has substantially the same thickness normal to the film surface (gauge) as the rest of the film; and/or the film material therealong is substantially differently (preferably more) oriented (in extent and/or direction) to that in the rest of the film. The means for forming the line (307, 309) or pattern is preferably a laser (e.g. infra-red CO2 laser) set at a sufficiently low power not to ablate material therealong but at a sufficiently high power to reorient the film therealong. A method of preparing such films (301) and packaging (721) (such as cigarette packs) overwrapped with such films (601) are also described.

Abstract: To provide an exhaust gas purifying method for purifying the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine (1) by an exhaust gas purifying system (10) having an oxidation catalyst (3a), which comprises the steps of estimating the quantity of unburnt hydrocarbon accumulated in a support of the oxidation catalyst (3a), performing a hydrocarbon removal control when an estimated accumulation quantity (Vhc) of the unburnt hydrocarbon exceeds a predetermined judgment value (Vhc0) and raising an exhaust gas temperature (T) to activate the oxidation catalyst (3a) and oxidizing and removing the accumulated unburnt hydrocarbon. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a white fume from being produced after a low exhaust temperature state of an idling operation or the like continues for a long time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making and screening a combinatorial library comprising disposing in a substrate comprising boron, boron nitride, or boron carbide at least one reactant, wherein the reactants are lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing reactants; heat treating the substrate to create a diffusion multiple having at least two phases; contacting the diffusion multiple with hydrogen; detecting any absorption of hydrogen; and/or detecting any desorption of hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making a combinatorial library comprising disposing on a substrate comprising silicon, silicon nitride, silicon carbide or silicon boride at least one reactant, wherein the reactants are lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing reactants; heat treating the substrate to create a diffusion multiple having at least two phases; contacting the diffusion multiple with hydrogen; detecting any absorption of hydrogen; and/or detecting any desorption of hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making and screening a combinatorial library, comprising disposing on a substrate comprising aluminum at least one reactant comprising lithium, germanium, magnesium, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; heat treating the substrate to create a diffusion multiple having at least one phase; contacting the diffusion multiple with hydrogen; detecting any absorption of hydrogen; and/or detecting any desorption of hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making and screening a combinatorial library comprising disposing in a substrate comprising graphite or boron carbide at least one reactant, wherein the reactants are lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing reactants; heat treating the substrate to create a diffusion multiple; contacting the diffusion multiple with hydrogen having at least two phases; detecting any absorption of hydrogen; and/or detecting any desorption of hydrogen.

Abstract: A superconducting tape is disclosed, including a substrate, a buffer layer overlying the substrate, a superconductor layer overlying the buffer layer, and stabilizer layers overlying opposite sides of the tape. Also disclosed are components incorporating superconducting tapes, methods for manufacturing same, and methods for using same.

Abstract: This invention provides a stepped heating cycle for the pre-treatment of phenolic microballoons prior to carbonization thereof, wherein the heating cycle comprises the steps of sequentially: gradually elevating the temperature of the microballoons to a temperature in the range 100° C.–170° C.; holding the microballoons at the elevated temperature for 1–24 hours; and gradually cooling the microballoons. This invention also provides a heat-dissipation reactor (11, 21, 31) which comprises a walled reaction chamber having a bottom and no top, the reaction chamber being fitted with high thermal conductivity inserts. When used in accordance with this invention (61), the volume within the walls of the reaction chamber is charged with phenolic resin microballoons. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction chamber (11, 21) is subdivided into a plurality of subchambers by a vertical grid of aluminum plates (19, 29).