Abstract: Electronic device encapsulation process, assisted by a laser, for obtaining a sealed electronic device, wherein said process comprises: providing a first substrate and a second substrate, the second substrate being transparent in the emission wavelength of the laser, depositing an intermediate bonding contour layer on one or both of the substrates; depositing electronic device components on one or both of the substrates; joining the first substrate and second substrate with the electronic device components in-between the substrates; using the laser to direct a laser beam onto the intermediate bonding contour layer with a predefined progressive scan pattern, such that the intermediate bonding contour layer is progressively melted and forms a seal, bonding the substrates together. Preferably, each linear laser pass overlaps longitudinally the previous and the following linear laser passes along said contour.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a low temperature method for the production of pure hydrogen using a methane rich stream as raw material, and to perform in-situ catalyst regeneration. The process involves the decomposition of methane into COx-free hydrogen in an electrochemical/chemical membrane/chemical reactor or chemical fluidised reactor. As the methane decomposition reaction progresses, carbon structures (whiskers) are accumulated at the catalyst surface leading eventually to its deactivation. The catalyst regeneration is achieved using a small fraction of the produced hydrogen to react with carbon formed at the catalyst surface provoking the carbon detachment, thus regenerating the catalyst. This is achieved either by chemical/electrochemical methanation of carbon at the catalyst interface with hydrogen/protons or by rising the temperature of the catalyst, ideally keeping the reactor temperature constant.

Abstract: Electronic device encapsulation process, assisted by a laser, for obtaining a sealed electronic device, wherein said process comprises: providing a first substrate and a second substrate, the second substrate being transparent in the emission wavelength of the laser, depositing an intermediate bonding contour layer on one or both of the substrates; depositing electronic device components on one or both of the substrates; joining the first substrate and second substrate with the electronic device components in-between the substrates; using the laser to direct a laser beam onto the intermediate bonding contour layer with a predefined progressive scan pattern, such that the intermediate bonding contour layer is progressively melted and forms a seal, bonding the substrates together. Preferably, each linear laser pass overlaps longitudinally the previous and the following linear laser passes along said contour.

Abstract: An electrodes/electrolyte assembly and a method for the direct amination of hydrocarbons, and a method for the preparation of said electrodes/electrolyte assembly is disclosed. The presented Solution allows the increase of conversion of said amination to above 60%, even at low temperatures. The electrodes/electrolyte assembly for direct amination of hydrocarbons has: an anode, electrons and protons conductor, that includes a composite porous matrix, containing a ceramic fraction and a catalyst for the amination at temperatures lower than 450° C.; a porous cathode, electrons and protons conductor, and electrocatalyst; an electrolyte, protons or ions conductor and electrically insulating, located between the anode and the cathode, made of a composite ceramic impermeable to reagents and products of the amination.

Abstract: Solar cells use as substrates glass (23) coated with a transparent conductive layer (21), able to collect the electric power generated by the solar cell. This layer (21), normally a TCO, have limited conductivity, implying the use of current collector lines applied in a complex manner. The conductivity of the conductive layer (21) is increased by the application of a structure, in particular a grid, of thin conductive lines (22) inserted in grooves on the glass surface (23) or directly applied on this, followed by a TCO layer coating (21). This highly conductive grid (22) collects the electricity from the TCO layer (21) and directs it to the periphery of the cell. Both glass substrates are sealed by a process employing a precursor of glass surrounding the entire perimeter of the substrate. The glass precursor is heated to its melting point, by a laser, completely sealing the two substrates of the module.

Abstract: An electrodes/electrolyte assembly and a method for the direct amination of hydrocarbons, and a method for the preparation of said electrodes/electrolyte assembly is disclosed. The presented Solution allows the increase of conversion of said amination to above 60%, even at low temperatures. The electrodes/electrolyte assembly for direct amination of hydrocarbons has: an anode, electrons and protons conductor, that includes a composite porous matrix, containing a ceramic fraction and a catalyst for the amination at temperatures lower than 450° C.; a porous cathode, electrons and protons conductor, and electrocatalyst; an electrolyte, protons or ions conductor and electrically insulating, located between the anode and the cathode, made of a composite ceramic impermeable to reagents and products of the amination.

Abstract: An electrodes/electrolyte assembly—MEA, electrochemical membrane reactor—is described and a method for the direct amination of hydrocarbons, namely for the direct amination of benzene to aniline, and a method for the preparation of said electrodes/electrolyte assembly. The presented Solution allows the increase of conversion of said amination to above 60%, even at low temperatures, i.e., between 200° C. and 450° C.; preferably between 300° C. and 400° C. The electrodes/electrolyte assembly for direct amination of hydrocarbons comprises: an anode (1), electrons and protons conductor, that includes a composite porous matrix, comprised by a ceramic fraction and a catalyst for said amination at temperatures lower than 450° C.; a porous cathode (3), electrons and protons conductor, and electrocatalyst; an electrolyte (2), protons or ions conductor and electrically insulating, located between the anode (1) and the cathode (3), made of a composite ceramic impermeable to reagents and products of said amination.

Abstract: Solar cells use as substrates glass (23) coated with a transparent conductive layer (21), able to collect the electric power generated by the solar cell. This layer (21), normally a TCO, have limited conductivity, implying the use of current collector lines applied in a complex manner. The conductivity of the conductive layer (21) is increased by the application of a structure, in particular a grid, of thin conductive lines (22) inserted in grooves on the glass surface (23) or directly applied on this, followed by a TCO layer coating (21). This highly conductive grid (22) collects the electricity from the TCO layer (21) and directs it to the periphery of the cell. Both glass substrates are sealed by a process employing a precursor of glass surrounding the entire perimeter of the substrate. The glass precursor is heated to its melting point, by a laser, completely sealing the two substrates of the module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar rechargeable redox flow cell, a method for storing solar energy by chemicals conversion through the solar rechargeable redox flow cell, an electrochemical system comprising the solar rechargeable redox flow cell and a method of operating the electrochemical system. The invention allows for direct conversion of sunlight into chemicals production that can be stored and used as fuel in a redox flow battery.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a new type of chemical reactor, described as hydrogen or oxygen electrochemical pumping catalytic membrane reactor. This new type of reactor is suitable for increasing the selectivity and the conversion rate of dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, deoxidation and oxidation reactions and namely in the direct amination reaction of hydrocarbons. This reactor can be used for the production of several chemical compounds, such as the direct amination of hydrocarbons and in particular for the synthesis of aniline from benzene. The disclosed subject matter includes a device and process wherein hydrogen is removed by electrochemical pumping of the hydrogen formed or by oxygen pumping so, as hydrogen is formed, it is oxidized. This new reactor exhibits benzene to aniline conversion higher than 40%.

Abstract: An electrodes/electrolyte assembly—MEA, electrochemical membrane reactor—is described and a method for the direct amination of hydrocarbons, namely for the direct amination of benzene to aniline, and a method for the preparation of said electrodes/electrolyte assembly. The presented Solution allows the increase of conversion of said amination to above 60%, even at low temperatures, i.e., between 200° C. and 450° C.; preferably between 300° C. and 400° C. The electrodes/electrolyte assembly for direct amination of hydrocarbons comprises: an anode (1), electrons and protons conductor, that includes a composite porous matrix, comprised by a ceramic fraction and a catalyst for said amination at temperatures lower than 450° C.; a porous cathode (3), electrons and protons conductor, and electrocatalyst; an electrolyte (2), protons or ions conductor and electrically insulating, located between the anode (1) and the cathode (3), made of a composite ceramic impermeable to reagents and products of said amination.

Abstract: Solar cells use as substrates glass (23) coated with a transparent conductive layer (21), able to collect the electric power generated by the solar cell. This layer (21), normally a TCO, have limited conductivity, implying the use of current collector lines applied in a complex manner. The conductivity of the conductive layer (21) is increased by the application of a structure, in particular a grid, of thin conductive lines (22) inserted in grooves on the glass surface (23) or directly applied on this, followed by a TCO layer coating (21). This highly conductive grid (22) collects the electricity from the TCO layer (21) and directs it to the periphery of the cell. Both glass substrates are sealed by a process employing a precursor of glass surrounding the entire perimeter of the substrate. The glass precursor is heated to its melting point, by a laser, completely sealing the two substrates of the module.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter describes a new sealing process of a specific type of photovoltaic cells named dye-sensitized solar cells. Currently, the sealing of these cells is made by means of a polymer, which connects the two electrode substrates made of glass, isolating the cell's inner content from the outside. The glass-based sealing method has the advantage of enhancing the cell's lifetime. However, glass sealing should not lead to the heating of the whole cell, which may cause its degradation. The process here unveiled employs a string of a glass precursor, a powder or a paste, that bounds the cell's entire external perimeter. The glass precursor string is then heated to its melting point with a laser beam, allowing the two substrates of the cell to stick together.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an innovative way to improve the conversion efficiency of solar energy into electric energy of dye-sensitized solar cells. The solar cells of the present invention present a film obtained by painting a light reflective coating (6) onto the outer surface of the counter-electrode (4). A commercial paint of any color can be used. The solar cells of the present invention usually comprise two glass sheets coated with a transparent and electrically conductive layer (1) and (5), a photoelectrode (2), an electrolyte (3), a counter-electrode (4) and a light reflective paint film applied onto the outer surface of the counter-electrode and obtained by painting a light reflective coating (6). After applying this reflective film (6) onto the outer surface of the counter-electrode (4) a series of remarkable results were obtained; coating with a white paint as a reflective film significantly increased the solar cell efficiency up to 30%.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a new type of chemical reactor, described as hydrogen or oxygen electrochemical pumping catalytic membrane reactor. This new type of reactor is suitable for increasing the selectivity and the conversion rate of dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, deoxidation and oxidation reactions and namely in the direct amination reaction of hydrocarbons. This reactor can be used for the production of several chemical compounds, such as the direct amination of hydrocarbons and in particular for the synthesis of aniline from benzene. The disclosed subject matter includes a device and process wherein hydrogen is removed by electrochemical pumping of the hydrogen formed or by oxygen pumping so, as hydrogen is formed, it is oxidized. This new reactor exhibits benzene to aniline conversion higher than 40%.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter describes a new sealing process of a specific type of photovoltaic cells named dye-sensitized solar cells. Currently, the sealing of these cells is made by means of a polymer, which connects the two electrode substrates made of glass, isolating the cell's inner content from the outside. The glass-based sealing method has the advantage of enhancing the cell's lifetime. However, glass sealing should not lead to the heating of the whole cell, which may cause its degradation. The process here unveiled employs a string of a glass precursor, a powder or a paste, that bounds the cell's entire external perimeter. The glass precursor string is then heated to its melting point with a laser beam, allowing the two substrates of the cell to stick together.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for enriching the aroma profile of beverages, especially beer and wine, by means of extraction, using pervaporation, of aromas from the original beverage and subsequent addition of the extracted aromas to the beverage, after total or partial dealcoholization. The original beverage (1) is fed to the membrane separation module (4) wherein the permeate side (5) is under vacuum, provided by a vacuum pump (12). The feed contacts with the membrane surface and the aromas are selectively permeated to the permeate side of the membrane, where they suffer evaporation. The vapor permeate stream (5) is condensed (10) at an appropriate temperature, which can be cryogenic. After the aroma extraction, the beverage (6) is fed to a dealcoholization unit (14) for obtaining a non-alcoholic drink (15), however depleted in aroma compounds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device, which uses membranes, capable of separating olefins from paraffins. The device (1) considers an ultramicroporous ceramic membrane module, zeolite or silicate based, containing a fixed carrier of copper I or silver ions (#-complexant ions) inserted by ion exchange, or as a monolayer of CuCl, AgNO3, Cu or Ag+ (2). Olefins have higher diffusivity and affinity to the membrane than the remaining species, therefore the bicomponent permeation selectivity becomes reinforced when compared to the ideal permeation selectivity. The purification of olefins by removal of dienes and/or alkynes, is accomplished with a zeolite membrane functionalized with Ag+ and having a specific catalyst in the permeate side (4), e.g. palladium nanoparticulated, for catalyzing the hydrogenation of the permeating dienes and alkynes to the corresponding olefins, thus increasing the selectivity and the driving force of the separation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the application of adsorption gas separation technologies to anaesthesia equipment and falls within the technical domains of adsorption separation units and medical devices. The invention concerns a device and processes for recovering xenon from gas mixtures released from anaesthesia gas machines (1) using xenon as anaesthetic. The purged xenon is collected using a system which includes a shift valve (6), and then separated and purified (38-40). The recycled xenon is then pressurised (31) and reintroduced in the anaesthesia circuit (48) using a shift valve (12). The separation and purification process combines different adsorption separation/purification technologies. The device is external to the anaesthesia gas machine and is compatible with any standard anaesthesia circuit able of perform xenon anaesthesia.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and device to monitor the formation and removal of biofilms and other deposits in ducts, reservoirs and equipments, using vibration. The afore mentioned device is composed by an element that generates vibration (1) and an element that senses vibration (2), fixed on the external surface of a duct, reservoir or equipment (3). An electrical signal is generated by an electronic data acquisition unit (4) connected to the element that generates the vibration (1). The duct, reservoir or equipment (3) vibration leads to a signal in the vibration sensing element (2) which is measured and processed by the electronic data acquisition unit (4). The present invention is able to monitor the formation of deposits on surfaces and it can be applied, for example, to fluid distribution systems and fluid heating/cooling systems.