Abstract: A method for the gasification of carbon to yield products including carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. The method comprises irradiating a source of carbon with radiation having a frequency between 300 GHz and 300 MHz and contacting the source of carbon with a reactant such as water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and a nitrogen oxide. The choice of reactant dictates the resultant product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single phase metal-silica sol-gel glass formed by the co-condensation of a transition metal with silicon atoms where the metal atoms are uniformly distributed within the sol-gel glass as individual metal centers. Any transition metal may be used in the sol-gel glasses. The present invention also relates to sensor materials where the sensor material is formed using the single phase metal-silica sol-gel glasses. The sensor materials may be in the form of a thin film or may be attached to an optical fiber. The present invention also relates to a method of sensing chemicals using the chemical sensors by monitoring the chromatic change of the metal-silica sol-gel glass when the chemical binds to the sensor. The present invention also relates to oxidation catalysts where a metal-silica sol-gel glass catalyzes the reaction. The present invention also relates to a method of performing oxidation reactions using the metal-silica sol-gel glasses.