Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of making structures with complex functional architectures, where such structures generally comprise at least two mesoporous regions comprising different chemical activity, and where such methods afford spatial control over the placement of such regions of differing chemical activity. In some embodiments, the present invention is also directed to the structures formed by such methods, where such structures are themselves novel.

Abstract: A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a polymer layer having a plurality of pores; and a ceramic layer disposed on the polymer layer. The ceramic layer has a plurality of substantially unconnected pores. Each of the substantially unconnected pores is in fluid communication with at least one of the pores of the polymer layer. A method of manufacturing a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a polymer layer having a plurality of pores; and disposing a ceramic layer on the polymer layer. Disposing a ceramic layer includes depositing a metal layer on the polymer layer; and anodizing the metal layer to convert the metal layer into a porous layer. At least one of the depositing step and the anodizing step is performed as a continuous process. Alternatively, at least one of the depositing and the anodizing step is performed as a batch process.

Abstract: A nanostructure array including a nanoporous template and a masking material disposed on the nanoporous template such that a first number of the plurality of nanopores are fully coated while a second number of the plurality of nanopores are not-fully coated by the masking material is provided. The array includes forming nanostructures within the plurality of nanopores that are not-fully coated by the masking material.

Abstract: A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a polymer layer having a plurality of pores; and a ceramic layer disposed on the polymer layer. The ceramic layer has a plurality of substantially unconnected pores. Each of the substantially unconnected pores is in fluid communication with at least one of the pores of the polymer layer. A method of manufacturing a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a polymer layer having a plurality of pores; and disposing a ceramic layer on the polymer layer. Disposing a ceramic layer includes depositing a metal layer on the polymer layer; and anodizing the metal layer to convert the metal layer into a porous layer. At least one of the depositing step and the anodizing step is performed as a continuous process. Alternatively, at least one of the depositing and the anodizing step is performed as a batch process.

Abstract: Gallium oxide films for sensing gas comprise Ga2O3 and have a porosity of at least about 30%. Such films can be formed by coating a substrate with a solution comprising: a gallium salt and a porogen comprising an organic compound comprising a hydrophilic chain and a hydrophobic chain; and heating the substrate to a temperature in the range from about 400° C. to about 600° C. while exposing the substrate to an oxygen-containing source to convert the gallium salt to a gallium oxide.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructure array including disposing a masking material on a nanoporous template such that a first number of the plurality of nanopores are fully coated while a second number of the plurality of nanopores are not-fully coated by the masking material is provided. The method includes forming the nanostructures within the plurality of nanopores that are not-fully coated by the masking material. A nanostructure array fabricated in accordance to above said method and devices based on the nanostructure array is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for separating carbon dioxide from a fluid stream at a temperature higher than about 200° C. with selectivity higher than Knudsen diffusion selectivity include contacting a porous membrane with the fluid stream to preferentially transport carbon dioxide. The porous membrane includes a porous support and a continuous porous separation layer disposed on a surface of the porous support and extending between the fluid stream and the porous support layer. The porous support comprises alumina, silica, zirconia, stabilized zirconia, stainless steel, titanium, nickel-based alloys, aluminum-based alloys, zirconium-based alloys or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Gallium oxide films for sensing gas comprise Ga2O3 and have a porosity of at least about 30%. Such films can be formed by coating a substrate with a solution comprising: a gallium salt and a porogen comprising an organic compound comprising a hydrophilic chain and a hydrophobic chain; and heating the substrate to a temperature in the range from about 400° C. to about 600° C. while exposing the substrate to an oxygen-containing source to convert the gallium salt to a gallium oxide.

Abstract: A porous membrane for separation of carbon dioxide from a fluid stream at a temperature higher than about 200° C. with selectivity higher than Knudsen diffusion selectivity. The porous membrane comprises a porous support layer comprising alumina, silica, zirconia or stabilized zirconia; a porous separation layer comprising alumina, silica, zirconia or stabilized zirconia, and a functional layer comprising a ceramic oxide contactable with the fluid stream to preferentially transport carbon dioxide. In particular, the functional layer may be MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, La2O3, CeO2, ATiO3, AZrO3, AAl2O4, A1FeO3, A1MnO3, A1CoO3, A1NiO3, A2HfO3, A3CeO3, Li2ZrO3, Li2SiO3, Li2TiO3 or a mixture thereof; wherein A is Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba; A1 is La, Ca, Sr or Ba; A2 is Ca, Sr or Ba; and A3 is Sr or Ba.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating at least one component from a mixture of a plurality of chemical species is provided. The apparatus comprises a membrane structure comprising a plurality of pores disposed within a matrix material to allow mass transport from a first surface of the membrane structure to a second surface of the membrane structure. The matrix material has a thermal conductivity of at least about 10 W/m/K; and a functional material disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The functional material has the property of promoting selective transport of at least one species through the membrane structure from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen gas wherein the apparatus includes a reactor. In one embodiment, the reactor includes at least two conversion-removal portions. Each conversion-removal portion comprises a catalyst section configured to convert CO in the stream to CO2 and a membrane section located downstream of and in flow communication with the catalyst section. The membrane section is configured to selectively remove the CO2 from the stream and to be in flow communication with a sweep gas.

Abstract: A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a first layer having a plurality of pores; and a second layer disposed on, the first layer. The second layer has a plurality of unconnected pores. At least a portion of the plurality of unconnected pores of the second layer is at least partially filled with a filler such that the first layer is substantially free of the filler. At least a portion of the plurality of unconnected pores of the second layer is in fluid communication with at least one of the pores of the first layer. A method of making a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; disposing a second layer on the first layer, and filling at least a portion of the unconnected pores of the second layer with a filler such that the first layer is substantially free of the filler.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructure array including disposing a masking material on a nanoporous template such that a first number of the plurality of nanopores are fully coated while a second number of the plurality of nanopores are not-fully coated by the masking material is provided. The method includes forming the nanostructures within the plurality of nanopores that are not-fully coated by the masking material. A nanostructure array fabricated in accordance to above said method and devices based on the nanostructure array is also provided.

Abstract: A ceramic structure having a scaffold with at least one opening and at least one porous filler material at least partially filling the at least one opening is described. The porous ceramic filler includes a plurality of pores. The pores have an average size in a range from about 2 nm to about 100 nm. The plurality of pores includes at least one pore architecture. For each pore architecture, the average pore size does not vary by more than about 100% when the average pore size is in a range from about 2 nm to about 50 nm, and the average pore size does not vary by more than about 50% when the average pore size is greater than about 50 nm. The plurality of pores includes at least two pore architectures when the porous filler material is silica. Also described is a method of making the ceramic structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen gas, wherein the apparatus includes a reactor. The reactor includes a catalyst, a membrane in flow communication with the catalyst, and a heat exchanger integrated with the reactor.