Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for separating fluid components. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and methods utilize microchannel devices with small distances for heat and mass transfer to achieve rapid cycle times and surprisingly large volumes of fluid components separated in short times using relatively compact hardware.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for separating hydrogen. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and methods utilize microchannel devices with small distances for heat and mass transfer to achieve rapid cycle times and surprisingly large volumes of hydrogen separated in short times using relatively compact hardware.

Abstract: Apparatus, materials, and methods for removing ammonia from fluids using metal hydroxides (e.g. zinc hydroxide) and metal loaded media (e.g. zinc loaded ion exchange resins); the metal hydroxides and metal loaded media may be regenerated with a weak acid (pKa between 3 and 7). Alternatively, ammonia is removed from fluids by using H2SO4 and ZnSO4 and metal loaded media; the metal loaded media may be regenerated with H2SO4 and ZnSO4; the ammonia containing H2SO4 and ZnSO4 may be concentrated as necessary to form (NH4)2SO4.ZnSO4.6H2O (ammonium zinc sulfate hexahydrate) crystals. These crystals are removed from the mother liquor and heated to temperatures exceeding 200° C. releasing NH3 and H2O vapor upon the decomposition of the crystals.

Abstract: Apparatus, materials, and methods for removing ammonia from fluids using metal hydroxides (e.g. zinc hydroxide) and metal loaded media (e.g. zinc loaded ion exchange resins); the metal hydroxides and metal loaded media may be regenerated with a weak acid (pKa between 3 and 7). Alternatively, ammonia is removed from fluids by using H2SO4 and ZnSO4 and metal loaded media; the metal loaded media may be regenerated with H2SO4 and ZnSO4; the ammonia containing H2SO4 and ZnSO4 may be concentrated as necessary to form (NH4)2SO4.ZnSO4.6H2O (ammonium zinc sulfate hexahydrate) crystals. These crystals are removed from the mother liquor and heated to temperatures exceeding 200° C. releasing NH3 and H2O vapor upon the decomposition of the crystals.

Abstract: N-ethyl alkanohydroxamic acids, where said alkyl group is a straight chain alkyl group of 8 to 10 carbon atoms, or a branched alkyl group of 8 to 25 carbon atoms, provided said alkyl group is not cyclic, useful as metal chelants for use in organic solvent extractant solutions such as kerosene to extract metals from aqueous solutions by forming complexes of the extracted metal with the N-ethyl hydroxamic acid. Metals can be stripped from complexes of N-ethyl hydroxamic acids at higher concentrations into lower strength acid stripping agents. The N-ethyl hydroxamic acid-containing organic solvent extraction solutions exhibit rapid phase separation from aqueous solutions, good hydrolytic stability and resistance to forming emulsions.

Abstract: Ferritin analogs comprising an apoferritin protein shell and a core substantially devoid of ferrihydrite, e.g. of inorganic composition such as aluminum hydroxide or organic composition such as acetaminophen. The protein shell can be removed from ferritin analog to produce spherules having a substantially monomodal nominal diameter between about 45 and 90 Angstroms.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing formate ions from electroless metal plating baths employing formaldehyde as a reducing agent and typically comprising polyvalent anions as metal chelant and/or counterion. The apparatus and methods employ anion filtration to separate polyvalent anions from monovalent formate ions and ion exchange units to remove metal and metal chelant species from formate-containing streams. Preferred aspects of this invention provide apparatus and methods for removing formate from electroless copper plating baths.

Abstract: N-ethyl alkanohydroxamic acids, where said alkyl group is a straight chain alkyl group of 8 to 10 carbon atoms, or a branched alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms, provided said alkyl group is not cyclic, useful as metal chelants for use in organic solvent extractant solutions such as kerosene to extract metals from aqueous solutions by forming complexes of the extracted metal with the N-ethyl hydroxamic acid. Metals can be stripped from complexes of N-ethyl hydroxamic acids at higher concentrations into lower strength acid stripping agents. The N-ethyl hydroxamic acid-containing organic solvent extraction solutions exhibit rapid phase separation from aqueous solutions, good hydrolytic stability and resistance to forming emulsions.

Abstract: Phosphorus-containing, crystalline, nickel-coated fabric, wherein said nickel contains 1 to 6 weight percent phosphorus, has crystallites greater than 3 nanometers and has a surface resistivity of less than 1 ohm/square is deposited onto a substrate a surface which is catalytic to electroless deposition of nickel by immersing the substrate into an electroless nickel plating solution consisting essentially of nickel salt, one or more organic acids, hypophosphite reducing agent, thiourea and ammonia and essentially no heavy metal, wherein the concentration of said thiourea is less than 1 ppm, maintained at a pH of 6.5 to 8.5 and a temperature less than 60.degree. C. Preferred plating solutions comprise essentially no lead or cadmium and have a molar ratio of nickel to hypophosphite in said solution is 0.4 to 0.55. Preferred organic acids are selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, pyruvic acid, aspartic acid and glycolic acid.

Abstract: Sulfate-free electroless copper baths comprising cupric ions, formaldehyde, formate ions, hydroxyl ions, a copper counterion, e g. preferably a monovalent anion such as acetate, nitrate or formate, and copper chelant such as an alkali metal salt of aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), biscarboxymethylaspartic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid), gluconic acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, mucic acid, D-saccharac acid, tartaric acid and N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine are amenable to the recovery of copper, e.g. from purge streams, using the methods and apparatus including solvent extraction, e.g. employing hydroxamic acid extractants, anion filtration, ion-exchange and chelant precipitation.

Abstract: Ferritin analogs comprising an apoferritin protein shell and a core substantially devoid of ferrihydrite, e.g. of inorganic composition such as aluminum hydroxide or organic composition such as acetaminophen. The protein shell can be removed from ferritin analog to produce spherules having a substantially monomodal nominal diameter between about 45 and 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing polyvalent by-product anions, e.g. borate and orthophosphate ions, from electroless metal plating baths employing borane or hypophosphite reducing agents and typically comprising monovalent anions or neutral zwitterions as metal chelant and/or counterion. The apparatus and methods of this invention employ (a) solvent extraction to remove metal species for recycle, (b) anion filtration to separate polyvalent anions from neutral zwitterions and monovalent anions and (c) ion exchange units to remove metal and metal chelant species from polyvalent anion-containing waste streams.

Abstract: Aqueous electroless nickel plating solutions comprising a water soluble nickel salt associated with a neutral zwitterion, e.g. alanine or glycine, and/or monovalent anion, e.g. lactate, nitrate, hypophosphite, acetate, sulfamate, hydrochloride, formate, propionate, trichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, methanesulfonate, glycolate, aspartate or pyruvate, as counterion and chelant, a neutral, e.g. borate, or monovalent, e.g. hypophosphite, reducing agent, and a non-thiourea stabilizer, e.g. protonated dimethylamine or dimethylaminopropylamine or 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid. Valuable components of spent baths, e.g. nickel and neutral or monovalent anion species, can be advantageously recycled by employing solvent extraction and anion filtration operations.

Abstract: N-ethyl hydroxamic acids, preferably containing at least 10 carbon atoms, useful as metal chelants for use in organic solvent extractant solutions such as kerosene to extract metals from aqueous solutions by forming complexes of the extracted metal with the N-ethyl hydroxamic acid. Metals can be stripped from complexes of N-ethyl hydroxamic acids at higher concentrations into lower strength acid stripping agents. The N-ethyl hydroxamic acid-containing organic solvent extraction solutions exhibit rapid phase separation from aqueous solutions and resistance to forming emulsions.

Abstract: The invention provides a fishing lure useful for measuring water temperature at a certain depth. The lure includes a temperature sensing part embedded in an insualting matrix part which provides a useful heat flow pattern. After being exposed to water of a certain temperature the temperature sensing part will thermally equilibrate to that temperature after a period of time. The device will then hold this temperature reading even while being briefly exposed to mediums of different temperatures, such as exposing the lure to air or water of varying temperature, and will allow accurate readings of the original temperature. The fishing lure appears to exploit the difference in thermal conductivities of air versus other media, such as water or slurries.

Abstract: The invention provides a device useful for measuring water temperature at a certain depth. The device includes a temperature sensing part embedded in an insulating matrix part which provides a useful heat flow pattern. After being exposed to water of a certain temperature the temperature sensing part wil thermally equilibrate to that temperature after a period of time. The device will then hold this temperature reading even while being briefly exposed to mediums of different temperatures, such as exposing the device to air or water of varying temperature, and will allow accurate readings of the original temperature. The device appears to exploit the difference in thermal conductivities of air versus other media, such as water or slurries.

Abstract: Gallium is purified by washing organic solutions containing hydroxamic acid complexes of gallium with aqueous solutions, individually or in series, especially amine or ammonia solutions, and dilute acid solutions. The method is applicable to a variety of gallium sources, and capable of producing gallium of extremely high purity, especially with a repetitive procedure.

Abstract: Nickel and cobalt are reversibly extracted from nickel and cobalt bearing aqueous solutions using solvent extraction techniques by contacting the aqueous solution with a hydrocarbon solvent containing a N-alkylalkanohydroxamic acid having at least about 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Gallium is extracted in the presence of other metals from gallium bearing aqueous solutions, by contact with organic solvent containing N-organo hydroxamic acids, particularly at described acid and alkaline pH ranges; and recovered from the organic solvent. New gallium complexes and certain N-organo hydroxamic acids are also provided.

Abstract: Dihydroxamic acids derived from succinyl compounds are used in conjunction with monohydroxamic acids to extract gallium, e.g. N,N'-dimethyl n-decylsuccino dihydroxamic acid and a monohydroxamic acid in an organic solvent extracts gallium in the presence of other metals from gallium bearing aqueous solutions.