Abstract: A system and method for the extraction of americium from radioactive waste solutions. The method includes the transfer of highly oxidized americium from an acidic aqueous feed solution through an immobilized liquid membrane to an organic receiving solvent, for example tributyl phosphate. The immobilized liquid membrane includes porous support and separating layers loaded with tributyl phosphate. The extracted solution is subsequently stripped of americium and recycled at the immobilized liquid membrane as neat tributyl phosphate for the continuous extraction of americium. The sequestered americium can be used as a nuclear fuel, a nuclear fuel component or a radiation source, and the remaining constituent elements in the aqueous feed solution can be stored in glassified waste forms substantially free of americium.

Abstract: A catalyst composition includes a heterobimetallic zeolite characterized by a chabazite structure loaded with copper ions and at least one trivalent metal ion other than Al3+. The catalyst composition decreases NOx emissions in diesel exhaust and is suitable for operation in a catalytic converter.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a zeolite loaded with copper ions and at least one trivalent metal ion other than Al+3, wherein the catalyst decreases NOx emissions in diesel exhaust. The trivalent metal ions are selected from, for example, trivalent transition metal ions, trivalent main group metal ions, and/or trivalent lanthanide metal ions. In particular embodiments, the catalysts are selected from Cu—Fe-ZSM5, Cu—La-ZSM-5, Fe—Cu—La-ZSM5, Cu—Sc-ZSM-5, and Cu—In-ZSM5. The catalysts are placed on refractory support materials and incorporated into catalytic converters.

Abstract: A method for producing a hydrocarbon blendstock, the method comprising contacting at least one saturated acyclic alcohol having at least three and up to ten carbon atoms with a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 550° C., wherein the metal is a positively-charged metal ion, and the metal-loaded zeolite catalyst is catalytically active for converting the alcohol to the hydrocarbon blendstock, wherein the method directly produces a hydrocarbon blendstock having less than 1 vol % ethylene and at least 35 vol % of hydrocarbon compounds containing at least eight carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for converting an alcohol to a hydrocarbon fraction having a lowered benzene content, the method comprising: converting said alcohol to a hydrocarbon fraction by contacting said alcohol, under conditions suitable for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon fraction, with a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst catalytically active for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon fraction, and contacting said hydrocarbon fraction with a benzene alkylation catalyst, under conditions suitable for alkylating benzene, to form alkylated benzene product in said hydrocarbon fraction. Also described is a catalyst composition useful in the method, comprising a mixture of (i) a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst catalytically active for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon, and (ii) a benzene alkylation catalyst, in which (i) and (ii) may be in a mixed or separated state. A reactor for housing the catalyst and conducting the reaction is also described.

Abstract: A method for converting an alcohol to a hydrocarbon, the method comprising contacting said alcohol with a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 550° C., wherein said alcohol can be produced by a fermentation process, said metal is a positively-charged metal ion, and said metal-loaded zeolite catalyst is catalytically active for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method for converting an alcohol to a hydrocarbon fraction having a lowered benzene content, the method comprising: converting said alcohol to a hydrocarbon fraction by contacting said alcohol, under conditions suitable for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon fraction, with a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst catalytically active for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon fraction, and contacting said hydrocarbon fraction with a benzene alkylation catalyst, under conditions suitable for alkylating benzene, to form alkylated benzene product in said hydrocarbon fraction. Also described is a catalyst composition useful in the method, comprising a mixture of (i) a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst catalytically active for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon, and (ii) a benzene alkylation catalyst, in which (i) and (ii) may be in a mixed or separated state. A reactor for housing the catalyst and conducting the reaction is also described.

Abstract: A method for converting an alcohol to a hydrocarbon, the method comprising contacting said alcohol with a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 550° C., wherein said alcohol can be produced by a fermentation process, said metal is a positively-charged metal ion, and said metal-loaded zeolite catalyst is catalytically active for converting said alcohol to said hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A composition comprised of nanoparticles of lithium ion conducting solid oxide material, wherein the solid oxide material is comprised of lithium ions, and at least one type of metal ion selected from pentavalent metal ions and trivalent lanthanide metal ions. Solution methods useful for synthesizing these solid oxide materials, as well as precursor solutions and components thereof, are also described. The solid oxide materials are incorporated as electrolytes into lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: A catalyst composition includes a heterobimetallic zeolite characterized by a chabazite structure loaded with copper ions and at least one trivalent metal ion other than Al3+. The catalyst composition decreases NOx emissions in diesel exhaust and is suitable for operation in a catalytic converter.

Abstract: A composition comprised of nanoparticles of lithium ion conducting solid oxide material, wherein the solid oxide material is comprised of lithium ions, and at least one type of metal ion selected from pentavalent metal ions and trivalent lanthanide metal ions. Solution methods useful for synthesizing these solid oxide materials, as well as precursor solutions and components thereof, are also described. The solid oxide materials are incorporated as electrolytes into lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: A composition comprised of nanoparticles of lithium ion conducting solid oxide material, wherein the solid oxide material is comprised of lithium ions, and at least one type of metal ion selected from pentavalent metal ions and trivalent lanthanide metal ions. Solution methods useful for synthesizing these solid oxide materials, as well as precursor solutions and components thereof, are also described. The solid oxide materials are incorporated as electrolytes into lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: A system and method for the extraction of americium from radioactive waste solutions. The method includes the transfer of highly oxidized americium from an acidic aqueous feed solution through an immobilized liquid membrane to an organic receiving solvent, for example tributyl phosphate. The immobilized liquid membrane includes porous support and separating layers loaded with tributyl phosphate. The extracted solution is subsequently stripped of americium and recycled at the immobilized liquid membrane as neat tributyl phosphate for the continuous extraction of americium. The sequestered americium can be used as a nuclear fuel, a nuclear fuel component or a radiation source, and the remaining constituent elements in the aqueous feed solution can be stored in glassified waste forms substantially free of americium.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a zeolite loaded with copper ions and at least one trivalent metal ion other than Al+3, wherein the catalyst decreases NOx emissions in diesel exhaust. The trivalent metal ions are selected from, for example, trivalent transition metal ions, trivalent main group metal ions, and/or trivalent lanthanide metal ions. In particular embodiments, the catalysts are selected from Cu—Fe-ZSM5, Cu—La-ZSM-5, Fe—Cu—La-ZSM5, Cu—Sc-ZSM-5, and Cu—In-ZSM5. The catalysts are placed on refractory support materials and incorporated into catalytic converters.

Abstract: A hybrid hydrogen storage composition includes a first phase and a second phase adsorbed on the first phase, the first phase including BN for storing hydrogen by physisorption and the second phase including a borazane-borazine system for storing hydrogen in combined form as a hydride.

Abstract: The invention is a process for decomposing dried paint sludge to recover the organic and inorganic components of the paint sludge as gaseous, liquid, and composite materials. The process comprises drying the paint sludge to remove water and organic solvents, pyrolizing the dried paint sludge in an inert atmosphere in an elevated temperature of up to about 600.degree. C. to form gaseous and liquid decomposition materials and a solid residue. The process further comprises collecting the gaseous and liquid decomposition materials and subjecting the solid residue to sintering in an elevated temperate of about 900.degree. to 1300.degree. C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen, argon or ammonia to convert the solid residue to composite materials comprising barium nitranate and titanium compounds such as titanium dioxide, titanium nitride, and titanium carbide. The gaseous and liquid materials may be further pyrolyzed to carbon materials.

Abstract: Novel single-source volatile precursor compounds are disclosed, having the general formula(RO).sub.3 Si--O--Ti (OR).sub.3where each of the six R moieties in the C.sub.3 to C.sub.6 alkyl, preferably all being tert-butyl. The precursor compounds are suitable for use in dissociation methods, such as sol-gel and chemical vapor deposition, for preparing powders and films of stoichiometric SiO.sub.2.TiO.sub.2. Optical films to provide an anti-reflective surface on a lens, window or the like and powders for catalytic substrates, etc. are prepared using the SiO.sub.2.TiO.sub.2 yielded by the single-source volatile precursor compound.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an electrically heatable catalyst device comprising an electrically insulating substrate carrying an electrically conductive material selected from metal oxides, carbides, nitrides and silicides, and applied thereon a washcoat carrying a catalyst.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system for monitoring the efficiency of a catalyst employed to convert exhaust gases containing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, e.g., those generated by an internal combustion engine such as in an automobile. The system comprises a thin-film resistive device and an electrical circuit connected to said thin-film resistive device capable of determining a change in the electrical resistance of a electrically conductive material provided in the device, the electrical resistance being subject to change during conversion of said exhaust gases over the catalyst.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for preparing materials comprising metal nitrides by the photolytic/pyrolytic decomposition of metal amides. The metal amides may be zirconium and/or niobium amides, which may additionally contain titanium amides.