Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to a hydrogen-storage system that employs catalytic dehydrogenation of low-molecular-weight amines in a hydrogen reactor. The hydrogen-storage system comprises aliphatic amines and di-amines as organic carriers that store hydrogen covalently, a hydrogen reactor that releases and separates hydrogen gas from the carrier, and metal or metal-oxide catalysts that promote a dehydrogenation reaction to release hydrogen. In certain implementations, a metal or metal-oxide catalyst may be carried on high-surface-area support materials, such as gamma-alumina and metal-organic-framework materials, to enhance catalytic properties. The hydrogen reactor may be a packed-bed reactor, a monolith reactor, or a flow-through hydrogen-membrane reactor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surprising reaction of an alkane thiol with a catalyst and heat to become dehydrogenated and form a thiophene rather than an expected desulfurization reaction to form the corresponding alkane or alkene. Moreover, there are disclosed surprising results regarding the form of a catalyst to allow a reaction of an alkane thiol to form the dehydrogenated thiophene at lower temperatures and at higher conversion percentages to allow for more efficient recovery of thiophenes to allow for recycling and reuse of thiophenes to hydrogenate to form alkane thiols. Further still, there is disclosed a set of reaction conditions and catalyst presentation that allows for recovery of usable diatomic hydrogen gas from a dehydrogenation reaction of substituted or unsubstituted cyclic thioethers to substituted or unsubstituted thiophene.

Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to a hydrogen-storage system that employs catalytic dehydrogenation of low-molecular-weight amines in a hydrogen reactor. The hydrogen-storage system comprises aliphatic amines and di-amines as organic carriers that store hydrogen covalently, a hydrogen reactor that releases and separates hydrogen gas from the carrier, and metal or metal-oxide catalysts that promote a dehydrogenation reaction to release hydrogen. In certain implementations, a metal or metal-oxide catalyst may be carried on high-surface-area support materials, such as gamma-alumina and metal-organic-framework materials, to enhance catalytic properties. The hydrogen reactor may be a packed-bed reactor, a monolith reactor, or a flow-through hydrogen-membrane reactor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a microchannel reactor module for the immediate catalytic release of hydrogen from hydrogenated organic molecules along with the recovery of hydrogen gas and the recovery of dehydrogenated organic molecules as a liquid. More specifically, the disclosure provides a polyimide-based microchannel plate that is particularly useful for a process of immediate catalytic release of hydrogen from a hydrogenated organic molecule or formulation of molecules.

Abstract: An oxygen-reducing catalyst layer, and a method of making the oxygen-reducing catalyst layer, where the oxygen-reducing catalyst layer includes a catalytic material film disposed on a substrate with the use of physical vapor deposition and thermal treatment. The catalytic material film includes a transition metal that is substantially free of platinum. At least one of the physical vapor deposition and the thermal treatment is performed in a processing environment comprising a nitrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: There is disclosed a surprising reaction of an alkane thiol with a catalyst and heat to become dehydrogenated and form a thiophene rather than an expected desulfurization reaction to form the corresponding alkane or alkene. Moreover, there are disclosed surprising results regarding the form of a catalyst to allow a reaction of an alkane thiol to form the dehydrogenated thiophene at lower temperatures and at higher conversion percentages to allow for more efficient recovery of thiophenes to allow for recycling and reuse of thiophenes to hydrogenate to form alkane thiols. Further still, there is disclosed a set of reaction conditions and catalyst presentation that allows for recovery of usable diatomic hydrogen gas from a dehydrogenation reaction of substituted or unsubstituted cyclic thioethers to substituted or unsubstituted thiophene.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a supported catalyst comprising nanostructured elements which comprise microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles, where the method comprises step a) of vacuum deposition of material from at least a first carbon target in the presence of nitrogen and step b) of vacuum deposition of material from a second target comprising at least one transition metal, the second target comprising no precious metals. In one embodiment, step a) is carried out prior to step b). In another embodiment, steps a) and b) are carried out simultaneously. Typically the deposition steps are carried out in the absence of oxygen. Typically, the transition metal is iron or cobalt, and most typically iron. The present disclosure also provides a supported catalyst comprising nanostructured elements which comprise microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles made according to the present method.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for hydrogen release and chemical storage by dehydrogenating low molecular weight aliphatic amines and di-amines to produce their corresponding nitriles in a reactor system containing a hydrogen fractionation membrane (or sweep gas) to quickly remove any and all hydrogen generated during the dehydrogenation reaction. This disclosure further provides a process for hydrogen recovery using bi- and tri-functional amines that produce corresponding nitriles and high density hydrogen release.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making oxygen-reducing catalyst layers, which include simultaneous or sequential stops of physical vapor depositing an oxygen-reducing catalytic material onto a substrate, the catalytic material comprising a transition metal that is substantially free of platinum; and thermally treating the catalytic material. At least one of the physical vapor deposition and the thermal treatment is performed in a processing environment comprising a nitrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a supported catalyst comprising nanostructured elements which comprise microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles, where the method comprises step a) of vacuum deposition of material from at least a first carbon target in the presence of nitrogen and step b) of vacuum deposition of material from a second target comprising at least one transition metal, the second target comprising no precious metals. In one embodiment, step a) is carried out prior to step b). In another embodiment, steps a) and b) are carried out simultaneously. Typically the deposition steps are carried out in the absence of oxygen. Typically, the transition metal is iron or cobalt, and most typically iron. The present disclosure also provides a supported catalyst comprising nanostructured elements which comprise microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles made according to the present method.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible motor coupling device that provides for distance changes along a lateral axis between a motor shaft and a device to be actuated (such as a valve shaft). More specially, there is disclosed a motor coupling device comprising an outer casing having an axis therein and a carriage shaft, wherein the carriage shaft moves laterally along the axis of rotation and is surrounded by ball bearings.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fiber optic liquid level sensor apparatus that functions using total internal reflection and an index of refraction. More specifically, there is disclosed a fiber optic liquid level sensor apparatus comprising two fiber optic strands, each having a first end and a second end, substantially oriented in parallel to each other, wherein the second ends of both strands are attached to each other.

Abstract: The invention provides abrasive articles comprising: (a) a backing having a first major surface and a second major surface; and (b) an abrasive coating consisting essentially of: (i) a hardened binder coating having a first surface adhered to the flexible backing and a second structured surface comprising a plurality of precisely-shaped protrusions; and (ii) a diamond-like carbon coating superposed and adhered to at least a portion of the structured surface of the hardened binder coating. Also reported is a method of mechanically treating a rigid disk or a rigid disk substrate using the abrasive articles of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for anonymizing clinical samples for use in a variety of research and development activities.

Abstract: An abrasive article having a sheet-like substrate having at least one major surface; an abrasive coating adhered to the at least one major surface of the substrate, wherein the abrasive coating comprises a plurality of abrasive particles and an organic binder medium; and, a hard carbon coating layer comprising a diamond-like carbon film. The hard carbon coating layer in the coated abrasive article can be provided as a top coat or, alternatively, as located between the abrasive coating and a covering layer based on an organic binder layer. The invention also pertains to a method of making such an abrasive article.

Abstract: An abrasive article having a sheet-like substrate having at least one major surface; an abrasive coating adhered to the at least one major surface of the substrate, wherein the abrasive coating comprises a plurality of abrasive particles and an organic binder medium; and, a hard carbon coating layer comprising a diamond-like carbon film. The hard carbon coating layer in the coated abrasive article can be provided as a top coat or, alternatively, as located between the abrasive coating and a covering layer based on an organic binder layer. The invention also pertains to a method of making such an abrasive article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a diamond-like carbon coating. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate to be coated, providing a cathode of vitreous carbon or a pyrolytic graphite cathode and initiating a cathodic arc discharge with the arc spot on the cathode surface and directing the resulting carbon plasma toward the substrate to form a coating on said substrate, said coating being substantially macroparticle free.

Abstract: An electronic monitoring system monitors an individual for compliance with a protective order. When a violation is detected, the system automatically gathers evidence, independent of any that may be provided by the victim of the violation, to establish probable cause of such violation. The monitoring system includes a transmitter tag worn by the individual guilty of the violation (the "abuser") that transmits a unique identifying (ID) signal, either periodically or when triggered. A receiving/monitoring device (RMD), or equivalent, is carried by or positioned near the victim, e.g., in the victim's house and/or place of employment, for receiving the ID signal. A central monitoring computer is located at a central monitoring location that is in selective telecommunicative contact with the RMD.

Abstract: An orthodontic archwire is coated with a hard carbon coating of polycrystalline diamond, diamond-like amorphous hydrogen-free carbon, diamond-like hydrogenated amorphous carbon, or combinations thereof. The hard carbon coating presents a barrier to nickel and chromium that might otherwise diffuse from an underlying metal substrate, and as such is useful for patients exhibiting sensitivity to nickel and chromium.

Abstract: An electronic monitoring system monitors an abuser for compliance with a protective order. When a violation is detected, the system automatically gathers evidence, independent of any that may be provided by the victim of the abuse, to establish probable cause of such violation. The monitoring system includes a transmitter tag worn by the abuser that transmits a unique identifying (ID) signal, either periodically or when triggered. A receiving/monitoring device (RMD), or equivalent, is carried by or positioned near the victim, e.g., in the victim's house and/or place of employment, for receiving the ID signal. A central monitoring computer is located at a central monitoring location that is in selective telecommunicative contact with the RMD.