Abstract: A method of designing a plastic recycling facility at a selected site includes representing each selected component of the plastic recycling facility a module defined by information relating to at least one of a carbon emission or a cost. The method also includes storing the information represented each module in a database accessible by a processor; programming the processor with a set of engineering rules, wherein each engineering rule is configured to represent a predetermined design decision relating to at least a design of the plastic recycling facility; and generating deliverables using at least the set of engineering rules and the modules. The deliverables may include at least: a cost estimate for the plastic recycling facility, and a carbon emission estimate for the plastic recycling facility.

Abstract: A method of designing a charging station to charge electric vehicles at a selected site includes the steps of compiling a set of engineering rules; encoding the set of engineering rules in a processor: obtaining non-site specific information from suppliers and manufactures; storing non-site specific information in a database; obtaining site specific information for the selected site; conveying the site specific information via a user interface to the database; generating deliverables using at least the set of engineering rules, the non-site specific information and the site specific information; and sending the deliverables to an end user. Each engineering rule represents a predetermined design decision.

Abstract: A wavelength selective reflection display (10) comprises a wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and a backing member (30) having a first, non-reflective optical state, and a second, reflective optical state. Both the wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and the backing member (30) are divided into pixels (40, 50, 60), and the backing member (30) is switchable between its first and second optical states on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The pixels of the backing member (30) are substantially aligned with those of the wavelength selective reflection medium (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of alkene metathesis. In the method, at least one monoalkene is subjected to ethenolysis in the presence of a diene. The invention also relates to the use of a diene to promote an ethenolysis reaction conducted on a monoalkene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of alkene metathesis. In the method, at least one monoalkene is subjected to ethenolysis in the presence of a diene. The invention also relates to the use of a diene to promote an ethenolysis reaction conducted on a monoalkene.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P1 and P2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R1)3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R1 groups within one P1 or P2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.

Abstract: A mobile opportunistic trading system is described where traders list items they wish to trade along with ask prices or offer bids on a trading server. Traders may also include additional information related to the distance or time they are willing to travel in order to trade items. The trading server identifies potential trades and notifies the traders of this. The traders may then organize and participate in an opportunistic market. Traders may also carry mobile computing devices that use a GPS, or other mechanism to determine their present location and communicate this to the trading system. When two or more traders are within an acceptable distance of each other an opportunistic trading market can be created. The mobile opportunistic trading system may also obtain information related to traders travel plans and use this information in order to determine that an opportunistic market is possible.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P1 and P2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R1)3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R1 groups within one P1 or P2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The process includes contacting a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen with a catalyst system containing a ruthenium compound—and optionally, a chloride or bromide-containing compound—dispersed in a low-melting tetraorganophosphonium chloride or bromide salt under conditions effective to produce methanol and ethanol. The invention also relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon monoxide and water using the same catalyst system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The process includes contacting a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen with a catalyst system containing a ruthenium compound—and optionally, a chloride or bromide-containing compound—dispersed in a low-melting tetraorganophosphonium chloride or bromide salt under conditions effective to produce methanol and ethanol. The invention also relates to a process for making methanol and ethanol from carbon monoxide and water using the same catalyst system.

Abstract: This invention concerns a promoted catalyst system for making one or more alkanols from synthesis gas. The catalyst system contains a ruthenium compound and a halogen promoter dispersed in a low-melting tetraorganophosphonium salt. The halogen promoter is a compound capable of generating HX (where X?Cl, Br, or I) under reaction conditions. The invention also concerns a process for selectively preparing one or more alkanols from synthesis gas using the promoted catalyst system.

Abstract: Novel conjugates of nanoparticles are provided and have particular utility in the detection of latent fingerprints by their ability to bind to a fingerprint residue. The conjugate comprises a nanoparticle attached to a linker group having a terminal reactive moiety, wherein said nanoparticle comprises a core of a first semiconductor material having a first luminescence and a shell of a second material which at least partially surrounds the core. The conjugated nanoparticle can bind to the fingerprint residue and can be detected using fluorescence.

Abstract: A wavelength selective reflection display (10) comprises a wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and a backing member (30) having a first, non-reflective optical state, and a second, reflective optical state. Both the wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and the backing member (30) are divided into pixels (40, 50, 60), and the backing member (30) is switchable between its first and second optical states on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The pixels of the backing member (30) are substantially aligned with those of the wavelength selective reflection medium (20).

Abstract: A display comprises, in this order: a layer (104) of an electro-optic medium switchable between transmissive and non-transmissive optical states; a shutter means (130) switchable between reflective and transmissive optical states; and a light source (102). The display can operate in either a reflective mode or a transmissive mode, and the whole area of the display functions in both modes.

Abstract: Novel conjugates of nanoparticles are provided and have particular utility in the detection of latent fingerprints by their ability to bind to a fingerprint residue. The conjugate comprises a nanoparticle attached to a linker group having a terminal reactive moiety, wherein said nanoparticle comprises a core of a first semiconductor material having a first luminescence and a shell of a second material which at least partially surrounds the core. The conjugated nanoparticle can bind to the fingerprint residue and can be detected using fluorescence.

Abstract: A backplane for use in an electro-optic display comprises a patterned metal foil having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, coated on at least side with an insulating polymeric material and having a plurality of thin film electronic devices provided on the insulating polymeric material.

Abstract: A catalyst, useful for the hydroformylation of allyl alcohol, is described. The catalyst comprises a rhodium complex and a 6-bis(3,5-dialkylphenyl)phosphino-N-pivaloyl-2-aminopyridine or a 3-bis(3,5-dialkylphenyl)phosphino-2H-isoquinolin-1-one. The invention also includes a process for the production of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde comprising reacting allyl alcohol with a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a solvent and the catalyst. The process gives a high ratio of the linear product 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde to the branched co-product 3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde.

Abstract: A direct hydrocarbonylation process for the production of 1,4-butanediol is described. The process comprises reacting allyl alcohol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an alcohol solvent in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a rhodium complex, a trialkyl phosphine, and a diphosphine. The process gives a high yield of 1,4-butanediol in a one-step reaction.

Abstract: A process for the production of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde is described. The process comprises reacting allyl alcohol with a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst system comprising a rhodium complex and a substituted or unsubstituted 4,5-bis(di-n-alkylphosphino)xanthene. The process gives high yield of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde compared to 3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde.

Abstract: Digital data storage conventionally requires an election to be made between retaining data on-line, which consumes expensive media, or moving it to a far cheaper archive medium, which is relatively inacessible. This specification discloses a hybrid arrangement in which all material is retained on-line, but is progressively degraded as it becomes less useful, with off-line storage of the source material. On-line browsing of an entire library remains possible, but without incurring the expense of maintaining the entire library at source quality on-line.