Abstract: An improved superhydrophobic coating and a process of making it is provided herein. More particularly, a robust superhydrophobic coating is produced by using carbon dioxide to enhance the integration of a binder material into the superhydrophobic coating. The carbon dioxide may be used to infiltrate and fill the interstitial voids of a superhydrophobic material, such as diatomaceous earth. Consequently, occupying these voids in the superhydrophobic material effectively blocks other components (e.g., binders) from entering the voids. As a result, the coating formulations of the present invention are more robust and may strongly adhere to the substrates to which they are applied.

Abstract: An improved superhydrophobic coating and a process of making it is provided herein. More particularly, a robust superhydrophobic coating is produced by using carbon dioxide to enhance the integration of a binder material into the superhydrophobic coating. The carbon dioxide may be used to infiltrate and fill the interstitial voids of a superhydrophobic material, such as diatomaceous earth. Consequently, occupying these voids in the superhydrophobic material effectively blocks other components (e.g., binders) from entering the voids. As a result, the coating formulations of the present invention are more robust and may strongly adhere to the substrates to which they are applied.

Abstract: A neutron detecting system and method. The neutron detecting system may include one or more coated substrates including a piezoelectric substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite of the first surface, a coating of 10boron (10B) on the first surface, and a conductive backplane deposited on the second surface. The coated substrates may be stacked to form a stacked layer array. When the neutrons are captured by the coating of 10B on the coated substrates, energy will be released, causing crystal dislocation of the piezoelectric substrate, thus producing an electric signal through the conductive backplane of the coated substrates. The electric signal may be received with an amplifier to produce an amplified electric signal provided to a processor or circuitry. The processor or circuitry may send a notification signal to a visual or audible user interface indicating detection of the neutrons.

Abstract: A device for detecting neutron emission comprises a housing, a moderator structure, a neutron detection element, and a plurality of plate electrodes. The housing provides an enclosure and shielding from radiation other than neutron emission. The moderator structure is positioned within the housing and is formed from energy absorbing material. The moderator structure includes a first side wall and a second side wall spaced apart and oriented parallel to one another. The neutron detection element includes a neutron reactive material deposited on a planar substrate. The plate electrodes are formed from electrically conductive material and spaced apart from one another. Each adjacent pair of plate electrodes has a voltage therebetween, wherein one neutron detection element is positioned between adjacent pairs of plate electrodes and the combination of plate electrodes and neutron detection elements is positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall of the moderator structure.

Abstract: Making carbon fiber from asphaltenes obtained through heavy oil upgrading. In more detail, carbon fiber is made from asphaltenes obtained from heavy oil feedstocks undergoing upgrading in a continuous coking reactor.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon binder-reinforced carbon fiber composite is provided using carbonized asphaltenes as the carbon binder. Combinations of carbon fiber and asphaltenes are also provided, along with the resulting composites and articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A neutron detecting system and method. The neutron detecting system may include one or more coated substrates including a piezoelectric substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite of the first surface, a coating of 10boron (10B) on the first surface, and a conductive backplane deposited on the second surface. The coated substrates may be stacked to form a stacked layer array. When the neutrons are captured by the coating of 10B on the coated substrates, energy will be released, causing crystal dislocation of the piezoelectric substrate, thus producing an electric signal through the conductive backplane of the coated substrates. The electric signal may be received with an amplifier to produce an amplified electric signal provided to a processor or circuitry. The processor or circuitry may send a notification signal to a visual or audible user interface indicating detection of the neutrons.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon binder-reinforced carbon fiber composite is provided using carbonized asphaltenes as the carbon binder. Combinations of carbon fiber and asphaltenes are also provided, along with the resulting composites and articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A two-step resin recycling system and method solvent that produces essentially contaminant-free synthetic resin material. The system and method includes one or more solvent wash vessels to expose resin particles to a solvent, the solvent contacting the resin particles in the one or more solvent wash vessels to substantially remove contaminants on the resin particles. A separator is provided to separate the solvent from the resin particles after removal from the one or more solvent wash vessels. The resin particles are next exposed to carbon dioxide in a closed loop carbon dioxide system. The closed loop system includes a carbon dioxide vessel where the carbon dioxide is exposed to the resin, substantially removing any residual solvent remaining on the resin particles after separation. A separation vessel is also provided to separate the solvent from the solvent laden carbon dioxide. Both the carbon dioxide and the solvent are reused after separation in the separation vessel.

Abstract: A method of making containers from resin recycled in a solvent wash followed by carbon dioxide bath that produces essentially contaminant-free synthetic resin material in an environmentally safe and economical manner. The method includes receiving resin particles contaminated with contaminants and then exposing the resin particles to a solvent, which substantially removes the contaminants. The resin particles and the solvent are separated after the contaminants are substantially removed. The resin particles are next exposed to a solvent removing agent, which removes any residual solvent or trace contaminants remaining on the resin particles after separation. After exposure to the solvent removing agent, the resulting resin particles are substantially contaminant and solvent free.

Abstract: A two step solvent and carbon dioxide based system that produces essentially contaminant-free synthetic resin material and which further includes a solvent cleaning system for periodically removing the contaminants from the solvent so that the solvent can be reused and the contaminants can be collected and safely discarded in an environmentally safe manner.

Abstract: A resin recycling system that produces essentially contaminant-free synthetic resin material in an environmentally safe and economical manner. The system includes receiving the resin in container form. A grinder grinds the containers into resin particles. The particles are exposed to a solvent in one or more solvent wash vessels, the solvent contacting the resin particles and substantially removing contaminants on the resin particles. A separator is used to separate the resin particles and the solvent. The resin particles are then placed in solvent removing element where they are exposed to a solvent removing agent which removes any residual solvent remaining on the resin particles after separation.

Abstract: A resin recycling method that produces essentially contaminant-free synthetic resin material in an environmentally safe and economical manner. The method includes receiving the resin in container form. The containers are then ground into resin particles. The particles are exposed to a solvent, the solvent contacting the resin particles and substantially removing contaminants on the resin particles. After separating the particles and the resin, a solvent removing agent is used to remove any residual solvent remaining on the resin particles after separation.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from synthetic resin material containers using a first organic solvent system and a second carbon dioxide system. The organic solvent is utilized for removing the contaminants from the synthetic resin material and the carbon dioxide is used to separate any residual organic solvent from the synthetic resin material.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from synthetic resin material containers using a first organic solvent system and a second carbon dioxide system. The organic solvent is utilized for removing the contaminants from the synthetic resin material and the carbon dioxide is used to separate any residual organic solvent from the synthetic resin material.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from synthetic resin material containers using a first organic solvent system and a second carbon dioxide system. The organic solvent is utilized for removing the contaminants from the synthetic resin material and the carbon dioxide is used to separate any residual organic solvent from the synthetic resin material.