Abstract: Phosphoranimide-metal catalysts are disclosed. The catalysts comprise first row transition metals such as nickel, cobalt or iron. The hydrocarbon-soluble catalysts have a metal to anionic phosphoranimide ratio of 1:1, have no inactive bulk phase and no dative ancillary ligands, and are active for a range of commercially important reductive transformations. A method of synthesis of these catalysts by reduction of a precursor of these catalysts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A close-proximity thermoacoustic sensor that can determine radiated ultrasound intensities by directly coupling a transducer via a coupling medium. The sensor captures the beam, converts the ultrasound power into heat, and indirectly measures the spatial average time average ultrasound intensity (Isata) by dividing the calculated power by the beam-cross-section (or the nominal area of the transducers).

Abstract: Nanoparticle catalyst compositions and methods for preparation of same are described. The nanoparticle catalysts are platinum-free and are useful in effecting selective ring-opening reactions, for example in upgrading heavy oil. The catalyst may be of monometallic composition, or may comprise an alloyed or core-shell bimetallic composition. The nanoparticles are of controlled size and shape.

Abstract: A flocculating agent that comprises a complex of a metal salt and multiple strands of a temperature sensitive polymer. A process for separating coal fines from an aqueous liquid using a flocculent having a critical flocculation temperature, said critical flocculation temperature being the temperature below which flocculent is hydrophilic and forms floccules with fines and above which the flocculent is hydrophobic, which comprises adding to the aqueous liquid an effective amount of the flocculent at a temperature below the critical flocculent flocculation temperature of the flocculent to cause generation of floccules, said comprising at least a metal complex including a metal salt and a water soluble polymer, separating (for example filtering) floccules from the aqueous liquid, then heating the floccules to a temperature above the critical flocculation temperature of the flocculent to expel water from the floccules to create a solids and expelled water, and separating the expelled water from the solids.

Abstract: A flexible-base electrode array for implantation within neural tissue, method of making the electrode array and use thereof, is provided. A surrogate neural tissue, method of making same and use thereof, is further provided. The use of the present flexible-base electrode array for implantation into the surrogate neural tissue for stimulation or recording neural activity, wherein the array is biocompatible with the surrogate tissue.

Abstract: A gel assembly comprising a polymeric gel layer between metal layers. A gel assembly process comprising providing a colloidal polymer in solution, drying the solution to form a polymeric gel layer and forming metal layers on either side of the polymeric gel layer. A method of drug delivery comprising loading a polymeric gel layer with drug, forming metal layers on either side of the polymeric gel layer, wherein the polymeric gel layer comprises a material that is sensitive to a stimulus, and subjecting the polymeric gel layer to the stimulus to release the drug from between or through the metal layers.

Abstract: A nanocrystalline-Si/SiO2 composite containing silicon nanoparticles prepared by curing hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) under reductive thermal conditions in the presence of a gas containing hydrogen is provided. Freestanding photoluminescent silicon nanoparticles are prepared by acid etching the nanocrystalline-Si/SiO2 composite.