Abstract: Nickel-based catalysts comprising silicon modified nickel (nickel silicate) are provided, as are methods for using the catalysts to i) convert methane to CO and H2 (e.g. for use in synthetic chemical compound production); or to ii) convert methane to oxygenated hydrocarbons e.g. one or more of methanol, acetone, formaldehyde, and dimethyl ether. The catalysts are bifunctional and comprise both Ni metallic catalytic sites and acidic nickel-silicon catalytic sites, and the conversions are performed under moderate reaction conditions.

Abstract: Nickel-based catalysts comprising silicon modified nickel (nickel silicate) are provided, as are methods for using the catalysts to i) convert methane to CO and H2 (e.g. for use in synthetic chemical compound production); or to ii) convert methane to oxygenated hydrocarbons e.g. one or more of methanol, acetone, formaldehyde, and dimethyl ether. The catalysts are bifunctional and comprise both Ni metallic catalytic sites and acidic nickel-silicon catalytic sites, and the conversions are performed under moderate reaction conditions.

Abstract: Nickel-based catalysts comprising silicon modified nickel (nickel silicate) are provided, as are methods for using the catalysts to i) convert methane to CO and H2 (e.g. for use in synthetic chemical compound production); or to ii) convert methane to oxygenated hydrocarbons e.g. one or more of methanol, acetone, formaldehyde, and dimethyl ether. The catalysts are bifunctional and comprise both Ni metallic catalytic sites and acidic nickel-silicon catalytic sites, and the conversions are performed under moderate reaction conditions.

Abstract: Nickel-based catalysts comprising silicon modified nickel (nickel silicate) are provided, as are methods for using the catalysts to i) convert methane to CO and H2 (e.g. for use in synthetic chemical compound production); or to ii) convert methane to oxygenated hydrocarbons e.g. one or more of methanol, acetone, formaldehyde, and dimethyl ether. The catalysts are bifunctional and comprise both Ni metallic catalytic sites and acidic nickel-silicon catalytic sites, and the conversions are performed under moderate reaction conditions.

Abstract: Several embodiments related to lithium-ion batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template. The substrate material is at least partially compliant.

Abstract: Several embodiments related to batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a composition for use in reforming is provided comprising a catalyst material comprising molybdenum dioxide and/or MO2 (where M=Mo, W, Ru, Re, Os, Ir) nanoparticles having an average particle size from about 2 nm to about 1,000 nm; and a substrate, wherein both the molybdenum dioxide and/or MO2 (where M=Mo, W, Ru, Re, Os, Ir) nanoparticles are substantially immobilized on the substrate. In another embodiment an anode for use in a fuel cell is provided comprising the forgoing composition. And in another embodiment a fuel cell is provided comprising the forgoing anode.

Abstract: Several embodiments related to lithium-ion batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template.

Abstract: Several embodiments related to lithium-ion batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template.

Abstract: Several embodiments related to lithium-ion batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template. The substrate material is at least partially compliant.

Abstract: Several embodiments related to batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing hydrogen. One embodiment of such a method comprises providing a storage apparatus having a substrate and a nanostructure mat on at least a portion of a side of the substrate. The nanostructure mat comprises a plurality of nanostructures having a surface ionization state which causes more than one layer of hydrogen to adsorb onto the nanostructures. The method can also include exposing the nanostructure mat to hydrogen such that more than one layer of hydrogen adsorbs onto the nanostructures.

Abstract: Catalytic converters and insert materials for catalytic converters comprising metalized nanostructures coated on metal or ceramic honeycomb substrates are described. The nanostructures can be bonded directly to the channel walls of the metal or ceramic honeycomb substrates, and generally extend approximately 0.1 mm into the open pore volume of the substrates. The nanostructured coating can be used to support various catalyst formulations, where the nanostructured coating can provide advantages such as increasing reactivity of the catalysts by providing higher accessible surface area, decreasing light-off temperature through enabling smaller particle size of the catalysts, improving durability and lifetime of the catalysts through increased thermal stability, decreasing costs through reduced amounts of precious metals, and/or functioning as a filter for particulate matter.

Abstract: Several embodiments related to lithium-ion batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a composition for use in reforming is provided comprising a catalyst material comprising molybdenum dioxide and/or MO2 (where M=Mo, W, Ru, Re, Os, Ir) nanoparticles having an average particle size from about 2 nm to about 1,000 nm; and a substrate, wherein both the molybdenum dioxide and/or MO2 (where M=Mo, W, Ru, Re, Os, Ir) nanoparticles are substantially immobilized on the substrate. In another embodiment an anode for use in a fuel cell is provided comprising the forgoing composition. And in another embodiment a fuel cell is provided comprising the forgoing anode.

Abstract: Nanostructured catalysts and related methods are described. The nanostructured catalysts have a hierarchical structure that facilitates modification of the catalysts for use in particular reactions. Methods for generating hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing molecular species using a nanostructured catalyst are described. The hydrogen gas may be collected and stored, or the hydrogen gas may be collected and consumed for the generation of energy. Thus, the methods may be used as part of the operation of an energy-consuming device or system, e.g., an engine or a fuel cell. Methods for storing hydrogen by using a nanostructured catalyst to react a dehydrogenated molecular species with hydrogen gas to form a hydrogen-containing molecular species are also described.

Abstract: High surface area electrodes are described here. The electrodes comprise a conductive substrate and a mesh of nanostructures disposed on the conductive substrate. The nanostructures are coated with conductive or semiconducting nanoparticles to form a high surface area electrode. Methods for making high surface area electrodes are also provided. Further, energy storage devices incorporating the high surface area electrodes are described. Related systems incorporating energy storage devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing hydrogen. One embodiment of such a method comprises providing a storage apparatus having a substrate and a nanostructure mat on at least a portion of a side of the substrate. The nanostructure mat comprises a plurality of nanostructures having a surface ionization state which causes more than one layer of hydrogen to adsorb onto the nanostructures. The method can also include exposing the nanostructure mat to hydrogen such that more than one layer of hydrogen adsorbs onto the nanostructures.

Abstract: A solar energy capture device (solar cell) comprising a disordered mat of semiconductor nanostructures decorated with metal nanoparticles of varying diameters is described. The solar cell may be configured as a semiconductor-type solar cell or as a Gratzel-type solar cell.

Abstract: The synthesis of nanostructures uses a catalyst that may be in the form of a thin film layer on a substrate. Precursor compounds are selected for low boiling point or already exist in gaseous form. Nanostructures are capable of synthesis with a masked substrate to form patterned nanostructure growth. The techniques further include forming metal nanoparticles with sizes <10 nm and with a narrow size distribution. Metallic nanoparticles have been shown to possess enhanced catalytic properties. The process may include plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition to deposit Ni, Pt, and/or Au nanoparticles onto the surfaces of SiO2, SiC, and GaN nanowires. A nanostructure sample can be coated with metallic nanoparticles in approximately 5-7 minutes. The size of the nanoparticles can be controlled through appropriate control of temperature and pressure during the process. The coated nanowires have application as gas and aqueous sensors and hydrogen storage.