Abstract: Burning of hydrocarbon fuels in a combustion engine creates pollutants that include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and various hydrocarbons. Catalytic converter which is designed to reduce such pollutants relies on precious metal catalysts like platinum. There is an ongoing need to find more effective methods of pollution control as well as cheaper alternatives to precious metals. The solution proposed in this disclosure takes advantage of electrical characteristics of exhaust gases. Some of the pollutants in the exhaust gas exhibit positive electron affinity. Such pollutants are converted to negative ions by providing extra electrons. Many of the pollutants have charge distributions which facilitate electrical interactions with the ions. They are attracted to the ions to form clusters. Pollutant clusters formed as such are separated from the rest of the exhaust gas by electric and/or magnetic forces.

Abstract: Energy consumption of the society is increasing due to expanding economic activity and increasing population. As greater consumption of energy generates more air pollution, there is an ongoing need to find better methods of reducing pollutants in terms of effectiveness and reduced energy consumption. The solution proposed in this disclosure takes advantage of electrical characteristics such as electron affinity and dipole moment. There are many pollutants which exhibit positive electron affinity. Such a pollutant can be easily converted to a negative ion by providing an extra electron. Many of the pollutants have dipolar charge distributions which facilitate electrical interactions with charges. If one of the pollutants becomes charged, it can attract other pollutants which are dipoles to form clusters of pollutants. Furthermore, charged clusters are responsive to electric and magnetic fields. For example, they can be separated from the rest of the flue gas by manipulating with such fields.

Abstract: An optically enhanced nanomaterial comprising at least one host material having an optical spectrum outside of the visible spectrum from about 400 nm to about 700 nm, and at least one alkali metal dopant adjusting the optical spectrum of the host material. The incorporation of dopant into the host material of the present invention provides optically enhanced nanomaterials that have at least one transition in the visible spectrum. The optically enhanced nanomaterials of the present invention are suitable for use in applications such as light emitting diodes and solar cells. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Sensor for detecting a physical or chemical quantity, comprising a defect controlled nanotube. The sensor can be produced by post treating a nanotube with sufficient energy to modify at least one of density and type of defects in the nanotube, and associating the nanotube with a circuit capable of providing an output signal based upon change of electrical characteristic of the nanotube in response to stimulus of the nanotube.