Abstract: The invention includes methods of removing particulate matter from potash tailings fluid comprising providing an activating material capable of being affixed to the particulate matter, affixing the activating material to the particulate matter to form an activated particle, providing an anchor particle and a tethering material capable of being affixed to the anchor particle; and attaching the tethering material to the anchor particle and the activated particle to form a removable complex in the potash tailings fluid. The invention also includes providing an activating material capable of being affixed to the particulate matter in the potash tailings fluid; affixing the activating material to the particulate matter to form an activated particle; providing an anchor particle and enveloping it with an enveloping agent to form an enveloped anchor particle capable of attaching to the activated particle; and combining the enveloped anchor particle with the activated particle to form a removable complex.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed methods, and compositions produced using them, to assemble highly conducting, hydrolytically stable polymer electrolyte films from commercially-available, water-soluble polymers using layer-by-layer assembly technology. In certain embodiments, these films can be used for electrochemical device applications which require an ion-conducting material to operate. For example, the power efficiency of any electrochemical device with a solid polymer electrolyte layer can be increased by this technology by virtue of the low ionic resistance of these layer-by-layer assembled thin film electrolytes. Specifically, direct-methanol operated fuel cells (DMFCs) should benefit remarkably, as the described technology offers very high conductivity values at fully hydrated conditions with low fuel (methanol) crossover.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed methods, and compositions produced using them, to assemble highly conducting, hydrolytically stable polymer electrolyte films from commercially-available, water-soluble polymers using layer-by-layer assembly technology. In certain embodiments, these films can be used for electrochemical device applications which require an ion-conducting material to operate. For example, the power efficiency of any electrochemical device with a solid polymer electrolyte layer can be increased by this technology by virtue of the low ionic resistance of these layer-by-layer assembled thin film electrolytes. Specifically, direct-methanol operated fuel cells (DMFCs) should benefit remarkably, as the described technology offers very high conductivity values at fully hydrated conditions with low fuel (methanol) crossover.