Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying key intermediates of Citalopram, i.e. 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxybutyl]-3-hydroxymethylbenzonitrile and a salt thereof. The method comprises dissolving crude 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxybutyl]-3-hydroxymethylbenzonitrile (compound of formula I containing formaldehyde impurity) with an organic solvent, adding a washing solution, controlling the temperature, stirring, leaving to stand for layering, and removing the aqueous layer, so as to obtain a purified organic solution of 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-hydroxybutyl]-3-hydroxymethylbenzonitrile. The method provided by the present invention can effectively remove aldehyde group-containing impurities in the intermediate. The method of the present invention has the advantages of simple operation, cheap raw materials and mild conditions, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.

Abstract: Techniques for creating and using error tables to track errors associated with a base table are described. A command to perform an operation on a base table stored in a network-based data system can be received and executed, causing at least one error. At least one error record corresponding to the at least one error can be inputted into an error table, which is nested with the base table. Contextual information can be added to the at least one error record.

Abstract: Methods for reshaping graphene oxide sheet-containing structures using water are provided. Graphene oxide sheet-containing structures can be reshaped by applying a force to a graphene oxide sheet-containing structure, wherein the force changes the initial shape of the structure to a new shape. While the force is still acting on the graphene oxide sheet-containing structure, liquid water is applied to the structure to dissipate stress induced by the force and the structure is then dried. When the force is removed, the graphene oxide sheet-containing structure remains fixed in the new shape.

Abstract: Compositions of carbon particles dispersed in phenolic solvents or dispersed in solvent mixtures of one or more phenolic solvents with one or more non-phenolic solvents are provided. The compositions can take the form of liquid dispersions, pastes, gels, and doughs. Also provided are methods of making the compositions and methods of forming the compositions into coatings, films, fibers, and other three-dimensional objects.

Abstract: Provided are methods for synthesizing a graphene gel. In embodiments, such a method comprises flowing a graphene oxide composition comprising graphene oxide and a solvent, the solvent having a boiling point higher than pure water, through a reaction chamber under conditions to deoxygenate the graphene oxide and induce gelation to form a graphene gel suspended in the solvent and flowing through the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Methods of treating metal nanocrystals are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises exposing metal nanocrystals comprising a metal and characterized by at least one twinning boundary therein, to a plating solution comprising a reducing agent and coating metal cations comprising a different metal, under conditions to form a coating of the different metal on surfaces of the metal nanocrystals via electroless deposition by chemical reduction of the coating metal cations, thereby providing coated metal nanocrystals. Methods of forming bulk nanostructured metal alloys from the coated metal nanocrystals are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for building a machine learning framework with tracking, model building and maintenance, and feedback loop are provided. In one technique, a prediction model is generated based on features of multiple entities. For each entity indicated in a first database, multiple feature values are identified, which include feature values stored in the first database and feature values based on sub-entity data regarding individuals associated with the entity. The feature values are input into the prediction model to generate a score for the entity. Based on the score, a determination is made whether to add, to a second database, a record for that entity. The second database is analyzed to identify other entities. For each such entity, a determination is made whether to generate a training instance; if so, a training instance is generated and added to training data, which is used to generate another prediction model.

Abstract: Provided are methods for synthesizing a graphene gel. In embodiments, such a method comprises flowing a graphene oxide composition comprising graphene oxide and a solvent, the solvent having a boiling point higher than pure water, through a reaction chamber under conditions to deoxygenate the graphene oxide and induce gelation to form a graphene gel suspended in the solvent and flowing through the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Methods of forming oxidation barriers are provided. An illustrative method comprises applying a clay mineral coating composition comprising a solvent and exfoliated clay mineral sheets, e.g., exfoliated vermiculite sheets, to a surface of a substrate; and removing solvent from the clay mineral coating composition as-applied to the surface, thereby forming a coating comprising the exfoliated clay mineral sheets on the surface. The oxidation barriers are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of capturing respiratory droplets are provided which use coatings comprising a polyelectrolyte polymer and a viscosity modifier. In embodiments, a method of capturing respiratory droplets comprises absorbing respiratory droplets on a surface of a coating, the coating comprising a polyelectrolyte polymer and a viscosity modifier, wherein absorbed droplets leave depressions in the surface of the coating. Coated substrates and coating compositions used to form the coated substrates are also encompassed.

Abstract: A surface texture includes a three-dimensional structure, a cross-section of which includes a first serration and a second serration. The first serration has a first peak having a height measured from a base of the three-dimensional structure to a top of the first serration. A valley is formed in between the first serration and the second serration, where the valley has a length measured from a base of the first serration to a base of the second serration. The first serration also has a vertex angle that forms the first peak. A coating that covers at least a portion of the valley, where the valley is designed to remain free of frost.

Abstract: Methods of imaging a 2D sheet are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises illuminating a sample with light having a wavelength 1, the sample comprising a quenching substrate; a transparent, non-quenching 2D sheet on the quenching substrate; and a fluorescent layer comprising fluorescent dye molecules on the transparent, non-quenching 2D sheet and the quenching substrate, providing background domains and 2D sheet domains in the sample, wherein the light induces fluorescence of the dye molecules in the fluorescent layer. The method further comprises detecting fluorescence from the sample to provide an image of the transparent, non-quenching 2D sheet, wherein an intensity IB of the detected fluorescence from the background domains is less than an intensity I2DSs of the detected fluorescence from the 2D sheet domains, thereby providing contrast in the image.

Abstract: Graphene oxide doughs are provided. Also provided are dense, glassy solids made from the doughs and methods of making the doughs and the solids. The doughs and solids have high graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide contents, and the sheets in the doughs and solids lack long-range lamellar stacking order.

Abstract: Self-healing coating compositions are provided. In embodiments, such a composition comprises a liquid medium and a network of hollow capsules extending through the liquid medium in three dimensions, the network comprising a plurality of chains formed from the hollow capsules, aggregates of the hollow capsules, or both, wherein exterior surfaces of the hollow capsules of the plurality of chains define a plurality of channels filled with the liquid medium, and wherein the coating composition has a room temperature viscosity greater than that of the liquid medium. Coated surfaces formed from the compositions and methods of protecting surfaces using the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and system for forming a film. The method including providing a trough containing water defining an air-water interface between air and the water; providing a solution containing a material of interest; and electrospraying the solution onto the air-water interface of water to form a film of the material of interest at the air-water interface. The system includes a trough containing water defining an air-water interface between air and the water; and means for spreading a solution containing a material of interest onto the air-water interface of water by electrospray, to form a film of the material of interest at the air-water interface. The spreading means comprises an electrospraying device.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions, including hair coloring compositions, comprising graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (r-GO), or both, and water are provided.

Abstract: A medical swab includes a hollow tube shaft that has a distal end and a proximal end. A swab tip is mounted to the hollow tube shaft such that a first portion of the swab tip is positioned within the distal end of the hollow tube shaft and a second portion of the swab tip extends out from the distal end of the hollow tube shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a host material for stabilizing a Li metal electrode, fabricating methods and applications of the same. The host material includes crumpled graphene balls operably defining a scaffold having volumes and voids inside and in between the crumpled graphene balls so as to allow uniform and stable Li deposition/dissolution inside and in between the crumpled graphene balls without electrode volume fluctuations or with sufficiently small electrode volume fluctuations. The crumpled paper ball-like structures of graphene particles can readily assemble to yield the scaffold with scalable Li loading up to 10 mAh cm-2 within tolerable volume fluctuations. High Coulombic efficiency of 97.5% over 750 cycles (1500 hours) is achieved. Plating/stripping Li up to 12 mAh cm-2 on the crumpled graphene scaffold does not experience dendrite growth.

Abstract: Methods for reshaping graphene oxide sheet-containing structures using water are provided. Graphene oxide sheet-containing structures can be reshaped by applying a force to a graphene oxide sheet-containing structure, wherein the force changes the initial shape of the structure to a new shape. While the force is still acting on the graphene oxide sheet-containing structure, liquid water is applied to the structure to dissipate stress induced by the force and the structure is then dried. When the force is removed, the graphene oxide sheet-containing structure remains fixed in the new shape.

Abstract: Methods of catalyzing an electrochemical reaction are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises applying an electrical potential across a fixed working electrode and a counter electrode, the fixed working electrode and the counter electrode in contact with an electrolyte solution comprising reactant species and fluidized electrocatalyst particles, the fluidized electrocatalyst particles undergoing free fluid motion within and throughout the electrolyte solution, wherein the electrical potential is applied to induce an electrochemical reaction between the reactant species and the fluidized electrocatalyst particles at transient interfaces formed between the reactant species, the fluidized electrocatalyst particles and the working electrode upon collisions of the fluidized electrocatalyst particles with the working electrode.