Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is a photoelectrochemical device that includes a first cell that includes a first semiconductor alloy, a capping layer that includes a second semiconductor alloy, and a passivating layer that includes a third semiconductor alloy, where the passivating layer is positioned between the first cell and the capping layer, and at least a portion of the capping layer is configured to be in direct contact with an electrolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed are nickel-containing complexation precursors having high complexation activity for bidentate phosphite ligands. Also disclosed are methods of making the complexation precursors. The disclosed method of generating the nickel-containing complexation precursor includes including contacting a nickel starting material with a reductant under conditions sufficient to generate a nickel-containing complexation precursor having at least about 1,500 ppmw sulfur in the form of sulfide.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to photoelectrochemical devices and systems for capturing the energy of electromagnetic radiation and utilizing the captured energy for electrolysis to produce hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is a photoelectrochemical device that includes a first cell that includes a first semiconductor alloy, a capping layer that includes a second semiconductor alloy, and a passivating layer that includes a third semiconductor alloy, where the passivating layer is positioned between the first cell and the capping layer, and at least a portion of the capping layer is configured to be in direct contact with an electrolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed are nickel-containing complexation precursors having high complexation activity for bidentate processed under various conditions phosphite ligands. Also disclosed are methods of making the complexation precursors. The disclosed method of generating the nickel-containing complexation precursor includes including contacting a nickel starting material with a reductant under conditions sufficient to generate a nickel-containing complexation precursor having at least about 1,500 ppmw sulfur in the form of sulfide.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to photoelectrochemical devices and systems for capturing the energy of electromagnetic radiation and utilizing the captured energy for electrolysis to produce hydrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Abstract: Electrochemical nitridation of metals and the produced metals are disclosed. An exemplary method of electrochemical nitridation of metals comprises providing an electrochemical solution at low temperature. The method also comprises providing a three-electrode potentiostat system. The method also comprises stabilizing the three-electrode potentiostat system at open circuit potential. The method also comprises applying a cathodic potential to a metal.

Abstract: A flashing for sealing around a pipe or conduit includes a dome portion with an opening with an inwardly extending lip, and a replaceable seal sized to fit in the dome opening so as to seal around a vent pipe. The seal includes a downwardly extending locking member to grip and lock the inwardly extending lip of the dome portion. The flashing may include a flange portion to facilitate installing the flashing on a roof. Once installed, the replaceable seal may be replaced without replacing the entire flashing, yet securely grips to the base of the flashing.

Abstract: A portable electric can crusher is disclosed that crushes cans, at the “point of collection”. The can crusher crushes cans into a crushed relationship wherein the upper and lower circular end faces are generally unaltered and aligned in a co-planar position, the crushed pattern accomplished by the result of placing the can in a perpendicular position adjacent a ram plate and an elongated rectangular crushing plate which is used for creasing a center portion of the can followed by moving the ram plate against the can into contact with a rigid vertical wall. The crushing motions of the crusher are achieved through dual cam and slot means cooperatively drivably connected to a force transfer block which imparts a predetermined relation translation motion of the plates in response to rotation of the transfer block. A high powered rechargeable battery provides the force necessary to crush cans faster and more productively.

Abstract: Electrochemical nitridation of metals and the produced metals are disclosed. An exemplary method of electrochemical nitridation of metals comprises providing an electrochemical solution at low temperature. The method also comprises providing a three-electrode potentiostat system. The method also comprises stabilizing the three-electrode potentiostat system at open circuit potential. The method also comprises applying a cathodic potential to a metal.

Abstract: A flashing for sealing around a pipe or conduit includes a dome portion with an opening with an inwardly extending lip, and a replaceable seal sized to fit in the dome opening so as to seal around a vent pipe. The seal includes a downwardly extending locking member to grip and lock the inwardly extending lip of the dome portion. The flashing may include a flange portion to facilitate installing the flashing on a roof.

Abstract: A nitridation treated stainless steel article (such as a bipolar plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell) having lower interfacial contact electrical resistance and better corrosion resistance than an untreated stainless steel article is disclosed. The treated stainless steel article has a surface layer including nitrogen-modified chromium-base oxide and precipitates of chromium nitride formed during nitridation wherein oxygen is present in the surface layer at a greater concentration than nitrogen. The surface layer may further include precipitates of titanium nitride and/or aluminum oxide. The surface layer in the treated article is chemically heterogeneous surface rather than a uniform or semi-uniform surface layer exclusively rich in chromium, titanium or aluminum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the production capacity of a conventional oxidation reactor for catalytic liquid phase oxidation of paraxylene by staging the oxidation reaction into a first high pressure and high solvent ratio reaction zone followed by the conventional reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the production capacity of a conventional oxidation reactor for catalytic liquid phase oxidation of paraxylene by staging the oxidation reaction into a first high pressure and high solvent ratio reaction zone followed by the conventional reactor.

Abstract: Improved process for producing aromatic carboxylic acids by catalytic liquid phase oxidation of a corresponding precursor in a suitable solvent comprising feeding the reactants to a first oxidation reaction zone at high pressure and high solvent ratio, wherein uptake of oxygen is less than that required for full conversion of the precursor to its corresponding carboxylic acid, and then feeding the resulting reaction medium to a second oxidation reaction zone.

Abstract: Thin-film vanadium oxide layer that is suitable for use as a cathode in a lithium ion battery or other electronic applications, such as ion insertion layers in electrochromic devices as well as other uses, is deposited by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at room temperature at rates as high as 11 Å/sec. from a vanadium-containing precursor reacted with oxygen and hydrogen. The vanadium oxide-based cathode produced by a lower temperature process and at a high deposition rate, exhibits a high discharge capacity, a high energy density, and a negligible capacity fade fiom its second cycle to at least 2,900 cycles, thus providing enhanced cyclic stability and an improved component for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and other electronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the production capacity of a conventional oxidation reactor for catalytic liquid phase oxidation of paraxylene by staging the oxidation reaction into a first high pressure and high solvent ratio reaction zone followed by the conventional reactor.

Abstract: Improved process for producing carboxylic acids or their esters by catalytic liquid phase oxidation of a corresponding precursor in a suitable solvent comprising feeding the reactants to a first oxidation reaction zone at high pressure and high solvent ratio, wherein uptake of oxygen is limited to less than 50% of the oxygen required for full conversion of the precursor to its corresponding carboxylic acid, and then feeding the resulting reaction medium to a second oxidation reaction zone.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of forming a vanadium oxide film on a substrate utilizing plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The method includes positioning a substrate within a plasma reaction chamber and then forming a precursor gas comprised of a vanadium-containing chloride gas in an inert carrier gas. This precursor gas is then mixed with selected amounts of hydrogen and oxygen and directed into the reaction chamber. The amounts of precursor gas, oxygen and hydrogen are selected to optimize the final properties of the vanadium oxide film An rf plasma is generated within the reaction chamber to chemically react the precursor gas with the hydrogen and the oxygen to cause deposition of a vanadium oxide film on the substrate while the chamber deposition pressure is maintained at about one torr or less. Finally, the byproduct gases are removed from the plasma reaction chamber.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided with a frame including an operator's compartment having an entrance, a drive mechanism supported on the frame, a material handling unit coupled to the frame, and a device including an actuator located across the threshold of the entrance of the operator's compartment. The device generates an alert signal when a portion of an operator's body engages the actuator.