Abstract: A system and method for separating battery components provides for the separation of batteries into their individual layers of anodes, cathodes, first polymer separator layers, and second polymer separator layers. A battery casing of a battery is cut to uncover a battery cell core, which is then washed to remove an electrolyte therefrom. An outer wrapping layer of the washed battery cell core is cut to form an open loose end, and the open loose end is engaged by first and second rollers to unroll a laminate therefrom. The laminate includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, a first polymer separator layer, and a second polymer separator layer. The laminate is then separated into the cathode layer, the anode layer, the first polymer separator layer, and the second polymer separator layer with the first roller, the second roller, a third roller, and a fourth roller. Each layer is then collected.

Abstract: A system and method for separating battery components provides for the separation of batteries into their individual layers of anodes, cathodes, first polymer separator layers, and second polymer separator layers. A battery casing of a battery is cut to uncover a battery cell core, which is then washed to remove an electrolyte therefrom. An outer wrapping layer of the washed battery cell core is cut to form an open loose end, and the open loose end is engaged by first and second rollers to unroll a laminate therefrom. The laminate includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, a first polymer separator layer, and a second polymer separator layer. The laminate is then separated into the cathode layer, the anode layer, the first polymer separator layer, and the second polymer separator layer with the first roller, the second roller, a third roller, and a fourth roller. Each layer is then collected.

Abstract: Monodispersed metal nanoparticles are prepared by preparing a homogeneous metal complex solution by mixing metal salt with a complexing agent in solvent. A precipitating agent is added into the homogeneous metal complex solution to form a slurry. A homogeneous mixture of reducing agent and solvent is added to perform reducing reaction on the slurry to form metal nanoparticles in a controlled environment under gas purge. A capping agent is added to modify surface properties of metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles are washed and the metal nanoparticles are recovered by phase extraction or centrifugation. The technique can be used to prepare conductive pastes with bimodal particle size distribution.

Abstract: The microneedle array includes a substrate having a central opening formed therethrough, and a plurality of microneedles positioned about a perimeter defining the central opening. At least one of the microneedles has a recess formed therein adjacent a tip thereof, and this recess is at least partially filled with a layer of active material. A sensor for detecting chemical analytes, biological analytes or the like may be constructed by providing two such microneedle arrays, with one serving as the working electrode and one serving as a reference electrode. The working electrode and the reference electrode may both be connected to a signal analyzer for detecting electrochemical signals. The working electrode and the reference electrode may be separate from one another or may be stacked together.

Abstract: The system for separating battery cell cores includes a cell core holder for receiving and holding a battery cell core. A cutter cuts an outer wrapping layer of the battery cell core to form an open loose end. A first roller rotates the battery cell core and a sheet opener engages the open loose end to unroll a laminate, which includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a polymer separator layer sandwiched therebetween. A pair of second rollers receive, grip and selectively drive movement of the laminate. A cathode breaker applies breaking force to the cathode layer to produce broken cathode layer pieces, which are then collected. An anode breaker then grasps and vibrates the laminate to produce broken anode layer pieces, which are also collected. Finally, a polymer separator layer cutter selectively cuts the polymer separator layer to produce cut polymer separator layer pieces, which are collected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely dissembling lithium ion batteries and separating components thereof is provided. The apparatus includes a container having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a cutter system. A load-in fixture is located at a central portion of the cutter system between the first cutter and the second cutter. After the lithium ion battery is securely fastened and each end of the lithium ion battery is cut, a pushing rod/bar extending transversely through a central axis of the cutting system is pushed through the core of the lithium ion battery. The separated components of the lithium ion battery are deposited in a cell components collection system in a bottom portion of the container. The cell cores are collected in a cell cores collection box and the metal casing and casing ends are collected in a metal casing and casing ends collection box.

Abstract: Monodispersed metal nanoparticles are prepared by preparing a homogeneous metal complex solution by mixing metal salt with a complexing agent in solvent. A precipitating agent is added into the homogeneous metal complex solution to form a slurry. A homogeneous mixture of reducing agent and solvent is added to perform reducing reaction on the slurry to form metal nanoparticles in a controlled environment under gas purge. A capping agent is added to modify surface properties of metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles are washed and the metal nanoparticles are recovered by phase extraction or centrifugation. The technique can be used to prepare conductive pastes with bimodal particle size distribution.

Abstract: Monodispersed metal nanoparticles are prepared by preparing a homogeneous metal complex solution by mixing metal salt with a complexing agent in solvent. A precipitating agent is added into the homogeneous metal complex solution to form a slurry. A homogeneous mixture of reducing agent and solvent is added to perform reducing reaction on the slurry to form metal nanoparticles in a controlled environment under gas purge. A capping agent is added to modify surface properties of metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles are washed and the metal nanoparticles are recovered by phase extraction or centrifugation. The technique can be used to prepare conductive pastes with bimodal particle size distribution.

Abstract: The system for separating battery cell cores includes a cell core holder for receiving and holding a battery cell core. A cutter cuts an outer wrapping layer of the battery cell core to form an open loose end. A first roller rotates the battery cell core and a sheet opener engages the open loose end to unroll a laminate, which includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a polymer separator layer sandwiched therebetween. A pair of second rollers receive, grip and selectively drive movement of the laminate. A cathode breaker applies breaking force to the cathode layer to produce broken cathode layer pieces, which are then collected. An anode breaker then grasps and vibrates the laminate to produce broken anode layer pieces, which are also collected. Finally, a polymer separator layer cutter selectively cuts the polymer separator layer to produce cut polymer separator layer pieces, which are collected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely dissembling lithium ion batteries and separating components thereof is provided. The apparatus includes a container having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a cutter system. A load-in fixture is located at a central portion of the cutter system between the first cutter and the second cutter. After the lithium ion battery is securely fastened and each end of the lithium ion battery is cut, a pushing rod/bar extending transversely through a central axis of the cutting system is pushed through the core of the lithium ion battery. The separated components of the lithium ion battery are deposited in a cell components collection system in a bottom portion of the container. The cell cores are collected in a cell cores collection box and the metal casing and casing ends are collected in a metal casing and casing ends collection box.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of metal oxide nanocrystals preparation. In embodiments, a metal-organic precursor may be economically synthesized by reacting a metal with an organic acid. The organic acid may include an aliphatic chain longer than three carbon atoms. The metal may be In, Sn, Al, Ga, Zn, Cd, Sb, Bi, Ge, Mn, Ti, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, Fe, Y, Mg, Co, as well as mixtures thereof. Further processing of the metal-organic precursor (e.g. by pyrolysis, hydrolysis, or alcoholysis) produces metal oxide nanocrystals of desired characteristics. An metal-organic precursor of indium tin oxide (ITO) may be synthesized by reacting indium metal and tin metal with an organic acid having an aliphatic chain longer than three carbon atoms (e.g. stearic acid) at a temperature above 200° C. Further processing of the resulting metal-organic precursor yields ITO nanocrystals of regular shape, uniform size, and average diameter ranging of between about 1-500 nm.

Abstract: A ultraviolet and infrared absorbing polyvinyl butyral film is disclosed which is comprised of copper chalcogenide nanoparticles and oxide nanoparticles. The polyvinyl butyral film has a visible transmittance greater than 75%, at least 50% absorption between 780 and 1400 nm, around 100% absorption beyond 1400 nm, and at least 85% absorption in the UV region. Also disclosed is a laminate comprising one or more substrates, a polymeric matrix disposed on or between the one or more substrates, and copper chalcogenide nanoparticles dispersed in the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: Provided herein are fluorescent bioprobes comprising fluorogens that exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) labeled on biomolecules. The present subject matter relates to a fluorescent bioprobe comprising one or more fluorogen labeled on chitosan. The present subject matter is also directed to methods of preparing the fluorescent bioprobes, methods of labeling and detecting DNA and/or proteins with the fluorescent bioprobe, and methods of cell imaging including live cell tracking.

Abstract: Monodispersed metal nanoparticles are prepared by preparing a homogeneous metal complex solution by mixing metal salt with a complexing agent in solvent. A precipitating agent is added into the homogeneous metal complex solution to form a slurry. A homogeneous mixture of reducing agent and solvent is added to perform reducing reaction on the slurry to form metal nanoparticles in a controlled environment under gas purge. A capping agent is added to modify surface properties of metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles are washed and the metal nanoparticles are recovered by phase extraction or centrifugation. The technique can be used to prepare conductive pastes with bimodal particle size distribution.

Abstract: Fluorescent bioprobes comprising luminogen formed nanoparticles comprising luminogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, which can be used for long-term cell tracking. The luminogens are nonemissive in organic solution but become highly emissive when aggregated in aqueous solution. The fluorescent molecules can readily pass through cell membranes, stain only the cell cytoplasm, and form highly emissive nanoaggregates in aqueous media without any obvious cytoxicity in the living cells. Furthermore, the molecules can be retained inside the cells without noticeable leakage to the outside. Therefore, these AIE-based compounds can be used as selective and cell-compatible fluroescent bioprobes for long-term live cell tracking and imaging.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of metal oxide nanocrystals preparation. In embodiments, a metal-organic precursor may be economically synthesized by reacting a metal with an organic acid. The organic acid may include an aliphatic chain longer than three carbon atoms. The metal may be In, Sn, Al, Ga, Zn, Cd, Sb, Bi, Ge, Mn, Ti, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, Fe, Y, Mg, Co, as well as mixtures thereof. Further processing of the metal-organic precursor (e.g. by pyrolysis, hydrolysis, or alcoholysis) produces metal oxide nanocrystals of desired characteristics. An metal-organic precursor of indium tin oxide (ITO) may be synthesized by reacting indium metal and tin metal with an organic acid having an aliphatic chain longer than three carbon atoms (e.g. stearic acid) at a temperature above 200° C. Further processing of the resulting metal-organic precursor yields ITO nanocrystals of regular shape, uniform size, and average diameter ranging of between about 1-500 nm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to air purification. The present invention provides a system for reducing carbon dioxide concentration in air in locations with sub-tropical to temperate climates and method of reducing carbon dioxide concentration using the system.

Abstract: The present invention is a herbal composition and method of preparing thereof. The herbal composition comprising extracts of Carthami Flos (CF), Dipsaci Radix (DR), Notoginseng Rhizoma (NR) and Rhei Rhizoma (RR). The present invention also relates to an oil-in-water or water-in-oil type nano-emulsion and method of preparing thereof. The nano-emulsion comprises an aqueous phase, an organic phase and a surfactant, wherein said aqueous phase comprises hydrophilic extract of herbal materials and said organic phase comprises hydrophobic extract of said herbal materials. The present invention also relates to a transdermal patch comprises said nano-emulsion. The herbal composition of the present invention is useful in treating traumatic injuries, in particular bone injuries. The present nano-emulsion and patch thereof can promote skin absorption of active ingredients in herb, thereby increasing the herb's bioavailability and efficacy in therapy.

Abstract: An integrated recovery process for rare earth recovery includes bringing the acid solution containing rare earth elements into contact with an organic phase containing an extraction agent to extract the rare earth elements into the organic phase. The organic phase is separated from the aqueous phase. The rare earth elements are either collected from the aqueous phase of the extraction process or the rare earth elements are stripped from the organic phase to an aqueous solution. Rare earth powders are collected from the aqueous solution by partly removing the aqueous solvent. Alternatively, the aqueous solvent can be completely removed, the collected rare earth powders are dissolved in an acidic solution, and the mixture is equilibrated for crystallization of the target rare earth element. In both cases, the crystals and a mother liquor are separated by solid/liquid separation.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods for the synthesis of [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and fullerene derivatives in a yield of at least 40%.