Abstract: A charging system includes a source charging function element of a communications system. The source charging function element includes at least one processing circuit that is operative to process charge events for network charging related to a customer identifier to write customer data indicating the network charging into a source data partition of a global storage system. Based on receiving an event message, the source charging function element determines the customer identifier based on content of the event message and performs a look up in a translation function to obtain a mapping between the customer identifier and at least data partition that includes the source data partition. When the customer identifier is determined to be mapped by the translation function to the source data partition and to a target data partition, the source charging function element communicates with a target charging function element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal halogen lamp comprising, inside an outer casing (7), first (3) and second (5) arc tube members, which are electrically parallel-connected and are connected via conductive members (9) to a base part (11), each arc tube member having a first end (15), facing toward the top part (17) of the outer casing (7) opposite the base part (11), and a second end (19), facing toward the base part (11). The first arc tube member (3) is arranged closer to the top part (17) than the second arc tube member (5), and the second end (19) of the first arc tube member (3) and the first end (15) of the second arc tube member (5) adjoin an imaginary plane (P) defined substantially transversely to the center line (CL) of the outer casing (7), which center line extends from the top part (17) to the base part (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal halogen lamp comprising an elongated arc tube enclosed in a transparent casing, wherein the arc tube is made up of a hollow glass body comprising two end portions and a middle portion, and electrode is arranged on the respective end portion, which electrodes, each having an electrode end, upon connection to a power source and during operation of the metal halogen lamp, generate an arc between them; and the glass body encloses halogens (h) and metal atoms (m) and has a wall thickness which is thicker on the end portions than on the middle portion. The thicker end portions each have a length (L1) of at least one-third of the total length (L) of the arc tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal halogen lamp comprising, inside an outer casing (7), first (3) and second (5) arc tube members, which are electrically parallel-connected and are connected via conductive members (9) to a base part (11), each arc tube member having a first end (15), facing toward the top part (17) of the outer casing (7) opposite the base part (11), and a second end (19), facing toward the base part (11). The first arc tube member (3) is arranged closer to the top part (17) than the second arc tube member (5), and the second end (19) of the first arc tube member (3) and the first end (15) of the second arc tube member (5) adjoin an imaginary plane (P) defined substantially transversely to the center line (CL) of the outer casing (7), which center line extends from the top part (17) to the base part (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal halogen lamp comprising an elongated arc tube enclosed in a transparent casing, wherein the arc tube is made up of a hollow glass body comprising two end portions and a middle portion, and electrode is arranged on the respective end portion, which electrodes, each having an electrode end, upon connection to a power source and during operation of the metal halogen lamp, generate an arc between them; and the glass body encloses halogens (h) and metal atoms (m) and has a wall thickness which is thicker on the end portions than on the middle portion. The thicker end portions each have a length (L1) of at least one-third of the total length (L) of the arc tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel composites that incorporate carbon nanospheres into a polymeric material. The polymeric material can be any polymer or polymerizable material compatible with graphitic materials. The carbon nanospheres are hollow, graphitic nanoparticles. The carbon nanospheres can be manufactured from a carbon precursor using templating catalytic nanoparticles. The unique size, shape, and electrical properties of the carbon nanospheres impart beneficial properties to the composites incorporating these nanomaterials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel composites that incorporate carbon nanospheres into a polymeric material. The polymeric material can be any polymer or polymerizable material compatible with graphitic materials. The carbon nanospheres are hollow, graphitic nanoparticles. The carbon nanospheres can be manufactured from a carbon precursor using templating catalytic nanoparticles. The unique size, shape, and electrical properties of the carbon nanospheres impart beneficial properties to the composites incorporating these nanomaterials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel composites that incorporate carbon nanospheres into a polymeric material. The polymeric material can be any polymer or polymerizable material compatible with graphitic materials. The carbon nanospheres are hollow, graphitic nanoparticles. The carbon nanospheres can be manufactured from a carbon precursor using templating catalytic nanoparticles. The unique size, shape, and electrical properties of the carbon nanospheres impart beneficial properties to the composites incorporating these nanomaterials.

Abstract: Organically complexed nanocatalyst compositions are applied to or mixed with a carbon-containing fuel (e.g., tobacco, coal, briquetted charcoal, biomass, or a liquid hydrocarbon like fuel oils or gasoline) in order to enhance combustion properties of the fuel. Nanocatalyst compositions can be applied to or mixed with a solid fuel substrate in order to reduce the amount of CO, hydrocarbons, and soot produced by the fuel during combustion. In addition, coal can be treated with inventive nanocatalyst compositions to reduce the amount of NOx produced during combustion (e.g., by removing coal nitrogen in a low oxygen pre-combustion zone of a low NOx burner). The nanocatalyst compositions include nanocatalyst particles made using a dispersing agent. At least a portion of the nanoparticles is crystalline with a spacing between crystal planes greater than about 0.28 nm. The nanocatalyst particles can be activated by heating to a temperature greater than about 75° C., more preferably greater than about 150° C.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures include: 1) forming a plurality of catalytic templating particles using a plurality of dispersing agent molecules; 2) forming an intermediate carbon nanostructure by polymerizing a carbon precursor in the presence of the plurality of templating nanoparticles; 3) carbonizing the intermediate carbon nanostructure to form a composite nanostructure; and 4) removing the templating nanoparticles from the composite nanostructure to yield the carbon nanostructures. The carbon nanostructures are well-suited for use as a catalyst support. The carbon nanostructures exhibit high surface area, high porosity, and high graphitization. Carbon nanostructures according to the invention can be used as a substitute for more expensive and likely more fragile carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures are formed from a carbon precursor and catalytic templating nanoparticles. Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures generally include (1) forming a precursor mixture that includes a carbon precursor and a plurality of catalytic templating particles, (2) carbonizing the precursor mixture to form an intermediate carbon material including carbon nanostructures, amorphous carbon, and catalytic metal, (3) purifying the intermediate carbon material by removing at least a portion of the amorphous carbon and optionally at least a portion of the catalytic metal, and (4) heat treating the purified intermediate carbon material and/or treating the purified intermediate carbon material with a base to remove functional groups on the surface thereof. The removal of functional groups increases the graphitic content of the carbon nanomaterial and decreases its hydrophilicity.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures include: 1) forming a plurality of catalytic templating particles using a plurality of dispersing agent molecules; 2) forming an intermediate carbon nanostructure by polymerizing a carbon precursor in the presence of the plurality of templating nanoparticles; 3) carbonizing the intermediate carbon nanostructure to form a composite nanostructure; and 4) removing the templating nanoparticles from the composite nanostructure to yield the carbon nanostructures. The carbon nanostructures are well-suited for use as a catalyst support. The carbon nanostructures exhibit high surface area, high porosity, and high graphitization. Carbon nanostructures according to the invention can be used as a substitute for more expensive and likely more fragile carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Supported nickel catalyst having high nickel loading and dispersion are manufactured using a dispersing agent. The dispersing agent molecules include at least one functional group that bonds with the nickel atoms and influences nanoparticle formation. The support material is loaded with at least about 5% nickel, more preferably at least about 8%, and most preferably at least about 12% by weight of the total catalyst. Catalysts manufactured using the organic dispersing agents and loaded with the foregoing amounts of nickel have metal dispersions greater than about 5% as measured by hydrogen adsorption, more preferably greater than about 10%, and most preferably greater than about 15%.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures are formed from a carbon precursor and catalytic templating nanoparticles. Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures generally include (1) forming a precursor mixture that includes a carbon precursor and a plurality of catalytic templating particles, (2) carbonizing the precursor mixture to form an intermediate carbon material including carbon nanostructures, amorphous carbon, and catalytic metal, (3) purifying the intermediate carbon material by removing at least a portion of the amorphous carbon and optionally at least a portion of the catalytic metal, and (4) heat treating the purified intermediate carbon material and/or treating the purified intermediate carbon material with a base to remove functional groups on the surface thereof. The removal of functional groups increases the graphitic content of the carbon nanomaterial and decreases its; hydrophilicity.

Abstract: Supported nickel catalyst having high nickel loading and dispersion are manufactured using a dispersing agent. The dispersing agent molecules include at least one functional group that bonds with the nickel atoms and influences nanoparticle formation. The support material is loaded with at least about 5% nickel, more preferably at least about 8%, and most preferably at least about 12% by weight of the total catalyst. Catalysts manufactured using the organic dispersing agents and loaded with the foregoing amounts of nickel have metal dispersions greater than about 5% as measured by hydrogen adsorption, more preferably greater than about 10%, and most preferably greater than about 15%.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures include: 1) forming a plurality of catalytic templating particles using a plurality of dispersing agent molecules; 2) forming an intermediate carbon nanostructure by polymerizing a carbon precursor in the presence of the plurality of templating nanoparticles; 3) carbonizing the intermediate carbon nanostructure to form a composite nanostructure; and 4) removing the templating nanoparticles from the composite nanostructure to yield the carbon nanostructures. The carbon nanostructures are well-suited for use as a catalyst support. The carbon nanostructures exhibit high surface area, high porosity, and high graphitization. Carbon nanostructures according to the invention can be used as a substitute for more expensive and likely more fragile carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Organically complexed nanocatalyst compositions are applied to or mixed with a carbon-containing fuel (e.g., tobacco, coal, briquetted charcoal, biomass, or a liquid hydrocarbon like fuel oils or gasoline) in order to enhance combustion properties of the fuel. Nanocatalyst compositions can be applied to or mixed with a solid fuel substrate in order to reduce the amount of CO, hydrocarbons, and soot produced by the fuel during combustion. In addition, coal can be treated with inventive nanocatalyst compositions to reduce the amount of NOx produced during combustion (e.g., by removing coal nitrogen in a low oxygen pre-combustion zone of a low NOx burner). The nanocatalyst compositions include nanocatalyst particles made using a dispersing agent. At least a portion of the nanoparticles is crystalline with a spacing between crystal planes greater than about 0.28 nm. The nanocatalyst particles can be activated by heating to a temperature greater than about 75° C., more preferably greater than about 150° C.