Abstract: A thermal management device for a photovoltaic panel includes a phase change material layer attached to a back side of the photovoltaic panel. The thermal management device includes a Seebeck thermoelectric generator having a first surface attached to the phase change material layer. The thermal management further device includes a heat sink attached to a second surface of the Seebeck thermoelectric generator. The heat sink is configured with a sinuous coil, a water inlet port and a water outlet port connected to the sinuous coil, and a plurality of heat fins. The thermal management further device includes a casing box configured to enclose its various components, and a glass cover attached to the casing box and configured to cover a top surface of the photovoltaic panel.

Abstract: A method includes mixing a dopant salt of at least one of cobalt, nickel, zinc, and scandium with a silicate, in a solvent, to form a first solution. The method includes mixing the first solution with a solvent mixture to form a second solution. The method further includes mixing the second solution with an acid to form an acid solution. The method further includes adding a catalyst and a polymer to the acid solution to form the doped PCM. The doped PCM includes the catalyst, the polymer, at least one of cobalt, nickel, zinc, and scandium, and SiO2.

Abstract: A method of detecting Hg2+ ions in an aqueous solution is described. The method includes contacting the aqueous solution with a metal-organic framework (MOF) chemosensor composite to form a mixture and monitoring a change in an absorption and/or a fluorescence profile of the MOF chemosensor composite in the mixture to determine a presence or absence of Hg2+ ions in the aqueous solution. The MOF chemosensor composite includes fluorescein hydrazide (FH); and a MOF, including nickel as a metal ion and at least one trimesic acid (BTC) ligand. A hydrazide group on the fluorescein hydrazide coordinates to the metal ion of the MOF.

Abstract: A method to form a phase change material (PCM). The method includes preparing a polymer solution by mixing an amount of a polymer in a solvent and mixing the polymer solution with an UiO-66 metal-organic framework (MOF) to form a composite. The polymer is a polyethylene glycol (PEG). The method further includes subjecting the composite to ultrasonic agitation and evaporating the solvent from the composite to form the PCM. After the evaporation of the solvent, particles of the PCM exhibit rounded octahedral structures.

Abstract: A method to form a phase change material (PCM). The method includes preparing a polymer solution by mixing an amount of a polymer in a solvent and mixing the polymer solution with an UiO-66 metal-organic framework (MOF) to form a composite. The polymer is a polyethylene glycol (PEG). The method further includes subjecting the composite to ultrasonic agitation and evaporating the solvent from the composite to form the PCM. After the evaporation of the solvent, particles of the PCM exhibit rounded octahedral structures.

Abstract: A method is described for inhibiting marine fouling on a surface. The surface is contacted with a composition comprising a waterborne polyurethane that is crosslinked with an acrylic acid functionalized polysaccharide, water, and a preservative. The composition is then dried to form a deposited film. The polysaccharide may be xanthan.

Abstract: A heat energy storage system may have a shape-stabilized composite prepared using an easy impregnation method involving a porous Ca2+-doped MgCO3 matrix and PEG as the functional phase. The heat storage capability, microstructures, and interactions with the PEG/CaMgCO3 composite can be characterized by DSC, SEM imaging, FT-IR spectroscopy, and TGA. Likely because of the synergistic phase change effect of CaMgCO3 and PEG, the PEG/CaMgCO3 composites can have high thermal enthalpies, and their enthalpy efficiencies are substantially higher than those of traditional shape stabilized PCMs. The functional material PEG can permeate porous CaMgCO3 matrices under capillary action. Liquid PEG can be stabilized within the porous matrix, and/or the CaMgCO3 matrix can improve the thermal stability of the PEG. The high heat energy storage properties and good thermal stability of such organic-inorganic composites offers utility in a range of applications, including thermal energy storage.

Abstract: Nanosheets of Ca2+ and Y3+, with CO32? in the interlayer with a uniform diameter and lengths of several tens of microns have been successfully synthesized in a hydrotalcite layer structure (a layered double hydroxide), using a hydrothermal method. The formation mechanism of lamellar CaY—CO32? layered double hydroxides (LDHs) depends on the molar ratio of Ca and Y and the reaction time and temperature. The resulting LDH materials exhibit excellent affinity and selectivity for heavy transition metal and metalloid ions.

Abstract: Methods of preparing waterborne polyurethane dispersions involving reacted units of a polyol, an acidic diol, a hydroxy functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, a diisocyanate, and a chain extender. Polyurethane coatings based on these waterborne polyurethane dispersions are evaluated on their hydrophobicity (water contact angle), mechanical strength (e.g. tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break), and antifouling properties.

Abstract: A composite phase-change material containing a hierarchically porous Ca1-xMgxCO3 and having pores loaded with a phase change material is described. The heat storage material has a latent heat of melting 123 to 221 J/g, a latent heat of freezing of 107 to 201 J/g, and a thermal conductivity of 0.22 to 0.45 W·m?1·K?1. The phase change material may be polyethylene glycol, and the polyethylene glycol does not leak from the pores of the hierarchically porous Ca1-xMgxCO3 when heating or cooling over phase transitions.

Abstract: A heat energy storage system may have a shape-stabilized composite prepared using an easy impregnation method involving a porous Ca2+-doped MgCO3 matrix and PEG as the functional phase. The heat storage capability, microstructures, and interactions with the PEG/CaMgCO3 composite can be characterized by DSC, SEM imaging, FT-IR spectroscopy, and TGA. Likely because of the synergistic phase change effect of CaMgCO3 and PEG, the PEG/CaMgCO3 composites can have high thermal enthalpies, and their enthalpy efficiencies are substantially higher than those of traditional shape stabilized PCMs. The functional material PEG can permeate porous CaMgCO3 matrices under capillary action. Liquid PEG can be stabilized within the porous matrix, and/or the CaMgCO3 matrix can improve the thermal stability of the PEG. The high heat energy storage properties and good thermal stability of such organic-inorganic composites offers utility in a range of applications, including thermal energy storage.

Abstract: A heat storage material comprising mesoporous Mg(OH)2 and having pores loaded with a phase change material is described. The heat storage material has a cooling latent heat of 130-140 J/g, and a solidification enthalpy of 120-135 J/g, and a thermal conductivity of 25-45 W·m?1·K?1. The phase change material may be polyethylene glycol, and the polyethylene glycol does not leak from the pores of the mesoporous Mg(OH)2 when heating or cooling over phase transitions.

Abstract: A method is described for inhibiting marine fouling on a surface. The surface is contacted with a composition comprising a waterborne polyurethane that is crosslinked with an acrylic acid functionalized polysaccharide, water, and a preservative. The composition is then dried to form a deposited film. The polysaccharide may be xanthan.

Abstract: A composite phase-change material containing a hierarchically porous Ca1-xMgxCO3 and having pores loaded with a phase change material is described. The heat storage material has a latent heat of melting 123 to 221 J/g, a latent heat of freezing of 107 to 201 J/g, and a thermal conductivity of 0.22 to 0.45 W·m?1·K?1. The phase change material may be polyethylene glycol, and the polyethylene glycol does not leak from the pores of the hierarchically porous Ca1-xMgCO3 when heating or cooling over phase transitions.

Abstract: A heat storage material comprising mesoporous Mg(OH)2 and having pores loaded with a phase change material is described. The heat storage material has a cooling latent heat of 130-140 J/g, and a solidification enthalpy of 120-135 J/g, and a thermal conductivity of 25-45 W·m?1·K?1. The phase change material may be polyethylene glycol, and the polyethylene glycol does not leak from the pores of the mesoporous Mg(OH)2 when heating or cooling over phase transitions.

Abstract: Nanosheets of Ca2+ and Y3+, with CO32? in the interlayer with a uniform diameter and lengths of several tens of microns have been successfully synthesized in a hydrotalcite layer structure (a layered double hydroxide), using a hydrothermal method. The formation mechanism of lamellar CaY—CO32? layered double hydroxides (LDHs) depends on the molar ratio of Ca and Y and the reaction time and temperature. The resulting LDH materials exhibit excellent affinity and selectivity for heavy transition metal and metalloid ions.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a catalytic complex having a transition metal (e.g. nickel, cobalt) ion coordinated to a calixarene ligand in upgrading hydrocarbon feedstocks containing C20 through C50 hydrocarbons (e.g. vacuum gas oil) to produce light petroleum products (e.g. medium distillate, naphtha) is specified. A method of using the catalytic complex with a supported co-catalyst to synergistically hydrocrack the feedstocks is also provided.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction method for the removal of metal ions from contaminated water using calix[n]arene compound and a nitrogen base is disclosed. The method is particularly useful for removal of transition metal ions from contaminated water.

Abstract: Methods of preparing waterborne polyurethane dispersions involving reacted units of a polyol, an acidic diol, a hydroxy functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, a diisocyanate, and a chain extender. Polyurethane coatings based on these waterborne polyurethane dispersions are evaluated on their hydrophobicity (water contact angle), mechanical strength (e.g. tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break), and antifouling properties.

Abstract: A heat energy storage system may have a shape-stabilized composite prepared using an easy impregnation method involving a porous Ca2+-doped MgCO3 matrix and PEG as the functional phase. The heat storage capability, microstructures, and interactions with the PEG/CaMgCO3 composite can be characterized by DSC, SEM imaging, FT-IR spectroscopy, and TGA. Likely because of the synergistic phase change effect of CaMgCO3 and PEG, the PEG/CaMgCO3 composites can have high thermal enthalpies, and their enthalpy efficiencies are substantially higher than those of traditional shape stabilized PCMs. The functional material PEG can permeate porous CaMgCO3 matrices under capillary action. Liquid PEG can be stabilized within the porous matrix, and/or the CaMgCO3 matrix can improve the thermal stability of the PEG. The high heat energy storage properties and good thermal stability of such organic-inorganic composites offers utility in a range of applications, including thermal energy storage.