Abstract: A gas hydrate desalination system that includes a reactor with a detachable water jacket and thermocouples. The reactor has a detachable lid having a liquid inlet, a gas inlet, sapphire glass lenses, and lid cameras. An exit concentrate channel is provided at a bottom of the reactor. A mixing unit of the system includes a liquid storage tank connected to the reactor through the liquid inlet, and a gas feed cylinder connected the reactor through the gas inlet. A resolving unit of the system includes a sieve filter column for filtering brine from gas hydrate. The sieve filter column is connected to the exit concentrate channel and a first fraction column, which is connected to a brine column. The channel is further connected to a second fraction column, which is connected to the brine column for separating freshwater from the gas hydrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods or processes of synthesizing building blocks and feedstocks for producing a broader range of polymers, including renewable polymers, from renewable resources such as CO2. In a process of manufacturing a renewable feedstock for polymer production, a CO2 derived lactone is prepared and processed to form the renewable feedstock. The process may include alkoxycarbonylation of the CO2 derived lactone to form a diester and hydrogenation of the diester.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods or processes of synthesizing building blocks and feedstocks for producing a broader range of polymers, including renewable polymers, from renewable resources such as CO2. In a process of manufacturing a renewable feedstock for polymer production, a CO2 derived lactone is prepared and processed to form the renewable feedstock. The process may include alkoxycarbonylation of the CO2 derived lactone to form a diester and hydrogenation of the diester.

Abstract: A simple one pot sol-gel method for the synthesis of bi-metal nanostructures is based on non-noble metals (Fe, Co and Sn) and titanium. The method involves the synthesis of mixed metal nanoscale composites using low cost precursors which allow for the synthesis of desired nanocomposite materials with self-scarifying titanium or silica supports. The procedure does not require any surfactant or any need for pH controlled step. Applicants' method involves the in-situ generation of precursors and their simultaneous entrapment in a gel. This simple one pot synthesis allows for the synthesis of homogenous size, shape and distribution of targeted nanostructures. Further, this method can be applied for the preparation of various nanocomposite materials using different choices of metals and self-scarifying supports. Applicants also show that Pd, the noble metal based nanocomposite is feasible.

Abstract: A simple one pot sol-gel method for the synthesis of bi-metal nanostructures is based on non-noble metals (Fe, Co and Sn) and titanium. The method involves the synthesis of mixed metal nanoscale composites using low cost precursors which allow for the synthesis of desired nanocomposite materials with self-scarifying titanium or silica supports. The procedure does not require any surfactant or any need for pH controlled step. Applicants' method involves the in-situ generation of precursors and their simultaneous entrapment in a gel. This simple one pot synthesis allows for the synthesis of homogenous size, shape and distribution of targeted nanostructures. Further, this method can be applied for the preparation of various nanocomposite materials using different choices of metals and self-scarifying supports. Applicants also show that Pd, the noble metal based nanocomposite is feasible.