Abstract: A reduced drag marine vessel providing a mechanism that will reduce or even eliminate the drag along the water-solid interface at the hull of the marine vessel. This mechanism is made up of a revolving elastic shell which is similar to a donut shaped belt. This belt forms an interior volume which houses rollers and a framework to support the tubular belt which can be further inflated with a gas to counter the hydraulic pressure of the water outside. Finally, this belt may be housed within a rigid outer tubular shell and contain a propeller within its center so as to form a marine nozzle.

Abstract: A reduced drag marine vessel providing a mechanism that will reduce or even eliminate the drag along the water-solid interface at the hull of the marine vessel. This mechanism is made up of a revolving elastic shell which is similar to a donut shaped belt. This belt forms an interior volume which houses rollers and a framework to support the tubular belt which can be further inflated with a gas to counter the hydraulic pressure of the water outside. Finally, this belt may be housed within a rigid outer tubular shell and contain a propeller within its center so as to form a marine nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of thermal catalytic methods for the conversion of NO and other NO.sub.x compounds into environmentally compatible products such as molecular nitrogen, molecular oxygen, and carbon dioxide. The catalysts employed are able to remove NO in substantial percentage quantities over a wide temperature range of 0.degree.-1,000.degree. C. and a preferred temperature of 100.degree.-800.degree. C. both in the presence or in the absence of chemical reducing agents.

Abstract: A method is provided for the photopromoted solid-catalyzed decomposition of oxides of nitrogen such as nitric oxide which are major pollutants of air and the environment at large. By this method, oxides of nitrogen are decomposed into molecular nitrogen and molecular oxygen by reactive passage over a solid metal oxide catalyst at an elevated temperature under irradiation at wavelengths absorbable by the catalyst. In this manner, the major oxides of nitrogen pollutants originating in the exhaust gases produced by automobile engines, jet engines used in the propulsion of aircraft, gas-turbine power generators, and the combustion of fossil fuels generally are controlled and eliminated.

Abstract: A photopromoted catalytic method of producing ammonia by the reduction of molecular nitrogen is provided using a solid metal oxide catalyst and molecular hydrogen as the reducing agent. Pure gaseous nitrogen can be reduced by gaseous hydrogen in the absence of water using a photopromoted reaction which uses solar and/or artificial photoenergy.

Abstract: A novel method of producing ammonia by the reduction of molecular nitrogen is provided using a solid metal oxide catalyst and an organic compound in aqueous medium. Pure gaseous nitrogen or air can be reduced in the dark without using any photoenergy or by a photoassisted reaction which uses solar and/or artificial photoenergy. Substantial yields of ammonia are obtained in the dark without the use of photoenergy while major enhancement in yields is obtained via the photoassisted reaction in comparison to presently known methods.

Abstract: A novel catalytic process is provided for the controlled degradation of organic materials into environmentally compatible products comprising at least carbon dioxide. The process employs a solid catalyst comprising at least one transition element and a peroxide to form a reaction mixture with the organic material which is degraded in the presence of photoenergy absorbable by the catalyst. The catalytic process has multiple applications including the purification of organic solvents; the regeneration of granular activated carbon; the purification of potable water and industrial waste water; and the elimination of organic hazardous and/or toxic substances from collected wastes.

Abstract: A novel, activated catalyst is provided for the synthesis of ammonia via the photoassisted reduction of molecular nitrogen by water. The novel catalyst is an incompletely reoxidized hydrogen reduced ferric oxide which is prepared by the reduction of an iron oxide such as .alpha.-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 in an atmosphere of water vapor and hydrogen followed by oxidation oxygen or in air. The use of the activated catalyst in photoassisted methods for synthesis of ammonia produces yields of ammonia which are many times the stoichiometric equivalent of the Fe(II) in the catalyst employed.

Abstract: A novel, activated catalyst is provided for the synthesis of ammonia via the photoassisted reduction of molecular nitrogen by water. The novel catalyst is an incompletely reoxidized hydrogen reduced ferric oxide which is prepared by the reduction of an iron oxide such as .alpha.-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 in an atmosphere of water vapor and hydrogen followed by oxidation oxygen or in air. The use of the activated catalyst in photoassisted methods for synthesis of ammonia produces yields of ammonia which are many times the stoichiometric equivalent of the Fe(II) in the catalyst employed.

Abstract: A novel method of producing ammonia by the reduction of molecular nitrogen is provided using a solid metal oxide catalyst and an organic compound in aqueous medium. Pure gaseous nitrogen or air can be reduced in the dark without using any photoenergy or by a photoassisted reaction which uses solar and/or artificial photoenergy. Substantial yields of ammonia are obtained in the dark without the use of photoenergy while major enhancement in yields is obtained via the photoassisted reaction in comparison to presently known methods.

Abstract: A method for the light driven photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide or the bicarbonate ion to one or more compounds which comprises contacting certain metal compounds with the carbon dioxide and/or bicarbonate ion in the absence of separate physical electrolyte and electrodes, and conducting said contacting in the presence of a reducing agent such as water and light.

Abstract: A method for making amino acids wherein a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide is exposed to light and a source of hydrogen in the presence of at least one Group VIII metal oxide.

Abstract: A method for the light driven photocatalytic reduction of nitrogen to one or more compounds which comprises contacting certain metal oxides with nitrogen in the presence of a reducing agent such as water and in the absence of separate physical electrolyte and electrodes, and conducting said contacting in the presence of light.

Abstract: A method for the light driven photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide or the bicarbonate ion to one or more compounds which comprises contacting silicon with the carbon dioxide and/or bicarbonate ion in the absence of separate physical electrolyte and electrodes, and conducting said contacting in the presence of light.

Abstract: A method for the light driven photocatalytic reduction of nitrogen to one or more compounds which comprises contacting silicon with the nitrogen in the absence of separate physical electrolyte and electrodes, and conducting said contacting in the presence of light.

Abstract: In a rechargeable storage cell, the photoredox reaction and regenerating reaction of a photoredox couple in one half-cell provide the driving force for producing charged state redox couples in both first and second half-cells separated by an ion selective permeable membrane. In the primary embodiment, a thionine dye photoreacts with ferrous ions in the first dye containing half-cell to oxidize those ions. The reduced form of the dye then reacts via a selective electrode in the first half-cell connected to an electrode in the second half-cell to reduce ferric ions in the second, dye-free half-cell. When the second half-cell electrode is then connected to a first half-cell electrode which is reversible to the iron ions, the concentration cell formed by the above reactions can be discharged through a load by the redox reaction of the iron ions.

Abstract: Electrolytes are disclosed which are useful in solar energy conversion and which have a wider range of wavelength response and enhanced activity compared to the photoredox system contained therein. These electrolytes contain one or more photosensitizing dyes which luminesce within the range of wavelengths absorbed by the photoredox system.