Abstract: An apparatus for separating a liquid from other substances comprises a first chamber; a second chamber; an inlet connected to the first chamber; an outlet connected to the second chamber; a bypass conduit passing from the inlet, through the first chamber, and into the second chamber; a passage between the first and second chambers and configured to allow the liquid to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, the passage below the bypass conduit; wherein the bypass conduit comprises a first opening within the first chamber and a second opening in the second chamber; and wherein the bypass conduit is angled relative to a horizontal so that a lowest region of the second opening is higher, in relation to the horizontal, than a highest region of the first opening, such that liquid flow into the inlet, less than a treatment flow rate, flows entirely through the first opening.

Abstract: A novel ferromagnetic phase of manganese-bismuth alloy has an NiAs-type unit cell structure, similar to that of Low Temperature Phase manganese-bismuth, but with manganese atoms populating interstitial sites. The novel phase, termed ?-MnBi, possesses maximum magnetic coercivity at unusually high temperature. A method for forming ?-MnBi includes annealing MnBi nanoparticles, for example by hot compaction, at temperature lower than 175° C.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material is provided. The material can be a grain boundary modified nanocomposite that has a plurality of bismuth antimony telluride matrix grains and a plurality of zinc oxide nanoparticles within the plurality of bismuth antimony telluride matrix grains. In addition, the material has zinc antimony modified grain boundaries between the plurality of bismuth antimony telluride matrix grains.

Abstract: Core shell nanoparticles of an iron-cobalt alloy core, a silicon dioxide shell and a metal silicate interface between the core and the shell are provided. The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles are tunable by control of the interface thickness. A magnetic core of high magnetic moment obtained by compression sintering the thermally annealed superparamagnetic core shell nanoparticles is also provided. The magnetic core has little core loss due to hysteresis or eddy current flow.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing ferromagnetic manganese-bismuth (MnBi) nanoparticles, and the MnBi nanoparticles so synthesized, are provided. The method makes use of a novel reagent termed a manganese-based Anionic Element Reagent Complex (Mn-LAERC). A process for forming a bulk MnBi magnet from the synthesized MnBi nanoparticles is also provided. The process involves simultaneous application of elevated temperature and pressure to the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a reagent complex includes a step of ball-milling a mixture that includes: a powder of a zero-valent element; a hydride molecule; and a nitrile ligand. The method produces a reagent complex having a formula Q0.Xy.Lz, where Q0 is the zero-valent element, X is the hydride molecule, and L is the nitrile ligand. A process for synthesizing nanoparticles composed of the zero-valent element includes a step of adding solvent to the reagent complex. Crystal texture of the nanoparticles is modulated by appropriate selection of the molar ratio nitrile ligand in the reagent complex.

Abstract: Electrodes employing as active material metal nanoparticles synthesized by a novel route are provided. The nanoparticle synthesis is facile and reproducible, and provides metal nanoparticles of very small dimension and high purity for a wide range of metals. The electrodes utilizing these nanoparticles thus may have superior capability. Electrochemical cells employing said electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: An allotrope-specific reagent includes a hydride molecule in complex with a specified elemental allotrope. The elemental allotrope included in the complex substantially retains a specified allotropic structure of the bulk element. For example, the reagent can contain a specified allotrope of carbon, such as amorphous carbon, diamond, or graphite. The allotrope-specific reagent can be useful for the synthesis of allotropic nanoparticles. A method for synthesizing the allotrope-specific reagent includes a step of ball-milling a mixture that includes a bulk hydride molecule, such as lithium borohydride powder, and a powder of a specified elemental allotrope.

Abstract: A process for forming thermoelectric nanoparticles includes the steps of a) forming a core material micro-emulsion, b) adding at least one shell material to the core material micro-emulsion forming composite thermoelectric nanoparticles having a core and shell structure.

Abstract: Reagent complexes have two or more elements, formally in oxidation state zero, complexed with a hydride molecule. Complexation with the hydride molecule may be evidenced by shifts to lower binding energies, of one or more electrons in each of the two or more elements, as observed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reagents can be useful for the synthesis of multi-element nanoparticles. Preparation of the reagents can be achieved by ball-milling a mixture that includes powders of two or more elements and a hydride molecule.

Abstract: Core-shell-core nanoparticles of an iron-cobalt alloy core, a silica shell and a manganese bismuth alloy core or nanoparticle on the surface of the silica shell (FeCo/SiO2/MnBi) are provided. The core-shell-core nanoparticles are alternative materials to rare-earth permanent magnets because of the hard magnetic manganese bismuth in nanometer proximity to the soft magnetic iron cobalt.

Abstract: A telepresence system and method for aligning a remote pan and tilt system with the position of a user's head and for displaying to the user a first portion of the field of capture of the remote pan and tilt system. The pan and tilt system moves to track the movement of the user's head. When the pan and tilt system is in a misaligned position with the position of the user's head the image displayed to the user is a second portion of the field of capture of the remote pan and tilt system.

Abstract: A novel ligated reagent complex is provided. The ligated reagent includes at least one zero-valent atom, whether metal, metalloid, or non-metal, in complex with at least one hydride molecule and at least one nitrile compound. The ligated reagent complex can be useful in the synthesis of nanoparticles. Also provided is a method for preparing a ligated reagent complex. The method includes a step of ball-milling a mixture that includes a preparation containing a zero-valent element, a hydride molecule, and a nitrile compound.

Abstract: Electrodes employing as active material iridium nanoparticles synthesized by a novel route are provided. The nanoparticle synthesis is facile and reproducible, and provides iridium nanoparticles of very small dimension and high purity for a wide range of metals. The electrodes utilizing these nanoparticles have excellent efficiency catalyzing the electrolytic production of oxygen from water.

Abstract: Reagent complexes have two or more elements, formally in oxidation state zero, complexed with a hydride molecule. Complexation with the hydride molecule may be evidenced by shifts to lower binding energies, of one or more electrons in each of the two or more elements, as observed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reagents can be useful for the synthesis of multi-element nanoparticles. Preparation of the reagents can be achieved by ball-milling a mixture that includes powders of two or more elements and a hydride molecule.

Abstract: An allotrope-specific reagent includes a hydride molecule in complex with a specified elemental allotrope. The elemental allotrope included in the complex substantially retains a specified allotropic structure of the bulk element. For example, the reagent can contain a specified allotrope of carbon, such as amorphous carbon, diamond, or graphite. The allotrope-specific reagent can be useful for the synthesis of allotropic nanoparticles. A method for synthesizing the allotrope-specific reagent includes a step of ball-milling a mixture that includes a bulk hydride molecule, such as lithium borohydride powder, and a powder of a specified elemental allotrope.

Abstract: A reagent includes an element, formally in oxidation state zero, in complex with a hydride molecule and an incorporated ligand. The incorporated ligand typically has surface active properties. The reagent, termed a Ligated Anionic Element Reagent Complex, can be useful in synthesis of elemental nanoparticles. A method for synthesizing the aforementioned reagent includes a step of ball-milling a mixture containing an elemental powder, bulk hydride molecule, and bulk ligand. The components of the reagent, once complexed, have altered electronic structure and vibrational modes.

Abstract: A method to prepare a core-shell-shell FeCo/SiO2/MnBi nanoparticle wherein the morphology of the MnBi shell is formed by synthesis of the MnBi layer in an applied magnetic field is provided.

Abstract: Superparamagnetic core-shell nanoparticles having a core of an iron cobalt ternary alloy, a shell of a silicon oxide on the core and a metal silicate interface layer between the core and the shell layer are provided. Methods to prepare the nanoparticles are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a heat conducting composite material may include a bulk material, a conduit, and a conduit material. The bulk material forms a shaped body having a heat introduction portion and a heat dissipation portion. The conduit is disposed in the bulk material and connects the heat introduction portion to the heat dissipation portion. The conduit material is disposed within and fills the conduit. The bulk material thermal conductivity of the bulk material is about equal to a conduit material thermal conductivity of the conduit material at a first temperature. The bulk material thermal conductivity is less than or equal to the conduit material thermal conductivity throughout a first temperature range. The bulk material thermal conductivity is greater than or equal to the conduit material thermal conductivity throughout a second temperature range.