Abstract: A method for making a catalyst includes a step of forming a first reaction mixture that includes a metal source, a nitrogen source, and at least one silica template. Characteristically, the at least one silica template including silica particles. A combination of the first reaction mixture and a fluorinated polymer is mechanochemically mixed to form a first pre-pyrolysis powder. A first pyrolysis of the first pre-pyrolysis powder is performed at a first temperature greater than about 800° C. under an inert atmosphere to form a first pyrolyzed composition. Advantageously, at least a portion of silica particles is removed and mesostructured carbon is formed. The first pyrolyzed composition is optionally mechanochemically mixing to form a second pre-pyrolysis powder. A second pyrolysis of the first first pyrolyzed composition or the second pre-pyrolysis powder is performed under a reductive atmosphere at a second temperature that is greater than about 800° C. to form a final catalyst powder.

Abstract: A method for detecting and quantifying an amount of ammonia in a sample by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy includes a step of position a liquid or gaseous sample proximate to a detection substrate. Incident light is focused onto the detection substrate while it is positioned proximate to the sample, the incident light having an excitation wavelength from about 500 nm to 800 nm. Raman activity from ammonia proximate to the detection substrate is then detected.

Abstract: A supported catalyst for reducing CO2 is provided. The supported catalyst includes a plurality of support particles; and a plurality of catalyst particles disposed over each support particle. Characteristically, the catalyst particles has formula PdHx/C wherein x is 0.3 to 0.7. Methods for making the support particles and using the support particles to reduce carbon dioxide are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for synthesis of active M-N—C catalysts utilizing thermo-chemical synthesis of chemically defined precursors and materials made thereby.

Abstract: Synthetic materials that are useful as heterogeneous catalysts or electrocatalysts. The materials can be used to catalyze oxidation and/or reduction reactions and/or oxygen/hydrogen evolution/oxydation reactions.

Abstract: Synthetic materials that are useful as heterogeneous catalysts or electrocatalysts. The materials can be used to catalyze oxidation and/or reduction reactions and/or oxygen/hydrogen evolution/oxydation reactions.

Abstract: Novel catalysts suitable for use in biological systems and biological systems using these catalysts are described. In particular, the present disclosure provides microbial fuel cells utilizing non-PGM catalysts having a morphology that makes them particularly suitable for use in a microbial fuel cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides biological fuel cells comprising a paper-based fuel delivery layer which delivery fuel to the biological anode and cathode via capillary action and/or evaporation. In some embodiments the paper-based fuel delivery layer incorporates an outwardly extending fan-shaped region which enables a constant volumetric flow rate through the cell.

Abstract: In a fuel cell including an electrolyte layer allowing an anion component to migrate, and a fuel-side electrode and an oxygen-side electrode arranged to face each other while sandwiching the electrolyte layer, the oxygen-side electrode contains a first catalyst containing a first transition metal and polypyrrole, and a second catalyst containing a second transition metal and a porphyrin ring-containing compound so that the mixing ratio of the first catalyst relative to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the first catalyst and the second catalyst is more than 10 parts by mass, and below 90 parts by mass.

Abstract: According to various embodiments the present disclosure provides porous particles and methods and apparatus for forming porous microparticles. According to a specific embodiment, the present disclosure provides microparticles with multi-nodal porosity and methods for forming the same. According to a still further embodiment, the present disclosure provides microfluidic device-based methods for forming microparticles with multi-nodal nanoporosity. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides populations of monodisperse mesoporous microparticles with multi-nodal nanoporosity and methods and apparatus for forming the same. According to a specific embodiment, the present disclosure provides populations of monodisperse mesoporous microparticles formed using a microfluidic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides biological fuel cells comprising a paper-based fuel delivery layer which delivery fuel to the biological anode and cathode via capillary action and/or evaporation. In some embodiments the paper-based fuel delivery layer incorporates an outwardly extending fan-shaped region which enables a constant volumetric flow rate through the cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides multi-walled carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) displaying catalytic enzymes bound to the nanotube sidewalls and devices, such as electrodes, incorporating these catalytic enzyme-bound CNTs (cebCNTs).

Abstract: In a fuel cell including an electrolyte layer allowing an anion component to migrate, and a fuel-side electrode and an oxygen-side electrode arranged to face each other while sandwiching the electrolyte layer, the oxygen-side electrode contains a first catalyst containing a first transition metal and polypyrrole, and a second catalyst containing a second transition metal and a porphyrin ring-containing compound so that the mixing ratio of the first catalyst relative to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the first catalyst and the second catalyst is more than 10 parts by mass, and below 90 parts by mass.

Abstract: Mesoporous conductive niobium and niobium-ruthenium particles and methods for forming the same are described. In some cases the particles are suitable for use as a fuel cell catalyst. The described aerosol-based synthesis method allows for single step formation and processing of the particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides oxide microparticles with engineered hierarchical porosity and methods of manufacturing the same. Also described are structures that are formed by templating, impregnating, and/or precipitating the oxide microparticles and method for forming the same. Suitable applications include catalysts, electrocatalysts, electrocatalysts support materials, capacitors, drug delivery systems, sensors and chromatography.

Abstract: A highly dispersed, unsupported, electrocatalyst made of pyrolyzed porphyries and a method for synthesizing the same. The disclosed synthesis procedure allows for optimization of pore size and therefore transport properties. Compounds suitable for use include transition metal N4-chelates such as, but not necessarily limited to, N4-chelates containing different metal centers including Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ru, Cu, etc., and other N4-chelates such as porphyrin, phthalocyanies, and structures based on their pyro products.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a simple and effective way of synthesizing robust organic-inorganic hybrid gels and ultra-thin films using vaporization of a gel precursor. The gels are synthesized at relatively low temperature allowing the activity of the immobilized species to be maintained. The disclosure provides robust, synthetic, selective, active and/or passive transport systems in the form of functional biologically active species and mechanisms for forming them. These systems allow selective and passive or active transport of ionic, molecular and biological species through the incorporation of functional biological molecules and biomolecular assemblies in a rigid matrix.

Abstract: Energy devices such as batteries and methods for fabricating the energy devices. The devices are small, thin and lightweight, yet provide sufficient power for many handheld electronics.

Abstract: A highly dispersed, unsupported, electrocatalyst made of pyrolyzed porphyries and a method for synthesizing the same. The disclosed synthesis procedure allows for optimization of pore size and therefore transport properties. Compounds suitable for use include transition metal N4-chelates such as, but not necessarily limited to, N4-chelates containing different metal centers including Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ru, Cu, etc., and other N4-chelates such as porphyrin, phthalocyanies, and structures based on their pyro products.

Abstract: Synthetic materials that are useful as heterogeneous catalysts or electrocatalysts. The materials can be used to catalyze oxidation and/or reduction reactions and/or oxygen/hydrogen evolution/oxydation reactions.