Abstract: A method of separating scandium from a feedstock wherein a scandium enriched solution is produced from the feedstock and the scandium enriched solution is extracted to produce an organic phase of the scandium enriched solution. The organic phase of the scandium enriched solution is re-extracted to produce an aqueous phase including scandium chloride. The aqueous phase is precipitated and calcinated to produce scandium oxide powder.

Abstract: A method of separating scandium from a feedstock wherein a scandium enriched solution is produced from the feedstock and the scandium enriched solution is extracted to produce an organic phase of the scandium enriched solution. The organic phase of the scandium enriched solution is re-extracted to produce an aqueous phase including scandium chloride. The aqueous phase is precipitated and calcinated to produce scandium oxide powder.

Abstract: The coal ash can be sorted into groups of substantially unburned carbon and substantially burned carbon. The substantially unburned carbon or the substantially burned carbon can be magnetically treated to cause separation into a substantially magnetic portion and a substantially non-magnetic portion. The substantially magnetic portion or the substantially non-magnetic portion can be filtered into a substantially course portion and a substantially fine portion. The substantially coarse portion or the substantially fine portion can be treated with a mineral acid to form an aqueous mineral acid solution. The aqueous mineral acid solution can be extracted to form an organic solution that includes the rare earth salts. The organic solution can be mixed with water to form an aqueous solution that includes the rare earth salts. The rare earth salts can be separated from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A catalyst free method of igniting an ionic liquid is provided. The method can include mixing a liquid hypergol with a HAN-based ionic liquid to ignite the HAN-based ionic liquid in the absence of a catalyst. The HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol can be injected into a combustion chamber. The HAN-based ionic liquid and the liquid hypergol can impinge upon a stagnation plate positioned at top portion of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming a metalized polymeric bubble in a space, microgravity environment is described. A liquid polymer bubble having a predetermined diameter is formed from a mixture comprising a liquid polymer and at least one of a UV curing material, a stabilizer, a UV absorber, or a surfactant. The liquid polymer bubble is cured with radiation to form a rigid polymer bubble. The rigid polymer bubble is then metalized with a metal to form the metalized polymeric bubble.

Abstract: The coal ash can be sorted into groups of substantially unburned carbon and substantially burned carbon. The substantially unburned carbon or the substantially burned carbon can be magnetically treated to cause separation into a substantially magnetic portion and a substantially non-magnetic portion. The substantially magnetic portion or the substantially non-magnetic portion can be filtered into a substantially course portion and a substantially fine portion. The substantially coarse portion or the substantially fine portion can be treated with a mineral acid to form an aqueous mineral acid solution. The aqueous mineral acid solution can be extracted to form an organic solution that includes the rare earth salts. The organic solution can be mixed with water to form an aqueous solution that includes the rare earth salts. The rare earth salts can be separated from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Rare earth elements are recovered from coal ash. The coal ash with rare earth elements can be treated with a mineral acid to form an aqueous mineral acid solution. The aqueous mineral acid solution can be extracted to form an organic solution that includes the rare earth salts. The organic solution can be mixed with water to form an aqueous solution that includes the rare earth salts. The rare earth elements are separated from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Methods for forming spherical crystal habit are shown. A needle-shaped crystal habit, a solvent, and a surfactant are combined and dissolved forming a first solution. The first solution and an anti-solvent are combined forming a second solution. The second solution is cooled. Spherical crystal habit is formed.

Abstract: Rare earth elements are recovered from coal ash. The coal ash with rare earth elements can be treated with a mineral acid to form an aqueous mineral acid solution. The aqueous mineral acid solution can be extracted to form an organic solution that includes the rare earth salts. The organic solution can be mixed with water to form an aqueous solution that includes the rare earth salts. The rare earth elements are separated from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one polyoxymethylene structural support member. The polyoxymethylene structural support member includes a polyoxymethylene component that is a propellant that provides thrust to the vehicle upon pyrolysis or combustion of the polyoxymethylene component of the product of pyrolysis of the polyoxymethylene component. The vehicle can be a satellite or other type of spacecraft.

Abstract: An electromechanical connection includes a first conductor disposed in a first non-conductive array and a second conductor disposed in a second non-conductive array capable of mating with the first non-conductive array. The second conductor is capable of mating with the first conductor when the first non-conductive array and the second non-conductive array are mated. A processor associated with the first non-conductive array determines if an electrical connection is formed between the first conductor and the second conductor. The processor can assign a function to the electrical connection.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one polyoxymethylene structural support member. The polyoxymethylene structural support member includes a polyoxymethylene component that is a propellant that provides thrust to the vehicle upon pyrolysis or combustion of the polyoxymethylene component of the product of pyrolysis of the polyoxymethylene component. The vehicle can be a satellite or other type of spacecraft.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one polyoxymethylene structural support member. The polyoxymethylene structural support member includes a polyoxymethylene component that is a propellant that provides thrust to the vehicle upon pyrolysis or combustion of the polyoxymethylene component of the product of pyrolysis of the polyoxymethylene component. The vehicle can be a satellite or other type of spacecraft.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one polyoxymethylene structural support member. The polyoxymethylene structural support member includes a polyoxymethylene component that is a propellant that provides thrust to the vehicle upon pyrolysis or combustion of the polyoxymethylene component of the product of pyrolysis of the polyoxymethylene component. The vehicle can be a satellite or other type of spacecraft.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one polyoxymethylene structural support member. The polyoxymethylene structural support member includes a polyoxymethylene component that is a propellant that provides thrust to the vehicle upon pyrolysis or combustion of the polyoxymethylene component of the product of pyrolysis of the polyoxymethylene component. The vehicle can be a satellite or other type of spacecraft.

Abstract: An electromechanical connection includes a first conductor disposed in a first non-conductive array and a second conductor disposed in a second non-conductive array capable of mating with the first non-conductive array. The second conductor is capable of mating with the first conductor when the first non-conductive array and the second non-conductive array are mated. A processor associated with the first non-conductive array determines if an electrical connection is formed between the first conductor and the second conductor. The processor can assign a function to the electrical connection.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one polyoxymethylene structural support member. The polyoxymethylene structural support member includes a polyoxymethylene component that is a propellant that provides thrust to the vehicle upon pyrolysis or combustion of the polyoxymethylene component of the product of pyrolysis of the polyoxymethylene component. The vehicle can be a satellite or other type of spacecraft.