Abstract: A method of producing a monolithic ceramic body from a porous matrix includes providing a porous matrix having interstitial spaces, providing an infiltrating medium comprising a solvent and at least one reactive species, and infiltrating at least a portion of the interstitial space of the porous matrix with the infiltrating medium. The solvent is an inert medium that is not chemically reactive with the porous matrix, and is in a liquid phase when in the portion of the interstitial space of the porous matrix. The infiltrating medium is mechanically convected through the porous matrix. The at least one reactive species, when in a portion of the interstitial space of the porous matrix, reacts with a portion of the porous matrix to form a product, and the product fills at least a portion of the interstitial space.

Abstract: A method for producing a reaction product including at least one synthetic formulation that carbonates sufficiently, said method comprising: providing a first raw material, having a first concentration of M; providing a second raw material, having a second concentration of Me; and mixing the first raw material and the second raw material to produce a reaction product that includes at least one synthetic formulation having the general formula MaMebOc, MaMeb(OH)d, MaMebOc(OH)d or MaMebO(OH)d•(H2O)e, wherein M comprises at least one metal that can react to form a carbonate and Me is at least one element that can form an oxide during the carbonation reaction, wherein the at least one synthetic formulation is capable of undergoing a carbonation reaction, and wherein the at least one synthetic formulation is capable of undergoing volume change during the carbonation reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides novel granite-like composite materials and methods for preparation thereof. The granite-like composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost precursor materials by a process suitable for large-scale production. The precursor materials include calcium silicate, for example, wollastonite, and particulate filler materials which comprise silicon dioxide-rich materials such as quartz, mica, feldspar, sand and glass. Additives can include calcium carbonate-rich and magnesium carbonate-rich materials. Various additives can be used to fine-tune the physical appearance and mechanical properties of the composite material, such as colorants such as particles of colored materials, such as colored glass, colored sand, and colored quartz particles, and pigments (e.g., black iron oxide, cobalt oxide and chromium oxide).

Abstract: A composition is produced by a hydrothermal liquid phase sintering process, and the process includes providing a porous matrix, the porous matrix having a shape, and allowing a component of the porous matrix to undergo a reaction with an infiltrating medium to form a first product, the infiltrating medium including a greenhouse gas, a remainder of the porous matrix acting as a scaffold for facilitating the formation of the first product. The composition includes the first product and the reminder of the porous matrix. The composition has a microstructure that resembles a net-like interconnecting network. The composition maintains the shape of the porous matrix. The composition is free of hydraulic bonds.

Abstract: A method of separating one or more valuable metal cations from an ionic solution by (a) contacting the ionic solution with an activated photoisomerizable host molecule containing a photoisomerizable moiety and a host moiety, where the photoisomerizable moiety has first and second states, and where the host moiety has a greater affinity for a metal cation when the photoisomerizable moiety is in the first state (active binding state) than when the photoisomerizable moiety is in the second state (release state), so that an ion-host molecule association is formed, and (b) separating the ion-host molecule association from the ionic solution. Also disclosed are photoisomerizable host molecules, a method of recovering valuable metals from a waste stream using the photoisomerizable host molecules, and an apparatus comprising a photoisomerizable host molecule attached to a support.

Abstract: A method for preparing nanoscale hydroxyapatite particles by combining an amount of a calcium ion source, which includes calcium acetate, and an amount of a phosphate ion source, wherein the amounts are sufficient to produce nanoscale hydroxyapatite particles and the amounts are combined under ambient conditions to produce the hydroxyapatite particles. Nanoscale hydroxyapatite particles are also presented.

Abstract: A composition is produced by a hydrothermal liquid phase sintering process, and the process includes providing a porous matrix, the porous matrix having a shape, and allowing a component of the porous matrix to undergo a reaction with an infiltrating medium to form a first product, the infiltrating medium including a greenhouse gas, a remainder of the porous matrix acting as a scaffold for facilitating the formation of the first product. The composition includes the first product and the reminder of the porous matrix. The composition has a microstructure that resembles a net-like interconnecting network. The composition maintains the shape of the porous matrix. The composition is free of hydraulic bonds.

Abstract: Methods are presented for a continuous, two-step, phase sequenced deposition of hydroxyapatite film over the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of non-invasive infrared imaging, comprising (a) administering a composition containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles; and (b) irradiating with infrared radiation, where both excitation and emission spectra of the encapsulated particles are in the infrared region. Analogous methods of image-guided biomedical intervention, and drug tracking and delivery are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition for biomedical applications, containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth-elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles.

Abstract: A method of sequestering a greenhouse gas is described, which comprises: (i) providing a solution carrying a first reagent that is capable of reacting with a greenhouse gas; (ii) contacting the solution with a greenhouse gas under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reagent and the greenhouse gas to produce at least a first reactant; (iii) providing a porous matrix having interstitial spaces and comprising at least a second reactant; (iv) allowing a solution carrying the at least first reactant to infiltrate at least a substantial portion of the interstitial spaces of the porous matrix under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reactant and the at least second reactant to provide at least a first product; and (v) allowing the at least first product to form and fill at least a portion of the interior spaces of the porous matrix, thereby sequestering a greenhouse gas.

Abstract: The invention provides novel marble-like composite materials and methods for preparation thereof. The marble-like composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production. The precursor materials include calcium silicate and calcium carbonate rich materials, for example, wollastonite and limestone. Various additives can be used to fine-tune the physical appearance and mechanical properties of the composite material, such as pigments (e.g., black iron oxide, cobalt oxide and chromium oxide) and minerals (e.g., quartz, mica and feldspar). These marble-like composite materials exhibit veins, swirls and/or waves unique to marble as well as display compressive strength, flexural strength and water absorption similar to that of marble.

Abstract: The invention provides novel slate-like composite materials and methods for preparation thereof. The slate-like composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost precursor materials by a process suitable for large-scale production. The precursor materials include calcium silicate, for example, wollastonite, and particulate filler materials which comprise silicon dioxide-rich materials such as quartz, mica, feldspar, sand and glass. Additives can include calcium carbonate-rich and magnesium carbonate-rich materials. Various additives can be used to fine-tune the physical appearance and mechanical properties of the composite material, such as colorants such as particles of colored materials, such as colored glass, colored sand, and colored quartz particles, and pigments (e.g., black iron oxide, cobalt oxide and chromium oxide).

Abstract: Provided here is a method of producing a monolithic body from a porous matrix, comprising: (i) providing a porous matrix having interstitial spaces and comprising at least a first reactant; (ii) contacting the porous matrix with an infiltrating medium that carries at least a second reactant; (iii) allowing the infiltrating medium to infiltrate at least a portion of the interstitial spaces of the porous matrix under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reactant and the at least second reactant to provide at least a first product; and (iv) allowing the at least first product to form and fill at least a portion of the interstitial spaces of the porous matrix, thereby producing a monolithic body, wherein the monolithic body does not comprise barium titanate.

Abstract: A method of producing a monolithic ceramic body from a porous matrix includes providing a porous matrix having interstitial spaces, providing an infiltrating medium comprising a solvent and at least one reactive species, and infiltrating at least a portion of the interstitial space of the porous matrix with the infiltrating medium. The solvent is an inert medium that is not chemically reactive with the porous matrix, and is in a liquid phase when in the portion of the interstitial space of the porous matrix. The infiltrating medium is mechanically convected through the porous matrix. The at least one reactive species, when in a portion of the interstitial space of the porous matrix, reacts with a portion of the porous matrix to form a product, and the product fills at least a portion of the interstitial space.

Abstract: Photoelectric systems combining a semiconductor and a phosphorescent compound with an emission spectrum of photons with energy levels equal to or greater than the activation energy of the semiconductor, wherein the phosphorescent compound is characterized by the emission spec-tram being produced by excitation of the phosphorescent compound with lower energy photons and the separation distance between the semiconductor and the phosphorescent compound is less than the distance at or above which scattering losses predominate. Methods are that embody technological applications of the photoelectric systems are also disclosed, as well as articles that embody technological applications of the photoelectric systems.

Abstract: A method for preparing nanoscale hydroxyapatite particles by combining an amount of a calcium ion source, which includes calcium acetate, and an amount of a phosphate ion source, wherein the amounts are sufficient to produce nanoscale hydroxyapatite particles and the amounts are combined under ambient conditions to produce the hydroxyapatite particles. Nanoscale hydroxyapatite particles are also presented.

Abstract: Disclosed are luminescent compositions having luminescent particles coated by a surface capping agent. Luminescent particles include rare earth doped phosphors, semiconductor quantum dots, and organic phosphors. Surfactants include macromolecules, polypeptides, polysaccharides, and polymers. Rare earth doped phosphors have host compositions and rare earth dopants, wherein the host compositions include NaYF4, LaF3, YF3, CeF3, CaF2, CsCdBr3, and Y2O3, and wherein the rare earth dopants include Cs, Pr, Nd, Sm, Er, Gs, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tim, Yb, and combinations of two or more of these. The refractive index mismatch of the luminescent compositions and surrounding medium is less than about 0.1. Also disclosed are methods of making the luminescent compositions, luminescent devices and displays containing the luminescent compositions, uses of the luminescent compositions in particle imaging velocimetry, and uses of the luminescent compositions as contrast agents for disease monitoring.

Abstract: A bonding element, a bonding element matrix and composite materials with a wide range of attractive properties that may be optimized, including, but not limited to, mechanical properties, thermal properties, magnetic properties, optical properties and nuclear properties, as a result of a first layer and second layer structure or core, first layer, and second layer structure of the bonding elements, as well as methods for making the bonding elements and the corresponding ceramic and/or composite materials.

Abstract: Methods are presented for a continuous, two-step, phase sequenced deposition of hydroxyapatite film over the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A rare earth element composition comprising CeF3 particles doped with one or more rare earth elements selected from Pr, Nd, Yb, and Er, wherein each rare earth element atom replaces a Ce atom in said composition. The composition is optically transparent to wavelengths at which excitation, fluorescence or luminescence of the rare earth metals occur. Composite materials having dispersed therein the compositions, and luminescent devices incorporating the composite materials are also disclosed.