Abstract: The consumption of organic solids with anaerobic digestion to generate usable gases including methane is made more efficient by maintaining the ideal digestion temperature, which is attained by combining the anaerobic digestion process with a halogen digester which produces heat energy and hydrogen gas. With a given biological feedstock four outputs can be generated (methane, hydrogen, electricity, and heat) in the ratio that makes the most economical sense. The process also provides a significant reduction in volume of output solids. The halogen oxidation process can be used on all the anaerobic digester effluent to extract more energy and oxidize a wet feedstock. If there are solids which are not easily digested with the anaerobic process, these solids can be diverted to the halogen digester to derive more energy from the feedstock. Pathogens common to other anaerobic digester effluents are removed.

Abstract: Nanoscale particles, particle coatings/particle arrays and corresponding consolidated materials are described based on an ability to vary the composition involving a wide range of metal and/or metalloid elements and corresponding compositions. In particular, metalloid oxides and metal-metalloid compositions are described in the form of improved nanoscale particles and coatings formed from the nanoscale particles. Compositions comprising rare earth metals and dopants/additives with rare earth metals are described. Complex compositions with a range of host compositions and dopants/additives can be formed using the approaches described herein. The particle coating can take the form of particle arrays that range from collections of disbursable primary particles to fused networks of primary particles forming channels that reflect the nanoscale of the primary particles. Suitable materials for optical applications are described along with some optical devices of interest.

Abstract: Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.

Abstract: Methods involve in-flight processing of inorganic particles synthesized within the flow. Thus, the flow extends from an inlet connected to a reactant delivery system with inorganic particle precursors to a collector. The as formed inorganic particle can be modified with radiation and/or the application of a coating composition. Additional processing steps can be introduced as desired. Suitable apparatuses for in-flight processing can be based on addition of processing elements onto an inorganic synthesis reactor, such as a laser pyrolysis reactor.

Abstract: Collections of composite particles comprise inorganic particles and another composition, such as a polymer and/or a coating composition. In some embodiments, the composite particles have small average particle sizes, such as no more than about 10 microns or no more than about 2.5 microns. The composite particles can have selected particle architectures. The inorganic particles can have compositions selected for particular properties. The composite particles can be effective for printing applications, for the formation of optical coatings, and other desirable applications.

Abstract: Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.

Abstract: Three dimensional optical structures are described that can have various integrations between optical devices within and between layers of the optical structure. Optical turning elements can provide optical pathways between layers of optical devices. Methods are described that provide for great versatility on contouring optical materials throughout the optical structure. Various new optical devices are enabled by the improved optical processing approaches.

Abstract: Improvements to chemical reaction systems provide for the production of commercial quantities of chemical products, such as chemical powders. The improved chemical reaction systems can accommodate a large reactant flux for the production of significant amounts of product. Preferred reaction systems are based on laser pyrolysis. Features of the system provide for the production of highly uniform product particles.

Abstract: Combinatorial synthesis methods obtain a plurality of compositions having materially different characteristics using an apparatus having a plurality of collectors. A first quantity of fluid reactants are reacted to form a first quantity of product composition. Following completion of the collection of the first quantity of product composition, a second quantity of fluid reactants are reacted to form a second quantity of product composition, the second quantity of product composition being material different from the first quantity of product composition. An apparatus includes a nozzle connected to a reactant source and a plurality of collectors. The nozzle and plurality of collectors move relative to each other such that a collector can be selectively placed to receive a fluid stream emanating from the nozzle. The plurality of product compositions can be evaluated to determine their suitability for various applications.

Abstract: Nanoscale particles, particle coatings/particle arrays and corresponding consolidated materials are described based on an ability to vary the composition involving a wide range of metal and/or metalloid elements and corresponding compositions. In particular, metalloid oxides and metal-metalloid compositions are described in the form of improved nanoscale particles and coatings formed from the nanoscale particles. Compositions comprising rare earth metals and dopants/additives with rare earth metals are described. Complex compositions with a range of host compositions and dopants/additives can be formed using the approaches described herein. The particle coating can take the form of particle arrays that range from collections of disbursable primary particles to fused networks of primary particles forming channels that reflect the nanoscale of the primary particles. Suitable materials for optical applications are described along with some optical devices of interest.

Abstract: Improved reaction chamber designs are described that provide for improved control over the flow within the reaction chamber. The reaction chambers contain reactions for particle production from a flowing reactant stream. Improved reactant delivery nozzles are described that are useful for the delivery of gas/vapor reactants and/or aerosol reactants. Improved nozzle designs can result in more uniform reactant flow. Suitable reactors can comprise an electromagnetic radiation source that projects through the reactor to drive the reaction at an electromagnetic radiation reaction zone. The improved nozzle features are suitable for reactors for particle collection and/or for coating of substrates within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Light reactive deposition can be adapted effectively for the deposition of one or more electrochemical cell components. In particular, electrodes, electrolytes, electrical interconnects can be deposited form a reactive flow. In some embodiments, the reactive flow comprises a reactant stream that intersects a light beam to drive a reaction within a light reactive zone to produce product that is deposited on a substrate. The approach is extremely versatile for the production of a range of compositions that are useful in electrochemical cells and fuel cell, in particular. The properties of the materials, including the density and porosity can be adjusted based on the deposition properties and any subsequent processing including, for example, heat treatments.

Abstract: High rate deposition methods comprise depositing a powder coating from a product flow. The product flow results from a chemical reaction within the flow. Some of the powder coatings consolidate under appropriate conditions into an optical coating. The substrate can have a first optical coating onto which the powder coating is placed. The resulting optical coating following consolidation can have a large index-of-refraction difference with the underlying first optical coating, high thickness and index-of-refraction uniformity across the substrate and high thickness and index-of-refraction uniformity between coatings formed on different substrates under equivalent conditions. In some embodiments, the deposition can result in a powder coating of at least about 100 nm in no more than about 30 minutes with a substrate having a surface area of at least about 25 square centimeters.