Abstract: A process for recovering gold from a refractory gold ore, comprising the steps of: electrolyzing a mixture consisting of the ore particles and an aqueous bromide solution in an electrolytic cell having anode and cathode, wherein bromine is produced at the anode by oxidation of the bromide, thereby dissolving gold in the aqueous phase; separating the ore particles from the aqueous phase to obtain a leach liquor; adjusting the pH of the leach liquor to the alkaline range to produce a gold-containing precipitate; collecting the gold-containing precipitate and recycling a bromide-containing barren solution for reuse as an aqueous bromide feed solution.

Abstract: A circuit sub-assembly is disclosed adapted for mounting and cooling a circuit component having a plurality of contacts. Circuit component can be mounted on a rigid substrate of a thermally conductive material having electrically insulating regions with a circuit board arranged between the circuit component and the substrate. The circuit board, which carries conductive traces that terminate in contact pads, is secured to the substrate with at least some of the contact pads on the circuit board disposed on the side of the board facing the substrate, some of the latter contact pads being bonded to the substrate. To establish both an electrical and a thermal connection between the contacts of the circuit component and the contact pads bonded to the substrate, there are blind holes formed in the base of the circuit board, each hole terminating at a respective one of the contact pads bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for mounting and cooling a circuit component having a plurality of contacts. The method comprises mounting the circuit component on a rigid substrate of a thermally conductive material having and electrically insulating regions with a circuit board arranged between the circuit component and the substrate. The circuit board, which carries conductive traces that terminate in contact pads, is secured to the substrate with at least some of the contact pads on the circuit board disposed on the side of the board facing the substrate, some of which being bonded to the substrate. To establish both an electrical and a thermal connection between the contacts of the circuit component and the contact pads bonded to the substrate, blind holes are formed in the base of the circuit board, each hole terminating at a respective one of the contact pads bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for mounting and cooling a circuit component having aplurality of contacts. The method comprises mounting the circuit component on a rigid substrate of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material with a circuit board arranged between the circuit component and the substrate. The circuit board, which has a flexible base and carries conductive traces that terminate in contact pads, is secured to the rigid substrate with at least some of the contact pads on the circuit board disposed on the side of the circuit board facing the rigid substrate, at least some of the latter contact pads being bonded to the substrate. To establish both an electrical and a thermal connection between the contacts of the circuit component and the contact pads bonded to the substrate, blind holes are formed in the flexible base of the circuit board, each hole terminating at a respective one of the contact pads bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolyte solution suitable for use in a zinc-bromine battery, comprising zinc bromide and a mixture of at least two complexing agents selected from the group consisting of 1-R2-2-methyl pyridinium bromide and 1-R3-3-methyl pyridinium bromide salts, wherein each of R2 and R3 is independently an alkyl group having not less than five carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for recovering gold from a refractory gold ore, comprising the steps of: electrolyzing a mixture consisting of the ore particles and an aqueous bromide solution in an electrolytic cell having anode and cathode, wherein bromine is produced at the anode by oxidation of the bromide, thereby dissolving gold in the aqueous phase; separating the ore particles from the aqueous phase to obtain a leach liquor; adjusting the pH of the leach liquor to the alkaline range to produce a gold-containing precipitate; collecting the gold-containing precipitate and recycling a bromide-containing barren solution for reuse as an aqueous bromide feed solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolyte solution suitable for use in a zinc-bromine battery, comprising zinc bromide and a mixture of at least two complexing agents selected from the group consisting of 1-R2-2-methyl pyridinium bromide and 1-R3-3-methyl pyridinium bromide salts, wherein each of R2 and R3 is independently an alkyl group having not less than five carbon atoms.

Abstract: Active materials for anodes for lithium ion devices are disclosed. An active may comprise germanium nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 100 nm, wherein the weight percentage of the germanium is between 72 to 96 weight % of the total weight of the active material; boron carbide nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 100 nm, wherein the weight percentage of boron in the active material is between 3 to 6 weight % of the total weight of the active material; and tungsten carbide nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 60 nm, wherein the weight percentage of tungsten in the active material is between 6 to 25 weight % of the total weight of the active material.

Abstract: Lithium ion devices that include an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte are provided. The anode having an active material including germanium nano-particles, boron carbide nano-particles and tungsten carbide nano-particles, wherein the weight percentage of the germanium is between 5 to 80 weight % of the total weight of the anode material, the weight percentage of boron in the anode material is between 2 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode material and the weight percentage of tungsten in the anode material is between 5 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode materials.

Abstract: Methods for making anodes for lithium ion devices are provided. The methods include milling germanium powder, carbon, and boron carbide powder to form a nano-particle mixture having a particle size of 20 to 100 nm; adding an emulsion of tungsten carbide nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 60 nm to the mixture to form an active material; and adding a polymeric binder to the active material to form the anode, wherein the weight percentage of the germanium in the anode is between 5 to 80 weight % of the total weight of the anode, the weight percentage of boron in the anode is between 2 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode and the weight percentage of tungsten in the anode is between 5 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode.

Abstract: Active materials for anodes for lithium ion devices are disclosed. An active may comprise germanium nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 100 nm, wherein the weight percentage of the germanium is between 72 to 96 weight % of the total weight of the active material; boron carbide nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 100 nm, wherein the weight percentage of boron in the active material is between 3 to 6 weight % of the total weight of the active material; and tungsten carbide nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 60 nm, wherein the weight percentage of tungsten in the active material is between 6 to 25 weight % of the total weight of the active material.

Abstract: Methods for making anodes for lithium ion devices are provided. The methods include milling germanium powder, carbon, and boron carbide powder to form a nano-particle mixture having a particle size of 20 to 100 nm; adding an emulsion of tungsten carbide nano-particles having a particle size of 20 to 60 nm to the mixture to form an active material; and adding a polymeric binder to the active material to form the anode, wherein the weight percentage of the germanium in the anode is between 5 to 80 weight % of the total weight of the anode, the weight percentage of boron in the anode is between 2 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode and the weight percentage of tungsten in the anode is between 5 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode.

Abstract: Lithium ion devices that include an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte are provided. The anode having an active material including germanium nano-particles, boron carbide nano-particles and tungsten carbide nano-particles, wherein the weight percentage of the germanium is between 5 to 80 weight % of the total weight of the anode material, the weight percentage of boron in the anode material is between 2 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode material and the weight percentage of tungsten in the anode material is between 5 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode materials.

Abstract: A method of depositing semiconductor nanocrystals on a surface can include applying a voltage to the nanocrystals.

Abstract: An anode material for a lithium ion device includes an active material including germanium and boron. The weight percentage of the germanium is between about 45 to 80 weight % of the total weight of the anode material and the weight percentage of the boron is between about 2 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode material. The active material may include carbon at a weight percentage of between 0.5 to about 5 weight % of the total weight of the anode material. Additional materials, methods of making and devices are taught.

Abstract: An anode material for a lithium ion device includes an active material including germanium and boron. The weight percentage of the germanium is between about 45 to 80 weight % of the total weight of the anode material and the weight percentage of the boron is between about 2 to 20 weight % of the total weight of the anode material. The active material may include carbon at a weight percentage of between 0.5 to about 5 weight % of the total weight of the anode material. Additional materials, methods of making and devices are taught.

Abstract: A method of depositing semiconductor nanocrystals on a surface can include applying a voltage to the nanocrystals.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrodes for electrolysis of water and other electrochemical techniques are provided. In some embodiments, the electrode comprising a current collector and a catalytic material. The method of forming the electrode may comprising immersing a current collector comprising a metallic species in an oxidation state of zero in a solution comprising anionic species, and causing a catalytic material to form on the current collector by application of a voltage to the current collector, wherein the catalytic material comprises metallic species in an oxidation state greater than zero and the anionic species.

Abstract: The development and use of hybrid metal-semiconductor nanoparticles for photocatalysis of a variety of chemical reactions such as redox reactions and water-splitting, is provided.