Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described using asphaltene and its derivatives as semi-conducting materials in photovoltaic cells. Asphaltene is used in an organic PV device as either or both of a p-type material and/or n-type material. The asphaltene-based material can be treated such as by de-metalization, metal addition, extraction, fractionation, and optimization of the asphaltene material. Treatment can be selected to create an asphaltene-based material having pre-selected characteristics, such as absorption value, reflectance, index of refraction, band gap, etc. The asphaltene-based materials can be blended or otherwise combined with inorganic or non-asphaltene organic materials. Further, asphaltene material can be used as an interfacial layer in the PV device.

Abstract: A method and a product made by treating a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon heavy feed, e.g., heavy crude asphaltene reduction is disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of: mixing the sulfur-containing hydrocarbon heavy feed with a hydrogen donor solvent and an acidified silica to form a mixture and oxidizing the sulfur in the mixture at a temperature between 50° C. and 210° C., wherein the oxidation lowers the amount sulfur in the sulfur-containing hydrocarbon heavy feed by at least 90%.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices and methods of making the same, are disclosed herein. The cell comprises: a first electrically conductive layer; at least one photoelectrochemical layer comprising metal-oxide particles, an electrolyte solution, an asphaltene dye, and a second electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A zero-discharge landfill process is disclosed herein. The process described in the present invention recycles the exhaust gases from a combustion engine which reheats the landfill and provides moisture. Additionally, the CO2 from the exhaust gases releases additional methane. Methane production in landfills can thus be enhanced by the method of the present invention. Furthermore, a portion of the exhaust gas can be used to cultivate algae in a cultivation tank. The cultivation of the algal species is enhanced in the presence of water, CO2, CO, and the elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of clay (palygorskite) to concurrently remove indigo dye and salts from the wastewater and subsequent conversion of recovery by-products into Maya blue, an organic-inorganic hybrid pigment with applications in the paint and coating industry. The present invention provides an attractive alternative to discharging the untreated effluent into municipal treatment plants or the environment through the production of a secondary commercial product from waste stream through a by-product synergy process.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices and methods of making the same, are disclosed herein. The cell comprises: a first electrically conductive layer; at least one photoelectrochemical layer comprising metal-oxide particles, an electrolyte solution, an asphaltene dye, and a second electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A method and a product made by treating a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon heavy feed, e.g., heavy crude asphaltene reduction is disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of: mixing the sulfur-containing hydrocarbon heavy feed with a hydrogen donor solvent and an acidified silica to form a mixture and oxidizing the sulfur in the mixture at a temperature between 50° C. and 210° C., wherein the oxidation lowers the amount sulfur in the sulfur-containing hydrocarbon heavy feed by at least 90%.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating disorders of the skin or mucosa resulting from cancer therapies comprising: identifying a patient receiving cancer treatment; and administering to said patient an effective dose of a treated organic/inorganic complex material with an organic dye molecule or derivative thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A composition includes a compound selected from the group consisting of formula (I), (III), and (IV). The compound of formula (I) is: wherein A is N, C, or S; the A-R5 bond is a single bond or a double bond; R1 is H, —NH2, or —S-aryl; R2 is H or together with R3 form a fused bicyclic group; R3 is H, or together with R2 form a fused bicyclic group, or together with R4 and R5 form a fused tricyclic group; R4 is H, or together with R3 and R5 form a fused tricyclic group, or R5 is H, O, or together with R3 and R4 form a fused tricyclic group; R6 is H, OH, —NH-alkyl, or —NH-aryl; R7 is H; R8 is H, —O-aryl, or halogen; and R9 is H, NH2, —NH-alkyl, —NH-aryl, OH, or —S-aryl.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of synthesizing molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and carbon-containing molybdenum disulfide (MoS2-xCx) catalysts that exhibit improved catalytic activity for hydrotreating reactions involving hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, and hydrogenation. The present invention also concerns the resulting catalysts. Furthermore, the invention concerns the promotion of these catalysts with Co, Ni, Fe, and/or Ru sulfides to create catalysts with greater activity, for hydrotreating reactions, than conventional catalysts such as cobalt molybdate on alumina support.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and compositions for synthesizing catalysts/porous materials. In some embodiments, the resulting materials are amorphous sulfide sieves that can be mass-produced for a variety of uses. In some embodiments, methods of the invention concern any suitable precursor (such as thiomolybdate salt) that is exposed to a high pressure pre-compaction, if need be. For instance, in some cases the final bulk shape (but highly porous) may be same as the original bulk shape. The compacted/uncompacted precursor is then subjected to an open-flow hot isostatic pressing, which causes the precursor to decompose and convert to a highly porous material/catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel hydrogen activation catalysts based on a metal compound. More particularly, this invention describes a catalyst that is poison tolerant and has a high resistance to poisoning by carbon monoxide or sulfur containing species that can be used in fuel cells including a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell.

Abstract: The hydrotreating of petroleum feedstock is improved by using a layered transition metal catalyst, a mixture of such catalysts or a stocked bed of transition metal catalysts that has a selected ratio of edge to rim sites sufficient to provide a product having a predetermined sulfur and nitrogen content.

Abstract: An eta phase composition in powder form, prepared in the absence of sulfur or sulfur bearing compounds, having a surface area greater than about 2m.sup.2 /g and consisting of X.sub.6 Y.sub.6 Z.sub.a wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consiting of Mo and W, Y is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co. Ni, Mo and W, Z is at least one element selected from the group consisting of C, N and combinations thereof such that when Z is N, a is greater than or equal to 1 but less than or equal to 2 and when Z is C, a is greater than 1 but less than or equal to 2 except when Z is C and Y is Fe, then a is greater than or equal to 1 but less than or equal to 2. The eta phase may be a carbide, nitride or carbonitride. A method for producing the eta-phase composition includes providing a precursor compound including at least two eta-phase forming metals, and a ligand containing carbon, nitrogen or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for catalytically hydropyrolyzing carbonaceous material to produce liquid products boiling under about 550.degree. C. with reduced amounts of methane being formed. The process comprises (a) treating the carbonaceous material with as hydrogenation catalyst; (b) contacting the so-treated carbonaceous material with an effective amount of hydrogen, at an effective residence time, at a temperature below the critical temperature of rapid methane formation; (c) recovering the resulting liquids, gases, and char; and (d) recycling the char.

Abstract: An eta phase composition in powder form, prepared in the absence of sulfur or sulfur bearing compounds, having a surface area greater than about 2m.sup.2 /g and consisting of X.sub.6 Y.sub.6 Z.sub.a wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mo and W, Y is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mo and W, Z is at least one element selected from the group consisting of C, N and combinations thereof such that when Z is N, a is greater than or equal to 1 but less than or equal to 2 and when Z is C, a is greater than 1 but less than or equal to 2 except when Z is C and Y is Fe, then a is greater than or equal to 1 but less than or equal to 2. The eta phase may be a carbide, nitride or carbonitride. A method for producing the eta-phase composition includes providing a precursor compound including at least two eta-phase forming metals, and a ligand containing carbon, nitrogen or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that certain transition metal containing complexes thermally decompose to form solids containing the transition metal, sulfur and carbon and that these transition metal, sulfur and carbon containing solids are particularly suitable as catalysts for hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and aromatics hydrogenation. The transition metal complexes that are thermally decomposed to novel catalysts are complexes of the type represented by the general formula ML.sup.n 3, wherein M is selected from Mo, W, Re and mixtures thereof, L is a dithiolene or aminobenzenethiolate ligand, and n represents the total charge of the metal complexes, and is 0, -1, or -2.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition of matter comprising a sulfide of a metal selected from Groups VIB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Tables, or mixtures thereof, and an aromatic, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound selected from the group consisting of tetrahydroquinoline, and the mono and diorgano substituted derivatives of tetrahydroquinoline. These compositions are useful as catalyst precursors. Indeed, upon heating at temperatures above 200.degree. C., the compounds are converted to active catalysts useful in polymerizing nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition of matter comprising a sulfide of a metal selected from Groups VIB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Tables, or mixtures thereof, and an aromatic, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound selected from the group consisting of tetrahydroquinoline, and the mono and diorgano substituted derivatives of tetrahydroquinoline. These compositions are useful as catalyst precursors. Indeed, upon heating at temperatures above 200.degree. C., the compounds are converted to active catalysts useful in polymerizing nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that certain transition metal containing complexes thermally decompose to form solids containing the transmission metal, sulfur and carbon and that these transition metal, sulfur and carbon containing solids are particularly suitable as catalysts for hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and aromatics hydrogenation. The transition metal complexes that are thermally decomposed to novel catalysts are complexes of the type represented by the general formula ML.sup.n.sbsp.3, wherein M is selected from Mo, W, Re and mixtures thereof, L is a dithiolene or aminobenzenethiolate ligand, and n represents the total charge of the metal complexes, and is 0, -1, or -2.