Abstract: A water-bearing electrical apparatus having a water absorption element and an electrochemical cell which has a cathode arranged in a cathode space and an anode arranged in an anode space, which are spatially separated, wherein the electrochemical cell is designed to generate an alkaline partial solution in the cathode space and an acidic partial solution in the anode space when it contains a conductivity transmitter-containing medium and the DC voltage is applied to the anode and the cathode, and to heat a fluid located in the cathode and anode spaces when the AC voltage is applied to the anode and the cathode. A method includes generating an alkaline partial solution in the cathode space and an acidic partial solution in the anode space while applying DC voltage, applying AC voltage to heat fluid in the electrochemical cell, and conveying the alkaline partial solution into the water absorption element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring a vehicle, which is provided for a plurality of users. The method includes storing user data, where the user data are gathered in a user account, and available vehicle features of the vehicle in a storage unit. The method further includes defining vehicle groups based on the association of a respective user account to be assigned to the vehicle with a respective user group and defining a configuration by assigning respective availabilities of vehicle features of the vehicle to a user of a respective vehicle group. The method further includes storing the configuration in the storage unit. The invention also relates to a vehicle, which is designed to implement the method according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring a vehicle, which is provided for a plurality of users. The method includes storing user data, where the user data are gathered in a user account, and available vehicle features of the vehicle in a storage unit. The method further includes defining vehicle groups based on the association of a respective user account to be assigned to the vehicle with a respective user group and defining a configuration by assigning respective availabilities of vehicle features of the vehicle to a user of a respective vehicle group. The method further includes storing the configuration in the storage unit. The invention also relates to a vehicle, which is designed to implement the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Provided here is a method for providing a coating on a plurality of substrate particles utilizing concurrent dissolution and deposition processes occurring among a plurality of source particles. Both the plurality of source particles and the plurality of substrate particles are freely immersed in the aqueous solution to form a slurry. A pH of the aqueous solution the electrochemical potential between the plurality of source particles and the aqueous solution establishes the source particles at a corrosion potential providing the concurrent dissolution and re-deposition of a cationic species on the source particles. Agitation of the slurry generates close proximity and/or brief contact between source and substrate particles causing substrate particles pass through the local environment of the source particles, resulting in some portion of the cationic species depositing at nucleation sites on the substrate particles.

Abstract: An electrolytic recycling method recovers two or more component elements of one or more compounds simultaneously. A compound, such as a compound semiconductor, to be recycled is dissolved in a liquid electrolyte. Electrolysis of the dissolved compound recovers component elements simultaneously at respective negative and positive electrodes by reduction and oxidation respectively. The component elements produced may be in respective condensed phases or include a gaseous phase.

Abstract: A powder consolidation method and apparatus make use of corrosion processes occurring on surfaces of metal particles to consolidate a metal-containing powder into a formed body. The method includes contacting metal particles with an acidic or basic liquid at a pH and potential at which dissolution of metal from the particles and reduction of soluble metal-containing ions to metal on surfaces of the particles can co-occur, such that the metal powder agglomerates to form a body.

Abstract: A bimaterial microelectromechanical system (MEMS) solar power generator device converts radiant energy received from the sun, or other light source, into heat, which is then used to produce electricity through the piezoelectric effect. As the efficiency of piezoelectric materials can often reach up to 90%, the efficiency is greater than that of conventional solar cells.

Abstract: An electrolytic recycling method recovers two or more component elements of one or more compounds simultaneously. A compound, such as a compound semiconductor, to be recycled is dissolved in a liquid electrolyte. Electrolysis of the dissolved compound recovers component elements simultaneously at respective negative and positive electrodes by reduction and oxidation respectively. The component elements produced may be in respective condensed phases or include a gaseous phase.

Abstract: The presence of large amounts of non-diamond carbon in detonation synthesized nanodiamond (ND) severely limits applications of this exciting nanomaterial. An environmentally-friendly process is disclosed to selectively remove sp2-bonded carbon from ND. The content of up to 96% of sp3-bonded carbon in the oxidized samples is comparable to that found in microcrystalline diamond and is unprecedented for ND powders. Transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies show high purity 5-nm ND particles covered by oxygen-containing surface functional groups. The surface functionalization can be controlled by subsequent treatments. In contrast to current purification techniques, the disclosed process does not require the use of toxic or aggressive chemicals, catalysts or inhibitors and opens avenues for numerous new applications of nanodiamond.