Abstract: The disclosed subject matter is directed to a method for producing nanoparticles, as well as the nanoparticles produced by this method. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles produced by the disclosed method have a high defect density.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fuel using oxygen-storing compound nanoparticles is provided, in which the nanoparticles is heated at a first temperature to release an amount of oxygen, thereby producing a reduced oxide compound, and the reduced oxide compound is exposed to a gas at a second temperature to produce the fuel. The gas can include carbon dioxide and water vapor, and the fuel can include carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. The oxygen-storing compound nanoparticles can be nano ceria or nano ceria doped with one or more metals, such as Cu and/or Zr. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter is directed to a method for producing nanoparticles, as well as the nanoparticles produced by this method. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles produced by the disclosed method have a high defect density.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter is directed to a method for producing nanoparticles, as well as the nanoparticles produced by this method. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles produced by the disclosed method have a high defect density. A solution including cerium nitrate hexahydrate is combined with a solution including hexamethylenetetramine to form a combined aqueous solution. After a period of time, the combined aqueous solution is combined with a solution including copper nitrate trihydrate to form a further aqueous solution. The further aqueous solution is then mixed to produce nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for preparing film oxides deposited on a substrate with a resulting grain boundary junction that is atomistically straight. A bicrystal substrate having a straight grain boundary is prepared as a template. The Miller indices h1, k1, h2, k2 of the two grains of the substrate are chosen such that the misorientation angle of the film is equal to arctan k1/h1+arctan k2/h2. The film is grown on the substrate using a layer-by-layer growth mode.

Abstract: A thick film superconductor includes a substrate and a superconducting thick film formed on the substrate. The thick film is 1-20 microns thick with an average twin spacing to film thickness ratio of about 0.016, and is formed from an aqueous solution of YBC ions doped with a particulate rare earth oxide having a diameter of about 50-500 nm. The coated substrate is heat treated, preferably above 650 degrees C. and cooled at a rate less than 15 degrees C. per hour, resulting in a substantially fully oxygenated YBCO layer.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing nanoparticles comprising cerium oxide and zirconium and having a narrow size distribution. The method comprises providing a first aqueous solution comprising zirconium oxychloride and providing a second aqueous solution comprising a first component which is either cerium nitrate or hexamethylenetetramine. The second aqueous solution is added to the first aqueous solution to form a first mixture. A third aqueous solution comprising a second component which is either cerium nitrate or hexamethylenetetramine, and which is different from the first component, is added to the first mixture to form a second mixture. The second mixture is maintained at a temperature no higher than about 320° K. to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are then separated from the second mixture and sintered in air at a temperature ranging between about 500° and about 1100° C. The nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are at least in part crystalline.

Abstract: A method for preparing film oxides deposited on a substrate with a resulting grain boundary junction that is atomistically straight. A bicrystal substrate having a straight grain boundary is prepared as a template. The Miller indices h1, k1, h2, k2 of the two grains of the substrate are chosen such that the misorientation angle of the film is equal to arctan k1/h1+arctan k2/h2. The film is grown on the substrate using a layer-by-layer growth mode.

Abstract: A method for preparing film oxides deposited on a substrate with a resulting grain boundary junction that is atomistically straight. A bicrystal substrate having a straight grain boundary is prepared as a template. The Miller indices h1, k1, h2, k2 of the two grains of the substrate are chosen such that the misorientation angle of the film is equal to arctan k1/h1+arctan k2/h2. The film is grown on the substrate using a layer-by-layer growth mode.

Abstract: A method for preparing film oxides deposited on a substrate with a resulting grain boundary junction that is atomistically straight. A bicrystal substrate having a straight grain boundary is prepared as a template. The Miller indices h1, k1, h2, k2 of the two grains of the substrate are chosen such that the misorientation angle of the film is equal to arctan k1/h1+ arctan k2/h2. The film is grown on the substrate using a layer-by-layer growth mode.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing cerium oxide nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The cerium oxide nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are nearly all crystalline. The method comprises providing a first aqueous solution comprising cerium nitrate and providing a second aqueous solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine. The first and second aqueous solutions are mixed to form a mixture, and the mixture is maintained at a temperature no higher than about 320° K to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles that are formed are then separated from the mixture. A further aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for preparing cerium oxide nanoparticles. The apparatus comprises a mixing vessel having a first compartment for holding a first aqueous solution comprising cerium nitrate and a second compartment for holding a second aqueous solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine. The mixing vessel has a retractable partition separating the first and second compartments.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing nanoparticles comprising cerium oxide and zirconium and having a narrow size distribution. The method comprises providing a first aqueous solution comprising zirconium oxychloride and providing a second aqueous solution comprising a first component which is either cerium nitrate or hexamethylenetetramine. The second aqueous solution is added to the first aqueous solution to form a first mixture. A third aqueous solution comprising a second component which is either cerium nitrate or hexamethylenetetramine, and which is different from the first component, is added to the first mixture to form a second mixture. The second mixture is maintained at a temperature no higher than about 320° K to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are then separated from the second mixture and sintered in air at a temperature ranging between about 500° and about 1100° C. The nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are at least in part crystalline.

Abstract: A thick film superconductor includes a substrate and a superconducting thick film formed on the substrate. The thick film is 1-20 microns thick with an average twin spacing to film thickness ratio of about 0.016, and is formed from an aqueous solution of YBC ions doped with a particulate rare earth oxide having a diameter of about 50-500 nm. The coated substrate is heat treated, preferably above 650 degrees C. and cooled at a rate less than 15 degrees C. per hour, resulting in a substantially fully oxygenated YBCO layer.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing cerium oxide nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The cerium oxide nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are nearly all crystalline. The method comprises providing a first aqueous solution comprising cerium nitrate and providing a second aqueous solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine. The first and second aqueous solutions are mixed to form a mixture, and the mixture is maintained at a temperature no higher than about 320° K to form nanoparticles. The nanoparticles that are formed are then separated from the mixture. A further aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for preparing cerium oxide nanoparticles. The apparatus comprises a mixing vessel having a first compartment for holding a first aqueous solution comprising cerium nitrate and a second compartment for holding a second aqueous solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine. The mixing vessel has a retractable partition separating the first and second compartments.