Abstract: A method of using carbon dioxide and low pH effluent from prior processing batches for synthesizing-carbon particles or hydrochar from carbohydrate/water solution formulations and conversion of aqueous feedstock containing carbohydrate waste. The hydrochar is a precursor material containing biochar solids and an acidic effluent. The hydrochar can be separated into solids (biochar) and liquid where the solids can be used for preparing a variety of carbonaceous products such as activated carbon. The carbohydrate/water formulation is heated in a pressure vessel converting solid waste to hydrochar forming uniform stable carbon nuclei and converting the aqueous carbohydrates in solution to solid spherical carbon particles. Microwave-assisted or inductive heating can be used as a preprocessing step to increase formation of carbon nuclei to accelerate growth of the carbon particles.

Abstract: A method of vacuum densification and simultaneous alignment of mineral components formed inside biomineralized organoids includes providing a pressing die system that includes a push rod arranged within a sleeve, a sample chamber, and a semi-porous support plate equipped with a vacuum pump system. A hydrated biomineralized organoid sample, including a mineral component, is inserted into the sample chamber. The biomineralized organoid sample is mechanically compressed by exerting a force via the push rod so that a solid fraction of the biomineralized organoid sample is compressed while a portion of a liquid fraction passes through the semi-porous support plate, thereby leaving the biomineralized organoid sample in a partially dehydrated state. The portion of the liquid fraction that passes through the semi-porous support plate is removed via the vacuum pump system.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the enhancement of syngas (CO and H2) to fuels production utilizing a carbon based feedstock, (for example coal) by exploiting some, or all, of the hot CO2 produced during the gasification step, and converting the CO2 through electrochemical reactions into oxygen (O2) and carbon via a molten salt reactor and directing the oxygen back to the gasifier to minimize or eliminate the need for an oxygen plant, while the carbon by-product (granular carbon) will be used for a variety of adsorbents for environmental applications.

Abstract: An additive that is incorporated into a thermoplastic acrylic pre-polymer formulation to render the polymer surface hydrophilic with easy cleanability and also making the surface antimicrobial. The additive is a hydrophilic reactive additive or (“HRA”), is incorporated with the other acrylic formulation components and polymerized into the acrylic polymer backbone. This reaction ensures that there will be no loss of hydrophilicity after repeated contact of the easy to clean acrylic sheet with water, as is typically happens with most sanitary ware products.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a composition and a process for forming silica particles as either a neat film or in polymers during curing at atmospheric pressure and room temperature or thermal or radiation curing. The process includes formation of a nanoparticle precursor solution comprising a small amount of a particulate matting agent such as a silica powder matting agent in combination with a low viscosity liquid silica precursor materials such as a liquid alkoxide, alkoxysilane, tetraethylorthosilicate, sol gel silica or combinations thereof. The precursor solution can be applied to surfaces either neat to form a film upon heating or mixed into a curing polymer resin. The precursor has low viscosity so that it can be easily mixed into the resin, but during curing of the resin, the precursor rapidly forms particles, usually less than 10 microns in size depending on the concentration of the precursor used and the polymer composition.

Abstract: Coating compositions containing resins with dispersed nanoparticle precursors and methods for using said coatings as visual indicators of thermal and impact damage. The nanoparticle precursor/resin system reduces the nanoparticle precursor to its nanoparticle state when subjected to heat and/or physically impacted. The nanoparticles formed impart a color upon the coating at the point of exposure due to surface plasmon resonance. Microencapsulated leuco dyes are utilized to impart color when the coating is struck. The dye within the microcapsule is released as the microcapsule wall bursts or melts. Solubilizing agents can be utilized to improve the solubility of the nanoparticle precursor in the resin.

Abstract: An additive that is incorporated into a thermoplastic acrylic pre-polymer formulation to render the polymer surface hydrophilic with easy cleanability and also making the surface antimicrobial. The additive is a hydrophilic reactive additive or (“HRA”), is incorporated with the other acrylic formulation components and polymerized into the acrylic polymer backbone. This reaction ensures that there will be no loss of hydrophilicity after repeated contact of the easy to clean acrylic sheet with water, as is typically happens with most sanitary ware products.

Abstract: Coating compositions containing resins with dispersed nanoparticle precursors and methods for using said coatings as visual indicators of thermal and impact damage. The nanoparticle precursor/resin system reduces the nanoparticle precursor to its nanoparticle state when subjected to heat and/or physically impacted. The nanoparticles formed impart a color upon the coating at the point of exposure due to surface plasmon resonance. Microencapsulated leuco dyes are utilized to impart color when the coating is struck. The dye within the microcapsule is released as the microcapsule wall bursts or melts. Solubillizing agents can be utilized to improve the solubility of the nanoparticle precursor in the resin.

Abstract: A method of producing networks of low melting metal oxides such as crystalline gallium oxide comprised of one-dimensional nanostructures. Because of the unique arrangement of wires, these crystalline networks defined as “nanowebs”, “nanowire networks”, and/or “two-dimensional nanowires”. Nanowebs contain wire densities on the order of 109/cm2. A possible mechanism for the fast self-assembly of crystalline metal oxide nanowires involves multiple nucleation and coalescence via oxidation-reduction reactions at the molecular level. The preferential growth of nanowires parallel to the substrate enables them to coalesce into regular polygonal networks. The individual segments of the polygonal network consist of both nanowires and nanotubules of ?-gallium oxide. The synthesis of highly crystalline noncatalytic low melting metals such as ?-gallium oxide tubes, nanowires, and nanopaintbrushes is accomplished using molten gallium and microwave plasma containing a mixture of monoatomic oxygen and hydrogen.