Abstract: A method for gathering and providing consumer intelligence includes the steps of receiving and storing data in a first database relating to a transaction between a consumer and a business enterprise, receiving and storing cognitive data in the first database, wherein at least some of the cognitive data relates to the consumer's emotions during a transaction between the consumer and the business enterprise, receiving and storing data in the first database relating to a transaction between two or more business enterprises, and providing data from the first database to a business enterprise in response to a request for data sent by the business enterprise.

Abstract: A method for gathering and providing consumer intelligence includes the steps of receiving and storing data in a first database relating to a transaction between a consumer and a business enterprise, receiving and storing cognitive data in the first database, wherein at least some of the cognitive data relates to the consumer's emotions during a transaction between the consumer and the business enterprise, receiving and storing data in the first database relating to a transaction between two or more business enterprises, and providing data from the first database to a business enterprise in response to a request for data sent by the business enterprise.

Abstract: Composite coating compositions, composite metallic coatings derived from these compositions, and methods of forming the composite coating compositions and composite metallic coatings, wherein the compositions and coatings comprise particles of at least one quasicrystalline metal alloy and at least one elemental metal. The methods include electrocodepositing suspended quasicrystalline metal alloy particles and dissolved metal ions onto a substrate. Preferably, the substrate is disposed in an aqueous bath containing at least one dissolved metal ion species and at least one suspended quasicrystalline metal alloy powder species. The compositions and coatings enhance the wear, friction, hardness, corrosion, and non-stick characteristics of the substrate.

Abstract: The method for separating ferrate salts from a solution comprising providing contact between the solution of essentially of aqueous hydroxide and the ferrate salts and a surface having a magnetic attraction, magnetically securing the ferrate salts to the surface; and eliminating contact between the solution and the surface. Contact is provided by immersing the surface in the solution, passing the liquid ferrate mixture over the surface, or combinations thereof. The magnetic attraction may be induced by permanent magnets, electromagnets, and combinations thereof. The apparatus for ferrate production comprises an electrochemical cell having an iron-containing anode, cathode, and an aqueous hydroxide solution in fluid communication with both the anode and the cathode, and a magnetic separator in fluid communication with the aqueous hydroxide solution for separating ferrate salts from the aqueous hydroxide solution.

Abstract: Composite coating compositions, composite metallic coatings derived from these compositions, and methods of forming the composite coating compositions and composite metallic coatings, wherein the compositions and coatings comprise particles of at least one quasicrystalline metal alloy and at least one elemental metal. The methods include electrocodepositing suspended quasicrystalline metal alloy particles and dissolved metal ions onto a substrate. Preferably, the substrate is disposed in an aqueous bath containing at least one dissolved metal ion species and at least one suspended quasicrystalline metal alloy powder species. The compositions and coatings enhance the wear, friction, hardness, corrosion, and non-stick characteristics of the substrate.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas production includes supplying a hydrocarbon fluid to a gap between a pair of electrodes, applying a voltage across the electrodes to induce an electrical arc, wherein the electrical arc contacts the hydrocarbon to form a plasma and produces a gaseous product comprising hydrogen gas and a solid product comprising carbon, and dynamically adjusting the gap length to control at least one parameter of the plasma. Preferably, the gap length is decreased during plasma initiation or reformation and increased to increase the hydrogen gas production rate. The method preferably includes dynamically adjusting the spatial separation of the electrodes and rotating at least one electrode while generating hydrogen gas to reduce adherence of solids to the electrodes. Furthermore, the polarity of the electrodes may be periodically reversed, primarily to reduce adherence of solids.

Abstract: A method employing oxide film conversion coatings prepared using ferrate (VI) as the oxidizing agent is disclosed. Metal substrates or surfaces, such as aluminum, aluminum alloys or other metals, are contacted with an aqueous solution comprising ferrate (VI) anions to form a corrosion resistant conversion coating on the surface thereof. The ferrate anion concentration is preferably between about 0.0166% and about 1.66% by weight. The coating process is carried out by dipping, spraying, or painting at temperatures ranging from 25° C. to 100° C. for a period of time ranging from about 1 second to about 5 minutes.

Abstract: A method for the electrochemical production of ferrate salts in an aqueous electrolyte solution comprising one or more hydroxide components. Dramatically increased yields of ferrate salts are obtained from using a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Preferably, both sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are present in concentrations greater than 5 molar, most preferably at least 10 molar, i.e., 10 M NaOH and 10 M KOH. The anode is preferably a sacrificial anode made out of an iron-containing material to supply the iron necessary for the ferrate production reaction.

Abstract: The method for separating ferrate salts from a solution comprising providing contact between the solution of essentially of aqueous hydroxide and the ferrate salts and a surface having a magnetic attraction, magnetically securing the ferrate salts to the surface; and eliminating contact between the solution and the surface. Contact is provided by immersing the surface in the solution, passing the liquid ferrate mixture over the surface, or combinations thereof. The magnetic attraction may be induced by permanent magnets, electromagnets, and combinations thereof. The apparatus for ferrate production comprises an electrochemical cell having an iron-containing anode, cathode, and an aqueous hydroxide solution in fluid communication with both the anode and the cathode, and a magnetic separator in fluid communication with the aqueous hydroxide solution for separating ferrate salts from the aqueous hydroxide solution.

Abstract: The method for separating ferrate salts from a solution comprising providing contact between the solution of essentially of aqueous hydroxide and the ferrate salts and a surface having a magnetic attraction, magnetically securing the ferrate salts to the surface; and eliminating contact between the solution and the surface. Contact is provided by immersing the surface in the solution, passing the liquid ferrate mixture over the surface, or combinations thereof. The magnetic attraction may be induced by permanent magnets, electromagnets, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conversion coating solution containing polymetalates and/or heteropolymetalates to oxidize the surface of various metal substrates. The polymetalates have the general formula MxOyn?, where M is selected from the group comprising Mo, V and W. The heteropolymetalates have the general formula BMxOyn?, where B is a heteroatom selected from P, Si, Ce, Mn or Co, and M is again selected from Mo, V, W or combinations thereof. The concentration of polymetalates and/or heteropolymetalates anions is preferably between about 1% and about 5% by weight. Examples of typical anions used include, but are not limited to, (PMo12O40)3?, (PMo10V2O40)5?, (MnPW11O39)5?, (PW12O40)3?, (SiMo12O40)4?, (SiW12O40)4?, (Mo7O24)6?, (CeMo12O42)8? and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Composite coating compositions, composite metallic coatings derived from these compositions, and methods of forming the composite coating compositions and composite metallic coatings, wherein the compositions and coatings comprise particles of at least one quasicrystalline metal alloy and at least one elemental metal. The methods include electrocodepositing suspended quasicrystalline metal alloy particles and dissolved metal ions onto a substrate. Preferably, the substrate is disposed in an aqueous bath containing at least one dissolved metal ion species and at least one suspended quasicrystalline metal alloy powder species. The compositions and coatings enhance the wear, friction, hardness, corrosion, and non-stick characteristics of the substrate.

Abstract: The method for separating ferrate salts from a solution comprising providing contact between the solution of essentially of aqueous hydroxide and the ferrate salts and a surface having a magnetic attraction, magnetically securing the ferrate salts to the surface; and eliminating contact between the solution and the surface. Contact is provided by immersing the surface in the solution, passing the liquid ferrate mixture over the surface, or combinations thereof. The magnetic attraction may be induced by permanent magnets, electromagnets, and combinations thereof. The apparatus for ferrate production comprises an electrochemical cell having an iron-containing anode, cathode, and an aqueous hydroxide solution in fluid communication with both the anode and the cathode, and a magnetic separator in fluid communication with the aqueous hydroxide solution for separating ferrate salts from the aqueous hydroxide solution.

Abstract: A biocompatible surgical implant or component for a surgical implant for use in human beings and animals is described. The implant has an oxide film-forming valve metal substrate, such as titanium, titanium alloy, zirconium, or zirconium alloy, or stainless steel, or cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy having a surface that has been treated such that phosphorous and oxygen are incorporated into the treated surface of the implant. The surface treatment carried out on the implant includes low temperature anodic treatment of the substrate in a phosphorus-containing solution, such as a phosphate-containing solution. The anodic treatment changes or modifies the substrate surface through electrochemical reactions between the substrate, acting as an anode, and phosphate ions contained in an electrolyte solution, such as provided by an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid. The phosphorus-containing solution may be substantially calcium-free.

Abstract: A substrate impregnated with an indicator that bleaches at an approximately linear rate in relation to the concentration of ozone in an aqueous solution. The color-impregnated substrate provides a visual determination that sufficient ozonation disinfection of a surface has occurred by using a direct measurement of the Ct value rather than just the measurement of an instantaneous concentration of ozone. The substrate may be used in a system for disinfecting a surface comprising means for contacting a surface to be disinfected with ozone, wherein one or more indicator-impregnated substrates are proximate to the surface; and means for comparing the second color to known colors of the indicator that correspond to different ozone Ct values. When the second color matches the known color for a target Ct value, a predetermined level of disinfection has been accomplished.

Abstract: A biocompatible surgical implant for use in human beings and animals. The implant has a titanium or titanium alloy substrate having a surface that has been treated with phosphates. The surface treatment on the implant includes low temperature anodic phosphation of the titanium or titanium alloy substrate. Anodic phosphation changes or modifies the substrate surface through electrochemical reactions between the substrate, acting as an anode, and phosphate ions contained in an electrolyte solution, such as provided by an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, and water molecules. The surface treatment imparts no significant change in the dimensions of the implant, thereby allowing the surgical implant substrate to be constructed to exact dimensions without having to account for the thickness of additional coatings being applied to the implant.

Abstract: A biocompatible surgical implant for use in human beings and animals. The implant has a titanium or titanium alloy substrate having a surface that has been treated with phosphates. The surface treatment on the implant includes low temperature anodic phosphation of the titanium or titanium alloy substrate. Anodic phosphation changes or modifies the substrate surface through electrochemical reactions between the substrate, acting as an anode, and phosphate ions contained in an electrolyte solution, such as provided by an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, and water molecules. The surface treatment imparts no significant change in the dimensions of the implant, thereby allowing the surgical implant substrate to be constructed to exact dimensions without having to account for the thickness of additional coatings being applied to the implant.

Abstract: A biocompatible surgical implant for use in human beings and animals. The implant has a titanium or titanium alloy substrate having a surface that has been treated with phosphates. The surface treatment on the implant includes low temperature anodic phosphation of the titanium or titanium alloy substrate. Anodic phosphation changes or modifies the substrate surface through electrochemical reactions between the substrate, acting as an anode, and phosphate ions contained in an electrolyte solution, such as provided by an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, and water molecules. The surface treatment imparts no significant change in the dimensions of the implant, thereby allowing the surgical implant substrate to be constructed to exact dimensions without having to account for the thickness of additional coatings being applied to the implant.

Abstract: A method for the electrochemical production of ferrate salts in an aqueous electrolyte solution comprising one or more hydroxide components. Dramatically increased yields of ferrate salts are obtained from using a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Preferably, both sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are present in concentrations greater than 5 molar, most preferably at least 10 molar, i.e., 10 M NaOH and 10 M KOH. The anode is preferably a sacrificial anode made out of an iron-containing material to supply the iron necessary for the ferrate production reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conversion coating solution containing polymetalates and/or heteropolymetalates to oxidize the surface of various metal substrates. The polymetalates have the general formula MxOyn−, where M is selected from the group comprising Mo, V and W. The heteropolymetalates have the general formula BMxOyn−, where B is a heteroatom selected from P, Si, Ce, Mn or Co, and M is again selected from Mo, V, W or combinations thereof. The concentration of polymetalates and/or heteropolymetalates anions is preferably between about 1% and about 5% by weight. Examples of typical anions used include, but are not limited to, (PMo12O40)3−, (PMo10V2O40)5−, (MnPW11O39)5−, (PW12O40)3−, (SiMo12O40)4−, (SiW12O40)4−, (Mo7O24)6−, (CeMo12O42)8−and mixtures thereof.