Abstract: A method for producing a hydrogen enriched fuel includes the steps of providing a flow of methane gas at a selected flow rate, providing a catalyst, producing a methane plasma at a negative pressure using microwave irradiation at a selected microwave power, directing the methane plasma over the catalyst, and controlling the flow of methane gas and the microwave power to produce a product gas having a selected composition. A system for producing a hydrogen enriched fuel includes a methane gas source, a reactor having a reaction chamber containing a catalyst, a microwave power source configured to form a methane plasma, and a vacuum pump configured to maintain the reaction chamber at a negative pressure.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to utilization of high power density microwave energy to reduce organic compounds to carbon and their constituents, primarily in a gaseous state. The process includes, but is not limited to, scrap tires, plastics, asphalt roofing shingles, computer waste, medical waste, municipal solid waste, construction waste, shale oil, and PCB/PAH/HCB-laden materials. The process includes the steps of feeding organic material into a microwave applicator and exposing the material to microwave energy fed from at least two linear polarized sources in non-parallel alignment to each other, and collecting the material. The at least two sources of microwave energy are from a bifurcated waveguide assembly, whose outputs are perpendicular to each other and fed through waveguide of proper impedance, such that the microwave sources are physically and electrically 90° out of phase to each other. The microwave frequency is between 894 and 1000 MHz, preferably approximately 915 MHz.

Abstract: A new method is disclosed for the exfoliation of hexagonal boron nitride into mono- and few-layered nanosheets (or nanoplatelets, nanomesh, nanoribbons). The method does not necessarily require high temperature or vacuum, but uses commercially available h-BN powders (or those derived from these materials, bulk crystals) and only requires wet chemical processing. The method is facile, cost efficient, and scalable. The resultant exfoliated h-BN is dispersible in an organic solvent or water thus amenable for solution processing for unique microelectronic or composite applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing a catalyst composition. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a catalyst can comprise: forming a catalyst composition from a catalyst precursor and a volatile compound, disposing the catalyst composition on a substrate to form a supported composition, treating the supported composition with electromagnetic radiation, and removing at least a portion of the volatile compound to form the catalyst. In another embodiment, the method for manufacturing a catalyst can comprise: forming a catalyst composition comprising a volatile compound and a catalyst precursor, disposing the catalyst composition onto a substrate, and drying the catalyst composition at a temperature greater than or equal to a dew point of the volatile compound and less than or equal to a decomposition temperature of the catalyst precursor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing metal nanoparticles by mixing a metal precursor with a solvent to prepare a mixed solution, and radiating the mixed solution with an ion beam to reduce the metal precursor and produce the metal nanoparticles. In addition, when metal nanoparticles are prepared by using an ion beam, uniform-sized metal nanoparticles can be mass produced.

Abstract: A system and method for treating unmarketable fly ash and improve its properties as an additive for concrete is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a gas stream containing ionized air (34), and an amount of fly ash (10) containing carbon having an adsorption capacity. The fly ash (10) is then exposed to the gas stream (34) to expose the carbon to the ionized air to promote the attachment of the ions to the carbon to reduce the adsorption capacity of the carbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for giving a substance (101) receptive and/or transmissive properties that allow the substance (101) to be treated by and/or to transmit a signal acquired by intercepting an electromagnetic field originating from a source substance. The substance (101) is subjected, by means of a transmitter (102), to an electromagnetic field and/or a sound (104) emitted at one or more frequencies included in a predetermined frequency spectrum for a predetermined period. The invention makes it possible to give the initially non-receptive and non-transmissive substance (101)y receptive and/or transmissive properties.

Abstract: Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.

Abstract: Transparent monolithic aerogels based on silica, the bioderived polymer chitosan, and coordinated ions are employed to serve as a three-dimensional scaffold decorated with metal ions such as Au, Pt and Pd ions. It has also been found that the metal aerogels, such as Au(III) aerogels, can be imaged photolytically to produce nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of fabrication of nanocomposite semiconductor materials comprising aligned arrays of metal or semiconductor nanowires incorporated into semiconductor material for application in various electronic, optoelectronic, photonic and plasmonic devices employing self-assembling of the nanowires under light illumination from charged interstitial defect atoms, which are either inherently present in the semiconductor material or artificially introduced in the matrix semiconductor material.

Abstract: A pressure source material is loaded into a space having constraint device 1, which is formed partly by optically transparent material 1a, 1b, and is disrupted under volume constraint. Light energy is externally supplied to the pressure source material constrained in the space through the optically transparent material by employing the device to apply light energy. The disruption of atomic bonds in the pressure source material is induced by heating the pressure source material above the boiling point thereof through the supplied energy. Exceptionally high pressures are generated in the space by the use of expansive forces arising from the disruption of atomic bonds. Such a configuration can implement ultrahigh pressure abilities that has not been achieved, so far.

Abstract: Activation of a tungsten-containing catalyst using water in a PEM-type fuel cell is described as well as cathode operation of the tungsten-containing catalyst.

Abstract: A method is described for the manufacture of semiconductor nanoparticles. Improved yields are obtained by use of a reducing agent or oxygen reaction promoter.

Abstract: A production method of nano-sized silicon crystal particles comprising the step of allowing monosilane to be oxidized in a bulk liquid phase to form the nano-sized silicon crystal particles within the bulk liquid phase, wherein a liquid of the bulk liquid phase is an unsaturated hydrocarbon free from an oxidizing gas; and isolating the nano-sized silicon crystal particles from the bulk liquid phase.

Abstract: In a method of producing a metal structure by photoreducing metal ion, a substance capable of suppressing growth of metal crystal is added to a medium in which metal ion is dispersed to prevent growth of the metal crystal produced by photoreduction of the metal ion, thereby processing resolution of a metal structure formed of the metal crystal is improved

Abstract: A stably-dispersed composite of metal nanoparticles and inorganic clay and a method for producing the composite, in which interlayered charges of the clay are replaced with the metal ions, which are then reduced to metal particles by a reducing agent. The metal particles will not aggregate together and can be stably uniformly dispersed with particle sizes smaller than conventional metal nanoparticles, and therefore have better antibiotic effect, catalytic ability and other advantages. Antibacterials in a solvent containing 0.01 wt % or more of the metal nanoparticles and inorganic clay are prepared and confirmed to be effective.

Abstract: Transparent monolithic aerogels based on silica, the bioderived polymer chitosan, and coordinated ions are employed to serve as a three-dimensional scaffold decorated with metal ions such as Au, Pt and Pd ions. It has also been found that the metal aerogels, such as Au(III) aerogels, can be imaged photolytically to produce nanoparticles.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible electrophoretic display. The flexible electrophoretic display includes a grayscale representation unit for representing grayscales in unit areas using reflection and transmission; upper and lower electrodes for applying a voltage to the grayscale representation unit; and a plurality of colored particles formed on the upper electrode for representing color. The upper electrode is formed of a transparent conductive material. External incident light is reflected by the colored particles formed on the upper electrode for color implementation by the flexible electrophoretic display. Thus, a compact, flexible electrophoretic display capable of displaying a high-definition image with multi-color and multi-gradation can be implemented by using multi-colored particle layers formed of metallic nano-particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for producing a metal powder product using either conventional electrowinning or alternative anode reaction chemistries in a flow-through electrowinning cell. A new design for a flow-through electrowinning cell that employs both flow-through anodes and flow-through cathodes is described. The present invention enables the production of high quality metal powders, including copper powder, from metal-containing solutions using conventional electrowinning processes, direct electrowinning, or alternative anode reaction chemistry.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing metal nanoparticles by mixing a metal precursor with a solvent to prepare a mixed solution, and radiating the mixed solution with an ion beam to reduce the metal precursor and produce the metal nanoparticles. In addition, when metal nanoparticles are prepared by using an ion beam, uniform-sized metal nanoparticles can be mass produced.

Abstract: Transparent monolithic aerogels based on silica, the bioderived polymer chitosan, and coordinated ions are employed to serve as a three-dimensional scaffold decorated with metal ions such as Au, Pt and Pd ions. It has also been found that the metal aerogels, such as Au(III) aerogels, can be imaged photolytically to produce nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for maintaining the active life of a catalyst in organic feed processing by applying a series of electromagnetic radiation pulses to the catalyst in a reactor. The pulsing of the catalyst selectively heats and cools the catalyst and can regulate the relative internal pressure of the catalyst particles to stimulate the acceleration of oil macromolecules mass-exchange through the catalyst pores and surface. This allows for the removal of cracked oil molecules from the particles. The application of electromagnetic pulses also regulates the activity of the catalyst. The electromagnetic radiation reduces the formation of coke on the catalyst and increases the life of the catalyst in the reactor. Further, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing water and salt from an organic feed. Water and salt is removed by applying a series of electromagnetic radiation pulses to the organic feed.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing carbon nanotubes and/or fullerenes reduces the pressure inside a system to 1.3 Pa or lower, supplies a carboniferous liquid state material to raise the pressure inside the system to at least 1.3 kPa to 93.3 kPa, generates arc discharges, supplies the carboniferous liquid state material in discharge plasma created by the arc discharges, and disintegrates or excites the carboniferous liquid state material, thereby producing the carbon nanotubes and/or the fullerenes. And, the manufacturing apparatus is equipped with at least a pair of electrodes that generate arc discharges into a vacuum chamber to create discharge plasma, a gas supply unit capable of supplying a carrier gas into the vacuum chamber, and a raw material supply unit capable of supplying a carboniferous liquid state material in the discharge plasma through an introduction tube.

Abstract: The present invention includes carbon synthesis devices and systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The present invention also includes methods of carbon synthesis. The present invention includes an array of carbon nanotubes, each nanotube having a longitudinal axis. The nanotubes are placed into an array such that the longitudinal axes of all nanotubes in the array are substantially parallel. The array may be a two-dimensional array or a three-dimensional array. The present invention also includes methods of preparing such carbon molecular clusters and arrays thereof.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic reaction of organic compounds, in which the organic compounds are contacted with a catalyst comprising an interstitial metal hydride, having a reaction surface, to produce a catalyst-organic compound mixture, energy is applied, monatomic hydrogen is produced at the reaction surface of the interstitial metal hydride, and the organic compounds are reacted with the monatomic hydrogen. Reactions accomplished by this process include petroleum hydrocracking and hydrotreating processes. The method's performance can be further enhanced using radio frequency (RF) or microwave energy.

Abstract: In a method for synthesizing reduced metal compounds using electromagnetic radiation, starting materials comprising at least one particulate metal compound and at least one source of carbon are combined to form a mixture. The mixture is exposed to electromagnetic radiation to form a reaction product. Preferably, the carbon is a reducing carbon, and at least one metal of the starting materials is reduced in oxidation state during radiation exposure. Reducing carbon may be supplied by elemental carbon, by an organic material, or by mixtures. Preferably, the solid state reactants also include an alkali metal compound. The products of the method are preferably useful as cathode active materials in lithium ion batteries. The electromagnetic radiation is selected from among microwave, infrared, and radio frequencies of about 1 MHz to 3000 GHz.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out photochemical and thermochemical solar syntheses by means of flat-bed solar light collectors without devices for focusing the sunlight. The method is particularly well suited for producing flavors, aromas and complex thereof. The flat-bed solar light collector is suitable especially for producing steroids and derivatives thereof. It can further be used for the photooxidation (photooxygenation) of terpene olefins and therefore for the synthesis of fragrants such as rose oxide, myrtenol and myrtenal which are of industrial interest. The solar collector is also suitable for photochemical addition reactions and rearrangements.

Abstract: A method for reducing metals using a tin or antimony porphyrin by forming an aqueous solution of a tin or antimony porphyrin, an electron donor, such as ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid, triethylamine, triethanolamine, and sodium nitrite, and at least one metal compound selected from a uranium-containing compound, a mercury-containing compound, a copper-containing compound, a lead-containing compound, a gold-containing compound, a silver-containing compound, and a platinum-containing compound through irradiating the aqueous solution with light.

Abstract: An article having a substrate and a photocatalyst coating film formed thereon by the sputtering method, characterized in that the photocatalyst coating film comprises a titanium oxide as a main component and at least one metal having a sputtering rate for Ar which is 0.9 to 2.7 times that of Ti, preferably at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, V, Mo, Nb, Al and Cr in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt % in terms of the sum of such metals. The coating film is formed on the substrate by a method using a sputtering target of Ti metal or a Ti suboxide containing the at least one metal in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt % in terms of the sum of such metals, or a method using two sputtering targets to which reversing voltages are applied in a manner such that the two targets become a positive electrode and a negative electrode alternatively.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for removing elemental mercury from a fluid, the method comprising irradiating the mercury with light having a wavelength of approximately 254 nm. The method is implemented in situ at various fuel combustion locations such as power plants and municipal incinerators.

Abstract: A method for decomposing a gaseous aliphatic hydrocarbon halide compound more simply is provided. The method includes the steps of mixing the gaseous aliphatic hydrocarbon halide compound and a chlorine gas-containing gas and emitting light to a mixture gas of the gaseous aliphatic hydrocarbon halide compound and the chlorine gas.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for synthesizing a calix[4]hydroquinone organic nanotube and a method for synthesizing an ultrathin, stable nanowire using said organic nanotube as a template.

Abstract: This invention refers to a removal and recovery method of pollutant materials. A waste stream source of polluted water and/or waste gases containing waste acids, bases and salts, and/or waste air pollutant suspension particles are fed into a separation reactor. The combined physicochemical effects of removal/recovery of pollutants inside the reactor take place by solubilization, ionization, reaction, deposition and settling, which concurrently remove and separate the pollutants as solid materials, deposited on selective electrodes sets, as gases and as sludge and/or precipitates. The reactor is kept at the working temperature using a waste industrial heat, and the separation processes take place by applying a voltage source between a spaced apart system of selective electrodes, and by using a ionizing source of waste spent fuel nuclear bars or electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A process for treating humid residues containing oxidizable organic mater. The process preferably comprises steps of: a) introducing the residues in a rotary furnace having a refractory lining and containing a thermo-transfer agent; b) heating the residues in admixture with the thermo-transfer agent at a temperature of at least 300° C. in the presence of chemically active species and UV radiation generated electrically, while rotating the furnace, so as to dry the residues and cause oxidation of the organic matter and formation of gases, the oxidation being catalyzed by the chemically active species and the UV radiation; and c) expelling the gases from the furnace. Such a process permits a low cost destruction of polluting material and/or oxidizable toxic material contained in the residues treated.

Abstract: A process for reacting a molecule using light as an energy source is described which comprises exposing the molecule to a catalyst material, the catalyst material in contact with an illuminated, quantum confined Group IV semiconductor domain of silicon or germanium. The Group IV semiconductor domain having a band gap greater than bulk silicon and sufficiently large for reacting the molecule. The process is particularly useful in decomposing water into hydrogen and oxygen, as well as photocatalytically degrading pollutants in a waste stream. A device based on a Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles for conducting photo electrochemistry is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for separating hydrogen and sulfur from hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas being produced from oil and gas waste streams. The hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas is first passed into a scrubber and filtration unit where it encounters polysufide solution. Elemental sulfur is freed when the H2S interacts with the solution, the sulfur is filtered through a porous media such as a ceramic frit, and continues to a stripper unit where the excess H2S is removed from the sulfide solution. The excess H2S returns to the scrubber and filtration unit, while the sulfide solution passes into a photoreactor containing a semiconductor photocatalyst such as Cadmium Sulfide (CdS), Platinized Cadmium Sulfide, Pt—CdS, Zinc Sulfide, ZnS, Zinc Ferrate, ZnFe2O4, Indium Sulfide, In2S3, along with a 450-500 nm light source.

Abstract: A simple method for producing a synthetic quartz glass having excellent homogeneity and high transmittance, which is useful as an optical material in producing steppers equipped with an ArF excimer laser as a radiation source. A method for producing a synthetic quartz glass for use in ArF excimer laser lithography, which comprises irradiating a highly homogeneous synthetic quartz glass containing less than 60 ppb of Na with ultraviolet radiation having a maximum wavelength of 260 nm for not less than the duration expressed by the equation: Y=(80X−1880)/Z wherein X represents an Na concentration (ppb), Y represents the duration of irradiation (hours), and Z represents the illuminance of an ultraviolet radiation on an irradiated surface (mW/cm2).

Abstract: Pulsed light is irradiated to an amorphous base material, to produce therein one or more single crystals or polycrystals having nonlinear characteristic advantageous for light communication and laser technique. An external field such as electric field or magnetic field may be applied to the amorphous material, or a seed crystal or crystalline substrate may be used to promote crystallization from a contact interface between the amorphous material and the seed crystal or crystalline substrate.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for forming a sorbent-metal complex. The process includes oxidizing a sorbent precursor and contacting the sorbent precursor with a metallic species. The process further includes chemically reacting the sorbent precursor and the metallic species, thereby forming a sorbent-metal complex. In one particular aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the sorbent precursor is transformed into sorbent particles during the oxidation step. These sorbent particles then are contacted with the metallic species and chemically reacted with the metallic species, thereby forming a sorbent-metal complex. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a process for forming a sorbent metal complex in a combustion system. The process includes introducing a sorbent precursor into a combustion system and subjecting the sorbent precursor to an elevated temperature sufficient to oxidize the sorbent precursor and transform the sorbent precursor into sorbent particles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the oxidation of gaseous contaminants for the control of air pollution, comprises a two stage process comprising a photolytic stage followed by a photocatalytic stage.