Abstract: A device for in-situ production of caustic and increasing alkalinity of a detergent and methods for increasing alkalinity of a detergent are disclosed. In particular, in situ electrochemical conversion of bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate or carbonate sources into caustic provides a safe means for increasing alkalinity of a detergent for a variety of cleaning applications. The invention further discloses methods for cleaning using the electrochemically enhanced detergent according to the invention.

Abstract: An upright reactor body with a perforated interior tube member which extends for the length of the reactor body. A water inlet permits water to be treated into the perforated tube member. A fibrous metal anode surrounds the perforated tube member followed by a surrounding layer of dielectric and then a surrounding metal cathode layer, wherein water from the inlet passes radially through the perforations in the tube member, through the anode, dielectric and cathode members, emerging from the reactor body through an outlet. A DC voltage is imposed on the cathode and anode.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing metal-containing particles, the method comprising subjecting an aqueous solution comprising a metal salt, Eh, lowering reducing agent, pH adjusting agent, and water to conditions that maintain the Eh value of the solution within the bounds of an Eh-pH stability field corresponding to the composition of the metal-containing particles to be produced, and producing said metal-containing particles in said aqueous solution at a selected Eh value within the bounds of said Eh-pH stability field. The invention is also directed to the resulting metal-containing particles as well as devices in which they are incorporated.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method comprising electrowinning a first portion of a conditioned cobalt bearing solution to yield cobalt metal, subjecting a second portion of a conditioned cobalt bearing solution to a first ion exchange to yield a second conditioned cobalt bearing solution, performing cobalt selective solution extraction on the second conditioned cobalt bearing solution to yield a refined cobalt containing liquid and, precipitating a cobalt salt by adding a precipitating agent to a first portion of the refined cobalt containing liquid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing metal-containing (e.g., non-oxide, oxide, or elemental) nano-objects, which may be nanoparticles or nanowires, the method comprising contacting an aqueous solution comprising a metal salt and water with an electrically powered electrode to form said metal-containing nano-objects dislodged from the electrode, wherein said electrode possesses a nanotextured surface that functions to confine the particle growth process to form said metal-containing nano-objects. The invention is also directed to the resulting metal-containing compositions as well as devices in which they are incorporated.

Abstract: A recovery method of nickel according to the present invention comprises pretreatment step to prepare a solution for electrolysis by adding hexanesulfonate salt to a treatment solution including nickel, and nickel recovery step to recover nickel in a metal form by electrolysis of the above solution for electrolysis. The present invention can produce nickel in high purity with simple process with low cost, and can recover and reproduce nickel in a metal form with at least 99.5% of high purity and at least 90% of recovery rate.

Abstract: An undivided electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a housing defining an undivided chamber, the housing having one electrolyte inlet and at least two electrolyte outlets; an anode in the chamber; a cathode in the chamber; and an electrolyte in the chamber, wherein the anode and the cathode are not gas diffusion electrodes. The invention also involves a method of operating an electrochemical cell, and methods for making ferrate(VI).

Abstract: A method of extending the lifetime of an electroless nickel plating bath by avoiding the addition of unwanted anions to the process and of improving the pH stability of the bath and minimizing additions of pH correcting additives. The method includes the steps of (a) depositing electroless nickel from an electroless nickel plating bath onto a substrate, wherein the electroless nickel plating bath preferably contains a source of nickel ions and a source of hypophosphite ions; (2) immersing a nickel anode in the plating bath; (3) completing the circuit by utilizing a cathode separated from the nickel bath by an ion exchange membrane and using a catholyte comprising an acid or a salt thereof; and (4) passing a current through the bath. Nickel is dissolved into the plating bath to maintain the nickel concentration and hydrogen is discharged from the cathode.

Abstract: Novel devices for synthesizing ferrate and uses thereof are described. One aspect of the invention relates to devices and systems for synthesizing ferrate at a site proximal to the site of use.

Abstract: In an apparatus for surface-treating a carbon fiber, wherein the carbon fiber is heated by resistive heating, a carbon-containing gas is disposed on the carbon fiber, and carbon nanotubes are grown on a surface of the carbon fiber.

Abstract: An undivided electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a housing defining an undivided chamber, the housing having one electrolyte inlet and at least two electrolyte outlets; an anode in the chamber; a cathode in the chamber; and an electrolyte in the chamber, wherein the anode and the cathode are not gas diffusion electrodes. The invention also involves a method of operating an electrochemical cell, and methods for making ferrate(VI).

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite material formed by microparticles of magnetic material A and a conductive liquid B. The material is characterized in that the material A is chosen from magnetic compounds and magnetic alloys and is in the form of particles, the mean size of which is between 1 and 10 ?m, and in that the support fluid B is a conductive fluid chosen from metals, metal alloys and salts that are liquid at temperatures below the Curie temperature of the material A, or from mixtures thereof.

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: 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: A method and apparatus to electrolytically produce high-purity magnetite particles is provided. The apparatus comprises a container for holding an electrolytic solution. In accordance with one embodiment, the electrolytic solution includes sodium chloride and deionized water. A pair of carbon steel electrodes are submerged within the electrolytic solution. A d.c. power supply is also provided to apply a voltage to the electrodes for a period of time sufficient to produce the magnetite particles.

Abstract: An electroless nickel plating waste liquid (4) accommodated in an electrolytic oxidation tank (2) is treated by electrolytic oxidation with vibrating and fluidizing the waste liquid by means of an oscillating stirrer (10) to recover nickel by the electrolytic oxidation as well as recover the waste liquid in which an active component for fertilizer including phosphorus remains as a fertilizer solution. When the waste liquid is neutralized by a neutralizer including an active component for fertilizer such as potassium, nitrogen, etc., the fertilizer solution having higher content of the active component is obtained. The oscillating stirrer comprises an oscillation generator including a 25 to 500 Hz oscillating motor (18), an oscillating rod (22) connected to the oscillation generator, and multistage oscillating vanes (38) attached to the oscillating rod, and the oscillating vane is such that a tip end portion of the vane is fluttered when an oscillation is transmitted from the oscillating rod to the vane.

Abstract: LiCoO.sub.2 and LiNiO.sub.2 are fully delithiated electrochemically using solid state electrolytic cells and oxidation resistant electrolytes to yield new phases of CoO.sub.2 and NiO.sub.2.