Abstract: Elemental boron with a boron content of at least 96.8% by weight, an oxygen content of at most 1.6% by weight, a nitrogen content of at most 0.2% by weight, a crystallinity of 30% by weight or less, and a particle size distribution with a d100 value of 9 ?m or less.

Abstract: Chemical processes and reactors for efficiently producing hydrogen fuels and structural materials and associated systems and methods. A representative process includes dissociating a hydrogen donor into dissociation products by adding energy to the hydrogen donor, wherein the energy includes waste heat generated by a process other than dissociating the hydrogen donor. The process can further include providing, from the dissociation products, a structural building block and/or a hydrogen-based fuel, with the structural building block based on carbon, nitrogen, boron, silicon, sulfur, and/or a transition metal.

Abstract: A method of preparing a nanomaterial comprising boron includes sonicating a boron trihalide and/or boron alkoxide in a hydrocarbon solvent with an alkali metal under an inert atmosphere to form a dark solid, and annealing the dark solid at a temperature sufficient to sublime alkali metal salt therein, thereby obtaining a boron nanomaterial. Reacting with a Group IVB metal produces a metal boride, and combining an alkali metal salt of a hydrocarbon with the boron trihalide prior to sonicating produces a carbonaceous boron material.

Abstract: Composite structures having a reinforced material interjoined with a substrate and methods of creating a composite material interjoined with a substrate. In some embodiments the composite structure may be a line or a spot or formed by reinforced material interjoined with the substrate. The methods typically include disposing a precursor material comprising titanium diboride and/or titanium monoboride on at least a portion of the substrate and heating the precursor material and the at least a portion of the substrate in the presence of an oxidation preventative until at least a portion of the precursor material forms reinforced material interjoined with the substrate. The precursor material may be disposed on the substrate as a sheet or a tape or a slurry or a paste. Localized surface heating may be used to heat the precursor material. The reinforced material typically comprises a titanium boron compound, such as titanium monoboride, and preferably comprises ?-titanium.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to well treatment fluids and methods that utilize nano-particles. Exemplary nano-particles are selected from the group consisting of particulate nano-silica, nano-alumina, nano-zinc oxide, nano-boron, nano-iron oxide, and combinations thereof. Embodiments also relate to methods of cementing that include the use of nano-particles. An exemplary method of cementing comprises introducing a cement composition into a subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises cement, water and a particulate nano-silica. Embodiments also relate to use of nano-particles in drilling fluids, completion fluids, simulation fluids, and well clean-up fluids.

Abstract: A method for cyclically preparing monomer boron and coproducing potassium cryolite using potassium fluoborate as an intermediate material, which includes following steps: A) adding hydrofluoric acid to boric acid or boron oxide to enable a reaction to form fluoboric acid; B) adding a potassium sulphate aqueous solution to the fluoboric acid to enable a reaction to form the potassium fluoborate; C) putting the potassium fluoborate into a reactor, adding aluminium to react with the potassium fluoborate to form the monomer boron and potassium cryolite; D) extracting the potassium cryolite, sending the potassium cryolite to a rotary reaction kettle together with concentrated sulphuric acid to enable a reaction to form hydrogen fluoride gas and aluminium potassium sulphate, potassium sulphate, collecting the hydrogen fluoride gas and dissolving it into water to obtain the hydrofluoric acid; E) recycling the obtained hydrofluoric acid to Step A to leach the boric acid or boron oxide.

Abstract: A method for cyclically preparing elemental boron and coproducing sodium cryolite using sodium fluoborate as an intermediate material, which includes the following steps: A) adding hydrofluoric acid to boric acid or boron oxide to enable a reaction to form fluoboric acid; B) adding a sodium carbonate aqueous solution to the fluoboric acid to enable a reaction to form the sodium fluoborate; C) putting the sodium fluoborate into a reactor, adding aluminum to react with the sodium fluoborate to form the elemental boron and sodium cryolite; D) extracting the sodium cryolite, sending the sodium cryolite to a rotary reaction kettle together with concentrated sulphuric acid to enable a reaction to form hydrogen fluoride gas and aluminum sodium sulphate, collecting the hydrogen fluoride gas and dissolving it into water to obtain the hydrofluoric acid; E) recycling the obtained hydrofluoric acid to Step A to leach the boric acid or boron oxide.

Abstract: A method for determining boron isotopic composition by PTIMS (Positive Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry)-static double collection realizes simultaneous static collection of m/e309 peak and m/e308 peak by double Faraday cups through adjusting the two parameters Focus Quad and Dispersion Quad in Zoom Optics, and completes high-accuracy determination of boron isotopic composition. The method includes (1) determining Focus Quad and Dispersion Quad parameters in the Zoom Optics of the ion source; (2) determining the two parallel cups in the Faraday collector and their parameters; (3) determining the collection mass number of the center cup of the Faraday collector.

Abstract: A method of preparing nanoparticles includes using low-temperature plasma and a pulsed second process gas. Nanoparticles having uniform sizes and nanoparticles having a core-shell structure may be formed. A lithium battery includes an electrode that includes the nanoparticles.

Abstract: The specification discloses a borate microemulsion product. In one embodiment, the borate microemulsion includes from about 24 to about 32 weight percent emulsified sodium pentaborate; and from about 24 to about 32 weight percent particulate boric acid suspended therein. The microemulsion has a density of about 9.5 to about 10.5 pounds per gallon at about room temperature. In certain embodiments, the microemulsion has a viscosity of about 1200 to about 1520 at a temperature of from about 66° F. to about 70° F. In certain other embodiments, microemulsion has a viscosity of about 1000 to about 3000 at a temperature of from about 70° F. to about 75° F.

Abstract: An optimized boron powder is provided. The quantity of a soluble residue comingled with the optimized boron powder is less than 7.00×10?4 grams of soluble residue per gram of boron. In further examples, the optimized boron powder includes crystalline boron particles created by jet milling a boron feed stock. The boron powder includes more than about 75% of the particles having a diameter less than about 1 micron, more than about 95% of the particles having a diameter less than about 3 microns, and essentially all of the particles having a diameter less than about 15 microns.

Abstract: A method for cyclically preparing monomer boron and coproducing sodium cryolite using sodium fluoborate as an intermediate material, which includes the following steps: A) adding hydrofluoric acid to boric acid or boron oxide to enable a reaction to form fluoboric acid; B) adding a sodium carbonate aqueous solution to the fluoboric acid to enable a reaction to form the sodium fluoborate; C) putting the sodium fluoborate into a reactor, adding aluminium to react with the sodium fluoborate to form the monomer boron and sodium cryolite; D) extracting the sodium cryolite, sending the sodium cryolite to a rotary reaction kettle together with concentrated sulphuric acid to enable a reaction to form hydrogen fluoride gas and aluminium sodium sulphate, collecting the hydrogen fluoride gas and dissolving it into water to obtain the hydrofluoric acid; E) recycling the obtained hydrofluoric acid to Step A to leach the boric acid or boron oxide.

Abstract: A method for cyclically preparing monomer boron and coproducing potassium cryolite using potassium fluoborate as an intermediate material, which includes following steps: A) adding hydrofluoric acid to boric acid or boron oxide to enable a reaction to form fluoboric acid; B) adding a potassium sulphate aqueous solution to the fluoboric acid to enable a reaction to form the potassium fluoborate; C) putting the potassium fluoborate into a reactor, adding aluminium to react with the potassium fluoborate to form the monomer boron and potassium cryolite; D) extracting the potassium cryolite, sending the potassium cryolite to a rotary reaction kettle together with concentrated sulphuric acid to enable a reaction to form hydrogen fluoride gas and aluminium potassium sulphate, potassium sulphate, collecting the hydrogen fluoride gas and dissolving it into water to obtain the hydrofluoric acid; E) recycling the obtained hydrofluoric acid to Step A to leach the boric acid or boron oxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing boron nanoparticles, characterised in that it comprises at least the following steps: synthesising a boron/lithium LiB intermetallic compound by reacting a mixture of boron and lithium in a reactor, preferably under a vacuum and temperature of 650° C.; transferring and hydrolysing the boron/lithium intermetallic compound in order to produce boron nanoparticles, by immersion in a bath containing water at ambient temperature, under a neutral gas atmosphere such as argon; and separating the boron nanoparticles, especially by tangential filtration, from the other compounds produced by the hydrolysis reaction. The invention also relates to the use of boron nanoparticles.

Abstract: Methods for removing an organic contaminant from contaminated boron powder are provided. One method includes providing a contaminated boron powder, the boron powder being comingled with an organic contaminant. The method also includes placing the contaminated boron powder and the organic contaminant comingled therewith onto an inert container. The method includes placing the inert container, the contaminated boron powder, and the organic contaminant comingled therewith, into an enclosed space. A heat source is provided in the enclosed space. The method also includes heating the contaminated boron powder and the organic contaminant comingled therewith to an elevated temperature. The method includes altering the organic contaminant so as to reduce the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder. Another method includes reducing the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder to not more than about 0.1 weight percent of soluble residue.

Abstract: The quest for making pure boron has been continuing for over 200 years. Most common method has been by hydrogen reduction of boron halides on a hot filament, and this has not been an economical approach. Other techniques using magnesiothermic reduction or electrolysis of oxide compounds of boron produced impure boron. Present invention describes techniques of making pure boron in the amorphous as well as crystalline form—applying thermochemical principles in an efficient manner. The present invention shows that boron halides can be reduced by alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum or silicon, as well as by alkaline earth borides, aluminum borides, silicon borides into pure elemental boron.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.

Abstract: Chemical processes and reactors for efficiently producing hydrogen fuels and structural materials and associated systems and methods. A representative process includes dissociating a hydrogen donor into dissociation products by adding energy to the hydrogen donor, wherein the energy includes waste heat generated by a process other than dissociating the hydrogen donor. The process can further include providing, from the dissociation products, a structural building block and/or a hydrogen-based fuel, with the structural building block based on carbon, nitrogen, boron, silicon, sulfur, and/or a transition metal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film electrode (FE), all-organic electroactive device systems fabricated with the SWNT-FE, and methods for making same. The SWCNT can be replaced by other types of nanotubes. The SWCNT film can be obtained by filtering SWCNT solution onto the surface of an anodized alumina membrane. A freestanding flexible SWCNT film can be collected by breaking up this brittle membrane. The conductivity of this SWCNT film can advantageously be higher than 280 S/cm. An electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator layered with the SWNT-FE shows a higher electric field-induced strain than an EAP layered with metal electrodes because the flexible SWNT-FE relieves the restraint of the displacement of the polymeric active layer as compared to the metal electrode. In addition, if thin enough, the SWNT-FE is transparent in the visible light range, thus making it suitable for use in actuators used in optical devices.

Abstract: A chemically doped boron coating is applied by chemical vapor deposition to a silicon carbide fiber and the coated fiber then is exposed to magnesium vapor to convert the doped boron to doped magnesium diboride and a resultant superconductor.

Abstract: Elemental boron with a boron content of at least 96.8% by weight, an oxygen content of at most 1.6% by weight, a nitrogen content of at most 0.2% by weight, a crystallinity of 30% by weight or less, and a particle size distribution with a d100 value of 9 ?m or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of enriching element content in stable isotopes of light elements in ion-exchange chromatography. The process comprises development of band of light elements in a chromatographic column; elution of said band in a discontinuous basis so as to disconnect said chromatographic column at particular stage; and finally the process comprises of regeneration step.

Abstract: An isotope-doped nano-structure of an element is provided. The isotope-doped nano-structure includes at least one isotope-doped nano-structure segment having at least two isotopes of the element, and the at least two isotopes of the element are mixed uniformly in a certain proportion. The present disclosure also provides a method for making the isotope-doped nano-structures, and a labeling method using the isotope-doped nano-structures.

Abstract: A method of purifying a target powder having an oxygen content, the method comprising: flowing hydrogen gas through a microwave production chamber; applying microwaves to the hydrogen gas as the hydrogen gas flows through the microwave production chamber, thereby forming hydrogen radicals from the hydrogen gas; flowing the hydrogen radicals out of the microwave production chamber to the target powder disposed outside of the microwave production chamber; and applying the hydrogen radicals to the target powder, thereby removing a portion of the oxygen content from the powder. Preferably, the target powder is agitated as the hydrogen radicals are being applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of enriching element content in stable isotopes of light elements in ion-exchange chromatography. The process comprises development of band of light elements in a chromatographic column; elution of said band in a discontinuous basis so as to disconnect said chromatographic column at particular stage; and finally the process comprises of regeneration step.

Abstract: A method of fractionating biomass, by permeability conditioning biomass suspended in a pH adjusted solution of at least one water-based polar solvent to form a conditioned biomass, intimately contacting the pH adjusted solution with at least one non-polar solvent, partitioning to obtain an non-polar solvent solution and a polar biomass solution, and recovering cell and cell derived products from the non-polar solvent solution and polar biomass solution. Products recovered from the above method. A method of operating a renewable and sustainable plant for growing and processing algae.

Abstract: A method for producing extremely pure amorphous boron, wherein a reducing gas and a gaseous boron halide are introduced continuously or quasi-continuously into a reaction chamber (10; 32) of a reactor (8; 9; 30; 42) during its operation, wherein a surface of a catalyst (15; 20; 37) is provided in the reaction chamber (10; 32) of the reactor (8; 9; 30; 42), which supports the reaction of the boron halide to form boron; and wherein the boron that is deposited on the surface of the catalyst (15; 20; 37) is regularly mechanically removed such that the removed boron is available in the form of powder in the reaction chamber (10; 32) of the reactor (8; 9; 30; 42). The method produces extremely pure amorphous boron which already has a very small grain size without downstream disintegration of the extracted boron. The use of boron powder produced in this fashion is proposed, in particular, for the superconductor production in the magnesium boron system due to the improved current carrying capacity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing nanotubes, the apparatus being adapted to produce doped and/or undoped single-walled or multi-walled nanotubes, the apparatus comprising at least a thermal reactor. In accordance with the invention, the reactor is at least of the hottest part thereof and at least partly manufactured from a material that is at least partly sublimed into the thermal reactor as a result of the thermal reactor being heated, and the sublimed material at least partly participates in the growth of the nanotubes.

Abstract: A system for producing an elemental material or an alloy thereof from a halide of the elemental material or halide mixtures comprising a reactor for introducing the vapor halide of an elemental material or halide mixtures thereof into a liquid phase of a reducing metal of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof present in less than or equal to the amount needed to reduce the halide vapor to the elemental material or alloy resulting in an exothermic reaction between the vapor halide and the liquid reducing metal producing particulate elemental material or alloy thereof and particulate halide salt of the reducing metal, a chamber wherein the reaction products are cooled so that substantially all the particulate elemental material or alloy remains unsintered, and a separator for separating the particulate metal or alloy reaction products from the particulate salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purification method for removing impurities containing oxygen from materials, especially boron, by hydrogen-based plasma treatment. The present procedure allows for efficient removal of oxygen while avoiding a thermal treatment that would substantially change the structure of the treated material, or a treatment leaving a reducing agent within the treated material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purification method for removing oxygen from materials, especially boron, by hydrogen-based plasma treatment.

Abstract: Floating slow-release fertilizer is designed to significantly reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This granulated fertilizer has a density lighter than seawater. Therefore its pellets can float on the surface of seawater. After being dispensed into water, the pellets are able to continually release certain nutrients for a period of time. During this period, an otherwise inanimate water region is temporarily suitable for plant growth. Floating slow-release fertilizer enables the growth of planting phytoplankton in ocean to remove CO2 from atmosphere. The advantages of the fertilizer are as following: all nature, effective, no byproduct, no land using, no pollution, using solar energy mainly, small investment, easy to control, low operation cast.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for purifying a heteropolyacid which comprises: subjecting an aqueous solution comprising (i) the heteropolyacid and (ii) salt impurities to at least one liquid/liquid extraction step with an organic solvent, characterized in that the organic solvent comprises a dihydrocarbyl ether having at least 5 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The isotopes of boron, .sup.10 B and .sup.11 B, are separated by means of a gas-liquid chemical exchange reaction involving the isotopic equilibrium between gaseous BF.sub.3 and a liquid BF.sub.3 . donor molecular addition complex formed between BF.sub.3 gas and a donor chosen from the group consisting of: nitromethane, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, or diisobutyl ketone.

Abstract: Boron powder is hot isostatically pressed in a refractory metal container to produce a solid boron monolith with a bulk density at least 2.22 g/cc and up to or greater than 2.34 g/cc. The refractory metal container is formed of tantalum, niobium, tungsten, molybdenum or alloys thereof in the form of a canister or alternatively plasma sprayed or chemical vapor deposited onto a powder compact. Hot isostatic pressing at 1800.degree. C. and 30 KSI (206.8 MPa) argon pressure for four hours produces a bulk density of 2.34 g/cc. Complex shapes can be made.

Abstract: Boron nitride powder with less than or equal to the oxygen content of starting powder (down to 0.5% or less) is hot isostatically pressed in a refractory metal container to produce hexagonal boron nitride with a bulk density greater than 2.0 g/cc. The refractory metal container is formed of tantalum, niobium, tungsten, molybdenum or alloys thereof in the form of a canister or alternatively plasma sprayed or chemical vapor deposited onto a powder compact. Hot isostatic pressing at 1800.degree. C. and 30 KSI (206.8 MPa) argon pressure for four hours produces a bulk density of 2.21 g/cc. Complex shapes can be made.

Abstract: Highly pure boron nitride ceramic material, devoid of silicon values and having low carbon content, is prepared by pyrolyzing, under an atmosphere of ammonia, the product of the reaction between (i) at least one B-trihalogeno-borazole having the formula: ##STR1## and (ii) at least one primary amine having the formula:H.sub.2 N--Rin which formulae X is a halogen atom and R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Boron particles in bead-like form suitable for use in the preparation of doped, single crystal silicon can be prepared using a fluidized bed technique for chemical vapor deposition of a boron hydride, such as diborane or decaborane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of porous products of boron or boron compounds.This process comprises the following stages:(1) suspending the boron powder in a solution of an alkali metal salt, hydroxide and/or oxide,(2) then separating the powder from the suspension liquid by settling,(3) drying the thus separated powder to obtain an agglomerated powder, and(4) subjecting the thus obtained agglomerated powder to at least two heat treatments performed at different temperatures, the final stage of the heat treatment being performed at a temperature of 1500.degree. to 2200.degree. C. and the first stage being performed at a temperature below that of the final stage.The heat treatment can be performed in three stages, as shown in the attached graph.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a sintered body containing cubic boron nitride which comprise the steps ofcontacting a starting material containing boron nitride and/or a starting material containing at least one selected from the group consisting of metals of groups IVa, Va and VIa of the periodic table, silicon, aluminum, iron group metals and compounds of the aforesaid metals with at least one selected from the group consisting of borazine, a borazine derivative and a compound composed of boron, nitrogen and hydrogen as will release hydrogen by a thermal decomposition under pressure to form boron nitride; andsintering the material under conditions of a predetermined pressure and temperature under which cubic boron nitride is kept stable. Also disclosed is a method for preparing cubic boron nitride which comprises, in addition to the above steps, recovering cubic boron nitride from the obtained sintered body by a chemical and/or physical manner.

Abstract: A plasma-spray technique using rapid temperature quenching transforms commercially available .beta.-rhombohedral boron in powder form into thick, dense wafers of crystalline .gamma.-tetragonal boron.

Abstract: A wire matrix print head mechanism is disclosed in which a wear and impact resistant, flexible, smooth, tough and economical metalloid element filament material is utilized as the impact print wire. The wire material's flexibility eliminates many of the problems of breakage and brittleness failures encountered in previous designs. The lower coefficient of friction and greater smoothness of the wire material lowers the magnet forces required to push the wires through wire guides in the print head. The extreme hardness of the metalloid material combined with its high flexibility and toughness facilitate the production of impact and wear resistant, easily assembled long life wire matrix print heads.

Abstract: A bimetallic adhesive for surface bonding and for controlled release applications that is non-explosive and which also provides improved shock, moisture, temperature and spark resistance characteristics. The bimetallic adhesive comprises a resinous adhesive binder and a bimetallic mixture, which consists of boron and titanium powders. The bimetallic adhesive mixture provides a controlled release function to separate a bonded surface when heated to a temperature above 600.degree. C., thereby causing the mixture to react exothermically to effect complete deflagration of the mixture.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for recovering filler material from a polymeric matrix by reacting the matrix at an elevated temperature in a gas atmosphere with a controlled oxidizing potential and thereafter separating and cleaning the residue from the reaction mixture.