Abstract: Catalyst articles comprising substantially only a palladium precious metal component in a first catalytic layer and a rhodium component in a second catalytic layer and related methods of preparation and use are disclosed. Also disclosed is a catalyst article comprising a first layer formed on a carrier substrate, wherein the first layer comprises a refractory metal oxide and has a surface that is substantially uniform; a second layer formed on the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises i) an oxygen storage component that is about 50-90% by weight of the second layer and ii) a palladium component in an amount of about 2-5% by weight of the second layer, wherein the palladium component is substantially the only platinum group metal component, and a palladium-free third layer comprising a rhodium component supported on a thermostable oxygen storage component which is about 80-99% by weight of the second layer. One or more improved properties are exhibited by the catalyst article.

Abstract: A method for producing a dehydrogenation catalyst including an immersion step of impregnating an alumina layer of an alumina carrier with a platinum solution containing hexahydroxo platinate (IV) ions with an immersion method, wherein the alumina carrier has the alumina layer formed by anodic oxidation on at least a part of the surface of an aluminum support; and a calcination step of calcining the alumina carrier subjected to the immersion step to provide a dehydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Catalyst articles comprising palladium and related methods of preparation and use are disclosed. Disclosed is a catalyst article comprising a first catalytic layer formed on a substrate, wherein the first catalytic layer comprises palladium impregnated on a ceria-free oxygen storage component and platinum impregnated on a refractory metal oxide, and a second catalytic layer formed on the first catalytic layer comprising platinum and rhodium impregnated on a ceria-containing oxygen storage component. The palladium component of the catalyst article is present in a higher proportion relative to the other platinum group metal components. The catalyst articles provide improved conversion of carbon monoxide in exhaust gases, particularly under rich engine operating conditions.

Abstract: The exhaust gas purification catalyst according to the present invention has a substrate 54, a lower layer 57 disposed on this substrate 54, and an upper layer 58 disposed on this lower layer 57. The upper layer 58 is provided with a first catalyst and a second catalyst, and the lower layer 57 is provided with a first catalyst. This first catalyst has Al2O3 as a carrier and Pt and Pd as noble metals supported on the Al2O3, while the second catalyst typically has an Al2O3—ZrO2—TiO2 complex oxide as a carrier and has Pd as a noble metal supported on the Al2O3—ZrO2—TiO2 complex oxide. Moreover, the upper layer 58 has a hydrocarbon adsorbent 68.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtration structure, for filtering a gas coming from a diesel engine, which is laden with gaseous pollutants of the nitrogen oxide NOx type and with solid particles, of the particulate filter type, said filtration structure being characterized in that it includes a catalytic system comprising at least one noble metal or transition metal suitable for reducing the NOx and a support material, in which said support material comprises or is made of a zirconium oxide partially substituted with a trivalent cation M3+ or with a divalent cation M?2+, said zirconium oxide being in a reduced, oxygen-sub-stoichiometric, state.

Abstract: A layered catalyst including a surface axis including a catalyst material layer, and a substrate material layer contacting the catalyst material layer. The catalyst material layer includes a compressed atomic distance between two adjacent catalyst atoms along the surface axis relative to an atomic distance of the same catalyst material as in bulk. The substrate material has a higher surface energy than the catalyst material. In certain instances, at least 70 percent of total atoms of the catalyst material are in a film growth mode. In certain other instances, a surface free energy of the substrate material is 1 to 50 percent greater than a surface free energy of the catalyst material. In yet certain other instances, the catalyst material layer has a d-band center in a range of ?2.1 eV to ?2.25 eV.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification catalyst is provided with a catalyst coating layer (40) formed on the surface of a substrate (32). This catalyst coating layer (40) is formed of an upper catalyst coating layer (36) in which Rh particles are supported on a porous support, and a lower catalyst coating layer (34) in which Pd particles are supported on a support that contains an ACZ composite oxide made of alumina (Al2O3), ceria (CeO2), and zirconia (ZrO2).

Abstract: A catalyst for purification of exhaust gas, in which a noble metal is supported on a metal oxide support, has a basic site content of 1 mmol/L-cat or less, as determined on the basis of an amount of CO2 desorbed per liter of the catalyst as measured by a CO2 temperature-programmed desorption method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst comprising: a substrate; a first washcoat layer disposed on the substrate, the first washcoat layer comprising metal oxide support particles and a nitrogen oxide storage material comprising at least one metal compound selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal compounds, alkali metal compounds, rare earth metal compounds, and mixtures thereof, at least a portion of said at least one metal compound being supported on the metal oxide support particles; and a second washcoat layer disposed over the first washcoat layer, said second washcoat layer comprising Rh, wherein the first washcoat layer contains substantially no Rh, and wherein the second washcoat layer is disposed on 100-x % of the surface of the first washcoat layer, x ranging from 20 to 80.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst suitable for catalyzing a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, said catalyst comprising cobalt metal supported on zinc-oxide and having the following particle size distribution by volume: <10% having a particle size below 1 micron, 70-99% having a particle size between 1 and 5 micron, and <20% having a particle size above 5 micron.

Abstract: An Object of the patent is to remove highly reducing hydrocarbon exhausted during acceleration period, and to remove efficiently hydrocarbon even after contacting with highly reducing hydrocarbon. By using a catalyst having a higher proportion of palladium having surface charge of 2-valence or 4-valence supported than that of 0-valence by supporting palladium together with magnesium oxide, hydrocarbon exhausted from an internal combustion engine especially during acceleration period can be efficiently removed.

Abstract: An emission control catalyst includes copper-ceria to boost low temperature CO oxidation performance, generate exothermic heat during the process, and reduce HC and NOx emissions. As a result, system performance is boosted at equal catalyst cost or maintained at a reduced catalyst cost. In one embodiment, an engine exhaust catalyst includes a first washcoat layer having at least one of a platinum-based catalyst, a palladium-based catalyst, and combinations thereof; and a second washcoat layer having copper-ceria.

Abstract: A method for making a catalyst composition suitable for various purposes, such as the reduction of nitrogen oxides, is provided. The method includes combining dawsonite or a dawsonite derivative with a catalytic active element.

Abstract: A NOx storage component comprises caesium silicate (Cs2SiO3) and at least one platinum group metal. The invention also includes a NOx absorber catalyst comprising a NOx storage component according to the invention disposed on a substrate monolith; a method of treating exhaust gas containing NOx from a lean burn internal combustion engine comprising the steps of contacting a NOx storage component comprising caesium silicate (Cs2SiO3) and at least one platinum group metal with lean exhaust gas containing NOx to adsorb NOx thereon; and periodically desorbing adsorbed NOx by contacting the NOx storage component with stoichiometric or rich exhaust gas; and a method of making a NOx storage component according to the invention comprising the steps of combining and reacting an aqueous salt of at least one platinum group metal, an aqueous caesium salt and a source of silica.

Abstract: A catalyst for NOx storage and reduction may include a carrier that contains alkali metal and Al, or alkali earth metal and Al, a NOx storage element of alkali metal, alkali earth metal or rare earth element, and one or more noble metals that are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ag, Au and Rh. The catalyst for NOx storage and reduction shows excellent NOx storage and reduction capability, maintains excellent storage and reduction capability especially before and after deterioration and sulfation, and shows excellent catalytic activity under low temperature environment, while maintaining unusually high hydrophobicity.

Abstract: Described is a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst comprising: a substrate; a first washcoat layer provided on the substrate, the first washcoat layer comprising a nitrogen oxide storage material, a second washcoat layer provided on the first washcoat layer, the second washcoat layer comprising a hydrocarbon trap material, wherein the hydrocarbon trap material comprises substantially no element or compound in a state in which it is capable of catalyzing selective catalytic reduction, preferably wherein the hydrocarbon trap material comprises substantially no element or compound in a state in which it is capable of catalyzing a reaction wherein nitrogen oxide is reduced to N2, said catalyst further comprising a nitrogen oxide conversion material which is either comprised in the second washcoat layer and/or in a washcoat layer provided between the first washcoat layer and the second washcoat layer.

Abstract: A catalyst for the purification of exhaust gas that can be used to highly efficiently treat an exhaust gas which has moisture and fluctuates between an oxidizing atmosphere and a reducing atmosphere even after the catalyst is exposed to a high temperature is provided. The present invention relates to a catalyst for the purification of exhaust gas having a catalyst layer of catalyst components comprising a noble metal, magnesium oxide, and a refractory inorganic oxide formed on a three-dimensional structure, wherein the catalyst layer has two peaks originated from the magnesium oxide in a pore distribution obtained by mercury intrusion technique.

Abstract: A nanoparticle comprises a nano-active material and a nano-support. In some embodiments, the nano-active material is platinum and the nano-support is alumina. Pinning and affixing the nano-active material to the nano-support is achieved by using a high temperature condensation technology. In some embodiments, the high temperature condensation technology is plasma. Typically, a quantity of platinum and a quantity of alumina are loaded into a plasma gun. When the nano-active material bonds with the nano-support, an interface between the nano-active material and the nano-support forms. The interface is a platinum alumina metallic compound, which dramatically changes an ability for the nano-active material to move around on the surface of the nano-support, providing a better bond than that of a wet catalyst. Alternatively, a quantity of carbon is also loaded into the plasma gun.

Abstract: A method for providing a catalyst on a substrate is disclosed comprising providing a first washcoat comprising a soluble washcoat salt species, a polar organic solvent, and an insoluble particulate material, contacting the first washcoat with a substrate to form a coated substrate, and then contacting the coated substrate with a second washcoat comprising an oxide or an oxide-supported catalyst to physisorb, chemisorb, bond, or otherwise adhere the oxide or the oxide-supported catalyst to the coated substrate. Also disclosed is a catalyst on a substrate comprising: a substrate; an anchor layer comprising a soluble washcoat salt species, a polar organic solvent, and an insoluble particulate material; and a second layer comprises an oxide or an oxide-supported catalyst. The catalyst on a substrate can be in either green or fired form.

Abstract: A method for producing a dehydrogenation catalyst including an immersion step of impregnating an alumina layer of an alumina carrier with a platinum solution containing hexahydroxo platinate (IV) ions with an immersion method, wherein the alumina carrier has the alumina layer formed by anodic oxidation on at least a part of the surface of an aluminum support; and a calcination step of calcining the alumina carrier subjected to the immersion step to provide a dehydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst structure comprising dispersed metal catalyst on support, wherein the support but not the metal catalyst can be observed using x-ray diffraction, and wherein the metal catalyst can be chemically detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytically active particulate filter which, in addition to the properties typical of particulate filters, has hydrogen sulphide block function, and to a process for removing nitrogen oxides and particulates from the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines operated predominantly under lean conditions (so-called “lean-burn engines”) using the inventive catalytically active particulate filter. This particulate filter comprises a filter body, a copper compound and an oxidation-catalytic active coating which comprises at least one catalytically active platinum group metal. The copper compound is in a second coating applied to the filter body. The two functional coatings may be applied to the filter body consecutive in the direction of flow, i.e. zoned, or layered one on top of the other.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of supported transition metals with high dispersion. The latter are deposited onto refractory oxides without using a further liquid solvent. Hence, according to this dry procedure no solvent is involved which obviates certain drawbacks connected with wet ion exchange, impregnation or other metal addition processes known in the art.

Abstract: A catalyst for NOx storage and reduction may include a carrier that contains alkali metal and Al, or alkali earth metal and Al, a NOx storage element of alkali metal, alkali earth metal or rare earth element, and one or more noble metals that are selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ag, Au and Rh. The catalyst for NOx storage and reduction shows excellent NOx storage and reduction capability, maintains excellent storage and reduction capability especially before and after deterioration and sulfation, and shows excellent catalytic activity under low temperature environment, while maintaining unusually high hydrophobicity.

Abstract: Core-shell nanoparticulate compositions and methods for making the same are disclosed. In some embodiments core-shell nanoparticulate compositions comprise transition metal core encapsulated by metal oxide shell. Methods of catalysis comprising core-shell nanoparticulate compositions of the invention are disclosed. Compositions comprising core-shell nanoparticles displayed on a metal-oxide support and methods for preparing the same are also disclosed. In some embodiments compositions comprise core-shell nanoparticles displayed as a substantially single layer superposed on a metal oxide support. Methods of catalysis employing the supported core-shell nanoparticles are disclosed.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst that contains a first oxygen storage material on which no noble metal is supported and which has a pyrochlore phase type regular array structure, and a second oxygen storage material which has a higher oxygen storage rate and a lower oxygen storage capacity than the first oxygen storage material and on which a platinum group noble metal is supported.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) of the present invention includes anchor/promoter simultaneous enclosure particles (5) including catalyst units (13) which contain: noble metal particles (8); and anchor particles (9) as an anchor material of the noble metal particles (8) supporting the noble metal particles (8); promoter units (14) which are provided not in contact with the noble metal particles (8) and contain first promoter particles (11) having an oxygen storage and release capacity; and an enclosure material (12) which encloses both the catalyst units (13) and the promoter units (14), and separates the noble metal particles (8) and the anchor particles (9) in the catalyst units (13) from the first promoter particles (11) in the promoter units (14). The exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) further includes second promoter particles (6) which have the oxygen storage and release capacity, and are not enclosed in the anchor/promoter simultaneous enclosure particles (5) by the enclosure material (12).

Abstract: A supported platinum catalyst comprising an open-pored support material and platinum of oxidation state 0, wherein an XRD spectrum of the catalyst is free of signals of elemental platinum.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst for catalytically removing three components, which are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, from combustion exhaust gas generated by combusting fuel at around the stoichiometric air to fuel ratio. The catalyst includes: (A) a first catalyst component including at least rhodium, platinum, or palladium in a content of 0.01 to 0.5% by weight; and (B) a second catalyst component, which is the remainder, including a composite oxide or a mixed oxide including (a) at least zirconium oxide or titanium oxide, and (b) an oxide of at least praseodymium, yttrium, neodymium, tungsten, niobium, silicon, or aluminum, wherein the content of the oxide (a) in the composite oxide or the mixed oxide is in a range of 70 to 95% by weight. The invention further provides a two-layer catalyst that includes a surface catalyst layer containing the above-mentioned catalyst.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a catalyst for exhaust gas purification, which is capable of effectively processing an exhaust gas, particularly carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) in the exhaust gas at a low temperature, and a method for producing the catalyst for exhaust gas purification. The purpose is achieved by a catalyst for exhaust gas purification, which is obtained by having a carrier that contains Al2O3 and one or more metal oxides selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), silicon oxide (SiO2) and titanium oxide (TiO2) support one or more catalyst components selected from the group consisting of gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru) and osmium (Os). The metal oxides have particle diameters of less than 10 nm.

Abstract: A nano-particle comprising: an interior region comprising a mixed-metal oxide; and an exterior surface comprising a pure metal. In some embodiments, the mixed-metal oxide comprises aluminum oxide and a metallic pinning agent, such as palladium, copper, molybdenum, or cobalt. In some embodiments, the pure metal at the exterior surface is the same as the metallic pinning agent in the mixed-metal oxide in the interior region. In some embodiments, a catalytic nano-particle is bonded to the pure metal at the exterior surface. In some embodiments, the interior region and the exterior surface are formed using a plasma gun. In some embodiments, the interior region and the exterior surface are formed using a wet chemistry process. In some embodiments, the catalytic nano-particle is bonded to the pure metal using a plasma gun. In some embodiments, the catalytic nano-particle is bonded to the pure metal using a wet chemistry process.

Abstract: A double-layer three-way catalyst for purification of the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines which has excellent activity and thermal stability is described. The catalyst contains active aluminum oxide and a first cerium/zirconium mixed oxide which are both catalytically activated with palladium in the first layer applied to a catalyst support. In the second layer which is in direct contact with the exhaust gas, the catalyst likewise contains an active aluminum oxide and a second cerium/zirconium mixed oxide which are both catalytically activated with rhodium. The second cerium/zirconium mixed oxide has a higher zirconium oxide content than the first mixed oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst, at least comprising the steps of adding a protecting agent to an aqueous solution of a metal precursor to give a mixture (M1), adding a reducing agent to mixture (M1) to give a mixture (M2), adding a support material to mixture (M2) to give a mixture (M3), adjusting the pH of mixture (M3), and separating the solid and liquid phase of mixture (M3). Furthermore, the present invention relates to the catalyst as such and its use as diesel oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite nanoparticle (M-AxOy), having: generating, in an inert gas, an alloy (A-M) nanoparticle, which contains 0.1 at. % to 30 at. % of a noble metal (M), with the balance being a base metal (A) and inevitable impurities, and which has a particle size of 1 nm to 100 nm, to heat the alloy (A-M) nanoparticle and to bring the alloy (A-M) nanoparticle into contact with a supplied oxidizing gas during transportation of the alloy (A-M) nanoparticle with the inert gas, to oxidize the base metal component (A) in the floating alloy (A-M) nanoparticle, and to phase separate into the thus-oxidized base metal component (AxOy) and the noble metal component (M), to thereby obtain a composite nanoparticle (M-AxOy) having one noble metal particle (M) combined to the surface of a particulate base metal oxide (AxOy).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catalytically active particulate filter, an exhaust gas cleaning system and a process for cleaning the exhaust gases of predominantly stoichiometrically operated internal combustion engines, which are suitable, as well as the gaseous CO, HC and NOx pollutants, also for removing particulates from the exhaust gas. The particulate filter comprises a filter body and a catalytically active coating consisting of two layers. The first layer is in contact with the incoming exhaust gas, the second layer with the outgoing exhaust gas. Both layers contain alumina. The first layer contains palladium. The second layer contains, in addition to rhodium, an oxygen-storing cerium/zirconium mixed oxide.

Abstract: An oxidation catalyst composite, methods and systems for the treatment of exhaust gas emissions from an advanced combustion engine, such as the oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) and the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from a diesel engine and an advanced combustion diesel engine are disclosed. More particularly, washcoat compositions are disclosed comprising at least two washcoat layers, a first washcoat comprising a palladium component and a second washcoat containing platinum and at least about 50% of the total platinum is located in the rear of the catalyst.

Abstract: A mesoporous oxide-catalyst complex including: a mesoporous metal oxide; and a catalyst metal supported on the mesoporous metal oxide, wherein the catalyst on the mesoporous metal oxide has a degree of dispersion of about 30 to about 90 percent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a precursor of a supported platinum catalyst. To provide a method for producing a platinum catalyst precursor, by means of which supported platinum catalysts can be produced which have a relatively high activity, a method is proposed, comprising the steps of: a) impregnating an open-pored support material with platinum sulphite acid; b) calcining the impregnated zeolite material under a protective gas.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst is constituted by: noble metal particles (1); first compounds (2) which support the noble metal particles (1); second compounds (3) different in type from the first compounds (2); and oxides (4) which surround the noble metal particles (1), the first compounds (2) and the second compounds (3). A median diameter of the first compounds (2) and a median diameter of the second compounds (3) satisfy a relationship of a following inequality: median diameter of first compounds<median diameter of second compounds.

Abstract: A series of binary and ternary Pt-alloys, that promote the important reactions for catalysis at an alloy surface; oxygen reduction, hydrogen oxidation, and hydrogen and oxygen evolution. The first two of these reactions are essential when applying the alloy for use in a PEMFC.

Abstract: High-quality bimetallic PtxCu100-x (x=54-80 at. %) nanocubes can be prepared from a hot organic solution. Synthetic conditions, such as the ratio of oleylamine/tetraoctylammonium bromide as well as the doses of 1-dodecanethiol and 1,2-tetradecanediol have been optimized to ensure a formation of Pt—Cu nanocubes. Electrochemical evaluation shows that the catalytic activity of Pt60Cu40 nanocubes for methanol oxidation is superior, in comparison with those of spherical Pt60Cu40 nanocubes and Pt nanocubes with similar sizes, implying that the {100}-terminated Pt60Cu40 nanocubes offer a higher activity for methanol oxidation reaction than those with mixed crystallographic facets do.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a catalyst composition includes a catalytic metal secured to a porous substrate. The substrate has pores that are templated. The substrate is a product of adding a substrate precursor to a water-in-oil microemulsion including a catalytic metal salt, a solvent, a templating agent, and water.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying catalyst according to the present invention includes a substrate, a first catalytic layer facing the substrate and includes at least one precious metal selected from the group consisting of palladium and platinum, and alumina doped with an alkaline-earth metal element, and a second catalytic layer facing the substrate with the first catalytic layer interposed therebetween or intervening between the substrate and the first catalytic layer, the second catalytic layer includes rhodium and alumina doped with the alkaline-earth metal element.

Abstract: UV curable compositions and methods for depositing one or more metal or metal alloy films on substrates are disclosed. The UV curable compositions contain a catalyst, one or more carrier particles, one or more UV curing agents, and one or more water-soluble or water-dispersible organic compounds. Metal or metal alloys may be deposited on the substrates by electroless or electrolytic deposition.

Abstract: A device is described which provides thermally durable NO2 generation in conjunction with efficient heat-up performance for filter regeneration, and low temperature HC (hydrocarbon) and CO activity. Importantly, it provides both functions while minimizing PGM (platinum group metals) utilization and its associated impact on catalyst cost.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a layered, three-way conversion catalyst having the capability of simultaneously catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides being separated in a front and rear portion is disclosed. Provided is a catalytic composite material of a single front and two rear layers in conjunction with a substrate, where each of the layers includes a support, all layers comprise a platinum group metal component, and the rear bottom layer is substantially free of an oxygen storage component (OSC).

Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst, comprising: providing a plurality of support particles and a plurality of mobility-inhibiting particles, wherein each support particle in the plurality of support particles is bonded with its own catalytic particle; and bonding the plurality of mobility-inhibiting particles to the plurality of support particles, wherein each support particle is separated from every other support particle in the plurality of support particles by at least one of the mobility-inhibiting particles, and wherein the mobility-inhibiting particles are configured to prevent the catalytic particles from moving from one support particle to another support particle.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification catalyst includes: a lower catalyst layer that contains a ceria-zirconia mixed oxide having 50 to 70 mass % of CeO2 and 5 mass % or more of Pr2O3 and carries at least one of Pt and Pd; and an upper catalyst layer that contains at least zirconia and carries at least Rh, wherein the total amount of CeO2 per liter of the carrier base is 15 to 30 g. Because the amount of CeO2 is small, formation of H2S is suppressed and a high capability of adsorbing and releasing oxygen is brought out in spite of the small amount of CeO2.

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying catalyst includes a substrate, and a catalytic layer supported by the substrate. The catalytic layer includes a support made of alumina, an oxygen storage material, an alkaline earth metal and/or a compound of alkaline-earth metal selectively supported by a surface of the support and dispersed on the surface of the support, and a precious metal supported by the surface of the support. A ratio of a number of moles of the alkaline-earth metal in the catalytic layer with respect to a volumetric capacity of the exhaust gas-purifying catalyst falls within a range of 0.0004 mol/L to 0.35 mol/L.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst-containing nanofiber composition, comprising a ceramic nanofiber having a plurality of metal catalysts wherein the metal catalysts exist as dispersed particles partially embedded in the nanofiber and cover from about 1% to about 90% of the surface area of the ceramic nanofiber.