Abstract: High efficiency and high capacity glass-free filtration media include a blend of synthetic non-fibrillated staple fibers and fibrillated cellulosic staple fibers, wherein the fibrillated cellulosic fibers are present in the media in an amount to achieve an overall filtration efficiency at 4 microns of 95% or higher and a ratio of filtration capacity to media caliper of 0.5 mg/in2/mils and greater. The filtration media is made by forming a wet laid sheet from a fibrous slurry blend of the synthetic non-fibrillated staple fibers and fibrillated cellulosic staple fibers, followed by drying the sheet to obtain the filtration media. Optionally, the filtration media may be provided with a resin binder and may be grooved and/or pleated.

Abstract: A light guide plate for displaying a three-dimensional (3D) image, and a 3D image display apparatus employing the same. The light guide plate includes a transparent body formed in a flat panel shape, and for guiding light with total internal reflection in the transparent body; and a plurality of viewing zone separation units aligned inside the transparent body. Light incident on two side surfaces of the light guide plate is separated into different viewing zones by reflective surfaces of the viewing zone separation units.

Abstract: The compositions described include an antibody diluent buffer that minimizes the amount of antibody required for immunoassays and further improves the performance of antibody-based assays. The claimed antibody diluent buffer comprises a high-molecular weight neutral polymer and an antibody that specifically binds to an antigen of interest, wherein the antibody remains in solution in the presence of the polymer. Methods for the use of the antibody diluent buffer to detect an antigen, even trace amounts of an antigen, in an antibody-based assay are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gas sensor, including: a gas collecting chamber including: (a) a nanoporous wall including alumina, on a portion of the gas collecting chamber in the near vicinity of the solid propellant fuel; a micro pump attached to the gas collecting chamber; and a gas analysis device connected to the gas collecting chamber. The gas analysis device measures both type and concentration of gases collected in the gas collecting chamber via the nanoporous wall, the gases measured being selected from the group consisting of CO, CO2, NO, N2O, NO2 and combinations thereof. The present disclosure also relates to a method of sensing propellant degradation in solid fuel and a method of using a gas collecting chamber to sense such degradation.

Abstract: A method for making electrical interconnections of carbon nanotubes, including a) depositing an ionic liquid including nanoparticles of at least one suspended electrically conducting material, covering at least one surface of an element configured to be used as a support for carbon nanotubes, b) forming a deposit of the nanoparticles at least against the surface of the element, c) removing the remaining ionic liquid, d) growing carbon nanotubes from the deposited nanoparticles, and further including between the c) removing the remaining ionic liquid and the d) growing carbon nanotubes, passivating the deposited nanoparticles not found against the surface of the element.

Abstract: A cooling tower blow-down, groundwater and wastewater re-use process and system is provided, which system may further include a cooling tower evaporation recovery system and process. Thus, blow-down from cooling equipment may be reused by appropriate treatment of the blow-down water, or treatment of other sources of water such as groundwater or wastewater, for use as make-up water in a cooling tower or other cooling equipment, and the capture of evaporation from cooling equipment is conducted to increase the efficiency and lower costs in the operation of such equipment.

Abstract: A nanoparticle waveguide apparatus, a nanoparticle waveguide photonic system and a method of photonic transmission employ a nearfield-coupled nanoparticle (NCN) waveguide to cooperatively propagate an optical signal. The nanoparticle waveguide apparatus includes a first optical waveguide adjacent to a second optical waveguide, the first optical waveguide comprising an NCN waveguide having a plurality of nanoparticles. The nanoparticle waveguide photonic system further includes a nearfield coupling (NC) modulator. The method includes providing the NCN waveguides and modulating a coupling between one or both of first and second NCN waveguides and adjacent nanoparticles within one or both of the first and second NCN waveguides.

Abstract: A coating for carbide substrates to produce cutting tool inserts employs a lower nanostructured layer in conjunction with a non-nanostructured layer. The nanostructured layer is produced by the addition of a refining agent flow, particular hydrogen chloride gas, during deposition. The combination of a nanostructured layer and non-nanostructured layer of coatings is believed to produce a cutting tool insert that exhibits longer life, particularly in conjunction with particularly difficult cutting applications such as the cutting of hardened steel with severe interruptions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge includes an inner filter in the form of an approximately cylindrical corrugated membrane, an outer filter in the form of an approximately cylindrical corrugated membrane, the outer filter having a diameter greater than that of the inner filter and being installed around the inner filter, and at least one holder to support the inner filter and the outer filter.

Abstract: An electrodynamic array of conductive nanomaterial electrodes and a method of making such an electrodynamic array. In one embodiment, a liquid solution containing nanomaterials is deposited as an array of conductive electrodes on a substrate, including rigid or flexible substrates such as fabrics, and opaque or transparent substrates. The nanomaterial electrodes may also be grown in situ. The nanomaterials may include carbon nanomaterials, other organic or inorganic nanomaterials or mixtures.

Abstract: A process for tailings flocculation and dewatering is disclosed. In particular, disclosed is a method for generating chemically-induced micro-agglomerates (CIMA) of fine particles in a fluid tailings stream and using the micro-agglomerates to enhance tailings flocculation and dewatering.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for activating a catalyst using the photothermal effects of photothermal nanomaterials, and more particularly to a method of activating a catalyst at a temperature, at which the catalyst has low or no activity, by irradiating a catalyst-photothermal nanomaterial composite with light. The method can activate the catalyst by increasing only the temperature around the nanomaterials without substantially changing the temperature of the reaction medium. A catalyst that generally has high activity at room temperature can be activated even at low temperature. Catalysts having high activity only under mild conditions are immobilized on photothermal nanomaterials so that they have activity even under low temperature and extreme conditions. The invention is useful when a catalyst substrate unstable at room temperature is used or a catalytic product unstable at room temperature is produced.

Abstract: Self-assembling multimeric physical models of closed polyhedral structures made of structurally symmetric units, and which mimic the structure and self-assembly characteristics of naturally occurring systems such as viral capsids, are provided. Also provided are methods of creating structurally symmetric units, kits for forming self-assembling physical models of polyhedral structures, and methods of forming the same.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for making and using multifunctional polymerized liposomes finding relevant application in medical sciences, particularly in bioimaging, diagnostics, drug delivery, and drug formulation. The compositions and methods involve lipids that are both polymerizable and have a “clickable” group that provides the ability to functionalize via a click reaction with various functional moieties useful for the above-listed applications.

Abstract: A membrane distillation module is provided. The membrane distillation module includes a feed water side, a membrane, and a treated water side. A heating element is mounted in the feed water side. The membrane distillation module may optionally further include a heat spreading element. The heat spreading element is mounted in contact with the heating element to improve the efficiency of heat diffusion to the membrane.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a plurality of loosely connected metal oxide nanoclusters configured to provide a porous structure, the metal oxide nanoclusters having an average characteristic length of 1 nm to 20 nm, and a coating made with catalytic material is deposited on an outer layer of the metal oxide nanoclusters.

Abstract: A method of uncoupling mitochondria in a subject including administering nanotubes to the subject in a therapeutically effective amount, wherein the nanotubes are self-rectifying is provided. A method of decreasing reactive oxygen species and decreasing detrimental loading of Ca2+ into mitochondria is provided, including administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of nanotubes into the subject. A method of reducing weight, treating cancer, reducing the effects of traumatic brain injury, or reducing the effects of ageing, in a subject including administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of nanotubes into the subject is also provided.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a membrane that may incorporate a graphene layer perforated by a plurality of nanoscale pores. The membrane may also include a gas sorbent that may be configured to contact a surface of the graphene layer. The gas sorbent may be configured to direct at least one gas adsorbed at the gas sorbent into the nanoscale pores. The nanoscale pores may have a diameter that selectively facilitates passage of a first gas compared to a second gas to separate the first gas from a fluid mixture of the two gases. The gas sorbent may increase the surface concentration of the first gas at the graphene layer. Such membranes may exhibit improved properties compared to conventional graphene and polymeric membranes for gas separations, e.g., greater selectivity, greater gas permeation rates, or the like.

Abstract: A light converting device includes a wide production conversion material and a narrow production conversion material to convert the source light into a first and second interim light, respectively. The conversion materials may be included in, or applied to, an enclosure. The first and second interim light may be included in a converted light. The converted light may be included with the source light to create a white light. The wide production conversion material may have wide absorption and scatter characteristics. The narrow production conversion material may have narrow absorption and scatter characteristics to substantially reduce inefficiencies caused by double conversion of light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for designing and producing a cooling fluid for use in a cooling system. The process uses molecular dynamics to calculate the thermal properties of one or more fluid-nanoparticle solutions, and thereby aids in the study, selection and/or production of desired cooling fluids based on first principle simulations.

Abstract: A micro heater includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first carbon nanotube, and a second carbon nanotube. The first carbon nanotube extends from the first electrode. The second carbon nanotube branches from the second electrode. The first carbon nanotube and the second carbon nanotube intersect with each other to define a node therebetween.

Abstract: A working electrode includes a conducting layer, a carbon nanotube layer electrophoretically deposited on the conducting layer; and a gold nanoparticle layer sputter-deposited on the carbon nanotube layer. A sensor chip having the working electrode and a method of fabricating the working electrode are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles comprising smudge-resistant anti-reflective surfaces, and products and devices comprising the articles.

Abstract: We describe the use of a high-quality-factor torsional resonator of microscale dimensions. The resonator has a paddle that is supported by two nanoscale torsion rods made of a very low thermal conductivity material, such as amorphous (“a-”) silicon. The body of the torsion paddle is coated with an infrared-absorbing material that is thin and light weight, but provides sufficient IR absorption for the applications. It may be placed above a reflecting material of similar dimensions to form a quarter wave cavity. Sensing of the response of the paddle to applied electromagnetic radiation provides a measure of the intensity of the radiation as detected by absorption, and the resulting temperature change, in the paddle.

Abstract: A downhole filter comprising includes an open cell foam; and nanoparticles disposed in the open cell foam and exposed within pores of the open cell foam. A method of preparing the downhole filter includes combining a polyisocyanate and polyol to form a polymer composition; introducing nanoparticles into the polymer composition; and foaming the polymer composition to produce the downhole filter comprising an open cell foam having nanoparticles exposed within pores of the open cell foam. The nanoparticles can be derivatized with functional groups.

Abstract: The active methanol electro-oxidation catalysts include nano-oxides of transition metals (i.e., iron, cobalt and nickel) and platinum-ruthenium alloy nano-particles. The nano-oxides of the transition metals are dispersed during synthesis of a support material, such as mesoporous carbon. The catalyst includes a support material formed from mesoporous carbon, a nano-oxide of a transition metal dispersed in the support material, and platinum-ruthenium alloy nano-particles supported on the nano-oxide of the transition metal, the platinum-ruthenium alloy nano-particles (in a 1:1 molar ratio) forming about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, the transition metals forming about 15 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst, and carbon and oxygen forming the balance of about 70 wt % of the methanol electro-oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a composition having antimicrobial activity comprising particles comprising at least one inorganic copper salt; and at least one functionalizing agent in contact with the particles, the functionalizing agent stabilizing the particle in a carrier such that an antimicrobially effective amount of ions are released into the environment of a microbe. The average size of the particles ranges from about 1000 nm to about 4 nm. Preferred copper salts include copper iodide, copper bromide and copper chloride. Preferred functionalizing agents include amino acids, thiols, hydrophilic polymers emulsions of hydrophobic polymers and surfactants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hierarchical structured nanotubes, to a method for preparing the same and to an application for the same, wherein the nanotubes include a plurality of connecting nanotubes for constituting a three-dimensional multi-dendrite morphology; and the method includes the following steps: (A) providing a polymer template including a plurality of organic nanowires; (B) forming an inorganic layer on the surface of the organic nanowires in the polymer template; and (C) performing a heat treatment on the polymer template having the inorganic layer on the surface so that partial atoms of the organic nanowires enter the inorganic layer.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a filtration material for desalination, including: a support layer; a nanofiber layer formed on the support layer; a hydrophobic layer formed on the nanofiber layer; and a hydrophilic layer formed on the hydrophobic layer. The nanofiber layer includes ionic polymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylonitrile, (PAN), polyethersulfone (PES) or polyvinglidene fluoride (PVDF). The hydrophobic layer includes polypropylene (PP), polyvinglidene fluoride (PVDF), poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or epoxy.

Abstract: A photoactive material including nanoparticles of photoactive first and second constituents. The first and second constituents have respective conduction band energies, valence band energies and electronic band gap energies to enable photon-driven generation and separation of charge carriers in each of the first and second constituents by absorption of light in the solar spectrum. The first and second constituents are provided in an alternating layered arrangement of respective first and second layers or are mixed together in a single layer. The nanoparticles have diameters smaller than wavelengths of light in the solar spectrum, to provide optical transparency for absorption of light. The charge carriers, upon photoactivation, are able to participate in redox reactions occurring in the photoactive material. The photoactive material may enable redox reactions of carbon dioxide with at least one of hydrogen and water to produce a fuel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and a metal ion. The invention is further directed to a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: An advanced oxidation procedure for treating solution waste water, comprising: applying an ultrasound-Fenton reaction, wherein said ultrasound-Fenton reaction includes: providing oxidants and at least one catalyst selected from bivalent metal ions which include Ti, Fe, Mg, Mo, and Cu; subjecting the treated solution and said oxidants and catalyst to ultrasound cavitation generated by a generator device; forcing a flow of treated solution through said ultrasound device adapted to generate ultrasound waves for forming cavitation in said treated solution, said flow of treated solution passing through at least one flow-through tubular reactor chamber of the ultrasound device, and wherein said cavitation is effected by longitudinally linear distributed string of ultrasound transducers fixedly disposed and attached along a length of said at least one tubular reactor chamber, and wherein said cavitation is effected along a width dimension of said reactor chamber.

Abstract: An odor control layer for personal care products includes a first portion with a formulation of activated carbon and a second portion with a formulation of nanoparticle silver. The layer can be placed in a personal care product including diapers, training pants, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, or feminine hygiene products. The personal care product can include a liquid-permeable bodyside liner, a liquid-impermeable outer cover affixed to the bodyside liner, and an absorbent core disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modular sterically enhanced emission dye (SEED) clusters, wherein multiple SEED molecules are appended to a single polymeric chain.

Abstract: A nano-sulfur composite anode material for rare earth lithium-sulfur battery and its preparation method thereof, wherein the preparation method includes the steps of providing a carbon nanotube and sublimed sulfur, adjusting concentration based on percentage weight, mixing by milling, burning under negative pressure in Argon gas for 5 hours at 200° C.˜300° C. and 300° C.˜400° C. respectively, and obtaining a final product of nano-sulfur composite anode material for rare earth lithium-sulfur battery. By means of the preparation method of the present invention, the nano-sulfur composite anode material has a particle size <1 micron, a high capacity which is greater than 1000 mAh/g, and a long cycle life (>1000 times). The preparation method has the advantages of simple, low cost and high performance, thereby suitable for industrial production.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube composite wire structure comprises the following steps. A supply unit, a collecting unit, and a wrapping unit are provided. The wrapping unit comprises a hollow rotating shaft, and a face plate mounted on the hollow rotating shaft. A linear structure is provided by the supply unit. The linear structure passes through the hollow rotating shaft and is fixed on a collecting unit. A carbon nanotube structure is drawn from a carbon nanotube array. The carbon nanotube array is loaded on the face plate. One end of the carbon nanotube structure is adhered to the linear structure. The face plate is rotated, and the linear structure is pulled along a fixed direction. As such the carbon nanotube structure is wrapping around the linear structure.

Abstract: Antireflective films are described having a surface layer comprising a the reaction product of a polymerizable low refractive index composition comprising at least one free-radically polymerizable fluoropolymer and surface modified inorganic nanoparticles. A high refractive index layer is coupled to the low refractive index layer. In one embodiment, the high refractive index layer comprises surface modified inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. The antireflective film is preferably durable, exhibiting a haze of less than 1.0% after 25 wipes with steel wool using a 3.2 cm mandrel and a mass of 1000 grams.

Abstract: A membrane enhanced deionized capacitor (MEDC) device, consisting of insulating plates (6,7) and a series of MEDC unit cells, is provided. The MEDC unit cell includes a cation and anion ion-exchange membranes (2,4), one pair of carbon electrodes (1-1,1-2), a spacer (3) and an insulating holder (5) and is assembled in the order of [(1-1)/(2)/(3)/(5)/(4)/(1-2)]. The cation-exchange membrane combined with one electrode is used as negative electrosorptive electrode while the anion-exchange membrane combined with another electrode is used as positive electrode. Unit cells can be connected with each other in series, or in parallel. The devices can be made as either stack type or roll type.

Abstract: A rigidity-controllable device and a damping-controllable shock-absorbing apparatus comprising the same are disclosed. The rigidity-controllable device of the present invention comprises: a composite comprising a polymer base and a nano-conductive material dispersed in the polymer base; and a power supply electrically connecting with the composite; wherein when the power supply electricity to the composite, temperature of the composite is increased and thus the rigidity of the composite is adjusted.

Abstract: A tool system is provided for resisting abrasive wear of a ground-engaging tool of an agricultural implement during a crop production procedure. The tool system may include a tool for engaging an agricultural field while performing crop production procedure and that defines a main segment and a cutting segment having a working edge covered by a nanostructure coating. The cutting segment may include multiple wear zones with multiple working edges, respectively, covered by nanostructure coatings which may have different thicknesses.

Abstract: This invention declares the method of preparation of cerium oxide supported palladium-gold catalysts and the process of destruction of volatile organic compounds in air to remove volatile organic compounds using the above catalysts. Destruction of volatile organic compounds in air stream over these catalysts is carried out in a fixed bed reactor to remove volatile organic compounds in air.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst comprising contacting an acidic colloidal silica suspension with a titanium-containing compound to form a mixture, adjusting the pH of mixture to about neutral to form a catalyst support, and contacting the catalyst support with chromium-containing compound to from a chromium-supported catalyst. A catalyst support prepared by contacting a colloidal silica suspension and a titanium-containing compound under acidic conditions to form a mixture, and contacting the mixture with a basic material in an amount sufficient to increase the pH of the mixture to about 7.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of feeding carbon nano tubes (“CNTs”) to a fluid wherein the CNTs are provided in the form of a powder of tangled agglomerates of CNTs, the powder of tangled agglomerates is fed to a dosing chamber, a pressure pulse is applied to the dosing chamber to expel the CNTs from an outlet of the dosing chamber in such a way that the agglomerates are at least partially disintegrated by the pressure and accompanying shearing forces, and the CNTs are fed into said fluid to distribute the CNTs in the fluid and form a composite material.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a wavelength converter, and a light emitter. The light guide plate includes a main body, a first extension portion, and a second extension portion. The first extension portion is connected to the main body. The second extension portion is connected to the first extension portion. The wavelength converter is disposed at a side of the main body. The wavelength converter has an incident surface. The incident surface faces away from the main body. The first extension portion abuts against a sidewall of the wavelength converter. The second extension portion abuts against the incident surface. The light emitter is disposed at a side of the light guide plate.

Abstract: Functionalized second harmonic nanoprobes for imaging samples and a method of using such probes to monitor the dynamics different processeses using a variety of imaging techniques are provided. The functionalized second harmonic generating (SHG) nanoprobes are comprised of various kinds of nanocrystalline materials that do not possess an inversion symmetry and therefore are capable of generating second harmonic signals that can then be detected by conventional two-photon microscopy, and are provided with functional surface modifications that allow for targeted imaging of a variety of biological and non-biological processes and structures such as cell signaling, neuroimaging, protein conformation probing, DNA conformation probing, gene transcription, virus infection and replication in cells, protein dynamics, tumor imaging and cancer therapy evaluation and diagnosis as well as quantification in optical imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an IGZO nanoparticle, including an InGaZnO4 crystal structure and a trace element, wherein the InGaZnO4 crystal structure has a formula represented by formula: x(In2O3)?y(Ga2O3)?z(ZnO), wherein x:y:z=1:1:0.5-2, and the trace element includes boron and/or aluminum, which is present in an amount of about 100-1000 ppm. The present disclosure also provides a manufacturing method for the IGZO nanoparticle and a sputter target containing the IGZO particles.

Abstract: The invention seeks protection for a novel method for the surface functionalisation of solid materials with one or more active ingredients intended to confer specific properties thereon, such as anti-UV, fluorescence or coloring properties.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments described herein, there is provided an apparatus comprising a substrate, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes (semiconducting nano-elements) disposed and fixed with said substrate. The nanotubes are disposed and fixed on said substrate such that they define a carbon nanotube network substantially at the percolation threshold of the network. As the network is at the percolation threshold, this provides for one or more signal paths extending from an input region to an output region. The apparatus is configured to, upon receiving particular input signalling via the input region, provide particular predefined output signalling at the output via the one or more signal paths, the particular output signalling being predefined according to the one or more one signal paths.

Abstract: An enhancing agent for increasing heat transfer efficiency is disclosed, which is an additive composed of a nano-scale powder and a micro-scale powder that is to be added into a heat-transfer fluid circulating in an heat exchange system or in a coolant circulating in a cooling system for enhancing the heat conductivity of the heat-transfer fluid or the coolant while helping the tank and the fluid passages used in those systems to maintain clean, and eventually enabling those systems to operate with improved heat dissipation effect. By adding the aforesaid enhancing agent into a cooling system of an internal-combustion engine, the heat shock inside the engine that is originated from the fuel burning in the engine can be reduced, resulting that not only the amount of green house gas emission is reduced, but also the chance of engine juddering that is generally originated from poor heat dissipation can be decreased.

Abstract: Provided is a filter medium for a liquid filter, having a three-dimensional micropore structure of a multi-layered structure using a multilayer nanofiber web that is obtained by performing air-electrospinning, to thus be thin but have high efficiency and long life, a method of manufacturing the filter medium using the multilayer nanofiber web, and a liquid filter using the filter medium. The filter medium for a liquid filter, includes: a nanofiber web that is made by stacking nanofibers that are obtained by air-electrospinning a fibrous polymer material and that have micropores; and a supporter that is inserted and combined onto one surface or in an inner portion of the nanofiber web.