Technology Overview

A new binder-free catalyst and a process to produce a designed zeolite-based catalyst with high selectivity. The novel feature of this technology is the use of only catalyst active materials and therefore producing high-quality catalyst through a cost-effective process. 

The post Binder-Free Nano Fiber Catalyst for Petroleum Hydrocracking appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Steering of catalyst structures towards coke-free catalyst

Technology Overview

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is an endothermic catalytic process (CH4 + CO2 2 CO + 2 H2) that can produce clean and green H2 fuel and synthesis gas (CO/H2). The syngas produced can be utilized for the production of fuels and high value-added chemicals such as methanol, dimethyl ether, acetic acid, and other oxygenated chemicals and long chain hydrocarbons via Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. DRM is also an attractive alternative for CO2 utilization and recycling, which consequently mitigates global warming as it uses two main greenhouse gases. However, it has not been industrialized yet due to the lack of development of robust catalysts that can sustain coke-free operation and high resistance to metal sintering at high temperatures. Ni-based catalysts present an economically viable alternative compared to noble metal-based catalysts. However, they suffer mainly from carbon deposition, which ultimately leads to catalyst deactivation. The Ni-supported catalysts prepared in the present invention showed excellent stability and carbon formation reduction.

The post Decarbonization and Utilization Towards Syngas and Clean H2 Production appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Nanotips with desirable apex atomic structures

Technology Overview

The developed method of fabricating a super nano ion-electron source can lead to improved nanotips for applications in nanotechnology, particularly in scanning probe microscopy and electron microscopy. The method involves placing an assembly of precursor tip with an apex and a shank and a heating metal ring in a field ion microscope chamber, applying a direct current to heat the metal ring, applying an electrical field to the precursor tip, and monitoring the evolution of the tip apex until sharpened to a desirable structure.

The post Fabrication of a Super Nano Ion-Electron Source appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining desirable physical properties

Technology Overview

Thermoplastic, also known as thermosoftening plastic, is a polymer that becomes pliable or moldable above a specific temperature and returns to a solid state upon cooling. The developed thermoplastic sulfur-polymer composite is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene and polystyrene, and a sulfur element. The thermoplastic polymer is a polymer matrix with the sulfur filler is dispersed in the polymer matrix.

The post Thermoplastic-based Sulphur Nanocomposites appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Lowers manufacturing cost while maintaining desirable physical properties

Technology Overview

Thermoplastic, also known as thermosoftening plastic, is a polymer that becomes pliable or moldable above a specific temperature, and returns to a solid state upon cooling. The developed thermoplastic sulfur-polymer composite is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene and polystyrene, and a sulfur element. The thermoplastic polymer is a polymer matrix with the sulfur filler is dispersed in the polymer matrix. 

The post Thermoplastic-Based Sulphur Nanocomposites appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

An innovative method to make highly efficient coatings

Technology Overview

Self-healing coatings are a beneficial solution to existing corrosion issues in various industries, especially in oil & gas fields. The present invention includes the fabrication of a self-healing polymer coating incorporated with corrosion inhibitor encapsulated mesoporous carbon (MeC) based nanocontainer for the corrosion protection of metal structures. A corrosion inhibitor was added directly into the pores of mesoporous carbon and then covered by a polyelectrolyte layer to prevent the unwanted release. Pores of mesoporous carbon are effectively filled with a sufficient amount of benzotriazole, and they get released at the damaged area occurring by the triggering action of corrosion. This helps in diminishing the propagation of corrosion processes through the metal surface.

The post Self-Healing and Anti-Corrosion Coatings appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Providing access to fresh water in areas of scarcity

Technology Overview

Water is one of the most important resources in the world, however there is scarce access to fresh water in some locations. The developed device can be used for collecting water from the atmospheric moisture with no without energy input except for solar radiation. The device is comprised of a water absorbing material, a protection wall and a water container. When the water absorbing material is below phase separation temperature, hydrogen bonds are formed with water molecules resulting in the absorption of water from the air.

The post Device for Water Collection from Atmospheric Moisture appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Enhancing the structure of molybdenum disulfide

Technology Overview

Sulfur-containing compounds are by-products from oil and gas production. Molybdenum disulfide is the preferred catalyst for hydro-desulphurization, which is the catalytic chemical process to remove sulfur from natural gas or other refined chemical products. However, molybdenum disulfide is limited to the surface area of the material. The developed process expands the surface area of the material by increasing the porosity and internal cavities of the material.

The post Molybdenum Disulfide Foam appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Single-atom and sub-1 nm probe for highly focused electron and ion beam microscopy and nano-probe microscopy.

Technology Overview

Nano-probes are the most critical parts in all scanning probe microscopes, like atomic force microscopes and scanning tunneling microscopes, as the resolution of the microscope is a direct function of the probe apex size, where optimum resolution can be achieved by having extremely sharp probes. These atomically sharp nano-probes can be used for characterizing and manipulating, bio and chemical molecules, nanomaterials. In electron and ion microscopes like scanning electron microscope (SEM), and ultra-high resolution transmission electron microscope (UHTEM), nanoprobes
are used as a source of electrons and ions where highly focused electron and ion beams can be produced.

The post Nano-Probe Microscopy and Nanomaterials Characterization appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Improved process of preparing pharmaceutical tablets

Technology Overview

A gel material from structure-modified or processed cellulose combined with an active pharmaceutical ingredient can be used to improve the process of tablet production. The approach introduces a continuous process that can reduce labor, time, and cost of production. In addition, the approach results in an improved tablet with desirable properties.

The post Cellulosic Gel Material as a Pharmaceutical Excipient appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Sustainable solution for product packaging and other applications

Technical Overview

Convenience, safety, low price, and good aesthetic qualities are among the major factors that make plastics useful for numerous applications. Synthetic polymers that are produced from petrochemical products have low recovery/reproduction rates and are not easily degraded in the environment. The developed method in the present technology is used to make a biodegradable composite using an aqueous mixture comprised of partially hydrolyzed cellulose in a dissolution media; combing the mixture with a solution of aliphatic polyester in a polar organic solvent;
removing solvent and dissolution media to form a wet biodegradable composite; and drying the wet biodegradable composite to form a dry biodegradable composite.

The post Biodegradable Composite Materials appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.

Brief

Enhanced utilization/conservation of water using cellulose gels

Technology Overview

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer that can be extracted inexpensively from plants and other organisms. The developed cellulose gel compositions are prepared by modifying native cellulose to generate a material with enhanced water absorption and retention properties. The material is produced through the regeneration of cellulose in aqueous polyethylene oxide. The material has been demonstrated to hold twenty times its weight.

The post Cellulose Blends with Enhanced Water Retention appeared first on 91Ó°ÊÓ.