[Mn.sub.3SrO.sub.4] cluster compounds are synthesized in a single step from raw materials consisting of simple and inexpensive Mn.sup.2+, Sr.sup.2+ inorganic compounds and carboxylic acids by using permanganate anion as oxidant. This step can be followed by the synthesis of asymmetric biomimetic water splitting catalyst [Mn.sub.4SrO.sub.4] cluster compounds in the presence of water. The [Mn.sub.4SrO.sub.4] cluster compound can catalyze the splitting of water in the presence of an oxidant to release oxygen gas. The neutral [Mn.sub.3SrO.sub.4](R.sub.1CO.sub.2)6(R.sub.1CO.sub.2H).sub.3 cluster compound can serve as precursors for the synthesis of biomimetic water splitting catalysts, and can be utilized in the synthesis of different types of biomimetic water splitting catalysts. [Mn.sub.4SrO.sub.4](R.sub.1CO.sub.2).sub.8(L.sub.1)(L.sub.2)(L.sub.3)(L.sub.4) cluster compounds can serve as artificial water splitting catalysts, can be utilized on the surface of an electrode or in the catalyzed splitting of water driven by an anoxidant.

A system and method for controlling microbial growth on and in medical devices and implants, especially biofilm infections, involves using pulsed electric fields (PEF). To eradicate at least a portion of a biofilm on a medical implant, for example, 1500 volts can be applied through an electrode system, with pulse duration of 50 μs and pulse delivery frequency of 2 Hz. In the clinical setting, systemic microbial therapy can be combined with PEF to achieve a synergistic effect leading to improved eradication of infections.

Herein discussed is an electrochemical reactor comprising an ionically conducting membrane, wherein the reactor performs the water gas shift reactions electrochemically without electricity input, wherein electrochemical water gas shift reactions involve the exchange of an ion through the membrane and include forward water gas shift reactions, or reverse water gas shift reactions, or both. Also discussed herein is a reactor comprising: a bi-functional layer and a mixed conducting membrane; wherein the bi-functional layer and the mixed conducting membrane are in contact with each other, and wherein the bi-functional layer catalyzes reverse-water-gas-shift (RWGS) reaction and functions as an anode in an electrochemical reaction.

A stable three-dimensional core-shell metal-nitride catalyst consisting of NiFeN nanoparticles decorated on NiMoN nanorods supported on porous Ni foam (NiMoN@NiFeN), which functions as an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst for alkaline seawater electrolysis. It yields large current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm.sup.−2 at overpotentials of 369 and 398 mV, respectively, in alkaline natural seawater at 25° C. Combined with an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst of NiMoN nanorods, current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm.sup.−2 at low voltages of 1.608 and 1.709 V, respectively are achieved for overall alkaline seawater splitting at 60° C.

A stable three-dimensional core-shell metal-nitride catalyst consisting of NiFeN nanoparticles decorated on NiMoN nanorods supported on porous Ni foam (NiMoN@NiFeN), which functions as an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst for alkaline seawater electrolysis. It yields large current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm.sup.−2 at overpotentials of 369 and 398 mV, respectively, in alkaline natural seawater at 25° C. Combined with an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst of NiMoN nanorods, current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm.sup.−2 at low voltages of 1.608 and 1.709 V, respectively are achieved for overall alkaline seawater splitting at 60° C.

Disclosed herein is 4-chamber microbial electrolysis process and apparatus that recovers lignin, NaOH, and H.sub.2 products while removing waste organics from deacetylation and mechanical refining black liquor.

Disclosed herein is 4-chamber microbial electrolysis process and apparatus that recovers lignin, NaOH, and H.sub.2 products while removing waste organics from deacetylation and mechanical refining black liquor.

An Electrolyzer Cell (EC) configured to store electrical energy on charge and generate spontaneous hydrogen on discharge is provided, wherein the Electrolyzer Cell may include a cell casing having a casing bottom and defining a cell cavity. The Electrolyzer Cell may also include a plurality of positive electrodes, wherein the plurality of positive electrodes are electrically connected together and a plurality of negative electrodes, wherein the plurality of negative electrodes are electrically connected together. The Electrolyzer Cell may further include an aqueous electrolyte containing a reversible, electro-active material, wherein the aqueous electrolyte, the plurality of positive electrodes and the plurality of negative electrodes are located within the cell cavity, and wherein each of the plurality of positive electrodes are configured to be spaced apart from each of the plurality of negative electrodes.

An Electrolyzer Cell (EC) configured to store electrical energy on charge and generate spontaneous hydrogen on discharge is provided, wherein the Electrolyzer Cell may include a cell casing having a casing bottom and defining a cell cavity. The Electrolyzer Cell may also include a plurality of positive electrodes, wherein the plurality of positive electrodes are electrically connected together and a plurality of negative electrodes, wherein the plurality of negative electrodes are electrically connected together. The Electrolyzer Cell may further include an aqueous electrolyte containing a reversible, electro-active material, wherein the aqueous electrolyte, the plurality of positive electrodes and the plurality of negative electrodes are located within the cell cavity, and wherein each of the plurality of positive electrodes are configured to be spaced apart from each of the plurality of negative electrodes.

The disclosure relates in its first aspect to a process of conversion of a gaseous stream comprising methane into hydrogen (51) and carbon (25), the process is remarkable in that it comprises a step (a) of providing a first gaseous stream (3, 7); a step (b) of bromination and synthesis in which the first gaseous stream (3, 7) is put in contact with a second stream (53) comprising bromine resulting in the formation of a third stream (15) comprising methyl bromides and hydrogen bromide, and of a fourth stream (25) comprising carbon including graphite and/or carbon black; a step (c) of separation performed on the third stream (15) to recover a hydrogen bromide-rich stream (41) which is then oxidized in a step (d) to produce a stream (51) comprising hydrogen. The second aspect relates to the installation for performing the process of the first aspect and the third aspect concerns the use of bromine in such process.