In accordance with one aspect of the presently disclosed inventive concepts, a porous ceramic structure includes a three-dimensional printed structure having predefined features, where the three-dimensional structure has a geometric shape. The average length of the features may be at least 10 microns. The three-dimensional structure includes a ceramic material having an open cell structure with a plurality of pores, where the pores form continuous channels through the ceramic material from one side of the ceramic material to an opposite side of the ceramic material.

A method of storing energy is disclosed. The method comprises heating a material that comprises a CO.sub.2 sorbed product and an additive to desorb CO.sub.2 from the material and to convert the CO.sub.2 sorbed product to a CO.sub.2 sorbent. The additive is selected such that it at least partially prevents during heating (i) sintering of the CO.sub.2 sorbent and/or the CO.sub.2 sorbed product; and (ii) the formation of a crust on the material, the crust minimising or preventing the CO.sub.2 sorbent and CO2 from reacting with one another to form the CO.sub.2 sorbed product in a subsequent CO.sub.2 absorption step. Also disclosed is a composition used to sorb and desorb CO.sub.2 in a thermal battery, and a system for implementing the method, the system using the composition.

Improvements in a lithium-ion extraction apparatus to extract lithium-ion from water and more specifically salt or brine water. The extraction of lithium-ion utilizing electromagnetic separation into a sorbent shortens the extraction time and minimizes environmental impact. The sorbent is typically a polymer that is in solution with the brine where direct contact with the brine water with the sorbent extracts lithium-ions. The fixed and magnetic field magnetic field increases the absorption in the sorbent by energizing the sorbent. The sorbent is in the form of porous beads that have selective lithium-ion affinity in a continuous solid-phase extraction process. The lithium-ion extraction apparatus includes fluid flow, agitation, pressure, and temperature control of the brine solution. The flow rate alters and controls the dwell time that the brine solution is in proximity to the electromagnets.

This invention employs columns and methods to apply external and internal standards and compounds. Analytical standard or compounds are adsorbed to a solid phase extraction media and are stored indefinitely. The standards or compounds remain stable on the solid phase extraction media without decomposing. The standards or compounds may be removed from the solid phase extraction media with a solvent.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a high cohesive energy adsorbent for fluoride removal, which includes the following steps: S1. adding NaHF.sub.2—NiF.Math.6H.sub.2O additive to SiCO ceramic powder, and sintering at a temperature of 310-330° C. for 18-22h to obtain a sintered substance; S2. grinding the sintered substance to obtain particles with a size of 2-3 mm, and mixing the particles with polyacrylonitrile to form a composite polymer; and S3. molding the composite polymer by a vacuum baking process at a temperature of 75-85° C., then performing ball milling and sieving to obtain the high cohesive energy adsorbent for fluoride removal. The high cohesive energy adsorbent for fluoride removal may be used in the adsorption and separation of the C.sub.2F.sub.6—CHF.sub.3—CClF.sub.3 mixture system, and the contents of CHF.sub.3 and CClF.sub.3 are lowered to less than 10ppmv.

The present invention includes a composition, method of making and method of using a composite for the removal of waste from a wastewater or a waste stream wherein the composite comprises of graphene oxide and magnesium oxide nanoparticles at a ratio of 10:1 to 1:10 weight to weight.

The invention discloses a food container for preserving freshness of food, comprising a container body having a cavity adapted for containing food items; a lid detachably secured on the container body to close the cavity of the container; and one or more food preserving elements capable of absorbing food spoiling gas to preserve freshness of the food items. The one or more food preserving elements are disposed inside the cavity and/or into a material of the food container to preserve the food items for an extended period of time and remove odors.

A thermochemical energy storage system and method of storing thermal energy are disclosed. The energy storing system described herein comprises a reactor comprising a CO.sub.2 sorbent comprising i) CaO and mayenite or ii) Li.sub.4SiO.sub.4, or a combination thereof, and b) a CO.sub.2 source, wherein the CO.sub.2 source is in fluid communication with the reactor to allow flow of CO.sub.2 between the CO.sub.2 source and the reactor. Further, methods are disclosed for storing thermal energy through a wide temperature range.

The present invention relates to a flow-through device comprising at least one separation column wherein a first packing component, which comprises particles of alumina and/or silica, and a second packing component, which comprises a powder of one or more hygroscopic salts are provided. The two packing components may be blended or layered in the device, which may comprise a single tube or a plurality of tubes arranged in a plate format, such as the wells of a multiwall plate or tubes in a rack. In addition, the invention relates to a method for removing one or more matrix components, such as pigments, from a biological sample, by passing said sample across a first packing component, which comprises particles of alumina and/or silica, and a second packing component, which comprises a powder of one or more hygroscopic salts.

A particle comprises an inner part and an outer coating. The inner part comprises CaO and the outer coating comprises hydrophobic nanoparticles of a size less than 1 μm. The particle has an average size of from 1 to 1000 μm. A device adapted to perform an absorption process comprises at least one such particle. A method for manufacturing such a particle comprises mixing CaO with hydrophobic nanoparticles, and mixing with sufficient energy to obtain particles comprising CaO coated with the hydrophobic nanoparticles.