Applying electromagnetic energy to a hydrocarbon feed in the presence of at least one of a solvent, a catalyst, an electromagnetic receptor or a hydrogenation agent may result in depolymerization and compositional modification of the hydrocarbon feedstock into at least one of smaller hydrocarbon product fractions or viscosity modification.

Embodiments of the subject invention are directed to methods and apparatus for inducing mixing in a fluid using one or more plasma actuators. In an embodiment, a pair of electrodes is positioned near a fluid and a voltage potential is applied across the pair of electrodes such that a plasma discharge is produced in the fluid. In an embodiment, the plasma discharge creates turbulence in the fluid thereby mixing the fluid. In an embodiment, flow structures, such as vortices are generated in the fluid. In an embodiment, the fluid is mixed in three dimensions. In an embodiment, a plurality of fluids are mixed. In an embodiment, solids are dispersed in at least one fluid. In an embodiment, heat or other properties are dispersed within at least one fluid. In an embodiment, at least one of the pair of electrodes has a serpentine shape.

An apparatus for the treatment of a liquid that includes a chamber having at least one inner surface, the chamber adapted for passage of a fluid therethrough. The chamber is at least 80 percent enclosed. The apparatus also includes an optional ultraviolet-transmissive tube disposed within the chamber and also adapted for the passage of the liquid therethrough. The apparatus further includes an ultraviolet lamp disposed within the chamber and, optionally, within the ultraviolet-transmissive tube. A reflective material is interposed between the chamber and the transmissive tube. The reflective material is adapted so as to reflect at least a portion of light emitted by the ultraviolet lamp, wherein the reflective material is at least 80 percent reflective.

A method for producing functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose, the method comprising the steps of providing cellulose, mixing said cellulose with a peroxide, thereby producing a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture, and/or exposing the reaction mixture to UV radiation is provided. Functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose produced by this method is also provided.

A method for producing functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose, the method comprising the steps of providing cellulose, mixing said cellulose with a peroxide, thereby producing a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture, and/or exposing the reaction mixture to UV radiation is provided. Functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose produced by this method is also provided.

This disclosure provides a method for quantum dots ligand exchanges and an apparatus of the same. The method includes providing a first ligand modified quantum dot, a second ligand and a first polymer. The method includes mixing the first ligand modified quantum dot, the second ligand and the first polymer in a solvent to perform the first ligand exchange, so as to obtain a second modified quantum dot. The first polymer contains a first functional group, which can have a first reaction with the first ligand, but do not react with the second ligand under the same conditions.

A method for generation of material in a liquid phase comprising a step of subjecting the liquid phase to a nanosecond-pulsed discharge plasma.

A method of synthesizing TiO.sub.2/Co.sub.3O.sub.4 core-shell photocatalysts is provided. The method includes preparing SiO.sub.2 hollow nanospheres via sol-gel synthesis in the presence of a triblock copolymer surfactant and a cationic surfactant; adding titanium sec-butoxide to a solution containing the SiO.sub.2 hollow nanospheres to provide a first combined sample; calcinating the first combined sample to provide hollow mesoporous TiO.sub.2 nanospheres; adding cobalt nitrate to a solution comprising the hollow mesoporous TiO.sub.2 nanospheres to provide a second combined sample; and calcinating the second combined sample to provide TiO.sub.2/Co.sub.3O.sub.4 core-shell photocatalysts. Methods of producing hydrogen by water-splitting using TiO.sub.2/Co.sub.3O.sub.4 core-shell photocatalysts are also provided. Such methods include photodepositing platinum onto the photocatalysts during the reaction.

This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created and/or the liquid is predisposed to their presence (e.g., conditioned)) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s). Results include constituents formed in the liquid including micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition, zeta potential and properties present in a liquid.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, processes, and systems for safely and reliably purifying hydrogen from a gas mixture containing hydrogen and oxygen.