Catalyst preparation systems and methods for preparing reduced chromium catalysts are disclosed, and can comprise irradiating a supported chromium catalyst containing hexavalent chromium with a light beam having a wavelength within the UV-visible light spectrum. Such reduced chromium catalysts have improved catalytic activity compared to chromium catalysts reduced by other means. The use of the reduced chromium catalyst in polymerization reactor systems and olefin polymerization processes also is disclosed, resulting in polymers with a higher melt index.

Nature is capable of storing solar energy in chemical bonds via photosynthesis through a series of C—C, C—O and C—N bond-forming reactions starting from CO.sub.2 and light. Direct capture of solar energy for organic synthesis is a promising approach. Lead (Pb)-halide perovskite solar cells reach 24.2% power conversion efficiency, rendering perovskite a unique type material for solar energy capture. We show that photophysical properties of perovskites is useful in photoredox organic synthesis. Because the key aspects of these two applications are both relying on charge separation and transfer. Here we demonstrated that perovskites nanocrystals are exceptional candidates as photocatalysts for fundamental organic reactions, i.e. C—C, C—N and C—O bond-formations. Stability of CsPbBr.sub.3 in organic solvents and ease-of-tuning their bandedges garner perovskite a wider scope of organic substrate activations.

The present invention relates to methods and devices for providing microbial control and/or disinfection/remediation of an environment. The methods generally comprise: generating a Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) that is substantially free of, e.g., hydration, ozone, plasma species, and/or organic species; and directing the gas comprising primarily PHPG into the environment such that the PHPG acts to provide microbial control and/or disinfection/remediation in the environment, preferably both on surfaces and in the air.

A flow reactor has a fluidic module with a first major outer surface. The module contains a fluid passage and has a transmittance through the first major outer surface to the fluid passage of at least 20% over a range of wavelengths. The reactor has an illumination module comprising one or more radiation sources, which can emit within the range, positioned within an enclosure. The enclosure has a back wall and a side wall and an opening opposite the back wall. An edge of the side wall surrounds the opening. The illumination module is positioned such that the opening of the illumination module faces the first major outer surface of the fluidic module. The side wall comprises a telescoping portion such that a distance from the back wall of the enclosure to the edge of the side wall is adjustable.

A method for producing plasmonic nanomaterials that are catalytically or photocatalytically active by fabricating plasmonic nanostructures on substrates using electrodeposition into a nano-template structure and forming a plurality of nanorods in an array, wherein the nanorods are made from materials chosen from the group consisting of materials that are plasmonic and/or catalytic, and materials that are catalytically activated by depositing pure elemental metals, alloys, or alternating layers of different metals or alloys, and producing catalytic plasmonic nanomaterials. Catalytic plasmonic nanomaterials made from the above method. An optical reactor device that utilizes catalytic nanomaterials for photocatalytic synthesis of methanol or ammonia. A method of photocatalytic synthesis of methanol and ammonia by using catalytic plasmonic nanomaterial to convert CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to methanol and N.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to ammonia using optical power. A hybrid plasma-plasmonic reactor for the utilization of CO.sub.2 and CH.sub.4 to produce methanol, ethylene, and acetic acid.

A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials are provided. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4, 4′-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO.sub.2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

A UV reactor comprises a main chamber extending in a generally longitudinal direction. The main chamber may comprise a UV-LED and a reflective wall located at opposing longitudinal ends of the main chamber. Fluid enters main chamber through a fluid inlet and exits main chamber through a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet may be located at the reflective wall end of the main chamber. The fluid outlet may be located at the UV-LED end of the main chamber.

Catalyst preparation systems and methods for preparing reduced chromium catalysts are disclosed, and can comprise irradiating a supported chromium catalyst containing hexavalent chromium with a light beam having a wavelength within the UV-visible light spectrum. Such reduced chromium catalysts have improved catalytic activity compared to chromium catalysts reduced by other means. The use of the reduced chromium catalyst in polymerization reactor systems and olefin polymerization processes also is disclosed, resulting in polymers with a higher melt index.

A method for operating a food processing device includes an irradiation step. The food processing device includes a reaction vessel and a catalyst reactor. The reaction vessel receives a mixture in a liquid form including a raw material for a food product and water. The catalyst reactor is disposed in the reaction vessel. The catalyst reactor includes a reaction tube and a light source disposed in the reaction tube. The reaction tube has an outer surface on which a photocatalyst is provided, and transmits light emitted from the light source. The method for operating the food processing device includes the irradiation step of performing irradiation with light from the light source while water is in contact with the outer surface of the reaction tube in a period after a reaction product is removed from the reaction vessel and before a raw material is subsequently introduced into the reaction vessel.

A gas processing device includes: a casing that includes a first end having a first opening region constituting an intake port, a second end having a second opening region constituting an exhaust port, and a main body portion on the inside of which is formed a hollow portion; a discharge lamp that has a tube body which is disposed in the hollow portion and which has a shape extending in the first direction, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the discharge lamp that emits ultraviolet rays from the tube body; a power supply unit arranged outside the casing; and a first power supply line and a second power supply line that are wired so as to pass through a side closer to the first end than the main body portion, and that electrically connect the power supply unit to the first electrode and the second electrode.