A system for controlling the ion content of a colloidal system. A porous deionizer is used to selectively remove and isolate ions from a colloidal system. The colloidal particles within the system have their attraction/repulsion tuned by control of the ion content to alter the interaction between the colloidal particles.

Disclosed are a method of manufacturing graphene and an apparatus therefor. The method of manufacturing graphene and the apparatus therefor according to the present disclosure allow production of high-quality graphene in a simple manner in a short time without addition of a separate additive.

A suspension flow-through separation apparatus includes a flow-through separator including a flow-through separation unit. The flow-through separation unit includes a cavity structure that functions as a channel through which a suspension flows, a side surface portion which extends in an x-direction of the cavity structure, a supply port which is provided at one side surface portion, an outlet port which is provided at the other side surface portion, two planar portions that extend in a y-direction in the cavity structure and face to each other, and an ultrasonic oscillator that is provided at least one of two planar portions, and emits ultrasonic waves to the channel. The suspended matter in the suspension is captured by the ultrasonic waves and separated in a z-direction that is a vertical direction while the suspension flows through the channel of the flow-through separator.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Supported chromium catalysts with an average valence less than +6 and having a hydrocarbon-containing or halogenated hydrocarbon-containing ligand attached to at least one bonding site on the chromium are disclosed, as well as ethylene-based polymers with terminal alkane, aromatic, or halogenated hydrocarbon chain ends. Another ethylene polymer characterized by at least 2 wt. % of the polymer having a molecular weight greater than 1,000,000 g/mol and at least 1.5 wt. % of the polymer having a molecular weight less than 1000 g/mol is provided, as well as an ethylene homopolymer with at least 3.5 methyl short chain branches and less than 0.6 butyl short chain branches per 1000 total carbon atoms.

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 preparation method of a polyurethane resin including the following steps is provided. A liquid polyamine compound is placed in a continuous reaction system, and the liquid polyamine compound is circulated in the continuous reaction system. A solid bis(cyclic carbonate) and a solid catalyst are placed in the continuous reaction system to mix the solid bis(cyclic carbonate), solid catalyst, and liquid polyamine compound to form a heterogeneous mixture. The heterogeneous mixture is heated in the continuous reaction system in a microwave manner, such that the heterogeneous mixture reacts to form a polyurethane resin.

A TiO.sub.2-graphene-silver hybrid nanocomposite and a method of preparing the TiO.sub.2-graphene-silver hybrid nanocomposite is disclosed. The TiO.sub.2-graphene-silver hybrid nanocomposite at an average particle size ranging from 12-15 nanometers and having a surface area of 140.5 m.sup.2/g includes titanium oxide, graphene oxide and silver, the silver ranging from about 2 weight % to 10 weight %. The method of preparation includes introducing sol gel to a microwave irradiation to prepare an irradiated sample of TiO.sub.2-graphene oxide sample, wherein the sol gel includes TiO.sub.2 containing gel along with graphene containing sol, followed by adding AgNO.sub.3 solution to the TiO.sub.2-graphene oxide sample for preparing a TiO.sub.2-graphene-silver hybrid suspension. The TiO.sub.2-graphene-silver hybrid suspension undergoes microwave irradiation to prepare dried TiO.sub.2-graphene-silver hybrid composite.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

A venting cap is disclosed for pressure vessels for microwave-assisted chemistry. The venting cap includes a flexible circular cover for closing the mouth of a reaction vessel, a flexible annular wall depending from the circular cover, and a flexible annular ring at the bottom of the annular wall and parallel to the circular cover for positioning the cap on a reaction vessel. At least one indentation in the circular cover minimizes distortion when any contents of a reaction vessel exert pressure against the cap, and at least one opening in the annular wall provides a ventilation path through the cap when gas pressure in a reaction vessel flexes the cap sufficiently to partially disengage at least a portion of the cap from the mouth of the reaction vessel.