A metal-assisted microwave treatment that converting raw coal powders into nano-graphite is presented. Specifically, four major factors are identified for successful conversion: (1) high temperature; (2) reducing environment; (3) catalyst; and (4) microwave radiation. Specifically, it is determined that the combination of the carbon sources (raw coal powders), the high temperature (microwave induced electric sparking), the reducing environment (the Ar/H.sub.2 mixture), the catalyst (Cu foil), with the microwave radiations can generate nano-graphite. This novel approach utilizes the sparking induced by the microwave radiation on the fork-shape metal foils to generate high temperature (>1000° C.) within few seconds. The small thermal load makes this method cost effective and has potential for higher temperature using metals with higher melting temperature. Refinement of this technique is possible to yield a higher quality and quantity of nano-graphite materials for a wider range of applications.

A metal-assisted microwave treatment that converting raw coal powders into nano-graphite is presented. Specifically, four major factors are identified for successful conversion: (1) high temperature; (2) reducing environment; (3) catalyst; and (4) microwave radiation. Specifically, it is determined that the combination of the carbon sources (raw coal powders), the high temperature (microwave induced electric sparking), the reducing environment (the Ar/H.sub.2 mixture), the catalyst (Cu foil), with the microwave radiations can generate nano-graphite. This novel approach utilizes the sparking induced by the microwave radiation on the fork-shape metal foils to generate high temperature (>1000° C.) within few seconds. The small thermal load makes this method cost effective and has potential for higher temperature using metals with higher melting temperature. Refinement of this technique is possible to yield a higher quality and quantity of nano-graphite materials for a wider range of applications.

A gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane for use with gas sensors consists of a film forming polymer which incorporates nanoparticles selected to improve one or more of the following: permeability to gases, to selectively regulate permeability of selected gases through the membrane, to inhibit microbial growth on the membrane. A capsule shaped container consists of wall material biocompatible with a mammal GI tract and adapted to protect the electronic and sensor devices in the capsule, which contains gas composition sensors, pressure and temperature sensors, a microcontroller, a power source and a wireless transmission device. The microprocessor receives data signals from the sensors and converts the signals into gas composition and concentration data and temperature and pressure data for transmission to an external computing device. The capsule wall incorporates gas permeable nano-composite membranes with embedded catalytic and nano void producing nanoparticles, enhancing the operation, selectivity and sensitivity of the gas sensors.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a carbon-based particle/copper composite material in which carbon-based particles such as graphite and copper are mixed, the method including mixing a solution of a polymer organic compound having a main chain of carbon and a copper precursor in a solvent, with a dispersion solution of carbon-based particles in a first dispersion medium to produce a mixture, adding a first reducing agent to the mixture to form composite particles in which copper (I) oxide particles are attached to the surface of the carbon-based particles, and sintering the composite particles under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. According to the preparing method, a composition material is obtained, in which carbon-based particles and copper are well mixed.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a carbon-based particle/copper composite material in which carbon-based particles such as graphite and copper are mixed, the method including mixing a solution of a polymer organic compound having a main chain of carbon and a copper precursor in a solvent, with a dispersion solution of carbon-based particles in a first dispersion medium to produce a mixture, adding a first reducing agent to the mixture to form composite particles in which copper (I) oxide particles are attached to the surface of the carbon-based particles, and sintering the composite particles under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. According to the preparing method, a composition material is obtained, in which carbon-based particles and copper are well mixed.

A method for recovering a resource from a CIGS thin-film solar cell to be recycled includes a) providing the CIGS thin-film solar cell, and b) subjecting the CIGS thin-film solar cell to a cooling treatment at a predetermined temperature, such that a light absorbing unit of the CIGS thin-film solar cell can be recovered due to thermal strain difference of materials of the CIGS thin-film solar cell.

A method for recovering a resource from a CIGS thin-film solar cell to be recycled includes a) providing the CIGS thin-film solar cell, and b) subjecting the CIGS thin-film solar cell to a cooling treatment at a predetermined temperature, such that a light absorbing unit of the CIGS thin-film solar cell can be recovered due to thermal strain difference of materials of the CIGS thin-film solar cell.

Provided are: a sintering binder including nanoparticles, a method for producing the sintering binder, and a method for bonding using the sintering binder. The sintering binder mainly includes cuprous oxide nanoparticles, combines particle stability with bondability, and less undergoes ion migration. A composite particle including metallic copper with the remainder being cuprous oxide and inevitable impurities is used for bonding typically of metals. The composite particle structurally includes metallic copper dispersed inside the particle and has an average particle size of 1000 nm or less.

Provided are: a sintering binder including nanoparticles, a method for producing the sintering binder, and a method for bonding using the sintering binder. The sintering binder mainly includes cuprous oxide nanoparticles, combines particle stability with bondability, and less undergoes ion migration. A composite particle including metallic copper with the remainder being cuprous oxide and inevitable impurities is used for bonding typically of metals. The composite particle structurally includes metallic copper dispersed inside the particle and has an average particle size of 1000 nm or less.

Cathode material from exhausted lithium ion batteries are dissolved in a solution for extracting the useful elements Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Al (Aluminum) and Mn (manganese) to produce active cathode materials for new batteries. The solution includes compounds of desirable materials such as cobalt, nickel, aluminum and manganese dissolved as compounds from the exhausted cathode material of spent cells. Depending on a desired proportion, or ratio, of the desired materials, raw materials are added to the solution to achieve the desired ratio of the commingled compounds for the recycled cathode material for new cells. The desired materials precipitate out of solution without extensive heating or separation of the desired materials into individual compounds or elements. The resulting active cathode material has the predetermined ratio for use in new cells, and avoids high heat typically required to separate the useful elements because the desired materials remain commingled in solution.