A material of Formula (I) is provided
M.sub.yT.sub.xQ.sub.vW.sub.1-vO.sub.z-tJ.sub.t  (I)
where:
T represents one of tin, lead, antimony and germanium, T being present in the interstitial spaces or voids of the lattice,
M represents one or more species, each selected from the group consisting of (i) metals other than T, and (ii) polyatomic ionic species, said polyatomic species having an ionic radius of no more than 2 Å, M being present in the interstitial spaces or voids of the lattice,
W is tungsten,
O is oxygen,
Q represents one or more element having an oxidation state of at least +4, Q, if present, occupying a lattice point of W,
J represents one or more non-metallic element anion of chemical valence −1, J, if present, occupying a lattice point of O,
v is from 0 to 1.0, t is from 0 to 3.0, y is non-zero and up to and including 0.32, x is non-zero and up to and including 0.32, and z is from 2.5 to 4, provided that x+y≤0.33.

An electrochromic device comprising a substrate, a set of electrodes disposed on or within the substrate, and a layer comprising ε-WO.sub.3 disposed in electrical communication with the set of electrodes, wherein the layer of ε-WO.sub.3 exhibits polarization switching are described. Methods of making and using the electrochromic devices are also described. The electrochromic devices are used for detecting acetone in a fluid. The observed change in color of the ε-WO.sub.3 layer can be correlated with a subject's medical condition, such as diabetes.

An electrochromic device comprising a substrate, a set of electrodes disposed on or within the substrate, and a layer comprising ε-WO.sub.3 disposed in electrical communication with the set of electrodes, wherein the layer of ε-WO.sub.3 exhibits polarization switching are described. Methods of making and using the electrochromic devices are also described. The electrochromic devices are used for detecting acetone in a fluid. The observed change in color of the ε-WO.sub.3 layer can be correlated with a subject's medical condition, such as diabetes.

Conducting metal oxide and nitride nanoparticles that can be used in fuel cell applications. The metal oxide nanoparticles are comprised of for example, titanium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten and combinations thereof. The metal nitride nanoparticles are comprised of, for example, titanium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, zirconium, and combinations thereof. The nanoparticles can be sintered to provide conducting porous agglomerates of the nanoparticles which can be used as a catalyst support in fuel cell applications. Further, platinum nanoparticles, for example, can be deposited on the agglomerates to provide a material that can be used as both an anode and a cathode catalyst support in a fuel cell.

Conducting metal oxide and nitride nanoparticles that can be used in fuel cell applications. The metal oxide nanoparticles are comprised of for example, titanium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten and combinations thereof. The metal nitride nanoparticles are comprised of, for example, titanium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, zirconium, and combinations thereof. The nanoparticles can be sintered to provide conducting porous agglomerates of the nanoparticles which can be used as a catalyst support in fuel cell applications. Further, platinum nanoparticles, for example, can be deposited on the agglomerates to provide a material that can be used as both an anode and a cathode catalyst support in a fuel cell.

Provided is a method for producing a compound represented by general formula (I) by oxidative cleavage of a compound of formula (II), which is a bicyclic tetrasubstituted olefin compound, using hydrogen peroxide. The method for producing a compound represented by general formula (I) includes a step of subjecting a compound represented by general formula (II) to oxidative cleavage using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an acid catalyst or in the presence of a tungstic acid compound to obtain the compound represented by general formula (I):

##STR00001##

[In the formulae, formula -A.sup.1- (where the front bond denotes a bond that bonds with a carbon atom C.sup.1 while the back bond denotes a bond that bonds with a carbon atom C.sup.2) is an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms that may have been substituted and that may further include an ether bond, an ester bond, a secondary amino group, a thioether group, or these, and formula -A.sup.2- (where the front bond denotes a bond that bonds with a carbon atom C.sup.1 while the back bond denotes a bond that bonds with a carbon atom C.sup.2) is an alkylene group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms that may have been substituted and that may further include an ether bond, an ester bond, a secondary amino group, a thioether group, or these.]

Provided is a method for producing a compound represented by general formula (I) by oxidative cleavage of a compound of formula (II), which is a bicyclic tetrasubstituted olefin compound, using hydrogen peroxide. The method for producing a compound represented by general formula (I) includes a step of subjecting a compound represented by general formula (II) to oxidative cleavage using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an acid catalyst or in the presence of a tungstic acid compound to obtain the compound represented by general formula (I):

##STR00001##

[In the formulae, formula -A.sup.1- (where the front bond denotes a bond that bonds with a carbon atom C.sup.1 while the back bond denotes a bond that bonds with a carbon atom C.sup.2) is an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms that may have been substituted and that may further include an ether bond, an ester bond, a secondary amino group, a thioether group, or these, and formula -A.sup.2- (where the front bond denotes a bond that bonds with a carbon atom C.sup.1 while the back bond denotes a bond that bonds with a carbon atom C.sup.2) is an alkylene group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms that may have been substituted and that may further include an ether bond, an ester bond, a secondary amino group, a thioether group, or these.]

A nanocomposite blend membrane and fabrication methods for making the nanocomposite membrane are disclosed. The nanocomposite blend membrane can be utilized in fuel cells. The nanocomposite blend membrane may include a blend polymer with a first sulfonated polymer and a second sulfonated polymer, as well as sulfonated tungsten trioxide (WO.sub.3) nanoparticles.

A nanocomposite blend membrane and fabrication methods for making the nanocomposite membrane are disclosed. The nanocomposite blend membrane can be utilized in fuel cells. The nanocomposite blend membrane may include a blend polymer with a first sulfonated polymer and a second sulfonated polymer, as well as sulfonated tungsten trioxide (WO.sub.3) nanoparticles.

The present invention relates to a dispersion liquid of titanium oxide-tungsten oxide composite photocatalytic fine particles that is characterized by having two types of photocatalytic fine particles dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium, the fine particles including i) fine particles of titanium oxide that contain a peroxotitanium component and a copper component and ii) fine particles of tungsten oxide. The present invention can provide a dispersion liquid and the like that can be used to conveniently manufacture a photocatalytic thin film that demonstrates photocatalytic activity even within visible light (400-800 nm) only, exhibits high antibacterial performance, is highly durable, and wherein the state of copper coordination is stable against exposure to heat and ultraviolet rays and is not easily modified. The dispersion liquid is a dispersion liquid of titanium oxide-tungsten oxide composite photocatalytic fine particles that contains copper-containing titanium oxide fine particles.