The instant disclosure sets forth multiphase lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having secondary phase inclusions, wherein these secondary phase inclusions are material(s) which is/are not a cubic phase lithium-stuffed garnet but which is/are entrapped or enclosed within a lithium-stuffed garnet. When the secondary phase inclusions described herein are included in a lithium-stuffed garnet at 30-0.1 volume %, the inclusions stabilize the multiphase matrix and allow for improved sintering of the lithium-stuffed garnet. The electrolytes described herein, which include lithium-stuffed garnet with secondary phase inclusions, have an improved sinterability and density compared to phase pure cubic lithium-stuffed garnet having the formula Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12.

A microsphere of oxide has an opening on its surface connected to a hollow core inside, forming a cavity. The oxide the microsphere is made of is selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, zirconia, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide and titania. The microsphere of oxide shows better mass and heat transfer characteristics, and has strength significantly higher than that of existing products with similar structures. A FT synthesis catalyst has the microsphere of oxide as a support and an active metal component disposed on the support. The active metal component is one or more selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, and Ru.

The instant disclosure sets forth multiphase lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having secondary phase inclusions, where-in these secondary phase inclusions are material(s) which is/are not a cubic phase lithium-stuffed garnet but which is/are entrapped or enclosed within a lithium-stuffed garnet. When the secondary phase inclusions described herein are included in a lithium-stuffed garnet at 30-0.1 volume %, the inclusions stabilize the multiphase matrix and allow for improved sintering of the lithium-stuffed garnet. The electrolytes described herein, which include lithium-stuffed garnet with secondary phase inclusions, have an improved sinterability and density compared to phase pure cubic lithium-stuffed garnet having the formula Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12.

Disclosed are an alumina-based heterojunction material with abundant oxygen vacancies and a preparation method thereof. The heterojunction material is composed of alumina with abundant oxygen vacancies and bismuth-rich bismuth oxychloride. The method includes mixing aluminum nitrate nonahydrate, bismuth nitrate pentahydrate, an ammonium salt and urea, each in certain amount, under stirring to obtain a mixture B, placing the mixture B in a muffle furnace, heating the mixture B and continuing the stirring to gradually melt the mixture B to form an ionic liquid B; and subjecting the ionic liquid B to a spontaneous combustion reaction in the muffle furnace to obtain a product B, and cooling the product B to room temperature to obtain the alumina-based heterojunction material with abundant oxygen vacancies.

Disclosed are an alumina-based heterojunction material with abundant oxygen vacancies and a preparation method thereof. The heterojunction material is composed of alumina with abundant oxygen vacancies and bismuth-rich bismuth oxychloride. The method includes mixing aluminum nitrate nonahydrate, bismuth nitrate pentahydrate, an ammonium salt and urea, each in certain amount, under stirring to obtain a mixture B, placing the mixture B in a muffle furnace, heating the mixture B and continuing the stirring to gradually melt the mixture B to form an ionic liquid B; and subjecting the ionic liquid B to a spontaneous combustion reaction in the muffle furnace to obtain a product B, and cooling the product B to room temperature to obtain the alumina-based heterojunction material with abundant oxygen vacancies.

The instant disclosure sets forth multiphase lithium-stuffed garnet electrolytes having secondary phase inclusions, wherein these secondary phase inclusions are material(s) which is/are not a cubic phase lithium-stuffed garnet but which is/are entrapped or enclosed within a lithium-stuffed garnet. When the secondary phase inclusions described herein are included in a lithium-stuffed garnet at 30-0.1 volume %, the inclusions stabilize the multiphase matrix and allow for improved sintering of the lithium-stuffed garnet. The electrolytes described herein, which include lithium-stuffed garnet with secondary phase inclusions, have an improved sinterability and density compared to phase pure cubic lithium-stuffed garnet having the formula Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.12.

Combustion apparatuses (e.g., burners) and methods, such as those configured to encourage mixing of fluid, flame stability, and synthesis of materials (e.g., nano-particles), among other things.

A process for producing a metal oxide powder proceeds by spray pyrolysis, in which a mixture comprising ammonia and an aerosol which is obtained by atomizing a solution containing a metal compound by means of an atomization gas is introduced into a high-temperature zone of a reaction space and reacted in an oxygen-containing atmosphere therein and the solids are subsequently separated off.

Provided is an alumina-based composite oxide having a large initial specific surface area and a small initial mean pore size, with excellent heat resistance of the specific surface area and pore volume; and a production method therefor. Specifically, provided is an alumina-based composite oxide wherein the initial crystallite diameter is 10 nm or less and the initial specific surface area is 80 m.sup.2/ml or more; after calcination at 1200° C. for 3 hours in air, the specific surface area is 10 m.sup.2/ml or more; the initial mean pore size is 10 nm or more and 50 nm or less; and after calcination at 1200° C. for 3 hours in air, the pore volume retention rate is 10% or more, which is determined by (P.sub.1/P.sub.0)×100 wherein P.sub.0 represents an initial pore volume (ml/g), and P.sub.1 represents a pore volume (ml/g) after calcination at 1200° C. for 3 hours in air.

The present invention provides a flow-gate design that utilizes chemo-responsive colloidal particles to control the flow rate therethrough. The flow-gate operates by changing the compactness of the colloidal particles, which changes in response to changes in pH or ionic strength in the flow medium or the surrounding environment. The design also allows the flow-gate as a size-discriminating filter. The ability to control the flow rate in response to changes in the flow medium or the environment makes the presently provided flow-gate useful for a variety of applications, including those that require automatic control of the flow rate, and automatic irrigation.