A composite containing phosphorus, lithium, iron, sulfur, and carbon as constituent elements wherein lithium sulfide (Li.sub.2S) is present in an amount of 90 mol % or more, and wherein the crystallite size calculated from the half-width of a diffraction peak based on the (111) plane of Li.sub.2S as determined by X-ray powder diffraction measurement is 80 nm or less. The composite exhibits a high capacity (in particular, a high discharge capacity) useful as an electrode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery (in particular, a cathode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery), without the need for stepwise pre-cycling treatment.

A composite containing phosphorus, lithium, iron, sulfur, and carbon as constituent elements wherein lithium sulfide (Li.sub.2S) is present in an amount of 90 mol % or more, and wherein the crystallite size calculated from the half-width of a diffraction peak based on the (111) plane of Li.sub.2S as determined by X-ray powder diffraction measurement is 80 nm or less. The composite exhibits a high capacity (in particular, a high discharge capacity) useful as an electrode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery (in particular, a cathode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery), without the need for stepwise pre-cycling treatment.

Magnetosomes for use in a sequential laser radiation medical treatment, wherein the magnetosomes are administered to a body part of an individual. In a first step, the magnetosomes are irradiated by a laser radiation, and in a second step, the magnetosomes are irradiated by a laser radiation of lower power than in the first step or no laser irradiation of the magnetosomes is performed. The sequence of the first step and second step is repeated at least once.

Methods of recovering coal combustion products (CCPs) and/or dry bottom furnace slag (DBFS) from coal combustion byproducts are disclosed. The methods include compiling coal combustion byproducts (e.g., from combustion of lignite coal and/or bituminous coal), grinding the coal combustion byproducts to form ground coal combustion byproducts with a maximum particle size of 40 microns, and separating CCPs from the ground coal combustion byproducts using an electrostatic precipitator. The following CCPs can be separated from the coal combustion byproducts using the presently disclosed methods: fly ash, bottom ash (e.g., containing pyrites), scrubber materials (e.g., calcium sulfate and calcium sulfite), and raw coal.

Methods of recovering coal combustion products (CCPs) and/or dry bottom furnace slag (DBFS) from coal combustion byproducts are disclosed. The methods include compiling coal combustion byproducts (e.g., from combustion of lignite coal and/or bituminous coal), grinding the coal combustion byproducts to form ground coal combustion byproducts with a maximum particle size of 40 microns, and separating CCPs from the ground coal combustion byproducts using an electrostatic precipitator. The following CCPs can be separated from the coal combustion byproducts using the presently disclosed methods: fly ash, bottom ash (e.g., containing pyrites), scrubber materials (e.g., calcium sulfate and calcium sulfite), and raw coal.

Methods for the scalable and systematic synthesis of semiconducting Chevrel phase compounds via self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) are provided. The provided methods utilize elemental precursors not utilized by typical synthesis methods. The precursors may include molybdenum (Mo), molybdenum disulfide (MoS.sub.2), and a ternary cation. In various aspects, the ternary cation may be copper (Cu), iron (Fe), or nickel (Ni). The utilization of the provided precursors and SHS decreases the time it takes to synthesize Chevrel phase compounds as compared to typical heat treatment methods.

Methods for the scalable and systematic synthesis of semiconducting Chevrel phase compounds via self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) are provided. The provided methods utilize elemental precursors not utilized by typical synthesis methods. The precursors may include molybdenum (Mo), molybdenum disulfide (MoS.sub.2), and a ternary cation. In various aspects, the ternary cation may be copper (Cu), iron (Fe), or nickel (Ni). The utilization of the provided precursors and SHS decreases the time it takes to synthesize Chevrel phase compounds as compared to typical heat treatment methods.

Systems and methods of synthesizing nanoparticles on substrates using rapid, high temperature thermal shock. A method involves depositing micro-sized particles or salt precursors on a substrate, and applying a rapid, high temperature thermal pulse or shock to the micro-sized particles or the salt precursors and the substrate to cause the micro-sized particles or the salt precursors to become nanoparticles on the substrate. A system may include a rotatable member that receives a roll of a substrate sheet having micro-sized particles or salt precursors; a motor that rotates the rotatable member so as to unroll consecutive portions of the substrate sheet from the roll; and a thermal energy source that applies a short, high temperature thermal shock to consecutive portions of the substrate sheet that are unrolled from the roll by rotating the first rotatable member. Some systems and methods produce nanoparticles on existing substrate. The nanoparticles may be metallic, ceramic, inorganic, semiconductor, or compound nanoparticles. The substrate may be a carbon-based substrate, a conducting substrate, or a non-conducting substrate. The high temperature thermal shock process may be enabled by electrical Joule heating, microwave heating, thermal radiative heating, plasma heating, or laser heating.

Systems and methods of synthesizing nanoparticles on substrates using rapid, high temperature thermal shock. A method involves depositing micro-sized particles or salt precursors on a substrate, and applying a rapid, high temperature thermal pulse or shock to the micro-sized particles or the salt precursors and the substrate to cause the micro-sized particles or the salt precursors to become nanoparticles on the substrate. A system may include a rotatable member that receives a roll of a substrate sheet having micro-sized particles or salt precursors; a motor that rotates the rotatable member so as to unroll consecutive portions of the substrate sheet from the roll; and a thermal energy source that applies a short, high temperature thermal shock to consecutive portions of the substrate sheet that are unrolled from the roll by rotating the first rotatable member. Some systems and methods produce nanoparticles on existing substrate. The nanoparticles may be metallic, ceramic, inorganic, semiconductor, or compound nanoparticles. The substrate may be a carbon-based substrate, a conducting substrate, or a non-conducting substrate. The high temperature thermal shock process may be enabled by electrical Joule heating, microwave heating, thermal radiative heating, plasma heating, or laser heating.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel sulfur-based positive electrode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery which is excellent in cyclability and can largely improve a charging and discharging capacity, a positive electrode comprising the positive electrode active material and a lithium-ion secondary battery made using the positive electrode. The sulfur-based positive electrode active material is obtainable by subjecting a starting material comprising a polymer, sulfur and an organometallic compound dispersed in a form of fine particles to heat-treatment under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, wherein the particles of metallic sulfide resulting from sulfurization of the organometallic compound are dispersed in the heat-treated material, and particle size of the metallic sulfide particles is not less than 10 nm and less than 100 nm.