The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Cn Innovations Limited

Icreate Limited

Nano and Advanced Materials Institute Limited

Ka Ming Ng

Ka Yip Fung

Yong Yu

Qian Luo

Lingda Xu

Benzhong Tang

Wing Yip Lam

Yuning Hong

Sijie Chen

Jianzhao Liu

Tsz Kin Kwok

Shihe Yang

Wei Qin

Jianle Zhuang

Nai Wen Tseng

Huan Wang

Xijun Hu

Jiyun Feng

Jun Lu

Sze Kee Tam

Jingnan Zhang

Dongning Yang

Benny Harjo

Siu Yeung Chan

Zhengke Wang

A system and method for separating battery components provides for the separation of batteries into their individual layers of anodes, cathodes, first polymer separator layers, and second polymer separator layers. A battery casing of a battery is cut to uncover a battery cell core, which is then washed to remove an electrolyte therefrom. An outer wrapping layer of the washed battery cell core is cut to form an open loose end, and the open loose end is engaged by first and second rollers to unroll a laminate therefrom. The laminate includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, a first polymer separator layer, and a second polymer separator layer. The laminate is then separated into the cathode layer, the anode layer, the first polymer separator layer, and the second polymer separator layer with the first roller, the second roller, a third roller, and a fourth roller. Each layer is then collected.

System and method for separating battery components

Monodispersed metal nanoparticles are prepared by preparing a homogeneous metal complex solution by mixing metal salt with a complexing agent in solvent. A precipitating agent is added into the homogeneous metal complex solution to form a slurry. A homogeneous mixture of reducing agent and solvent is added to perform reducing reaction on the slurry to form metal nanoparticles in a controlled environment under gas purge. A capping agent is added to modify surface properties of metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles are washed and the metal nanoparticles are recovered by phase extraction or centrifugation. The technique can be used to prepare conductive pastes with bimodal particle size distribution.

Conductive pastes using bimodal particle size distribution

The system for separating battery cell cores includes a cell core holder for receiving and holding a battery cell core. A cutter cuts an outer wrapping layer of the battery cell core to form an open loose end. A first roller rotates the battery cell core and a sheet opener engages the open loose end to unroll a laminate, which includes a cathode layer, an anode layer, and a polymer separator layer sandwiched therebetween. A pair of second rollers receive, grip and selectively drive movement of the laminate. A cathode breaker applies breaking force to the cathode layer to produce broken cathode layer pieces, which are then collected. An anode breaker then grasps and vibrates the laminate to produce broken anode layer pieces, which are also collected. Finally, a polymer separator layer cutter selectively cuts the polymer separator layer to produce cut polymer separator layer pieces, which are collected.

System and method for separating battery cell cores

A method and apparatus for safely dissembling lithium ion batteries and separating components thereof is provided. The apparatus includes a container having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a cutter system. A load-in fixture is located at a central portion of the cutter system between the first cutter and the second cutter. After the lithium ion battery is securely fastened and each end of the lithium ion battery is cut, a pushing rod/bar extending transversely through a central axis of the cutting system is pushed through the core of the lithium ion battery. The separated components of the lithium ion battery are deposited in a cell components collection system in a bottom portion of the container. The cell cores are collected in a cell cores collection box and the metal casing and casing ends are collected in a metal casing and casing ends collection box.

Method and apparatus for disassembling and separating components of batteries

Embodiments relate to methods of metal oxide nanocrystals preparation. In embodiments, a metal-organic precursor may be economically synthesized by reacting a metal with an organic acid. The organic acid may include an aliphatic chain longer than three carbon atoms. The metal may be In, Sn, Al, Ga, Zn, Cd, Sb, Bi, Ge, Mn, Ti, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, Fe, Y, Mg, Co, as well as mixtures thereof. Further processing of the metal-organic precursor (e.g. by pyrolysis, hydrolysis, or alcoholysis) produces metal oxide nanocrystals of desired characteristics. An metal-organic precursor of indium tin oxide (ITO) may be synthesized by reacting indium metal and tin metal with an organic acid having an aliphatic chain longer than three carbon atoms (e.g. stearic acid) at a temperature above 200&#xb0; C. Further processing of the resulting metal-organic precursor yields ITO nanocrystals of regular shape, uniform size, and average diameter ranging of between about 1-500 nm.

Methods of metal oxide nanocrystals preparation

Provided herein are fluorescent bioprobes comprising fluorogens that exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) labeled on biomolecules. The present subject matter relates to a fluorescent bioprobe comprising one or more fluorogen labeled on chitosan. The present subject matter is also directed to methods of preparing the fluorescent bioprobes, methods of labeling and detecting DNA and/or proteins with the fluorescent bioprobe, and methods of cell imaging including live cell tracking.

Aggregation induced emission of fluorescent bioprobes and methods of using the same

Fluorescent bioprobes comprising luminogen formed nanoparticles comprising luminogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, which can be used for long-term cell tracking. The luminogens are nonemissive in organic solution but become highly emissive when aggregated in aqueous solution. The fluorescent molecules can readily pass through cell membranes, stain only the cell cytoplasm, and form highly emissive nanoaggregates in aqueous media without any obvious cytoxicity in the living cells. Furthermore, the molecules can be retained inside the cells without noticeable leakage to the outside. Therefore, these AIE-based compounds can be used as selective and cell-compatible fluroescent bioprobes for long-term live cell tracking and imaging.

Aggregation induced emission active cytophilic fluorescent bioprobes for long-term cell tracking

The present subject matter relates to methods for the synthesis of [6,6]-phenyl-C-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and fullerene derivatives in a yield of at least 40%.

Method for synthesis of [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and fullerene derivatives

Aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes were grown on both sides of a metallic or metal-coated substrate by water vapor-assisted chemical vapor deposition. Aligned carbon nanotube films of thickness ranging from 1 &#x3bc;m to over 100 &#x3bc;m were obtained. By manipulating various operating factors&#x2014;position of substrate in the reactor, amount of water vapor, amount of catalyst, reactor temperature, and growth time, the morphology and thickness of these carbon nanotube films could be adjusted.

Synthesis of aligned carbon nanotubes on double-sided metallic substrate by chemical vapor depositon

The present disclosure includes a method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of &#x3b3;-FeOnanoparticles. The method includes grinding an iron (II) hydrated salt, an iron (III) hydrated salt, an inorganic salt, and alkali hydroxide in a grinding or milling machine. The inorganic salt may be a salt matrix that prevents growth and aggregation of the synthesized nanoparticles. The aqueous dispersion of &#x3b3;-FeOnanoparticles may optionally be hydrothermally treated to become an aqueous dispersion of &#x3b1;-FeOnanoparticles. Also disclosed is a method for preparing an mixture of &#x3b1;-FeOnanoparticles and &#x3b3;-FeOnanoparticles, in which at least an iron (III) hydrated salt, an inorganic salt, and alkali hydroxide are ground in a grinding or milling machine. Uses for the nanoparticles include: a magnetic resonance image contrast agent, a color print ink, an artificial tanning pigment, a photocatalyst for degradation of organic dye, a red pigment, an adsorbent for waste water treatment, a catalyst support, and a catalyst.

Solid-state synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles

The present invention is a method for simultaneously separating two highly pure fullerenes from a mixture of fullerenes via crystallization, by (i) adjusting the amount of solvent in the mixture fed to a first crystallizer to obtain a phase equilibrium behavior so a first fullerene component of the two fullerenes, in the form of pure crystal, solid solution crystal, or solvate crystal is obtained; (ii) adjusting the amount of solvent in another mixture fed to a second crystallizer, operating at a temperature different from the first crystallizer, to obtain a phase equilibrium behavior so a second fullerene component of the two fullerenes, in the form of pure crystal, solid solution crystal, or solvate crystal is obtained; and additionally (iii) purifying the solid solution or the solvate into highly pure fullerene, when the solid product from the crystallizers is in the form of solid solution or solvate.

[object Object]

This invention relates to a novel soy isoflavone product with high purities and strong biological activities and the method of producing the same from natural soybeans, soybean materials (i.e. tofu dregs, soy molasses) and other plant sources. The method includes three steps consisting of extraction with an organic solvent, hydrolysis using an acid and crystallization using an antisolvent. The procedure is very simple and thus can be easily adapted for large-scale manufacturing. Moreover, the procedure is able to produce a high yield of total isoflavones at a lower cost. HPLC analysis and E-Screen bioassay reveal that the obtained product not only contains a high content of isoflavone aglycones by weight of dry matter but also exhibits strong estrogenic activity toward human cells. Therefore, the product should be efficacious for relieving menopausal symptoms and other estrogen-deficient diseases and can be used in health care supplements or as additives for foods, beverages or cosmetics.

Growing community of inventors

Hong Kong, China

Ka Ming Ng