U.S. Department of Energy

Other

University of Pittsburgh

The United States of America As Represented by the United States

Thomas D Brown

Paul R Ohodnicki, Jr

Peng Kevin Chen

Michael Paul Buric

Kirk R Gerdes

Jacob Lorenzi Poole

John P Baltrus

Christopher Matranga

Charles E Taylor

Congjun Wang

Chenhu Sun

Hulbert Robertson Helm

Paul R Ohodnicki

Michael P Buric

Alfred J Unione

Barbara Kutchko

Gary F Walbert

Douglas P Reehl

A method of monitoring operation of a reactor system includes causing a chemical reaction to occur within an assembly of the reactor system, and measuring a chemical composition of one or more reactants of the chemical reaction with spatial resolution at a plurality of points along a path within the assembly using a sensor system structured to implement distributed sensing. The sensor system includes an optical fiber sensing member provided at least partially within the assembly, wherein the optical fiber sensing member comprises a functionalized optical fiber based sensor device structured to exhibit a change in one or more optical properties in response to changes in the chemical composition of the one or more reactants.

System and method for monitoring a reactor system using optical fiber based sensors

A method for evaluating the pH of an aqueous solution by utilizing the optical properties of a pH sensing material comprised of plurality of optically active nanoparticles dispersed in matrix material. The optically active nanoparticles have an electronic conductivity greater than about 10S/cm and generally have an average nanoparticle diameter of less that about 500 nanometers, and the matrix material is a material which experiences a change in surface charge density over a pH range from 2.0 to 12.0 of at least 1%. The method comprises contacting the pH sensing material and the aqueous solution, illuminating the pH sensing material, and monitoring an optical signal generated through comparison of incident light and exiting light to determine the optical transmission, absorption, reflection, and/or scattering of the pH sensitive material. The optical signal of the pH sensitive material varies in response to the pH of the aqueous solution.

Method of evaluating pH using a metallic nanoparticle incorporated nanocomposite-based optical pH sensor

The disclosure relates to a method for Hsensing in a gas stream utilizing a hydrogen sensing material. The hydrogen sensing material is comprised of Pd-based or Pt-based nanoparticles having an average nanoparticle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers dispersed in an inert matrix having a bandgap greater than or equal to 5 eV, and an oxygen ion conductivity less than approximately 10S/cm at a temperature of 700&#xb0; C. Exemplary inert matrix materials include SiO, AlO, and SiNas well as modifications to modify the effective refractive indices through combinations and/or doping of such materials. Additional exemplary matrix materials consist of zeolitic and zeolite-derivative structures which are microporous and/or nanoporous such as the alumino-silicates and the dealuminated zeolite NaA structures. Additional sensing layers may be comprised of (1) a single 'nanocomposite' layer comprised of Pd- or Pt-based particles dispersed within an inert matrix, (2) multi-layered sensing layers comprised of a nanocomposite layer with a filter overlayer, (3) core-shell layers comprised of matrix materials surrounding a core of Pd-based or Pt-based nanoparticles, and any combinations of the above.

Palladium and platinum-based nanoparticle functional sensor layers and integration with engineered filter layers for selective H2 sensing

The disclosure relates to a plasmon resonance-based method for Hsensing in a gas stream utilizing a hydrogen sensing material. The hydrogen sensing material is comprises Pd-based or Pt-based nanoparticles having an average nanoparticle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers dispersed in an inert matrix having a bandgap greater than or equal to 5 eV, and an oxygen ion conductivity less than approximately 10S/cm at a temperature of 700&#xb0; C. Exemplary inert matrix materials include SiO, AlO, and SiNas well as modifications to modify the effective refractive indices through combinations and/or doping of such materials. The hydrogen sensing material utilized in the method of this disclosure may be prepared using means known in the art for the production of nanoparticles dispersed within a supporting matrix including sol-gel based wet chemistry techniques, impregnation techniques, implantation techniques, sputtering techniques, and others.

Palladium and platinum-based nanoparticle functional sensor layers for selective H2 sensing

The disclosure relates to an optical method for temperature sensing utilizing a temperature sensing material. In an embodiment the gas stream, liquid, or solid has a temperature greater than about 500&#xb0; C. The temperature sensing material is comprised of metallic nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric matrix. The metallic nanoparticles have an electronic conductivity greater than approximately 10S/cm at the temperature of the temperature sensing material. The dielectric matrix has an electronic conductivity at least two orders of magnitude less than the dispersed metallic nanoparticles at the temperature of the temperature sensing material. In some embodiments, the chemical composition of a gas stream or liquid is simultaneously monitored by optical signal shifts through multiple or broadband wavelength interrogation approaches. In some embodiments, the dielectric matrix provides additional functionality due to a temperature dependent band-edge, an optimized chemical sensing response, or an optimized refractive index of the temperature sensing material for integration with optical waveguides.

Nanocomposite thin films for optical temperature sensing

The disclosure relates to a plasmon resonance-based method for gas sensing in a gas stream utilizing a gas sensing material. In an embodiment the gas stream has a temperature greater than about 500&#xb0; C. The gas sensing material is comprised of gold nanoparticles having an average nanoparticle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers dispersed in an inert matrix having a bandgap greater than or equal to 5 eV, and an oxygen ion conductivity less than approximately 10S/cm at a temperature of 700&#xb0; C. Exemplary inert matrix materials include SiO, AlO, and SiNas well as modifications to modify the effective refractive indices through combinations and/or doping of such materials. Changes in the chemical composition of the gas stream are detected by changes in the plasmon resonance peak. The method disclosed offers significant advantage over active and reducible matrix materials typically utilized, such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) or TiO.

Nanocomposite thin films for optical gas sensing

The disclosure relates to a plasmon resonance-based method for Hsensing in a gas stream at temperatures greater than about 500&#xb0; C. utilizing a hydrogen sensing material. The hydrogen sensing material is comprised of gold nanoparticles having an average nanoparticle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers dispersed in an inert matrix having a bandgap greater than or equal to 5 eV, and an oxygen ion conductivity less than approximately 10S/cm at a temperature of 700&#xb0; C. Exemplary inert matrix materials include SiO, AlO, and SiNas well as modifications to modify the effective refractive indices through combinations and/or doping of such materials. At high temperatures, blue shift of the plasmon resonance optical absorption peak indicates the presence of H. The method disclosed offers significant advantage over active and reducible matrix materials typically utilized, such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) or TiO.

Nanocomposite thin films for high temperature optical gas sensing of hydrogen

The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for forming gas hydrates from a two-phase mixture of water and a hydrate forming gas. The two-phase mixture is created in a mixing zone which may be wholly included within the body of a spray nozzle. The two-phase mixture is subsequently sprayed into a reaction zone, where the reaction zone is under pressure and temperature conditions suitable for formation of the gas hydrate. The reaction zone pressure is less than the mixing zone pressure so that expansion of the hydrate-forming gas in the mixture provides a degree of cooling by the Joule-Thompson effect and provides more intimate mixing between the water and the hydrate-forming gas. The result of the process is the formation of gas hydrates continuously and with a greatly reduced induction time. An apparatus for conduct of the method is further provided.

Rapid gas hydrate formation process

An isometric exercise apparatus includes a platform and a strap/cable/pulley system. A load cell or strain gauge type sensor is positioned beneath the platform and is attached to and stressed by the strap/cable/pulley system when a user performs an isometric exercise function. An LED readout module is electrically connected to the cell and is programmed to display the stress on the cell as pounds or kilograms of lifted weight.

Portable lightweight home and travel gym

A collection game apparatus includes a random selection assembly which includes a base portion, a distributor pipe assembly supported by the base portion, and a funnel-shaped perimeter wall supported by a top portion of the distributor pipe assembly. A plurality of objects are provided to be collected, and the objects are grouped into color coded sets. The objects to be collected are randomly distributed by the distributor pipe assembly of the random selection assembly. A plurality of containers are provided for storing and carrying objects that are collected. Preferably, the random selection assembly and the objects to be collected, which are balls, float in water. The base portion of the random selection assembly is inflatable. The distributor pipe assembly includes a pipe-support body supported by the base portion. The pipe-support body includes a riser portion supported by the base portion and a baffle plate supported by a top part of the riser portion. The baffle plate includes a plurality of pipe-receiving apertures. A plurality of pipes are supported by the pipe-support body, and each of the pipes includes a pipe inlet portion elevated above a pipe outlet portion. A ball placed at a pipe inlet portion will roll through a pipe and out the pipe outlet portion under the influence of gravity. Each pipe outlet portion is positioned with respect to the riser portion for discharge of an object from the pipe outlet portion transverse to the riser portion.

Collection game apparatus

A portable exercise device includes a base having a flat central section on which the user may either stand, sit or lie and a strap housing on each side of the central section. The base comprises two sections joined by mating extrusions such that the base may be disassembled to provide greater portability of the exercise device. One of the strap housings contains a supply/takeup reel onto which left and right straps are wound and from which they are unwound during a workout by the user. The right strap is routed underneath the base and around an idler pulley contained within the other housing. Each of the straps exits its respective housing and is connected to one end of an exercise bar. A rewind spring, a one-way clutch, and a band brake are coupled to the supply/takeup reel to adjust the force required of the user to pull the straps during a workout and to rewind the straps when the user releases the bar.

Friction exercise device having a single supply and take up reel

A coal-water mixture (CWM) burner includes a conically shaped rotating cup into which fuel comprised of coal particles suspended in a slurry is introduced via a first, elongated inner tube coupled to a narrow first end portion of the cup. A second, elongated outer tube is coaxially positioned about the first tube and delivers steam to the narrow first end of the cup. The fuel delivery end of the inner first tube is provided with a helical slot on its lateral surface for directing the CWM onto the inner surface of the rotating cup in the form of a uniform, thin sheet which, under the influence of the cup's centrifugal force, flows toward a second, open, expanded end portion of the rotating cup positioned immediately adjacent to a combustion chamber. The steam delivered to the rotating cup wets its inner surface and inhibits the coal within the CWM from adhering to the rotating cup. A primary air source directs a high velocity air flow coaxially about the expanded discharge end of the rotating cup for applying a shear force to the CWM in atomizing the fuel mixture for improved combustion. A secondary air source directs secondary air into the combustion chamber adjacent to the outlet of the rotating cup at a desired pitch angle relative to the fuel mixture/steam flow to promote recirculation of hot combustion gases within the ignition zone for increased flame stability.

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Finleyville, PA, United States of America

Thomas D Brown