Structures of a particle containing a core and at least one shell, a metal oxide material of which is necessarily doped to ensure protection of a material of the core from photodegradation. The core can include any of a thermochromic material, a phase-change material, and a judiciously defined auxiliary material that in turn contains organic and/or polymeric material. Derivative products utilizing a plurality of such particles. Methodologies for producing such particles and derivative products.

A light reactor for photochemical material production and/or treatment including a receiving space for receiving materials to be irradiated and/or receiving a reaction vessel containing such materials, a plurality of light sources, and a plurality of optical elements, which are distributed in an annular region in a plurality of rows around the receiving space. The optical elements are designed to form light bundles having main emission axes which, from row to row, are tilted differently with respect to a longitudinal axis of the annular region and together form a radiation space constricted between two cone tips, the center of which radiation space is in the central region of the receiving space.

Provided are compositions for and methods of producing hydrogen. For example, the compositions comprise nanocrystals, a catalyst, a source of electrons, and an aqueous medium. The nanocrystals, catalyst, aqueous medium, and, optionally, the source of electrons are present as a mixture. The methods produce hydrogen by exposing the compositions to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., solar flux).

[Problem] To improve productivity of guest-free silicon clathrates [Solution] A method of producing a guest-free silicon clathrate includes a synthesizing step of performing a heat treatment on a mixture containing Si as a material serving as a host and a material serving as a guest to synthesize a silicon clathrate compound; and a guest removing step of irradiating the silicon clathrate compound contained in a container with an electromagnetic wave to remove the guest while suctioning gas inside the container.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for physically working and/or heating media, in particular liquids. The high expenditure of energy of the known methods can be avoided, with reduced environmental impact, by the hydrodynamically worked medium being exposed to polar and/or ionic electrochemical potentials and electrochemical signals RC AC.

The present invention relates to photocatalytic materials for use in the conversion of CO.sub.2 to non-CO.sub.2 carbon containing products. The photocatalytic materials comprise a metal nanofiber and a carbon-based nanostructure bound to the surface of the metal nanofiber. Methods for preparing such materials are described, as well as their use in the conversion of CO.sub.2 to non-CO.sub.2 carbon containing products. For example, the photocatalytic materials of the invention may be used to convert CO.sub.2 to methanol and/or ethanol with high conversion rates.

A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4,4-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO.sub.2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.

Disclosed is a light-material coupling and emitting apparatus for coupling and emitting light and a material. The present disclosure is to utilize light coupled with a gaseous material or a certain state of material. According to the present disclosure, light is coupled with a gas, a liquid, or any state (plasma state) of material, and the coupled light and the material are emitted toward a target object or a predetermined region. When reaching the target object or the predetermined region, the material reacts with another material existing around the target object or the predetermined region. According to one embodiment, when light coupled with a first material is emitted from the light-material coupling and emitting apparatus, the first material coupled with the light falls away from the light and then chemically reacts with a second material. The apparatus uses a specific effect caused by this chemical reaction.

An on-demand hydrogen generator and method therefor is presented herein. In particular, the present invention utilizes the photocatalytic activity of one or more photocatalysts dispersed throughout an amount of water to generate hydrogen, such as hydrogen gas (H.sub.2), on-demand. Specifically, a reservoir with an amount of water or other fluid is included. A plurality of photocatalysts (such as, but in no way limited to titanium dioxide) is dispersed substantially throughout the water. An initiator, such as a light wave or UV wave generator, is structured to emit energy upon the photocatalysts dispersed throughout the water. Photocatalysis, caused by the initiator, water and photocatalysts, causes the water to split into hydrogen (h2) and oxygen. The hydrogen can then be obtained, on-demand, via one or more electrodes and used in many different application and environments, including, but not limited to various internal combustion engines for vehicles, generators, power stations, batteries, etc.

[Problem] To improve productivity of guest-free silicon clathrates

[Solution] A method of producing a guest-free silicon clathrate includes a synthesizing step of performing a heat treatment on a mixture containing Si as a material serving as a host and a material serving as a guest to synthesize a silicon clathrate compound; and a guest removing step of irradiating the silicon clathrate compound contained in a container with an electromagnetic wave to remove the guest while suctioning gas inside the container.