Regeneration studies on nickel molybdate catalysts used for the upgrading of coal-derived liquids

Nickel molybdate catalysts used in several different upgrading reactions of coal-derived materials from low-rank Australian coals have been regenerated and their activity assessed using a number of physical and chemical techniques. Regeneration of spent coked catalysts for 20 hours in air at 450°C was sufficient to restore chemical hydrogenation activity to catalyst used for pre-asphaltene, asphaltene and oil upgrading, provided poisoning of the catalyst surface by other impurities, principally chlorine-containing molecules, had not occurred.     

Implantable biomedical microsystems for neural prostheses.

In the following article, the technologies to fabricate polyimide-based thin and flexible substrates with monolithically integrated electrode arrays and printed circuit boards (PCB) for hybrid electronic assemblies as well as an assembling technique that connects bare electronic dice with flexible PCBs are presented. The concept of modular, flexible biomedical microsystems as neural prostheses is introduced in general and described in detail in three examples. A cuff electrode with integrated multiplexer circuitry and standard implantable cables represents the combination of microtechnology with precision mechanics; a sieve electrode used as an implant in peripheral nerve regeneration studies demonstrates the next level of integration density but still uses a cable connection; and last, joint effort to fabricate the demonstrator of a vision prosthesis that is completely implantable in the eye with a wireless link for energy supply and data transmission is presented. System design, hybrid assembling technology, and flexible multilayer encapsulation using parylene and silicone rubber are the key components for creating a new generation of neural prostheses for complex and challenging new applications.     

Scanning probe microscopy: Materials analysis with an added dimension

Encompassing such versatile analytical techniques as scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic (or scanning) force microscopy, scanning probe microscopes produce high-resolution three-dimensional images. Because of their power as quantitative tools for three-dimensional surface measurement and analysis, the techniques are being used in materials science and engineering for the study of a variety of advanced materials and for investigations into numerous phenomena, including reaction chemistry, crystallinity, kinetics, equilibrium processes, tribology, and conductivity.