Brief

Multi-chamber reactor for converting waste oil into biofuel

Technology Overview

Biodiesel is an important alternative fuel that includes a fatty acid methyl or (ethel) esters produced from trigylcerides as the product of vegetable, lipid, animal, trapped grease, or recycled cooking oil. However, production of biodiesel is limited due to current production methods. The developed multi-chamber continuous tubular reactor for the transesterification of oil can improve production. The multi-chamber design operates in a helical flow pattern to enhance mass transfer and increase conversion.

The post System and Method for Continuous Transesterification of Oils appeared first on Khalifa University.

Brief

Highly efficient in-situ fabrication process of 2D−2D-type nanohybrids

Technology Overview

The rapid growth in interest and the large number of achievements in recent years suggests that perforated two-dimensional (2D) materials with precise control of nanopores and density are indeed new generation materials with direct application in various market segments (i.e., membrane technology,
electronics, energy storage and generation, DNA sequencing, etc.). In the present invention, a method is developed to perforate 2D materials sheets with controlled pore size and density. Further, an integrated approach is developed using the present method to produce membranes at an industrial scale. 2D materials developed by various technologies can be used to perforate with the existing method.

The post Platform Technology for 2D Materials Manufacturing appeared first on Khalifa University.

Brief

Enhanced filters designed to alleviate pharmaceutical pollution of water

Technology Overview

Pharmaceutical compounds are emerging contaminants in the water supply due to increasing use throughout the world. The developed photo-regenerable filters are designed to remove pharmaceutical compounds and other contaminants from water. The filter is comprised of carbon nanotubes and high surface area titanium dioxide nanospheres, in which the high surface area titanium dioxide nanospheres are dispersed in the carbon nanotubes.

The post Photo-Regenerable Filters Useful for the Removal of Organic Compounds appeared first on Khalifa University.

Brief

Innovative method to obtain metal and metal oxide nanostructures

Technology Overview

In this invention, a robust method for fabricating high-aspect-ratio structures through a self-folding process of planar thin films is developed. It relies solely on three standard microfabrication steps, lithography, etching, and sputtering processes, provides the flexibility to position the spalled structures
according to the application requirements, and is fully compliant with CMOS fabrication standards. This method has been successfully demonstrated for metal-oxides and metals. The width of the fabricated structures is dependent on the thickness of the film deposited by sputtering, where structures as small as 20 nm in width have been obtained.

The post High-aspect Ratio Nanostructures for Electronics appeared first on Khalifa University.

Technology Overview

Smart sensors for in-situ measurement for monitoring and fracture mapping during and after geological hydro-fracturing. The sensors records and provides near to real-time data on temperature, pressue, chemical composition, etc. A record set of these sensors can be embedded in the proppant and provide status of the well. All data and information within the fractured rock and any information changes is transmitted wirelessly.

The post Smart and Self-Powered Sensors for Geological Hydro-Fracturing appeared first on Khalifa University.

Brief

Artificial Materials for Effective Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Technology Overview

A gradient 3-dimensional (3D) honeycomb metamaterial structure is fabricated, and its structure parameters were optimized and fabricated by using 3D printing technology. Nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes and magnetic nanoparticles have been prepared and coated on the gradient 3D structure. The titled angle has a dramatic effect on the RL and the reduced mismatch between air and 3D meta-absorber should account for the enhanced performance. The gradient 3D meta-absorber has features of high performance and lightweight, which could find applications in many fields, especially in aerospace and military application where lightweight materials are preferred.

The post 3D Meta-materials for Effective Electromagnetic Wave Absorption appeared first on Khalifa University.

Technology Overview

A new binder-free catalyst and a process to produce a designed zeolite-based catalyst with high selectivity. The novel feature of this technology is the use of only catalyst active materials and therefore producing high-quality catalyst through a cost-effective process. 

The post Binder-Free Nano Fiber Catalyst for Petroleum Hydrocracking appeared first on Khalifa University.

Brief

Steering of catalyst structures towards coke-free catalyst

Technology Overview

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is an endothermic catalytic process (CH4 + CO2 2 CO + 2 H2) that can produce clean and green H2 fuel and synthesis gas (CO/H2). The syngas produced can be utilized for the production of fuels and high value-added chemicals such as methanol, dimethyl ether, acetic acid, and other oxygenated chemicals and long chain hydrocarbons via Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. DRM is also an attractive alternative for CO2 utilization and recycling, which consequently mitigates global warming as it uses two main greenhouse gases. However, it has not been industrialized yet due to the lack of development of robust catalysts that can sustain coke-free operation and high resistance to metal sintering at high temperatures. Ni-based catalysts present an economically viable alternative compared to noble metal-based catalysts. However, they suffer mainly from carbon deposition, which ultimately leads to catalyst deactivation. The Ni-supported catalysts prepared in the present invention showed excellent stability and carbon formation reduction.

The post Decarbonization and Utilization Towards Syngas and Clean H2 Production appeared first on Khalifa University.

Brief

Nanotips with desirable apex atomic structures

Technology Overview

The developed method of fabricating a super nano ion-electron source can lead to improved nanotips for applications in nanotechnology, particularly in scanning probe microscopy and electron microscopy. The method involves placing an assembly of precursor tip with an apex and a shank and a heating metal ring in a field ion microscope chamber, applying a direct current to heat the metal ring, applying an electrical field to the precursor tip, and monitoring the evolution of the tip apex until sharpened to a desirable structure.

The post Fabrication of a Super Nano Ion-Electron Source appeared first on Khalifa University.

Brief

Lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining desirable physical properties

Technology Overview

Thermoplastic, also known as thermosoftening plastic, is a polymer that becomes pliable or moldable above a specific temperature and returns to a solid state upon cooling. The developed thermoplastic sulfur-polymer composite is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene and polystyrene, and a sulfur element. The thermoplastic polymer is a polymer matrix with the sulfur filler is dispersed in the polymer matrix.

The post Thermoplastic-based Sulphur Nanocomposites appeared first on Khalifa University.

Brief

Lowers manufacturing cost while maintaining desirable physical properties

Technology Overview

Thermoplastic, also known as thermosoftening plastic, is a polymer that becomes pliable or moldable above a specific temperature, and returns to a solid state upon cooling. The developed thermoplastic sulfur-polymer composite is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene and polystyrene, and a sulfur element. The thermoplastic polymer is a polymer matrix with the sulfur filler is dispersed in the polymer matrix. 

The post Thermoplastic-Based Sulphur Nanocomposites appeared first on Khalifa University.

Brief

An innovative method to make highly efficient coatings

Technology Overview

Self-healing coatings are a beneficial solution to existing corrosion issues in various industries, especially in oil & gas fields. The present invention includes the fabrication of a self-healing polymer coating incorporated with corrosion inhibitor encapsulated mesoporous carbon (MeC) based nanocontainer for the corrosion protection of metal structures. A corrosion inhibitor was added directly into the pores of mesoporous carbon and then covered by a polyelectrolyte layer to prevent the unwanted release. Pores of mesoporous carbon are effectively filled with a sufficient amount of benzotriazole, and they get released at the damaged area occurring by the triggering action of corrosion. This helps in diminishing the propagation of corrosion processes through the metal surface.

The post Self-Healing and Anti-Corrosion Coatings appeared first on Khalifa University.