A component for exposing fluid to an input shockwave includes a body defining an input face arranged to receive the input shockwave, a chamber recessed in the input face for containing fluid, a fluid inlet for introducing fluid into the component, and an intermediate volume defined in the input face. The intermediate volume is provided at least partially between the fluid inlet and the chamber. The intermediate volume is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet and to the chamber for supplying fluid from the fluid inlet to the chamber. A portion of the input face is configured to sealingly abut against a further element for enclosing the intermediate volume .

A heater core has a tubular configuration and a layered structure forming a transmission line. An innermost metal layer is disposed on an outer surface of a tube and along a length of the tube. A middle dielectric layer is disposed on the innermost metal layer such that respective end portions of the innermost metal layer are exposed. An outermost reactive lattice material layer is disposed on the middle dielectric layer such that at least some of the middle dielectric layer and the respective end portions of the innermost metal layer are exposed. The metal layer and the reactive lattice material layer constitute respective conductors of the transmission line. In one example, an electrical pulse signal is propagated along the transmission line to facilitate interactions between a reactant gas and the reactive lattice material to generate heat.

A plasma compression system comprises a plasma containment vessel, an annular rotating core inside the vessel, and a plurality of compression drivers fixedly mounted to an outer surface of the vessel wall. The annular rotating core contains a liquid medium and is rotatable to circulate the liquid medium and form a liquid liner with a cavity. The rotating core comprises an outer surface spaced from an inner surface of the vessel wall to define an annular gap, and a plurality of implosion drivers each comprising a pusher bore with a pusher piston slideable therein. Each pusher bore extends through the rotating core. The plurality of compression drivers compresses a compression fluid in the annular gap and creates a pressure pulse, such that when the rotating core rotates and the liquid medium fills the pusher bores, the pusher pistons are operable to push the liquid medium inwards to collapse the liquid liner and compress a plasma in the cavity.