In one embodiment, the present invention is a plasma disk assembly connectable to a vehicle's wheel assembly, the plasma disk assembly comprising a plasma disk assembly having a sealed plasma disk display encapsulating ionizable gas, at least one controllable power source for producing an output sufficient to ionize the gas in the plasma discharge tube and operably connected to the power supply for optionally adjusting the level of the energy to cause selective ionization of the gas in the plasma display to occur in differing amounts as a function of a changing stimulus connected to an input, at least one ball bearing system or mount, electrical connectors connecting the power source to the plasma disk, at least one pair of electrodes electrically coupling the electrical connectors to the ionizable gas in the plasma discharge tube, and at least one ballast system.

Microplasma generators and associated arrays and methods are described herein. Certain embodiments relate to a microplasma generator in which an elongated semiconductor structure can control electronic current supplied to a microplasma cavity. In certain cases, the microplasma generator can be configured to generate a microplasma when a voltage is applied across the elongated semiconductor structure. Some embodiments include particular spatial arrangements between the electrode(s), the elongated semiconductor structure, and/or the microplasma cavity.

Microplasma generators and associated arrays and methods are described herein. Certain embodiments relate to a microplasma generator in which an elongated semiconductor structure can control electronic current supplied to a microplasma cavity. In certain cases, the microplasma generator can be configured to generate a microplasma when a voltage is applied across the elongated semiconductor structure. Some embodiments include particular spatial arrangements between the electrode(s), the elongated semiconductor structure, and/or the microplasma cavity.

A system for generating infrared light includes a sealed housing and a noble gas filling the housing. A window disposed in a wall of the housing is transparent to infrared radiation. Two electrodes, disposed in the housing, are aligned along a common longitudinal axis adapted to be approximately perpendicular to a local force of gravity. A gap is defined between the electrodes along the longitudinal axis. Obstruction(s), disposed in the housing adjacent to the gap between the electrodes, extend along the length of the gap. The obstruction(s) define a convection space between the electrodes. The convection space has a dimension, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, in the range of 2 to 10 times the length of the gap. An electric current source is coupled to the electrodes.

A system for generating infrared light includes a sealed housing and a noble gas filling the housing. A window disposed in a wall of the housing is transparent to infrared radiation. Two electrodes, disposed in the housing, are aligned along a common longitudinal axis adapted to be approximately perpendicular to a local force of gravity. A gap is defined between the electrodes along the longitudinal axis. Obstruction(s), disposed in the housing adjacent to the gap between the electrodes, extend along the length of the gap. The obstruction(s) define a convection space between the electrodes. The convection space has a dimension, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, in the range of 2 to 10 times the length of the gap. An electric current source is coupled to the electrodes.

According to one embodiment, a switch device includes a container configured to house a gas, a cathode located in the container, a first anode located in the container, and a second anode located in the container. A second direction from the cathode toward the second anode crosses a first direction from the cathode toward the first anode. A second distance between the cathode and the second anode is greater than a first distance between the cathode and the first anode.

According to one embodiment, a switch device includes a container configured to house a gas, a cathode located in the container, a first anode located in the container, and a second anode located in the container. A second direction from the cathode toward the second anode crosses a first direction from the cathode toward the first anode. A second distance between the cathode and the second anode is greater than a first distance between the cathode and the first anode.