An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is described that includes a tapered outer end. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a tubular sample injector configured to receive an aerosolized sample in an interior defined by walls of the tubular sample injector; an inner tube surrounding at least a portion of the tubular sample injector to form a first annular space between the inner tube and the walls of the tubular sample injector, the inner tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of an auxiliary gas into the first annular space; and an outer tube surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube to form a second annular space, the outer tube defining at least one inlet port for introduction of a cooling gas into the second annular space, the outer tube having a flared region at an outlet of the outer tube.

A sliding door assembly (50) for an inductively coupled plasma torch box (40) reduces the risk of heat related injuries and facilitates the handling of the torch box. The door assembly (50) comprises a door and a guiding mechanism (6) for allowing movement of the door in a first direction along an opening (45) of the torch box (40) so as to be able to open and close the torch box, and allowing movement of the door in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction, so as to move the door or at least a part thereof towards the opening when closing the torch box. The door may comprise an inner door panel interconnected with an outer door panel, so that only the inner door panel moves in the second direction, towards the opening (45) of the torch box (40) to tightly close it, while the outer door panel can maintain a safe temperature during operation.

Provided are a fine particle production apparatus and a fine particle production method that can control the particle sizes of fine particles, and efficiently produce a large amount of fine particles having good particle size uniformity. The present invention comprises: a raw material supply unit which supplies raw materials for fine particle production into thermal plasma flame; a plasma torch in which the thermal plasma flame is generated, and which evaporates the raw material supplied by the raw material supply unit by means of the thermal plasma flame to form a mixture in a gas phase state; and a plasma generation unit which generates thermal plasma flame inside the plasma torch. The plasma generation unit includes: a first coil which surrounds the plasma torch, a second coil which is installed below the first coil in the longitudinal direction of the plasma torch and surrounds the circumference of the plasma torch; a first power supply unit which supplies an amplitude-modulated first high-frequency current to the first coil; and a second power supply unit which supplies an amplitude-modulated second high-frequency current to the second coil. The degree of modulation of the first high-frequency current is smaller than the degree of modulation of the second high-frequency current.

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyzers use an ICP torch to generate a plasma in which a sample is atomized an ionized. Analysis of the atomic ions can be performed by atomic analysis, such as mass spectrometry (MS) or atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Particle based ICP analysis includes analysis of particles such as cells, beads, or laser ablation plumes, by atomizing and ionizing particles in an ICP torch followed by atomic analysis. In mass cytometry, mass tags of particles are analyzed by mass spectrometry, such as by ICP-MS. Systems and methods of the subject application include one or more of: a demountable ICP torch holder assembly, an external ignition device; an ICP load coil comprising an annular fin, particle suspension sample introduction fluidics, and ICP analyzers thereof.

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyzers use an ICP torch to generate a plasma in which a sample is atomized an ionized. Analysis of the atomic ions can be performed by atomic analysis, such as mass spectrometry (MS) or atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Particle based ICP analysis includes analysis of particles such as cells, beads, or laser ablation plumes, by atomizing and ionizing particles in an ICP torch followed by atomic analysis. In mass cytometry, mass tags of particles are analyzed by mass spectrometry, such as by ICP-MS. Systems and methods of the subject application include one or more of: a demountable ICP torch holder assembly, an external ignition device; an ICP load coil comprising an annular fin, particle suspension sample introduction fluidics, and ICP analyzers thereof.

An apparatus for providing material feedstock into a plasma of a plasma torch includes a material feeding device having an input end and an output end. The output end of the material feeding device extends at least partially around the periphery of a plasma generated near the output end of the plasma torch. The material feeding device is oriented at an angle with respect to a central axis of the plasma torch.

An apparatus for providing material feedstock into a plasma of a plasma torch includes a material feeding device having an input end and an output end. The output end of the material feeding device extends at least partially around the periphery of a plasma generated near the output end of the plasma torch. The material feeding device is oriented at an angle with respect to a central axis of the plasma torch.

Some embodiments herein are directed to devices and methods for automatically starting a plasma utilizing a wand. In some embodiments, the wand may be used to start a plasma in a plasma torch such as, for example, a microwave plasma torch or an induction plasma torch, as discussed below. The wand may comprise an elongate, hollow wand member comprising a closed distal end, a proximal end, and one or more apertures extending from a hollow interior of the wand member to an exterior surface of the wand member; and an elongate wire member positioned within the hollow interior of the wand member and extending along at least a portion of a length of the wand member, wherein the wire member is configured to be placed in operable communication through the aperture with a power source, such that the power source can be activated to in turn start the plasma within the plasma torch. The plasma torches discussed herein may be used in various applications including, for example, high volume synthesis of advanced materials such as nano-materials, micro-powders, coatings, alloy compositions for additive manufacturing.

Some embodiments herein are directed to devices and methods for automatically starting a plasma utilizing a wand. In some embodiments, the wand may be used to start a plasma in a plasma torch such as, for example, a microwave plasma torch or an induction plasma torch, as discussed below. The wand may comprise an elongate, hollow wand member comprising a closed distal end, a proximal end, and one or more apertures extending from a hollow interior of the wand member to an exterior surface of the wand member; and an elongate wire member positioned within the hollow interior of the wand member and extending along at least a portion of a length of the wand member, wherein the wire member is configured to be placed in operable communication through the aperture with a power source, such that the power source can be activated to in turn start the plasma within the plasma torch. The plasma torches discussed herein may be used in various applications including, for example, high volume synthesis of advanced materials such as nano-materials, micro-powders, coatings, alloy compositions for additive manufacturing.

Methodologies, systems, and devices are provided for producing metal spheroidal powder products. Dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles are prepared using a process including introducing a metal hydride feed material into a plasma torch. The metal hydride feed material is melted within a plasma in order to dehydrogenate and spheroidize the materials, forming dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles. The dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles are then exposed to an inert gas and cooled in order to solidify the particles into dehydrogenated and spheroidized particles. The particles are cooled within a chamber having an inert gas.