Apparatuses and methods for producing covetic materials by exciting a hydrocarbon gas with pulse microwaves to form hydrocarbon radicals in a hot first region of a microwave reactor. Graphene nanoplatelets are formed by the nucleation, growth and assembly of the hydrocarbon radicals, and contact a metal melt introduced downstream of the hot region to produce a mixture of molten metal and graphene nanoplatelets which assemble in-flight to form covetic materials. Graphene planes are infused in the metal matrix to achieve carbon loadings of at least 60%.

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.

There is provided a method of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising the steps of feeding a core precursor into a plasma torch in a plasma reactor, thereby producing a vapor of silicon or alloy thereof; and allowing the vapor to migrate to a quenching zone of the plasma reactor, thereby cooling the vapor and allowing condensation of the vapor into a nanoparticle core made of the silicon or alloy thereof, wherein the quenching gas comprises a passivating gas precursor that reacts with the surface of the core in the quenching zone produce a passivation layer covering the core, thereby producing said nanoparticles. The present invention also relates to nanoparticles comprising a core covered with a passivation layer, the core being made of silicon or an alloy thereof, as well as their use, in particular in the manufacture of anodes.

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.

A ballast transformer and system using the ballast transformer to couple power to a plasma load. The ballast transformer has a magnetic core, a first primary winding on a primary side of the magnetic core, a secondary winding on a secondary side of the magnetic core, and a second primary winding connected in series with the first primary winding and wound in proximity to the secondary winding on the secondary side of the magnetic core. The first primary winding is connectable to the AC power source, and the secondary winding is connectable to the plasma load via a coaxial cable.

A ballast transformer and system using the ballast transformer to couple power to a plasma load. The ballast transformer has a magnetic core, a first primary winding on a primary side of the magnetic core, a secondary winding on a secondary side of the magnetic core, and a second primary winding connected in series with the first primary winding and wound in proximity to the secondary winding on the secondary side of the magnetic core. The first primary winding is connectable to the AC power source, and the secondary winding is connectable to the plasma load via a coaxial cable.

A radical generation device includes: a cylindrical tube; an antenna; an outer conductor part; and a connection part which has a double cylindrical tube structure including an inner cylindrical body and an outer cylindrical body, end portions of the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body on the same side are divided in a circumferential direction notches extending in an axial direction to form divided pieces, and tapered portions swelling outward toward a tip end are formed on an outer side of the divided pieces or tapered portions swelling inward toward a tip end are formed on an inner side of the divided pieces.

A radical generation device includes: a cylindrical tube; an antenna; an outer conductor part; and a connection part which has a double cylindrical tube structure including an inner cylindrical body and an outer cylindrical body, end portions of the inner cylindrical body and the outer cylindrical body on the same side are divided in a circumferential direction notches extending in an axial direction to form divided pieces, and tapered portions swelling outward toward a tip end are formed on an outer side of the divided pieces or tapered portions swelling inward toward a tip end are formed on an inner side of the divided pieces.