In a first implementation, a method for exfoliation of graphene flakes from a graphite sample includes compressing a graphite sample in an electrochemical reactor and applying a voltage between the graphite sample and an electrode in the electrochemical cell.

A system for treating food, the system including: a direct barrier discharge system including a pair of electrodes separated by a gap of at least 0.5 cm, wherein the direct barrier discharge system is configured to provide a feed gas between the electrodes, wherein the feed gas includes nitrogen and water, wherein a content of nitrogen in the feed gas is at least 75 vol % based on a total volume of the feed gas, and a relative humidity of the feed gas is at least 50% RH, wherein a content of oxygen in the feed gas is less than 1.5 vol % based on a total volume of the feed gas, and wherein the direct barrier discharge system is configured to provide an electric potential between the electrodes to generate a working gas having an ozone content of less than 20 ppm, based on a total volume of the working gas.

Disclosed herein is a rotary tube furnace configured to facilitate a chemical reaction between a solid mass and a gas in the furnace. The rotary tube furnace may comprise a reaction chamber extending through the furnace, the reaction chamber configured to control ingress and egress of each of the solid mass and the gas in the reaction chamber; a passage way configured to supply the solid mass to the reaction chamber; a passage way configured to supply the gas to the reaction chamber and circulate the gas through the reaction chamber; a heater providing heat to the reaction chamber and configured to control a reaction temperature in the reaction chamber; a magnetic field source in proximity to the reaction chamber for generating a magnetic field to one or more reaction zones of the reaction chamber; wherein the reaction chamber provides for mixing the solid mass and the gas.

Systems and methods including modular electromagnetic heating systems enable heating of articles using electromagnetic energy. The systems include a primary processing vessel equipped with electromagnetic energy launchers and fluid delivery systems to enable capable of preheating, heating, and cooling of the articles within the primary processing vessel. The primary processing vessel is further configured to be coupled to one or more upstream or downstream vessels such that portions of the preheating and/or heating functionality may instead be performed by the additional vessels. This flexibility enables scaling of the electromagnetic heating system between a relatively small (e.g., lab) scale system and a relatively large (e.g., production) scale system while minimizing capital expenditures and space requirements.

A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.

A system and method for controlling microbial growth on and in medical devices and implants, especially biofilm infections, involves using pulsed electric fields (PEF). To eradicate at least a portion of a biofilm on a medical implant, for example, 1500 volts can be applied through an electrode system, with pulse duration of 50 μs and pulse delivery frequency of 2 Hz. In the clinical setting, systemic microbial therapy can be combined with PEF to achieve a synergistic effect leading to improved eradication of infections.

The invention includes apparatus and methods for instantiating hydrogen in a nanoporous carbon powder.

A method of electrolyzed impingement cavitation includes disposing a conductive rod at least partially within a lumen of a reactor pipe comprising a plurality of beveled perforations, disposing the conductive rod and the reactor pipe at least partially within a lumen of a reactor casing, electrically connecting a positive terminal of a direct current voltage source to the conductive rod, electrically connecting a negative terminal of the direct current voltage source to the reactor pipe, the reactor casing, or both, and applying a direct current to the conductive rod while fluidly communicating fluids into the lumen of the reactor pipe. The fluids are directed out of the plurality of beveled perforations forming enhanced cavitation bubbles that impinge an inner surface of the reactor casing while in at least part of an electrolysis reaction. Fluids are discharged from an annulus between the reactor pipe and the reactor casing.

A method of electrolyzed impingement cavitation includes disposing a conductive rod at least partially within a lumen of a reactor pipe comprising a plurality of beveled perforations, disposing the conductive rod and the reactor pipe at least partially within a lumen of a reactor casing, electrically connecting a positive terminal of a direct current voltage source to the conductive rod, electrically connecting a negative terminal of the direct current voltage source to the reactor pipe, the reactor casing, or both, and applying a direct current to the conductive rod while fluidly communicating fluids into the lumen of the reactor pipe. The fluids are directed out of the plurality of beveled perforations forming enhanced cavitation bubbles that impinge an inner surface of the reactor casing while in at least part of an electrolysis reaction. Fluids are discharged from an annulus between the reactor pipe and the reactor casing.

Devices and methods for reducing the specific energy required to reform or pyrolyze reactants in plasmas operating at high flow rates and high pressures are presented. These systems and methods include 1) introducing electrons and/or easily ionized materials to a plasma reactor, 2) increasing turbulence and swirl velocity of the flows of feed gases to have improved mixing in a plasma reactor, and 3) reducing slippage from a plasma reactor system. Such plasma systems may allow plasma reactors to operate at lower temperatures, higher pressure, with improved plasma ignition, increased throughput and improved energy efficiency. In preferred embodiments, the plasma reactors are used to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon, or carbon monoxide through reforming and pyrolysis reactions. Preferred feedstocks include methane, carbon dioxide, and other hydrocarbons.