A method for preparing high-temperature, active particle-containing steam. The method includes: 1) preparing steam; selecting one or several non-oxidizing gases as a working gas; ionizing the working gas into a plasma working medium by using a plasma generator; and 2) injecting the plasma working medium into a high-temperature steam generator to form high-temperature ionized environment while introducing the steam into the high-temperature steam generator for allowing the steam to contact with the plasma working medium so that the steam is heated and activated to form active particle-containing steam. A device for preparing the high-temperature, active particle-containing steam is also provided.

A reactor for reforming a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and associated processes and systems, are described herein. In one example, a two stage process is disclosed in which a first reactor is coupled to a second stage reactor having a reaction volume greater than the first reactor. In the first reactor, the liquid hydrocarbon fuel is partially reformed and thereafter is inputted into the second stage reactor for complete partial oxidation. The reaction product is at last partially synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, as well as other low hydrocarbons such as methane, ethylene, ethane, and acetylene. The low hydrocarbons can be reformed further in a solid oxide fuel cell. A portion of the gaseous, rotating contents of the second stage reactor may be input into the first reactor to help generate and sustain rotation within the first reactor.

Systems and methods for plasma based synthesis of graphitic materials. The system includes a plasma forming zone configured to generate a plasma from radio-frequency radiation, an interface element configured to transmit the plasma from the plasma forming zone to a reaction zone, and the reaction zone configured to receive the plasma. The reaction zone is further configured to receive feedstock material comprising a carbon containing species, and convert the feedstock material to a product comprising the graphitic materials in presence of the plasma.

The invention includes systems for producing a selective oxidation product that include an oxidant gas source providing an oxidizing agent; a delivery system for the oxidizing agent in fluid communication with the oxidant gas source, wherein the delivery system delivers the oxidizing agent into a plasma reactor, and wherein the plasma reactor energizes the oxidizing agent as a plasma to produce activated oxidant species; a secondary reactant source providing a secondary reactant in a secondary reactant stream that is separated from the oxidant gas, wherein the secondary reactant stream is directed to contact the activated oxidant species in a reaction zone, and wherein the contact between the activated oxidant species and the secondary reactant in the reaction zone produces a reaction that yields the selective oxidation product.

In order to provide a dispersion method and a dispersion apparatus capable of mixing a material to be processed and a dispersion medium having no affinity with each other using a single apparatus without using a dispersant, there are provided a quantitative supply mechanism quantitatively supplying a material to be processed, a suction stirring mechanism primarily including a suction stirring pump in which the material to be processed and a dispersion medium are subjected to negative pressure suction by a negative pressure suction force generated by rotation of a rotating blade and the suctioned material to be processed and the dispersion medium are stirred and mixed by the rotating blade and are allowed to pass through a throttle passage to cause cavitation, and a plasma generating mechanism generating a plasma in bubbles formed due to cavitation in a mixed liquid of the material to be processed and the dispersion medium.

This disclosure provides methods, systems, and compositions of matter for studying solvent accessibility and three-dimensional structure of biological molecules. A plasma can be used to generate marker radicals, which can interact with a biological molecule and mark the solvent-accessible portions of the biological molecule.

Systems and methods of synthesizing nanoparticles on substrates using rapid, high temperature thermal shock. A method involves depositing micro-sized particles or salt precursors on a substrate, and applying a rapid, high temperature thermal pulse or shock to the micro-sized particles or the salt precursors and the substrate to cause the micro-sized particles or the salt precursors to become nanoparticles on the substrate. A system may include a rotatable member that receives a roll of a substrate sheet having micro-sized particles or salt precursors; a motor that rotates the rotatable member so as to unroll consecutive portions of the substrate sheet from the roll; and a thermal energy source that applies a short, high temperature thermal shock to consecutive portions of the substrate sheet that are unrolled from the roll by rotating the first rotatable member. Some systems and methods produce nanoparticles on existing substrate. The nanoparticles may be metallic, ceramic, inorganic, semiconductor, or compound nanoparticles. The substrate may be a carbon-based substrate, a conducting substrate, or a non-conducting substrate. The high temperature thermal shock process may be enabled by electrical Joule heating, microwave heating, thermal radiative heating, plasma heating, or laser heating.

A non-thermal plasma is generated to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material and a precursor material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material and the precursor material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a non-thermal plasma including formation of one or more streamers. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the non-thermal plasma including exposing the precursor material to the one or more streamers. The exposure of the precursor material to the streamers and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

The invention comprises a process for obtaining a gas from a fluid fuel and an oxidising fluid, said process comprising steps in which the incoming fluid is subjected to temperature, photocatalytic action and reaction with catalysts, all this within a device with a tubular structure which the incoming fluid circulates through in a spiral manner, between a fixed bed attached to the walls of the duct and a circulating bed with an ionised gas stream that occupies a central position of the duct, producing a gas obtained.

An apparatus for producing silicon nanoparticles using ICP includes a gas supply part in which first and second pipes for introducing a respective first and second gas into the plasma reactor therethrough are arranged alternately, the first pipes extending from an inlet of the reactor to a plasma initiation region; a plasma reaction part having an ICP coil wound therearound in which the particles are formed as the gases introduced through the respective pipes undergo a plasma reaction; and a collection part for collecting the particles. The apparatus can fully mix the gases introduced through the first gas supply pipes, thus allowing for uniform plasma reaction between the first and second gas, minimizing plasma expansion to increase plasma density within short retention time, easily controlling the size distribution by quenching and capturing nanoparticles, and improving the production yield by preventing the secondary aggregation of particles with cooling gas.