This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s). Results include constituents formed in the liquid including micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition and properties present in a liquid.

A method and apparatus for making carbon black having increased surface area, reduced grit and/or reduced extract levels. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region to form a plasma. The plasma then flows through a throat region which is narrower than the plasma forming section, which is connected to a separate carbon black forming region. This causes the plasma to accelerate and become turbulent prior to the exit point in the throat region. The carbon black forming feedstock is injected into the turbulence created by the throat region at a point above, at or near the exit point, resulting in the formation of a carbon black in the separate carbon black forming region. The throat region and/or injector region can be cooled, e.g., water plasma gas cooled.

This disclosure provides a composition of matter nucleated from a homogenous nucleation to form a self-assembled binder-less mesoporous carbon-based particle. In some implementations, the composition includes: a plurality of electrically conductive 3D aggregates formed of graphene sheets and sintered together to define a 3D hierarchical open porous structure comprising mesoscale structuring with micron-scale fractal structuring and configured to provide an electrical conduction between contact points of the graphene sheets. A porous arrangement is formed in the 3D hierarchical open porous structure and is arranged to contain a liquid electrolyte configured to provide ion transport through a plurality of interconnected porous channels in the 3D hierarchical open porous structure. A respective porous channel of the plurality of porous channels includes: a first portion configured to provide tunable ion conduits; a second portion configured to facilitate rapid ion transport; and, a third portion configured to at least partially confine active material.

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 shock to 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 the substrate; and a thermal energy source that applies a short, high temperature thermal shock to the 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.

Disclosed is a method for producing silicon nanoparticles in a plasma reactor including a reaction chamber presenting an inner surface. The method includes introducing a halogen gas into the reaction chamber of the plasma reactor. The method further includes igniting a plasma within the reaction chamber while the halogen gas is present within the reaction chamber. Atoms of the halogen gas at least partially form a coating on the inure surface of the reaction chamber. The method includes introducing a reactant gas mixture including a silicon precursor gas and a first inert gas into the reaction chamber of the plasma reactor. The method also includes forming the silicon nanoparticles in the plasma reactor. A silicon nanoparticles composition is also disclosed. The silicon nanoparticles composition comprises the silicon nanoparticles produced according to the method.

Embodiments relate to generating non-thermal plasma to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material, a precursor material, and a plasma promoter material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material, the precursor material, and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a micro-plasma. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the micro-plasma. The exposure of the precursor material to the micro-plasma and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

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.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to boron nitride nanomaterials. In one aspect, a method includes generating a directed flow of plasma. A boron-containing species is introduced to the directed flow of the plasma. Boron nitride nanostructures are formed in a chamber. In another aspect, a method includes generating a directed flow of plasma using nitrogen gas. A boron-containing species is introduced to the directed flow of the plasma. The boron-containing species can consist of boron powder, boron nitride powder, and/or boron oxide powder. Boron nitride nanostructures are formed in a chamber, with a pressure in the chamber being about 3 atmospheres or greater.

A process comprises feeding a stream of reactant compounds to a reactor and discharging a liquid plasma into the reactant stream in the reactor, wherein the plasma initiates or accelerates a reaction of the reactant compounds to form a product composition. The reactor can comprise one or more chambers, a high-voltage electrode positioned at a first portion of the one or more chambers, a ground electrode positioned at a second portion of the one or more chambers, and a dielectric plate between the ground electrode and the high-voltage electrode that comprises openings through which the reactant stream can pass from the first portion to the second portion or from the second portion to the first portion. Discharging the plasma can include supplying electrical power to the high-voltage electrode such that plasma is discharged where the reactant stream flows through the openings.

Provided is a negative ion source and a negative ion generation method capable of providing a high negative ion generation efficiency. A negative ion source includes a housing that includes: an inlet from which a sample is introduced; a plasma generation region communicated with the inlet, a plasma being generated by discharge in the plasma generation region; a negative ion generation region in which particles dissociated or excited by a reaction of the generated plasma with the sample are converted into negative ions; and an extraction port communicated with the negative ion generation region, the generated negative ions being extracted outside through the extraction port. The negative ion generation region is filled with a thermionic emission material for generating thermoelectrons by high frequency heating.