Methods, systems, and apparatuses for producing one or more of photon enhanced oxidizing agents, trioxygen, hydrogen and its ions, oxygen and its ions, ROS and electronically modified oxygen derivatives from oxidizing agents that are exposed to photon emissions at a wavelength in a range of 0.01 nm to 845 nm, wherein wavelengths that photo-dissociate trioxygen may be excluded. The methods, systems and apparatuses enhance the effectiveness of photo-oxidation, photocatalytic, and/or photochemical reactions or a combination of these reactions.

The present invention provides a method of controlling back reactions or recombination reactions of product molecules formed in a dissociation reaction of reactant molecules of a fluid sample, in a reaction chamber. The method comprises introducing the fluid sample into the reaction chamber through one or more inlets, initiating the dissociation reaction of the reactant molecules of the fluid sample in the reaction chamber to form the product molecules, creating a patterned flow of the fluid sample in the reaction chamber to reduce/minimize disordered and/or turbulent mixing of the reactant molecules and/or product molecules in the fluid sample, and conveying the fluid sample comprising the product molecules out from the reaction chamber through one or more outlets.

A method and a system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy through the artificial container to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the equipment is protected from radiation and hazardous gases by equipment enclosures. The equipment enclosures may be purged with gas.

Methods and systems are described for processing cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials into useful intermediates and products, such as energy and fuels. For example, conveying systems and methods, such as highly efficient vibratory conveyors, are described for the processing of the cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials.

A universal chemical processor (UCP) including a reactor vessel having a central longitudinal axis and main chamber comprises a first inlet port for a main feedstock, a second inlet port for a fluidizing medium and a third inlet port for one or more reactants. The UCP also includes a reactive radioactive chemical processor (R.sup.2CP) that contains a radioactive element positioned extending along the longitudinal axis in the main chamber. In operation, a fluidized bed can be supported in the main chamber when a fluidizing medium and feedstock are supplied to the main chamber through the first and second inlet ports and the radioactive element of the R.sup.2CP emits ionizing radiation that is capable of ionizing feedstock and reactants, inducing chemical reactions, and sterilizing and decomposing any organic materials within a radiation zone.

Methods and systems are described for processing cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials into useful intermediates and products, such as energy and fuels. For example, conveying systems and methods, such as highly efficient vibratory conveyors, are described for the processing of the cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials.

An aerosol charge conditioner includes a source of ionizing radiation, an ionization region, and a conduit transporting an aerosol sample through the ionization region. The conduit is constructed and arranged to control irradiation of the aerosol sample. The conduit includes an inlet conduit communicatively connected to an outlet conduit. The inlet conduit has a first diameter and a distal end disposed in the ionization region. The outlet conduit has a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter of the inlet conduit and a proximal end disposed in the ionization region. A secondary gas supply is communicatively connected to the ionization region. A method for controlled ionization of aerosol particles using radiation as a source is also disclosed.

A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent.

Compositions including one or more polymers are provided. Exemplary polymers include polymeric carbon monoxides. The compositions can be prepared by subjecting a source material to x-rays, optionally at increased pressures. The compositions can be used in a variety of applications, such as fuels, optics, and electronics.