The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for producing liquid colloids such as suspensions of nanoparticles, in which liquid feedstock materials are reacted on a reaction surface of a rotatable plate. The apparatus has a first plate (101) mounted for rotation about a rotation axis (102), the first plate (101) providing a reaction surface (103) having a concave portion; first (106) and second (107) inlet lines arranged to introduce respective first and second liquid feedstock materials to the reaction surface (103); and a collection unit (110) arranged to collect a reaction product formed from reaction of the liquid feedstock materials as a liquid colloid ejected from an outer edge of the plate (101).

Apparatus and method for plasma synthesis of carbon nanotubes couple a plasma nozzle to a reaction tube/chamber. A process gas comprising a carbon-containing species is supplied to the plasma nozzle. Radio frequency radiation is supplied to the process gas within the plasma nozzle, so as to sustain a plasma within the nozzle in use, and thereby cause cracking of the carbon-containing species. The plasma nozzle is arranged such that an afterglow of the plasma extends into the reaction tube/chamber. The cracked carbon-containing species also pass into the reaction tube/chamber. The cracked carbon-containing species recombine within the afterglow, so as to form carbon nanotubes in the presence of a catalyst.

Gas streams may be effectively processed using microwave energy in such a way as to significantly reduce processing cost and plant complexity. In the first instance, microwave energy is used to generate a self-catalytic, non-equilibrium plasma, resulting in essentially complete gas reaction at industrial scales of operation. In the second instance, microwave energy is used in combination with conventional catalyst materials to significantly enhance their performance by enabling operation at reduced gas temperatures. In this second instance, the microwave energy may be used either to generate a non-equilibrium plasma or to selectively and directly heat the catalyst material.

A substance treatment apparatus includes an RF signal source, power detection circuitry, a controller, and a transmission path between the RF signal source and a first electrode that radiates electromagnetic energy into a chamber. The RF signal source includes a solid-state amplifier that generates an RF signal. The power detection circuitry detects reflected signal power along the transmission path. Based on the reflected signal power, the controller modifies values of variable components within an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path to adjust a magnitude of the reflected signal power. The impedance matching network may have a double-ended input connected to a balun, and a double-ended output connected to the first electrode and to a second electrode. Alternatively, the impedance matching network may have a single-ended input connected to the RF signal source, and a single-ended output connected to the first electrode. The second electrode may be grounded.

A microwave energy source that generates a microwave energy is disclosed. The microwave energy source has an on-state and an off-state. A control circuit is coupled to the microwave energy source and includes an output to generate a control signal that adjusts a pulse frequency of the microwave energy. A voltage generator applies a non-zero voltage to the microwave energy source during the off-state. A frequency and a duty cycle of the non-zero voltage is based on a frequency and a duty cycle of the control signal. A waveguide is coupled to the microwave energy source. The waveguide has a supply gas inlet that receives a supply gas, a reaction zone that generates a plasma, a process inlet that injects a raw material into the reaction zone, and an outlet that outputs a powder based on a mixture of the supply gas and the raw material within the plasma.

This disclosure provides a reactor system that includes a microwave energy source that generates a microwave energy, a field-enhancing waveguide (FEWG) coupled to the microwave source. The FEWG includes a field-enhancing zone having a cross-sectional area that decreases along a length of the FEWG. The field-enhancing zone includes a supply gas inlet that receives a supply gas, a reaction zone that generates a plasma in response to excitation of the supply gas by the microwave energy, a process inlet that injects a raw material into the reaction zone, and a constricted region that retains a portion of the plasma and combines the plasma and the raw material in response to the microwave energy within the reaction zone. An expansion chamber is in fluid communication with the constricted region facilitates expansion of the plasma. An outlet outputs a plurality of carbon-inclusive particles derived from the expanded plasma and the raw material.

A continuous flow reactor for the efficient synthesis of nanoparticles with a high degree of crystallinity, uniform particle size, and homogenous stoichiometry throughout the crystal is described. Disclosed embodiments include a flow reactor with an energy source for rapid nucleation of the .[.procurors following.]. .Iadd.precursors to form nucleates followed .Iaddend.by a separate heating source for growing the nucleates. Segmented flow may be provided to facilitate mixing and uniform energy absorption of the precursors, and post production quality testing in communication with a control system allow automatic real-time adjustment of the production parameters. The nucleation energy source can be monomodal, multimodal, or multivariable frequency microwave energy and tuned to allow different precursors to nucleate at substantially the same time thereby resulting in a substantially homogenous nanoparticle. A shell application system may also be provided to allow one or more shell layers to be formed onto each nanoparticle.

Apparatuses and methods are provided for applying radio frequency (RF) energy from a source of electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone. At least one processor may be configured to acquire information indicative of electromagnetic energy loss associated with at least a portion of the energy application zone. The processor may be further configured to determine a weight to be applied to each of a plurality of electromagnetic field patterns each having a known electromagnetic field intensity distribution and cause the source to supply each of the plurality of electromagnetic field patterns to the energy application zone at the determined weights.

The present invention provides a process for (a) recycling plastic; and/or (b) producing hydrogen; and/or (c) producing syngas; and/or (d) producing carbon nanotubes, wherein the process comprises exposing a solid composition comprising one or more thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a solid catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises elemental iron (Fe) or an oxide thereof. Also provided is a solid composition comprising a catalyst in intimate mixture with one or more thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers, wherein the catalyst comprises elemental iron (Fe) or an oxide thereof. Also provided is the use of said solid composition to produce hydrogen, syngas and/or carbon nanotubes, and a microwave reactor comprising said solid composition.

The use of lycopene has been demonstrated to be effective in decreasing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, skin cancer and prostate cancer in mammals. Lycopene is difficult to solubilize in its native trans-lycopene form. Cis-lycopene, formed by applying thermal energy generated by excitation of polar molecules through microwave-assisted processing, appears in several isomeric forms. The cis isomers are effective in improving lycopene micellularization, bioaccessibility and mammalian absorption. The cis isomers are effective in improving vascular circulation of lycopene by way transport vesicle low density lipo-protein (LDL). Lycopene-based ingredients, end products, functional foods, medical foods and nutraceuticals, containing isomerized cis-lycopene can be used in place of ingredients with more naturally abundant trans-lycopene as phytonutrient, micronutrient and antioxidant delivery vehicles through dietary consumption to improve the outcomes of a variety of conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, skin cancer, prostate cancer, macular degeneration and related proinflammatory conditions.