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.

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.

Provided is a method of producing graphene directly from a non-intercalated and non-oxidized graphitic material, comprising: (a) dispersing the graphitic material in a liquid solution to form a suspension, wherein the graphitic material has never been previously exposed to chemical intercalation or oxidation; and (b) subjecting the suspension to microwave or radio frequency irradiation with a frequency and an intensity for a length of time sufficient for producing graphene; wherein the liquid solution contains a metal salt dissolved in water, organic solvent, ionic liquid solvent, or a combination thereof. The method is fast (minutes as opposed to hours or days of conventional processes), environmentally benign, and highly scalable.

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.

A system and method are provided for the separation of hydrogen from natural gas feedstock to form hydrocarbon radicals. Aspects of the system include perpendicular magnetic and electric fields, a method of radical formation that separates hydrogen from the reaction process, and a separation method based on centrifugal forces and phase transitions. The gases rotate in the chamber due to the Lorentz force without any mechanical motion. Rotation separates gases and liquids by centrifugal force. The lighter species are collected from the mid region endpoint of the apparatus and fed back for further reaction. A new concept of controlled turbulence is introduced to mix various species. A novel magnetic field device is introduced comprised of two specially magnetized cylinders. A novel control of temperatures, pressures, electron densities and profiles by, RF, microwaves, UV and rotation frequency are possible especially when atomic, molecular, cyclotron resonances are taken into account. The electrodes can be coated with catalysts; the entire apparatus can be used as a new type of chemical reactor.

An apparatus for producing an inorganic powder and an apparatus for producing and classifying an inorganic powder are provided, wherein the apparatus for producing an inorganic powder includes an insulating tube, at least one pair of annular RF electrodes, and a gas supply apparatus. The pair of annular RF electrodes surrounds the outer circumference of the insulating tube to generate a first electric field region outside the insulating tube and generate a second electric field region having a plasma torch in the insulating tube after being turned on. The gas supply apparatus supplies a reaction mist and an inert gas into the insulating tube to thermally degrade and oxidize the reaction mist into an inorganic powder via the plasma torch.

A hydrocarbon resource processing device may include a radio frequency (RF) source and an RF applicator coupled to the RF source. The RF applicator may include a base member being electrically conductive, and first and second elongate members being electrically conductive and having proximal ends coupled to the base member and extending outwardly therefrom in a generally parallel spaced apart relation. The first and second elongate members may have distal ends configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therebetween. In another embodiment, the RF applicator may include an enclosure being electrically conductive and having a passageway therethrough to accommodate a flow of the hydrocarbon resource and a divider being electrically conductive and positioned within the enclosure.

A substance is treated using a device having: (a) a volute or cyclone head, (b) a throat connected to the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector connected to the throat, (d) a first wave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head that extends through the outlet into the opening of the throat along the central axis, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector and spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. The substance is directed to the inlet of the volute or cyclone head and irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources as the substance passes through the device.

Devices are provided for generating a plasma field for dissociating water into elemental hydrogen and water. The elemental hydrogen may be used directly to produce power, or may be stored for use as an energy source or as a commodity. The devices of the present invention can provide on site, point of use sources for producing elemental hydrogen. In addition, the devices can produce a net positive energy output.

Presented are systems and methods to simultaneously produce and store energy in the form of chemical products such as hydrogen and other chemical products, thereby, reducing or eliminating the need to store energy in lithium-ion batteries. In various embodiments this is accomplished by converting energy from a renewable energy source to generate and accelerate an electron beam so as to generate electromagnetic radiation at frequencies equal to absorption frequencies of chemical reactants in order to produce the desired chemical products.