The disclosure relates to a device for making charged nanoparticles, the device includes: an atomizer configured to atomize a solution into micro-scaled droplets; a first electrode and a second electrode substantially parallel with and spaced from each other, a power supply configured to apply a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, at least one first through-hole is defined on the first electrode and at least one second through-hole is defined on the second electrode to allow the micro-scaled droplets to pass through.

The disclosure relates to a method for making charged nanoparticles, the method includes: providing a solution with a first solute; atomizing the solution into micro-scaled droplets; providing a charged electrode with at least one through-hole, a negative or positive electric potential is applied to the electrode; allowing the micro-scaled droplets to pass through the at least one through-hole.

A method for using plasma to activate biochar is disclosed where reactive gas(es) are excited by external power; biochar set on a sample holder is electrically biased or set at a floating potential so that charged particles of a certain type are attracted to the biochar, leading to intensive chemical reactions.

A system and method for cleaning sulfur and other pollutants from bunker oil to be used for fuel in large cargo ships is described. Preferably, the system includes two or more stages having a mixer to create an emulsion of oil and water. One or more treatment chemicals are added to the water before it is mixed with the oil in order to assist in separating the sulfur from the oil and freeing it up so that it can combine with various other molecules present in the water or be dissolved in the water. The emulsion may pass through a microcavitation chamber as well as an electrolysis reactor chamber in order to further clean the fuel oil by removing additional sulfur content. The clean fuel is sent to a fuel service tank for use in a diesel engine combustion cycle.

A method for producing plasmonic nanomaterials that are catalytically or photocatalytically active by fabricating plasmonic nanostructures on substrates using electrodeposition into a nano-template structure and forming a plurality of nanorods in an array, wherein the nanorods are made from materials chosen from the group consisting of materials that are plasmonic and/or catalytic, and materials that are catalytically activated by depositing pure elemental metals, alloys, or alternating layers of different metals or alloys, and producing catalytic plasmonic nanomaterials. Catalytic plasmonic nanomaterials made from the above method. An optical reactor device that utilizes catalytic nanomaterials for photocatalytic synthesis of methanol or ammonia. A method of photocatalytic synthesis of methanol and ammonia by using catalytic plasmonic nanomaterial to convert CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to methanol and N.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to ammonia using optical power. A hybrid plasma-plasmonic reactor for the utilization of CO.sub.2 and CH.sub.4 to produce methanol, ethylene, and acetic acid.

The present invention relates to a continuous method for producing products with molecules or macromolecules attached thereto and apparatus for carrying out this method. The method comprises the steps of: (a) placing the object on or in the proximity of a surface; (b) controlling the electrical potential of the surface with respect to its surroundings; (c) activating the object by exposing it to an electrical discharge; (d) contacting the object with the molecule or macromolecule to be attached. Such macromolecules include bacteriophage. Thus products of methods of the invention are for prevention and amelioration of bacterial contamination of the product of methods of the invention or materials in contact with said products.

A process for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the process as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the process. The process also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil. An apparatus for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the apparatus. The apparatus also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil.

A process for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the process as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the process. The process also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil. An apparatus for continuously upgrading heavy oil to produce light hydrocarbon gases which are recycled in the as a carrier gas used in spark-discharge hydrocarbon cracking within the apparatus. The apparatus also produces light hydrocarbon liquids which are used to upgrade the heavy oil.

In order to attain an efficient decomposition process by water plasma, a decomposition processor includes a water plasma generator which is configured to inject water plasma, from the injection port, by arc discharge generated between negative and positive electrodes; and a supply device configured to supply a decomposition target object to a water plasma jet stream injected from the water plasma generator, wherein the decomposition target object is decomposed by the water plasma. The supply device has a nozzle for providing the decomposition target object from a tip, and the negative electrode, the injection port, the positive electrode and the nozzle are arranged in that order along the center axis line of the injection port. The tip of the nozzle is placed inside of the water plasma jet stream.

In order to stabilize injection of water plasma, a vortex water flow generator forms a vortex water flow for passing arc discharge. The vortex water flow generator includes a cylindrical portion configured to form a vortex water flow along an inner circumference, a first middle partition and a second middle partition protruding from the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion. The first middle partition and the second middle partition respectively have an opening to include a center axis line position of the cylindrical portion. An opening of the second middle partition on the side of the positive electrode is larger than an opening of the first middle partition on the side of the negative electrode.