A system is described that is capable of operating as an energy conversion system that functions as a fuel cell and generates electrical current from a fuel or fuels, or as a reactor for conversion of starter materials into more complex molecules through ion-ion and ion-molecules and which may preferably be adapted to operate as a gas to liquid (GTL) process. The system ionises at least one fuel or starter material and manipulates, selects and transports ions for reaction by means of suitable electrostatic or electrodynamic ion guides, filters or drift tubes. The system of the present application replaces the electrolyte, catalyst and/or membrane found in classic fuel cells or GTL processes with an electrostatic or electrodynamic ion manipulation region such as an ion guide, analyser, drift tube or filter.

A reactor for nanoparticle production comprising a main chamber including a first nozzle to which raw material gas is supplied, a lens housing connected to the main chamber in a fluidly movable manner and including a second nozzle for supplying flushing gas to the lens housing, a lens mounted on the lens housing, a light source for irradiating a laser, which passes through the lens to reach the raw material gas in the main chamber, and a hood for discharging nanoparticles generated in the main chamber. A cross-sectional area of at least a part of the lens housing decreases along a direction facing the main chamber.

The present invention provides a nanoparticle synthesis device capable of improving productivity of nanoparticles by increasing the size of a reaction region of laser pyrolysis of a source gas.

Apparatus and methods are provided that are capable of mass production of particulate materials, such as graphene particulates. The apparatus comprises an ignition assembly that comprises readily interchangeable electrode cassettes and that may be configured to self-clean in between the combustion cycles in which the particulate materials are generated. Methods of generating the particulate materials require low energy inputs in order to initiate the combustion reaction, which is then self-sustaining until the reactants are depleted.

The invention includes apparatus and methods for instantiating hydrogen in a nanoporous carbon powder.

A system for disassociating molecules of a gas based on RF power. Characteristics of the RF power can be tuned to increase disassociation efficiency. The system can include a disassociation chamber configured to enclose a volume of a gas and a radio frequency (RF) power source configured to provide RF power to the disassociation chamber. The RF power source can include a radio-frequency generator configured to generate an electromagnetic (EM) radiation having a frequency between about 20 MHz and about 10 THz, a radio-frequency amplifier configured to amplify the generated EM radiation, and an output channel to direct the amplified EM radiation towards the volume of gas.

A microwave-plasma system for generating fixed-nitrogen products comprises a microwave generator operably coupled with a gas chamber where the microwave generator provides microwave power to the gas chamber. The system further includes a source of gas, which may be for example oxygen, nitrogen and/or air, operably coupled with the plasma chamber. The microwave power produces a plasma of the gas within the chamber. The system further includes an absorber unit fluidically connected to the gas chamber to capture product from the plasma in the gas chamber. The captured product may include fixed nitrogen gaseous products.

A system includes a first chamber, a second chamber, an ultraviolet light source and a microwave source. The first chamber includes an inlet. The second chamber is adjacent the first chamber and includes an outlet and a waveguide. The ultraviolet light source resides within the waveguide of the second chamber. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

The inventive concepts disclosed relate to the production of green and blue hydrogen from hydrocarbons using visible light (from a laser, lamp or sun) and defect-engineered boron-rich photocatalysts. We demonstrate that the environment of the B atoms in the lattice can be tuned to favor the dehydrogenation of desired hydrocarbons on reaction sites under visible light. In addition to the hydrogen produced in gas form, carbon atoms are captured by the catalyst and form structures of potential higher value for future applications. Further study of the dark carbonaceous product revealed a graphitic aspect of the material. These findings highlight a new functionality of 2D materials for visible light-assisted capture and conversion of hydrocarbons, with great potential for green hydrogen production—i.e, hydrogen produced from renewable energy and without the release of CO or CO.sub.2.

Disclosed is a system and method related to removal of carbon from carbon dioxide via the use of plasma arc heating techniques. The method involves generating C atoms and H atoms from C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves generating graphite and H.sub.2 from the C atoms and H atoms, and extracting the graphite. The method involves quenching the H.sub.2 with C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving, at a generator, the quenched the H.sub.2 and C.sub.xH.sub.y and generating electricity. The method involves generating a concentrated stream of H.sub.2 from the quenched H.sub.2 and C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving CO.sub.2 and the concentrated stream of H.sub.2 and generating C, O, and H atoms. The method involves receiving the C, O, and H atoms and generating graphite, wherein the graphite is extracted. In the hydrocarbon C.sub.xH.sub.y: x is an integer 1, 2, 3, . . . , and y=2x+2.