Drexel University

University of Illinois

Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Alexander F Gutsol

Alexander Fridman

Young I Cho

Gennady Friedman

Michael Gallagher

David Staack

Gregory Fridman

Kenneth Blank

Alexei V Saveliev

Anatoliy Polevich

Lawrence Kennedy

Victor N Vasilets

Yury Gogotsi

Christopher A Campbell

Frank T Snyder

Andrey Romanets

Vincent Szarko

Erik Yelk

Jesse Zanolini

Vijay Anant Deshpande

Alexander Rabinovich

Dmitry Medvedev

Igor Matveev

Tecle S Rufael

Yong Yang

Manjula Balasubramanian

Richard J Hamilton

Anatoly Polevich

Igor Martveev

Sergey Korobtsev

Valery Shiryaevsky

Young L Cho

Victor Vasilets

Michael J Gallagher

Gary Friedman

The present invention is direct to a nano-probe corona tool and uses thereof. A nano-probe corona tool is disclosed having a tip with a diameter in the nano-scale, typically around 100 nm. The nano-probe corona tool is constructed of electrically conductive material. On the other end of the tool, a pulsed voltage source outputs a pulsed voltage to generate a pulsed electrical potential at the tip. The pulsed electrical potential at the tip causes a plasma discharge corona to occur. Uses of the corona discharge include, but are not limited to, optical emission spectroscopy, in the enhancement of deposition of coatings and nanoscale welding, e.g., nanotube or nanowires to a contact pad and welding two nanowires together, and in nanoscale surgery. For example, a nano-probe comprising CNTs may be inserted into cell membranes. The resulting corona discharge may be used to destroy tumors within the cell.

Nano discharges in liquids

A reactor for reforming a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and associated processes and systems, are described herein. In one example, a two stage process is disclosed in which a first reactor is coupled to a second stage reactor having a reaction volume greater than the first reactor. In the first reactor, the liquid hydrocarbon fuel is partially reformed and thereafter is inputted into the second stage reactor for complete partial oxidation. The reaction product is at last partially synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, as well as other low hydrocarbons such as methane, ethylene, ethane, and acetylene. The low hydrocarbons can be reformed further in a solid oxide fuel cell. A portion of the gaseous, rotating contents of the second stage reactor may be input into the first reactor to help generate and sustain rotation within the first reactor.

Gliding arc plasmatron reactor with reverse vortex for the conversion of hydrocarbon fuel into synthesis gas

The invention is directed to apparatus for treating water by exposing the water to a pulsed plasma discharge. The pulsed plasma discharge is generated using a suitable electrode configuration to generate the plasma discharge in the fluid. Apparatus useful in the method may include a vessel, at least two electrodes for generating a plasma discharge in water, and a flow inlet and a flow outlet to allow water to be passed through the vessel. Also described is an in-line water treatment, where a pulsed plasma discharge is used in a pipe carrying moving water. Plasma based fluid treatment system may have many advantages in comparison to other treatment methods, such as very minimal maintenance, low operating power, and minimal pressure loss through the device.

Fluid treatment using plasma technology

Disclosed is a device and method for contacting a biological substrate. A non-thermal plasma device delivers a non-thermal plasma discharge using a dielectric conduit, an igniter electrode and a RF electrode. The dielectric conduit fluidicly communicates a gas therethrough and an igniter electrode ionizes at least a portion of the gas. The RF electrode, disposed circumferentially proximate to the exterior of the dielectric conduit, generates non-thermal plasma from the ionized gas. The non-thermal plasma is discharged from the dielectric conduit and contacts a biological substrate. The non-thermal plasma discharge may be suitable for tissue bonding and sterilization applications.

Tubular floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge for applications in sterilization and tissue bonding

A method for the treatment of fluid including the step of exposing the fluid to a pulsed plasma discharge. The pulsed plasma discharge will be generated using a suitable electrode configuration to generate the plasma discharge in the fluid. Apparatus useful in the method may include a vessel, at least two electrodes for generating a plasma discharge in water, and a flow inlet and a flow outlet to allow water to be passed through the vessel. Also described is an in-line water treatment, where a pulsed plasma discharge is used in a pipe carrying moving water. Plasma based fluid treatment system may have many advantages in comparison to other treatment methods, such as very minimal maintenance, low operating power, and minimal pressure loss through the device.

The present invention is direct to a nano-probe corona tool and uses thereof. A nano-probe corona tool is disclosed having a tip with a diameter in the nano-scale, typically around 100 nm. The nano-probe corona tool is constructed of electrically conductive material. On the other end of the tool, a pulsed voltage source outputs a pulsed voltage to generated a pulsed electrical potential at the tip. The pulsed electrical potential at the tip causes a plasma discharge corona to occur. Uses of the corona discharge include, but are not limited to, optical emission spectroscopy, in the enhancement of deposition of coatings and nanoscale welding, e.g., nanotube or nanowires to a contact pad and welding two nanowires together, and in nanoscale surgery. For example, a nano-probe comprising CNTs may be inserted into cell membranes. The resulting corona discharge may be used to destroy tumors within the cell.

A reactor for reforming a hydrocarbon, and associated processes and systems, are described herein. In one example, a reactor is provided that is configured to use non-equilibrium gliding arc discharge plasma. In another example, the reactor uses a vortex flow pattern. Two stages of reforming are described. In a first stage, the hydrocarbon absorbs heat from the wall of the reactor and combusts to form carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water. In a second stage, a gliding arc discharge is use to form syngas, which is a mixture of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. The heat generated by the combustion of the first stage transfers to the wall of the reactor and heated products of the second stage mix with incoming hydrocarbon to provide for partial recuperation of the reaction energy.

Cyclonic reactor with non-equilibrium gliding discharge and plasma process for reforming of solid hydrocarbons

The present invention is directed to a novel method for cleaning a filter surface using a plasma discharge self-cleaning filtration system. The method involves utilizing plasma discharges to induce short electric pulses of nanoseconds duration at high voltages. These electrical pulses generate strong Shockwaves that disintegrate and dislodge particulate matter located on the surface of the filter.

Plasma discharge self-cleaning filtration system

Shock waves produced during electro-hydraulic drilling can be reflected into a rock body where the reflected shock waves are converted from compression waves to tension waves, which are more efficient at breaking down the rock body. A system configured for electro-hydraulic drilling where shock waves produced during drilling are reflected into the rock body includes two electrodes and a shock wave reflector disposed at an electro-hydraulic drill head. The two electrodes are configured to (1) facilitate formation of a spark along a spark path spanning the two electrodes and (2) facilitate a pulse of electricity being passed through the spark to form a primary shock wave emanating from the spark path. The shock wave reflector is configured to reflect a portion of the primary shock wave such that the reflected shock wave is concentrated to a focal region within the rock body.

Electro-hydraulic drilling with shock wave reflection

Method for the non-thermal treatment of human or animal tissue with high-voltage electrical discharge plasma is disclosed. The disclosed method employs current through plasma and through tissue not for the purpose of heating the tissue, but instead to maintain the plasma proximate to the tissue being treated. Also disclosed is a method of limiting the current through plasma and through tissue to minimize tissue heating by placement of an insulator or semiconductor between an electrode and tissue resulting in generation of a high-voltage discharge similar to a dielectric barrier discharge. The disclosed non-thermal plasma treatment can be employed to promote coagulation of blood, sterilization, disinfection, re-connection of tissue, and treatment of tissue disorders without causing significant thermal tissue damage.

Methods for non-thermal applications of gas plasma to living tissue

Methods for non-thermal application of gas plasma to living tissue

The use of non-thermal plasma to treat mucus membrane bleeding is described herein. A non-thermal plasma is generated using an apparatus having a first electrode that receives alternating electrical potentials from a power supply. When placed in an appropriate location proximate to tissue, a non-thermal plasma is generated, the second electrode being human tissue, blood, etc. To reduce the likelihood of an arc being generated, potentially causing tissue damage or pain, the first electrode is partially encapsulated by a dielectric. The non-thermal plasma is applied to the area of bleeding for treatment.

Control of mucus membrane bleeding with cold plasma

A reactor for reforming a hydrocarbon, and associated processes and systems, are described herein. In one example, a reactor is provided that is configured to use non-equilibrium gliding are discharge plasma. In another example, the reactor uses a vortex flow pattern. Two stages of reforming are described. In a first stage, the hydrocarbon absorbs heat from the wall of the reactor and combusts to form carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water. In a second stage, a gliding are discharge is use to form syngas, which is a mixture of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. The heat generated by the combustion of the first stage transfers to the wall of the reactor and heated products of the second stage mix with incoming hydrocarbon to provide for partial recuperation of the reaction energy.

A vortex reactor is provided. The vortex reactor includes a substantially cylindrical shaped portion forming a reaction chamber therein, wherein said substantially cylindrical shaped portion forms a first charged electrode; a circumferential flow apparatus fluidly connected to the reaction chamber for creating a circumferential fluid flow; a second charged electrode; and an outlet for releasing said circumferential fluid flow. Also provided are methods of processing particulate solids using the vortex reactor of the invention.

Growing community of inventors

San Ramon, CA, United States of America

Alexander F Gutsol