Abstract: A pulse detonation device for dividing a pulse detonation shock wave into an primary and control portion to reduce the strength of a propagating shock wave and/or change its direction. The device contains a flow separator which directs a portion of the shock wave into itself, thus reducing the shock wave's strength. In one configuration, the control region converges in cross-sectional area so as to accelerate the flow in the control region, while the primary region diverges to slow the flow in the primary region. The flow in the control region is directed, at an angle, into the flow of the primary region to impede and/or redirect the flow of the primary region.

Abstract: Power plants and process for lowering CO2 emissions generally includes extracting a portion of the recirculated CO2-rich flue gas mid-way through the compression pathway of a gas turbine and removing the CO2 in a separation unit. The remaining portion of the CO2 rich flue gas (i.e., the portion of the recirculated flue gas that was not fed to the separation unit) is mixed with fresh air coming from an additional compressor-expander and then fed back to the compression pathway. As a result, flue gas recirculation increases the CO2 concentration within the working fluid, leading to an additional increase in CO2 partial pressure. As the concentration and partial pressure of CO2 is increased, a lower energy penalty is observed to remove the CO2. Moreover, a reduced volume is fed to the CO2 separation unit during operation. Consequently, the size of the separation equipment can be reduced as well as the energy required for the separation process.

Abstract: A plasma generation system includes a pulse generator having at least one switch and that is configured to convert a DC voltage to a desired high frequency, high breakdown voltage pulse sufficient to break down a high-breakdown voltage gap, wherein all pulse generator switches are solely low to medium voltage, high frequency switches, and further configured to apply the breakdown voltage to a plasma load for the generation of plasma. In one application, the plasma generation system is useful to manipulate the flow of jets and provide highly efficient acoustic noise reduction.

Abstract: An appliance that uses a substantially carbon-free hydrogen is disclosed. The appliance includes a converter, a hydrogen storage container including a carbon-based nanostructured material, a charger, a discharger and, optionally, a controller is disclosed. The hydrogen storage container is capable of storing the substantially carbon-free hydrogen in a condensed state. In addition to the carbon-based nanostructured material, the container may include a metal capable of acting as both a seed for the formation of the nanostructured material and a facilitator for promoting the storage in the condensed state of the substantially carbon-free gaseous hydrogen provided to the storage container.

Abstract: A system for reducing NOx emissions, includes a reformer configured to receive a fuel and produce a hydrogen-enriched stream, a combustion system configured to burn the hydrogen enriched-stream and produce electricity and an exhaust stream, and a recuperator configured to recover heat from the exhaust stream, wherein the recovered heat is recycled back to the reformer.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a separating structure configured for separating a first reactant and a second reactant wherein the separating structure has an opening therein. The fuel cell assembly further comprises a fuel cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte interposed between the first and second electrodes, and a passage configured to introduce the second reactant to the second electrode. The electrolyte is bonded to the separating structure with the first electrode being situated within the opening, and the second electrode being situated within the passage.

Abstract: A rare earth-based core for use in the casting of a reactive metal is described. The core contains a ceramic composition which includes at least about 10% by weight of monoclinic rare earth aluminate (RE4Al2O9), wherein RE represents at least one rare earth element; and at least about 10% by weight of at least one free rare earth oxide. The ceramic phase of the composition may include a microstructure which comprises a multitude of substantially spherical pores which are formed as a result of the removal of aluminum metal from the core composition during a heat treatment step. Additional embodiments relate to a method for the fabrication of a ceramic core, employing a rare earth oxide, aluminum metal, and a binder. Methods for removing cores from a cast part are also described.

Abstract: A method for protecting a thermal barrier coating (TBC) which comprises voids is described. The method involves the step of electrophoretically depositing a mitigation coating material such as alumina to fill at least a portion of the voids. The TBC is often applied over a metal substrate, such as a turbine engine component. The voids can be in the form of vertical cracks within the TBC. A thermal barrier coating is also described, containing voids which extend into the coating from a top surface, wherein at least a portion of the voids is filled with a mitigation coating material.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a plurality of wind turbine blades attached to a rotor positioned atop a tower affixed to a tower foundation. At least one blade pitch sensor is configured to measure blade pitch angles for one or more of the wind turbine blades. A rotor/generator speed sensor is configured to measure the rotational speed of the wind turbine rotor, a corresponding wind turbine generator, or both. A wind turbine nacelle yaw sensor is configured to measure the nacelle yaw, while at least two tower-base bending sensors are configured without use of adhesives, cements or bonding agents to provide large-area measurement of tower deflection. A controller is configured to adjust the pitch angle of one or more of the wind turbine blades in response to the measured one or more blade pitch angles, the measured rotational speed, the measured nacelle yaw and measured tower longitudinal deflection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a complex hydride and a borohydride catalyst wherein the borohydride catalyst comprises a BH4 group, and a group IV metal, a group V metal, or a combination of a group IV and a group V metal. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the composition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) surface analysis. Exemplary embodiments include systems and methods for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) surface analysis, including a SOFC having a ceramic surface, a scanner adjacent the ceramic surface for collecting data related to the ceramic surface, a structure for retaining the SOFC with respect to the scanner, a device for collecting a processing the ceramic surface data and a process residing on the device, the process for analyzing and presenting the ceramic surface data.

Abstract: A method for storing hydrogen is described. The hydrogen is infused into hollow spheres. The spheres are made from a polymer which has a tensile strength sufficient to contain hydrogen under selected internal pressure conditions; and has a permeation coefficient which can be adjusted under variable humidity conditions. Adjustment of the humidity level after the hydrogen is infused results in the walls of the spheres becoming impermeable to hydrogen. The hydrogen stored in the spheres can then be released at a desired time by readjusting the humidity level. The released hydrogen can be directed to any type of equipment which is fueled by hydrogen or otherwise uses the gas. Related articles and systems are also described.

Abstract: Oxidation-resistant ferritic steel alloys for high temperature applications consist essentially of chromium (Cr) in an amount from about 18 to about 25 atom percent, tungsten (W) in an amount from about 0.5 to about 2 atom percent, manganese (Mn) in an amount less than about 0.8 atom percent, aluminum (Al) in an amount less than about 0.2 atom percent, silicon (Si) in an amount less than about 0.1 atom percent, and rare earth metals that includes neodymium (Nd) in an amount from about 0.002 to about 0.2 atom percent with the balance being iron (Fe). Also disclosed herein are solid oxide fuel cells that include separators formed for the oxidation resistant ferritic alloys.

Abstract: A green product for use in fabricating a ceramic article comprises a ceramic powder immobilized within a silicone matrix, wherein the silicone matrix comprises one or more cross linked or polymerized silicone monomers and/or oligomers, wherein the one or more cross linked or polymerized silicone monomers and/or oligomers have a alkenyl reactive functional group and a hydride reactive functional group. Processes for forming a green product and a ceramic core with the silicone monomers and/or oligomers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a fuel cell, including reacting a fuel with an oxidant within the fuel cell to produce electricity and reaction products comprising steam. The fuel is fed through the fuel cell, wherein a concentration of the steam increases in the first direction through the fuel cell. The direction of fuel-flow through the fuel cell is altered or reversed upon satisfying a condition, thereby altering the concentration gradient of steam in the fuel cell and providing for removal of carbon deposition with the fuel cell. Such reversal of fuel flow may also provide an exhaust from the fuel cell that can regenerate an external or adjacent hydrocarbon reformer.

Abstract: A refractory composition is described, containing niobium, silicon, titanium, and at least one of rhenium and ruthenium. The amount of silicon in the composition is at least about 9 atom %, and the amount of titanium present is less than about 26 atom %, based on total atomic percent. Turbine engine components formed from such a composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel preconditioning system for use with a pulse detonation combustor (PDC) makes use of a heat source to pyrolyze fuel prior to injecting it into the PDC for detonation. The fuel is decomposed into a more detonable form by pyrolysis in a conditioner that applies heat to the fuel in the absence of oxidizer. The heat may be provided by a hot section of the engine, including the walls of the PDC itself. The conditioned fuel is fed to the PDC and detonated.

Abstract: A Miller cycle combustion engine capable of operating on multiple fuel types, and a method of operating the engine, is provided. The engine includes a fuel type determiner to determine the fuel type, and a compression adjustor to adjust the compression of a first cylinder of the engine to match the requirement of the determined fuel type. The compression adjustor is a variable valve timing system that provides a maximum compression when a fuel type requiring maximum compression is determined, and that advances or retards the opening of the intake valve to provide lower compression when a fuel type requiring lower compression is determined.

Abstract: A device is provided. The device is configured to introduce a pressurized flow along a Coanda profile and to entrain additional fluid flow to create a high velocity fluid flow; wherein the high velocity fluid flow is directed to an end use system through a flow path in flow communication with the device.

Abstract: A high-frequency, high-voltage electron switch includes an electron source, a steering mechanism, a mask or anode plate, and a target. The electron source produces a beam of electrons with a voltage of at least about 1 kV that impinges upon the anode plate. The steering mechanism scans the electron beam across the anode plate at a scanning frequency of at least about 10 MHz. A hole or aperture is provided in the anode plate that allows the electron beam to pass through and produce a pulsed, high-voltage current in the target with a very high-frequency repetition rate and a very fast rise time. The pulsed, high-voltage current produced in the target can be used to cause a high-voltage source to turn on and off.