Abstract: Device for hydrogen sulfide plasma dissociation includes a plasma chemical reactor including an arc plasma generator that has a cathode and an anode; the anode having a working surface for contacting hydrogen sulfide plasma, wherein the working surface is made from a material that includes stainless steel, tungsten or molybdenum; the cathode having a tip for arc attachment where a cathode spot is formed, wherein the cathode tip is made from pure tungsten, pure molybdenum, a tungsten or molybdenum alloy with tungsten as a major component or a composite material in which tungsten or molybdenum is the major component; and a flow path configured to have an inlet for gaseous hydrogen sulfide for dissociation in plasma into hydrogen and sulfur, and an outlet for gaseous products of hydrogen sulfide plasma dissociation. Optionally, the alloy or composite material has up to 10% low work function elements (thorium, cerium, lanthanum, or zirconium).

Abstract: A uroflowmetry device including a funnel for funneling urine of a user, a sensor for measuring urine level in the funnel over a measurement period, a paddle wheel operable to rotate in response to urine exiting the funnel and generate a signal after each rotation during said measurement period, a transmitter for transmitting data from the uroflowmetry device to a smart device, and a processor. The processor configured to, while the user is urinating, compute a urine flowrate based on urine level in the funnel and a number of rotations of the paddle wheel over the measurement period, and transmit the urine flowrate to the smart device to provide real-time urination feedback to the user.

Abstract: Device for hydrogen sulfide plasma dissociation includes a plasma chemical reactor including an arc plasma generator that has a cathode and an anode; the anode having a working surface for contacting hydrogen sulfide plasma, wherein the working surface is made from a material that includes stainless steel, tungsten or molybdenum; the cathode having a tip for arc attachment where a cathode spot is formed, wherein the cathode tip is made from pure tungsten, pure molybdenum, a tungsten or molybdenum alloy with tungsten as a major component or a composite material in which tungsten or molybdenum is the major component; and a flow path configured to have an inlet for gaseous hydrogen sulfide for dissociation in plasma into hydrogen and sulfur, and an outlet for gaseous products of hydrogen sulfide plasma dissociation. Optionally, the alloy or composite material has up to 10% low work function elements (thorium, cerium, lanthanum, or zirconium).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A plasma reactor (10) is provided. The plasma reactor (10) includes a reaction chamber (12) formed by a wall (13). Proximate to the first end of the reaction chamber, the plasma reactor includes a feed gas inlet (14) for creating a reverse vortex gas flow (16) in the reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) also includes an anode and a cathode connected to a power source for generation of an electric arc for plasma generation in said reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) may optionally include a movable electrode adapted for movement from a first, ignition position to a second, operational position in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of converting light hydrocarbons to hydrogen-rich gas, using the plasma reactor of the invention.

Abstract: A plasma reactor (10) is provided. The plasma reactor (10) includes a reaction chamber (12) formed by a wall (13). Proximate to the first end of the reaction chamber, the plasma reactor includes a feed gas inlet (14) for creating a reverse vortex gas flow (16) in the reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) also includes an anode and a cathode connected to a power source for generation of an electric arc for plasma generation in said reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) may optionally include a movable electrode adapted for movement from a first, ignition position to a second, operational position in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of converting light hydrocarbons to hydrogen-rich gas, using the plasma reactor of the invention.

Abstract: A method of H2S dissociation which comprises generating radicals or ions. The H2S dissociation is initiated at relatively low temperature, e.g., of less than 1875 K. The residence time for dissociation generally ranges from about 0.01 s to 10 s. In one embodiment, plasmas are used to generate ions for use in the H2S dissociation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vortex reactor is provided. The vortex reactor includes a reaction chamber formed by a frustum-shaped portion, the narrower part of which is downwardly oriented. Proximate to the narrower part of the frustum-shaped portion, the vortex reactor includes apparatus for creating an axial gas flow and apparatus for creating a circumferential gas flow. The vortex reactor also includes a particulate solid inlet for feeding particulate solids to the reaction chamber. The vortex reactor may optionally include apparatus for generating plasma in the reaction chamber by providing a gliding arc electrical discharge in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of processing particulate solids using the vortex reactor of the invention. A reverse vortex plasma reactor (TSAPG) is also provided.

Abstract: A plasma reactor (10) is provided. The plasma reactor (10) includes a reaction chamber (12) formed by a wall (13). Proximate to the first end of the reaction chamber, the plasma reactor includes a feed gas inlet (14) for creating a reverse vortex gas flow (16) in the reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) also includes an anode and a cathode connected to a power source for generation of an electric arc for plasma generation in said reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) may optionally include a movable electrode adapted for movement from a first, ignition position to a second, operational position in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of converting light hydrocarbons to hydrogen-rich gas, using the plasma reactor of the invention.