Abstract: A method of inspecting a ferromagnetic object includes positioning a plurality of magnetic field sensors proximate the ferromagnetic object and when a plurality of magnetic field sensors sense respective magnetic field values at respective different locations proximate at least one surface of the ferromagnetic object, causing the plurality of magnetic field sensors to generally traverse around the ferromagnetic object.

Abstract: An electric field signature detector for detecting and identifying objects that uses multiple electrostatic sensor nodes each having a passive sensing electrode whose free conduction electrons are displacement responsive to an externally applied or sensed electric field potential, and a transimpedance converter and amplifier exhibiting ultra-high input impedance for translating low level input displacement current from a sensing electrode into a useable output signal in response to a charge displacement signal induced on the passive sensing electrode by an external electric field. The electric field signature detector further includes an exciter for providing a reference electric field used in the retrieval and processing of an electric field signature representative of an object and class of object under investigation. The electric field signature detector having uses including military, security, anti-terrorist, and defense related.

Abstract: An electromechanical power converter that has a rotor assembly with a conductive shell, a first conductor made from superconducting material that is in series electrical contact with the conductive shell and a second conductor made from superconducting material and in series electrical contact with said conductive shell, thus providing an internal impedance converting electromechanical power converter.

Abstract: An apparatus for the emergency capping of pipes and wells is described. The apparatus uses a form of physically deformative valving for emergency closure of pipes and wells. An active magnetic field augmented theta pinch or zeta pinch apparatus causes the pipe or well fixture to collapse or otherwise deform into itself, thus shutting off the flow of material to prevent the environmental damage that may result if the material is a hydrocarbon such as crude oil, natural gas, or the like. The apparatus can be rapidly deployed in response to a situation such as a catastrophic failure of a pipe or well.

Abstract: An electrostatic phase change generating apparatus is described. The apparatus causes a change of state to occur in an input gas, for example, ambient air. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus removes moisture from air, and may be used to generate water from air, dehumidify air, cool air, and the like. The ability to generate water from air has global importance as the need for clean water increases each year. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus uses high voltage but low current allowing for very energy efficient operations. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus uses a phase change vessel containing a liquid, a bubbler immersed in the liquid for conveying a gas, and a high voltage source to bias the liquid with respect to an upper electrode.

Abstract: An electromechanical power converter that has a rotor assembly with a conductive shell, a first conductor made from superconducting material that is in series electrical contact with the conductive shell and a second conductor made from superconducting material and in series electrical contact with said conductive shell, thus providing an internal impedance converting electromechanical power converter.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing water and dehumidifying air is described. The apparatus causes moisture in an incoming air stream to combine with seed water to remove moisture from the incoming air stream, and may be used to generate water from air, dehumidify air, cool air, and the like. The ability to generate water from air has global importance as the need for clean water increases each year. The apparatus for producing water and dehumidifying air uses high voltage but extremely low current, allowing for both safe and energy efficient operations. The apparatus for producing water and dehumidifying air uses a vessel containing seed water, a bubbler immersed in the seed water, a high voltage source connected to a lower electrode and an upper electrode connected to the negative side of the high voltage source. An airflow path travels through the apparatus and water molecules are extracted from the air as it passes through the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrostatic phase change generating apparatus is described. The apparatus causes a change of state to occur in an input gas, for example, ambient air. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus removes moisture from air, and may be used to generate water from air, dehumidify air, cool air, and the like. The ability to generate water from air has global importance as the need for clean water increases each year. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus uses high voltage but low current allowing for very energy efficient operations. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus uses a phase change vessel containing a liquid, a bubbler immersed in the liquid for conveying a gas, and a high voltage source to bias the liquid with respect to an upper electrode.

Abstract: A photosterilization reactor for sterilization of a liquid or a gas using ultraviolet light is disclosed that overcomes many of the shortcomings of current ultraviolet sterilization systems and improves the efficiencies of the sterilization process. The photosterilization reactor has an optically coupled flow path for maximizing the cross-sectional interaction between the ultraviolet radiation and the liquid or gas in the flow path, a reactor vessel for the efficient entrapment, reflection and use of the generated and unabsorbed ultraviolet radiation, and operational improvements to the ultraviolet light source, thermal and mechanical shielding of the ultraviolet light source, and electrical safety improvements. The photosterilization reactor may further contain a novel fluoroscopic pathogen detector that provides for real time monitoring of pathogens in the liquid or gas flow path internal to the reactor.

Abstract: An acyclic homopolar electromechanical power converter that uses superconducting series connected rotor elements for series summation of magnetomotive and electromotive force. The novel rotor assembly comprises a plurality of conductor elements connected in series by superconducting series connections. The behavior of the superconducting series connections provides a form of flux isolation and series summation of forces that has heretofore been impossible in electromechanical power converters. The superconducting series connections further modify the rotor impedance of an acyclic homopolar electromechanical power converter to provide long needed improvements to acyclic homopolar electromechanical power converter designs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a fluorescent tube having a pair of filaments. The system comprises a transformer, an AC signal generator and a coupling device. The AC signal generator is connected to drive a primary AC signal onto the primary winding of the transformer and to thereby create a secondary AC signal on the secondary winding of the transformer. The secondary winding of the transformer is coupled between the filaments of the fluorescent tube at first terminals thereof. The coupling device is coupled between the filaments at second terminals thereof. The coupling device is switchable between a conducting state, wherein a majority of the current associated with the secondary AC signal is conducted by the coupling device, and a non-conducting state wherein a voltage drop across the coupling device is sufficient to cause a majority of the current associated with the secondary AC signal to arc between the filaments of the fluorescent tube.