Abstract: A toy ring-launcher apparatus for wearing on a human finger as an item of play jewelry that's comprised of means for starting to rotate and then subsequently releasing other toy apparatuses or objects exhibiting gyroscopic tendencies, such as gyroscopic tops, flying propellers, or rolling wheels so they rotate very fast around a central axis and move independently of the toy ring-launcher apparatus on a flat surface, in the air, or on a toy racing track, respectively. Methods are also included for using the provided toy ring-launcher apparatus to have fun and enjoyment.

Abstract: A toy ring-launcher apparatus for wearing on a human finger as an item of play jewelry that's comprised of means for starting to rotate and then subsequently releasing other toy apparatuses or objects exhibiting gyroscopic tendencies, such as gyroscopic tops, flying propellers, or rolling wheels so they rotate very fast around a central axis and move independently of the toy ring-launcher apparatus on a flat surface, in the air, or on a toy racing track, respectively.

Abstract: A fidget-spinner toy capable of being held in one hand between the thumb and another finger comprised of a gyroscopic rotor, means for rotating the gyroscopic rotor which is further comprised of a reciprocating actuator rod, and a tip that rotates independently of the gyroscopic rotor, such that the gyroscopic rotor is rotated about its spin axis as the tip rests on the thumb by moving the thumb and the tip end of the other finger closer together and then farther apart again repeatedly in order to convert bidirectional reciprocating movement of the reciprocating actuator rod into unidirectional rotary motion of the gyroscopic rotor even if the gyroscopic rotor is already rotating rapidly. Methods are also provided that are comprised of first providing the fidget-spinner toy and then using it for fun and to reduce mental stress either while the fidget-spinner toy is being held in the hand or operating independently as a spinning top on any smooth surface.

Abstract: A luminaire comprising a fluorescent light bulb, mercury sorbent, and a secondary covering is presented along with methods for making and using a luminaire that has mercury sorbent placed under a secondary transparent or translucent covering, coating, or skin and over the glass-casing of the fluorescent light bulb comprising the luminaire so that elemental mercury will not escape to the environment surrounding the luminaire if and when the glass-casing of the fluorescent light bulb ever breaks or ruptures.

Abstract: A container with adjustable enclosed volume is provided that's comprised of two identical collapsible containers interlocked together at their top rims or faces where both of the identical containers have connecting-means on their top rims or faces for locking or connecting the collapsible containers together, and a method of forming and using a collapsible and expandable container with adjustable enclosed volume is also provided.

Abstract: A food cover comprising matter that absorbs ethylene gas or which otherwise acts to retard the spoiling process of food stored in a container covered by the food cover, and a method of using and benefiting from a food cover which is comprised of matter that actively slows down the food spoiling process of food stored in a container that is covered by the provided food cover.

Abstract: A pyrodielectrophoretic heat engine and energy conversion method exploiting the pyrodielectrophoretic effect for effectively and efficiently converting thermal energy into work or other useful forms at any physical size or scale.

Abstract: A dielectrophoretic heat engine with temperature-dependent dielectric matter and energy conversion method exploiting the thermodielectrophoretic effect for effectively and efficiently converting thermal energy into work or other useful forms at any physical size or scale.

Abstract: A cup or lid with a combined built-in drinking straw and blow toy that allows a person to either suck in liquid from a container through the straw or else blow into the straw to cause an object located on the cup or lid which is to be promoted or advertised to spin or otherwise move, and where the cup or lid can be used as a toy, a drinking apparatus, a promotional item, or an item of memorabilia.

Abstract: An internal-combustion, reciprocating-piston engine operating on the Otto cycle and associated method are provided where a sidewall combustion chamber is employed that is capable of receiving highly-compressed air or a mixture of any gas and fuel from a cylinder while a main piston is positioned at or near top-dead-center in the cylinder, and where the sidewall combustion chamber is also capable of temporarily storing a highly-compressed air or a mixture of any gas and fuel before sending and re-injecting an ignited or burning mixture of highly-compressed air or a mixture of any gas and fuel into the same cylinder between the main piston and the displacer-piston when the main piston is located in the cylinder at an optimum position for receiving and transferring energy or forces.

Abstract: A plasma-ring generator is provided where a multitude of capacitors discharge across arc-points arranged ina circular or other configuration to cause a plasma-ring or plasma-structure with a circulating electric current to be formed.

Abstract: Circuits exhibiting very low electrical resistance or superconductivity are provided as well as a method for transmitting, storing, or otherwise using electric energy more effectively and efficiently for providing powerful electromagnets for motors and generators, for transmitting electric power with few losses, or for making energy-storage devices with a high energy-density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing large quantities of electric energy in a small mass and volume at a high dc electric potential. Dispersed conductive particles 16 in a dispersing medium 15 contained in an insulator casing 21 between an insulating divider 11 and either a positive conductive plate 12 or a negative conductive plate 13 accumulate and store electric charges. A procedure of particle-to-particle charge pumping is employed to convey electric charges to and from the positive conductive plate 12 and the negative conductive plate 13 to the surfaces of each of a great multitude of dispersed conductive particles 16. Energizing results in oppositely charged dispersed conductive particles 16 becoming electrically bound to the surfaces of the insulating divider 11 with a large quantity of electric charges also residing on the outside surfaces of the repelling dispersed conductive particles 16, whereby the total effective capacitor plate surface area is greatly increased.

Abstract: A method and circuit for energizing an electric energy storage device (10) to a high voltage with electric energy supplied by a high voltage electric power source (16) in a safe, effective and efficient manner by first moving electric charges supplied by a high voltage power source (16) to a capacitive device (20) and then subsequently transferring the electric charges stored in an energized capacitive device (20) to an electric energy storage device (10) for later use. A method and circuit for de-energizing an electric energy storage device (10) from a very high voltage in a safe, effective, and efficient manner by first moving electric charges supplied by the electric energy storage device to a capacitive device (20) and then subsequently de-energizing an energized capacitive device (20) through an electrical load device (18) so that useful work can be performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing large quantities of electric energy in a small mass and volume at a high dc electric potential. Dispersed conductive particles 16 in a dispersing medium 15 contained in an insulator casing 21 between an insulating divider 11 and either a positive conductive plate 12 or a negative conductive plate 13 accumulate and store electric charges. A procedure of particle-to-particle charge pumping is employed to convey electric charges to and from the positive conductive plate 12 and the negative conductive plate 13 to the surfaces of each of a great multitude of dispersed conductive particles 16. Energizing results in oppositely charged dispersed conductive particles 16 becoming electrically bound to the surfaces of the insulating divider 11 with a large quantity of electric charges also residing on the outside surfaces of the repelling dispersed conductive particles 16, whereby the total effective capacitor plate surface area is greatly increased.