Abstract: A method of controlling combustion of an air-fuel charge in a piston engine having at least one combustion chamber comprising, (a) mixing at least one hydrocarbon fluid fuel and no more than about 10,000 ppm of at least one combustion initiating additive to thereby produce a fluid fuel mixture; (b) combining the fluid fuel mixture with a gaseous medium containing oxygen thereby producing an air-fuel charge; (c) supplying the air-fuel charge to the at least one combustion chamber; (d) compressing the air-fuel charge with a piston in the at least one combustion chamber; and (e) igniting the air-fuel charge with at least one light source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diamondoids and diamondoids derivatives as nucleating agents in the manufacture of thermoplastics. The use of diamondoids and diamondoid derivatives as nucleating agents can increase the overall rate of crystallization of thermoplastics and may lead to a reduction of cycle-time in molding processes and generally to increased output as well. Further, performance characteristics, such as, for example, clarity, stiffness, impact properties, hardness, and heat resistance, may be improved in thermoplastic articles formed from thermoplastics containing diamondoids as nucleating agents.