Abstract: There is provided a water-hydrocarbon mixture. In one example, the mixture includes low-molecular weight hydrocarbon and between about 5% and about 70% water. The mixture is in the gaseous state, and is at a pressure that is below the critical pressure of the mixture. The mixture temperature is above about 28° C. less than the boiling point temperature of water at the mixture pressure and is below about 450° C. The mixture provides a local environment of water molecules, tending to limit hydrocarbon polymerization and other undesirable side reactions and keeping the hydrocarbon from precipitating from the mixture, for a faster, more complete combustion cycle characterized by lower emissions of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and volatile organic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon preferably includes hydrocarbon micro-droplets of a diameter of no more than about 1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: There is provided a water-hydrocarbon mixture. In one example, the mixture includes liquid hydrocarbon and between about 5% and about 70% water. The mixture is at a pressure that is below the critical pressure characteristic of the mixture and is at a temperature that is at least the greater of about 250° C. and about the boiling point temperature of water at the mixture pressure. The mixture provides a local environment of water molecules, tending to limit hydrocarbon polymerization and other undesirable side reactions and keeping the hydrocarbon from precipitating from the mixture. This provides for a faster, more complete combustion cycle that is characterized by lower emissions of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and volatile organic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon preferably includes hydrocarbon micro-droplets of a diameter of no more than about 1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Highly efficient engine. The system includes an internal combustion engine having at least one piston in a cylinder, the cylinder including a cylinder head. The engine operates on an unsymmetrical expansion and compression cycle wherein the expansion portion of the cycle is greater than the compression portion of the cycle. The piston and cylinder head are lined with an insulating material having a selected thermal diffusivity. Apparatus is provided for injecting a supercritical mixture of fuel and water into the cylinder of the engine. The combination of these aspects results in a highly efficient engine.

Abstract: Supercritical water fuel composition and combustion system. In one aspect, the invention is a composition of matter comprising a mixture of 5-50% water and a hydrocarbon wherein the water/hydrocarbon mixture is near the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase. A suitable temperature is 400.degree. C. and a suitable pressure is 4,000psi. In another aspect, the invention is a fuel system including structure containing a water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture near the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase. Structure is provided for delivering the mixture for combustion. Combustion may occur in an internal combustion engine, turbine engine or other burner.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device is disclosed which has an electron conductor fabricated from a stable low electron affinity substance in combination with an emitting species and a hole conductor. The hole conductor and the electron conductor transport to opposed sides of the emitting species holes and electrons respectively that cause the emitting species to undergo a quantum change of state and generate light. In one embodiment the electron conductor is comprised of a plurality of structured particles, each in electrical communication with each other, where the plurality of structured particles are small enough so as their properties deviate from the bulk properties of the substance from which the structured particles are fabricated. In this embodiment the plurality of structured particles are also crystalline in nature. The plurality of structured particles are also in contact with an emitting species and act as an electron conductor.