Abstract: Embodiments relate to generating non-thermal plasma to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material, a precursor material, and a plasma promoter material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material, the precursor material, and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a micro-plasma. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the micro-plasma. The exposure of the precursor material to the micro-plasma and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma based synthesis of graphitic materials. The system includes a plasma forming zone configured to generate a plasma from radio-frequency radiation, an interface element configured to transmit the plasma from the plasma forming zone to a reaction zone, and the reaction zone configured to receive the plasma. The reaction zone is further configured to receive feedstock material comprising a carbon containing species, and convert the feedstock material to a product comprising the graphitic materials in presence of the plasma.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma is generated to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material and a precursor material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material and the precursor material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a non-thermal plasma including formation of one or more streamers. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the non-thermal plasma including exposing the precursor material to the one or more streamers. The exposure of the precursor material to the streamers and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to generating non-thermal plasma to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material, a precursor material, and a plasma promoter material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material, the precursor material, and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a micro-plasma. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the micro-plasma. The exposure of the precursor material to the micro-plasma and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma is generated to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material and a precursor material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material and the precursor material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a non-thermal plasma including formation of one or more streamers. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the non-thermal plasma including exposing the precursor material to the one or more streamers. The exposure of the precursor material to the streamers and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma is generated to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material and a precursor material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material and the precursor material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a non-thermal plasma including formation of one or more streamers. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the non-thermal plasma including exposing the precursor material to the one or more streamers. The exposure of the precursor material to the streamers and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for electroplating metallic ions onto a conductive substrate. In one embodiment, the method comprises at least partially covering a selected surface of the conductive substrate with an electrode wrap that includes a pad having an abrasive surface.The metallic ions are electrically depositing onto the selected surface through the electrode wrap while the conductive substrate is moved (e.g., rotated) relative to the electrode wrap. A substantially constant frictional force is controllably applied from the abrasive surface onto the selected surface while the metallic ions are being deposited. In this manner, a substantially constant abrasive force is applied to the selected surface as the thickness of the deposited metallic coating increases to create a relatively smooth, uniform, thick deposition that is substantially free of defects.

Abstract: The array of recesses in a ball grid array carrier or (device) are populated with solder balls through a closely spaced tooling plate or stencil which has a like array of apertures. A solder bin is moved along side rails over the stencil allowing solder balls to fill the apertures in the stencil settling on the corresponding recesses and held there by adhesive. Excess solder balls are moved along by the movement of the bin. The bin is held in close contact with the stencil to avoid misplacement of the balls by bowing the stencil and by forcing it into a plane coplanar with the bottom of the bin. Alternative techniques are magnetic or vacuum areas of the bottom of the bin to ensure complete contact with the stencil.

Abstract: An adjustable system is described for control of a genoa sheet on a sailboat. The sheet is passed through a pulley or lead block carried by a car which is slidably mounted on a track. The block and car have complementary interfitting parts to enable the block to be removed from one car and secured to another car on a second track.

Abstract: A resilient support is provided for maintaining a pivotally mounted yacht fitting in an upright position. The support is in the form of a conical section made from a resilient polymeric material.

Abstract: A cam cleat includes a pair of spring loaded cams or pawls rotatably mounted on a base. The cams have specially formed teeth and open and close in opposite rotary directions to releasably grip a line therebetween. The cams or pawls are rotatably mounted on a shaft and the case by a plurality of rotatable bearings to substantially reduce the effort required in opening and closing the cams and to reduce the spring force maintained on the cams, resulting in substantial advantages in performance. An alternate single cam version is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sailboat swivel base for supporting a block and a rotatable arm includes a central rotatable post for supporting the block and a separate annular bearing system, located axially outwardly of the post, for rotatably supporting the arm against bending movements that would otherwise cause distortion, undue wear, and sloppiness in the base. The separate bearing system comprises annular sets of rotary bearings in the base that confine and support opposite sides of the end of the arm, the bearing sets being carried in annular recesses between the arm and the base.

Abstract: A plurality of adjacent sheaves are disposed around a common shaft. Each sheave carries a plurality of ball bearings engaged between an inner race of the sheave and the shaft. The ball bearings in one sheave are exposed on one side and bear against an adjacent sheave around the shaft such that friction between a sheave and the shaft and between adjacent sheaves is minimized.