Abstract: Evacuated microspheres, insulating materials constructed from such microspheres, and methods of manufacturing same provide insulation and reduce heat transfer through radiation, conduction and convection. Additionally, an infrared reflective coating is provided on a microsphere surface to reduce radiant heat transfer. A protective exterior coating is also provided to protect an exteriorly applied infrared reflective coating on such a microsphere. Furthermore, the spheroidal geometry of such microspheres restricts heat transfer to point-to-point conduction therebetween. Finally, evacuated microspheres further reduce through-heat transfer within a shell. One embodiment utilizes such evacuated microspheres in constructing an elastomeric roof coating which appreciably reduces cooling and air conditioning power costs for a building. An alternative embodiment utilizes such an elastomeric coating in constructing an exterior paint for a building.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a new improved radiolytic-chemical method for gas production by inclusion of oxide of nitrogen in the processing system to inhibit recombination of radiolytic products and to scavenge oxygen from the process stream. The present multi-step chemical and radiation method provides gases which may be used directly as fuel or as a base in production of hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a new improved chemical method for combustible fuel production by converting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to a carbonate following which the recovered carbonate is combined with hydrogen gas to produce combustible fuels e.g. methane and methanol. The present method provides means for fuel generation and may advantageously use heat and radiation energy derived from nuclear reactors.This application implies certain environmental advantages, in that burning of fuels containing carbon derived only from atmospheric CO.sub.2 would not add to the CO.sub.2 content of the atmosphere. Recycling of lime as CaO or Ca(OH).sub.2 would eliminate the problem of disposing of those materials as encountered by others teaching use of carbonates but not using such a closed cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making uniform pellets for laser driven fusion reactors which comprises selection of a quantity of glass frit which has been accurately classified as to size within a few micrometers and contains an occluded material, such as urea, which gasifies and expands when heated. The sized particles are introduced into an apparatus which includes a heated vertical tube with temperatures ranging from 800.degree. C to 1300.degree. C. The particles are heated during the drop through the tube to molten condition wherein the occluded material gasifies to form hollow microspheres which stabilize in shape and plunge into a collecting liquid at the bottom of the tube. The apparatus includes the vertical heat resistant tube, heaters for the various zones of the tube and means for introducing the frit and collecting the formed microspheres.