Abstract: Various examples are provided related to catalytic nanofiber membrane assemblies or structures which can be used in plasma reactors. In one example, a three-dimensional (3D) catalytic structure includes nanofiber-based elements (NFBEs) and electrodes placed about the NFBEs with the NFBEs stacked between the electrodes. In another example, a plasma reactor includes a vessel containing the 3D catalytic structure where gas pressure in the vessel is less than 1 atmosphere.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use thereof for delivering an insecticide to water-borne insect larvae are provided. Whereas individual cells of the insecticidal bacteria such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), are effective in killing insect larvae when ingested by same, their use in aqueous environments is restricted by the time that the bacterial cells remain suspended in water and hence available for ingestion by the larvae. To increase the time that the insecticidal bacteria remain in suspension, it has now been found advantageous to mix bacterial suspensions with nanoparticles comprising carbon that attach to the external surface of the cells.

Abstract: An AC-electrospinning system and a method are provided for fabricating inorganic fiber tubular structures. The AC-electrospinning system preferably uses an electrode system that comprises an electrical charging component electrode and at least one of an AC field attenuating component and a precursor liquid attenuating component. Use of the AC-electrospinning process to fabricate the inorganic fiber tubular structures allows the structures to be made with high porosities that are not achievable using the conventional approach.

Abstract: An electrode system for use in an AC-electrospinning process comprises an electrical charging component electrode and at least one of an AC field attenuating component and a precursor liquid attenuating component. The electrical charging component electrode is electrically coupled to an AC source that places a predetermined AC voltage on the electrical charging component electrode. In cases in which the electrode system includes the AC field attenuating component, it attenuates the AC field generated by the electrical charging component electrode to better shape and control the direction of the fibrous flow. In cases in which the electrode system includes the precursor liquid attenuating component, it serves to increase fiber generation, even if the top surface of the liquid precursor is not ideally shaped or is below a rim or lip of the reservoir that contains the liquid on the electrical charging component electrode.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use thereof for delivering an insecticide to water-borne insect larvae are provided. Whereas individual cells of the insecticidal bacteria such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), are effective in killing insect larvae when ingested by same, their use in aqueous environments is restricted by the time that the bacterial cells remain suspended in water and hence available for ingestion by the larvae. To increase the time that the insecticidal bacteria remain in suspension, it has now been found advantageous to mix bacterial suspensions with nanoparticles comprising carbon that attach to the external surface of the cells.