Abstract: Systems for producing hydrogen gas for local distribution, consumption, and/or storage, and related devices and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a pyrolysis reactor that can be coupled to a supply of reaction material that includes a hydrocarbon. The reactor includes one or more flow channels positioned to transfer heat to the reaction material to convert the hydrocarbon into an output that includes hydrogen gas and carbon particulates. The system also includes a carbon separation system operably coupled to the pyrolysis reactor to separate the hydrogen gas the carbon particulates in the output. In various embodiments, the system also includes components to locally consume the filtered hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include vacuum electronic devices, methods of operating a vacuum electronic device, and methods of fabricating a vacuum electronic device. In a non-limiting embodiment, a vacuum electronics device includes a cathode and an anode. At least one focus grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and the at least one focus grid is physically disconnected from the cathode. The at least one acceleration grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and the at least one acceleration grid is further disposed adjacent the at least one focus grid. The at least one acceleration grid is physically disconnected from the cathode.

Abstract: Systems for producing hydrogen gas for local distribution, consumption, and/or storage, and related devices and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a pyrolysis reactor that can be coupled to a supply of reaction material that includes a hydrocarbon. The reactor includes one or more flow channels positioned to transfer heat to the reaction material to convert the hydrocarbon into an output that includes hydrogen gas and carbon particulates. The system also includes a carbon separation system operably coupled to the pyrolysis reactor to separate the hydrogen gas the carbon particulates in the output. In various embodiments, the system also includes components to locally consume the filtered hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include thermionic energy converters and electronic circuitry for generating pulses for igniting plasma in a hermetic package of a thermionic energy converter. In various embodiments, an illustrative thermionic energy converter includes a hermetic package charged with a non-cesium gas additive. The hermetic package is configured to route into the hermetic package pulses for igniting plasma in the hermetic package. A cesium reservoir is disposed in the hermetic package. A cathode is disposed in the hermetic package and an anode is disposed in the hermetic package.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include elements for mitigating electron reflection in a vacuum electronic device, vacuum electronic devices that incorporate elements for mitigating electron reflection, and methods of fabricating elements for reducing reflection of electrons off an electrode. An illustrative electrode assembly includes an electrode. Elements are configured to reduce reflection of electrons off the electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include vacuum electronics devices and methods of fabricating a vacuum electronics device. In a non-limiting embodiment, a vacuum electronics device includes: an electrode; a plurality of grid supports disposed on the electrode, each of the plurality of grid supports having a first width; and a plurality of grid lines, each of the plurality of grid lines being supported on an associated one of the plurality of grid supports, each of the plurality of grid lines having a second width that is wider than the first width.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include vacuum electronic devices, methods of operating a vacuum electronic device, and methods of fabricating a vacuum electronic device. In a non-limiting embodiment, a vacuum electronics device includes a cathode and an anode. At least one focus grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and the at least one focus grid is physically disconnected from the cathode. The at least one acceleration grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and the at least one acceleration grid is further disposed adjacent the at least one focus grid. The at least one acceleration grid is physically disconnected from the cathode.

Abstract: Microcavity arrays and methods for quantitative biochemical and biophysical analysis of populations of biological variants. Examples include high-throughput analysis of cells and protein products use a range of fluorescent assays, including binding-affinity measurement and time-resolved enzyme assays. Laser-based extraction of microcavity contents.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include vacuum electronics devices and methods of fabricating a vacuum electronics device. In a non-limiting embodiment, a vacuum electronics device includes: an electrode; a plurality of grid supports disposed on the electrode, each of the plurality of grid supports having a first width; and a plurality of grid lines, each of the plurality of grid lines being supported on an associated one of the plurality of grid supports, each of the plurality of grid lines having a second width that is wider than the first width.

Abstract: Microcavity arrays and methods for quantitative biochemical and biophysical analysis of populations of biological variants. Examples include high-throughput analysis of cells and protein products use a range of fluorescent assays, including binding-affinity measurement and time-resolved enzyme assays. Laser-based extraction of microcavity contents.