Abstract: Methods and apparatus for energy production through the amplification of energetic reactions. A method includes amplifying an energy release from a dispersion of nanoparticles containing a concentration of hydrogen/deuterium nuclei, the nanoparticles suspended in a dielectric medium in a presence of hydrogen/deuterium gas, wherein an energy input is provided by high voltage pulses between two electrodes embedded in the dispersion of nanoparticles.

Abstract: A system and process forms supercritical or near-supercritical mixtures of organic waste and water, and then combusts the mixture with an oxygen-containing gas at a relatively moderate pressure. Production of nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides and soot are greatly reduced compared to most conventional methods for combustion of organic wastes.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the total pressure of a compressible fluid fuel. The apparatus includes at least two closely spaced apart constant enthalpy expansion sections, each section having at least one orifice, the orifices in adjacent sections being noncoaxial. The pressure reduction lowers flow velocity when mixed with the air to below the flame speed to promote ignition and stable combustion.

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: This invention is a process and apparatus for producing single crystal, polycrystal or amorphous stand-alone films. The process has two steps: First, thin layers of the desired materials are deposited by VD onto a hot foreign single crystal substrate wafer held by a substrate platter in a pocket formed in such. The second step is to chemically etch away the substrate while still being held by the substrate platter while the film-substrate is still hot. The etch is stopped as soon as all of the foreign substrate is consumed. This leaves just the thin film which is then cooled down to room temperature. The bottom surface of this pocket has a plurality of channels for carrying an etching gas which is input by a central channel in the substrate platter. The reactants that form the stand-alone film are input through an actively cooled effusion cell having a plenum for receiving the reactant gas.

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: The invention provides a scheme for combusting a hydrocarbon fuel to generate and extract enhanced translational energy. In the scheme, hydrocarbon fuel is nanopartitioned into nanometric fuel regions each having a diameter less than about 1000 angstroms; and either before or after the nanopartitioning, the fuel is introduced into a combustion chamber. In the combustion chamber, a shock wave excitation of at least about 50,000 psi and with an excitation rise time of less than about 100 nanoseconds is applied to the fuel. A fuel partitioned into such nanometric quantum confinement regions enables a quantum mechanical condition in which translational energy modes of the fuel are amplified, whereby the average energy of the translational energy mode levels is higher than it would be for a macro-sized, unpartitioned fuel. Combustion of such a nanopartitioned fuel provides enhanced translational energy extraction by way of, e.g.

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: The invention provides a scheme for combusting a hydrocarbon fuel to generate and extract enhanced translational energy. In the scheme, hydrocarbon fuel is nanopartitioned into nanometric fuel regions each having a diameter less than about 1000 angstroms; and either before or after the nanopartitioning, the fuel is introduced into a combustion chamber. In the combustion chamber, a shock wave excitation of at least about 50,000 psi and with an excitation rise time of less than about 100 nanoseconds is applied to the fuel. A fuel partitioned into such nanometric quantum confinement regions enables a quantum mechanical condition in which translational energy modes of the fuel are amplified, whereby the average energy of the translational energy mode levels is higher than it would be for a macro-sized, unpartitioned fuel. Combustion of such a nanopartitioned fuel provides enhanced translational energy extraction by way of, e.g.

Abstract: For a condensed matter system containing a guest interstitial species such as hydrogen or its isotopes dissolved in the condensed matter host lattice, the invention provides tuning of the molecular orbital degeneracy of the host lattice to enhance the anharmonicity of the dissolved guest sublattice to achieve a large anharmonic displacement amplitude and a correspondingly small distance of closest approach of the guest nuclei. The tuned electron molecular orbital topology of the host lattice creates an energy state giving rise to degenerate sublattice orbitals related to the second nearest neighbors of the guest bonding orbitals. Thus, it is the nuclei of the guest sublattice that are set in anharmonic motion as a result of the orbital topology. This promotion of second nearest neighbor bonding between sublattice nuclei leads to enhanced interaction between nuclei of the sublattice.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing semiconductor particles in which a semiconductor material of the type for which particles are desired is placed in an electrolytic solution of an anodic cell. The anodic cell is configured with a cathode also positioned in the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution of the anodic cell includes an etchant and a surfactant that is characterized by an attractive affinity for the semiconductor material. To produce semiconductor particles from the semiconductor material, an electrical potential is applied between the semiconductor material in the electrolytic solution and the cathode in the electrolytic solution to anodically etch the semiconductor material. During the etch process, particles of the semiconductor material form and are encapsulated by the surfactant. This method for producing semiconductor particles uses an uncomplicated apparatus and procedure that results in inexpensive and high-volume production of particles of a semiconductor material.

Abstract: For a condensed matter system containing a guest interstitial species such as hydrogen or its isotopes dissolved in the condensed matter host lattice, the invention provides tuning of the molecular orbital degeneracy of the host lattice to enhance the anharmonicity of the dissolved guest sublattice to achieve a large anharmonic displacement amplitude and a correspondingly small distance of closest approach of the guest nuclei. The tuned electron molecular orbital topology of the host lattice creates an energy state giving rise to degenerate sublattice orbitals related to the second nearest neighbors of the guest bonding orbitals. Thus, it is the nuclei of the guest sublattice that are set in anharmonic motion as a result of the orbital topology. This promotion of second nearest neighbor bonding between sublattice nuclei leads to enhanced interaction between nuclei of the sublattice.

Abstract: An instrument for forming nanometric features on surfaces of materials having a motor driven support for moving a workpiece on an X-Y-Z axis, a scribing tool of nanometric proportion engagable with the workpiece and a laser system for sensing movement. The tool is mounted on piezoelectric actuating means and the entire system is under the control of a programmed computer processing unit.

Abstract: For a condensed matter system containing a guest interstitial species such as hydrogen or its isotopes dissolved in the condensed matter host lattice, the invention provides tuning of the molecular orbital degeneracy of the host lattice to enhance the anharmonicity of the dissolved guest sublattice to achieve a large anharmonic displacement amplitude and a correspondingly small distance of closest approach of the guest nuclei. The tuned electron molecular orbital topology of the host lattice creates an energy state giving rise to degenerate sublattice orbitals related to the second nearest neighbors of the guest bonding orbitals. Thus, it is the nuclei of the guest sublattice that are set in anharmonic motion as a result of the orbital topology. This promotion of second nearest neighbor bonding between sublattice nuclei leads to enhanced interaction between nuclei of the sublattice.

Abstract: A wafer cutting device has a plurality of individually highly tensioned diamond impregnated wires that are mounted in a translatable head. Each wire has a tension monitor connected thereto for the purpose of insuring uniform tension and also alerting to breakage. Further, a differential DC voltage is applied to the wires and the crystal with the assistance of electrolytes to improve the removal of material for minimizing damage to the surfaces. The crystal is mounted on a two dimensional stage. During normal cutting the crystal is moved vertically into the cutting wire. The vertical cutting rate is adjusted due to the configuration of the crystal. At the end of cutting, the crystal is moved laterally so as to place a notch in the wafers for the purpose of removing the wafer in a clean break.

Abstract: An instrument for forming nanometric features on surfaces of materials having a motor driven support for moving a workpiece on an X-Y-Z axis, a scribing tool of nanometric proportion engagable with the workpiece and a laser system for sensing movement. The tool is mounted on piezoelectric actuating means and the entire system is under the control of a programmed computer processing unit.

Abstract: An actively cooled effuser for a vapor deposition reactor is placed in very close proximity to a substrate. The actively cooled effuser has combinations of gas directing plates, cooling plates and isolation plates attached together. Reactants and coolant are input into the stack of plates so formed. Selective heating of the substrate surface may occur through the use of heating lamps. Multiple units of the actively cooled effuser and heating lamps may be used in the reactor to form multiple layers on the substrate. The cooling plate has a cooling channel within a few thousandths of an inch of the output side of the stack. The presence of the cooling plates allows the effuser to be placed in very close proximity to the selectively heated substrate.

Abstract: In the liquid encapsulated Kyropoulos process, the crystal is allowed to grow to the limits of the crucible and remain under the encapsulant fluid. In order to relieve the melt pressure between the growing crystal and the crucible, at least one capillary pressure relief hole is placed in the crucible which allows some of the melt to leak therefrom to relieve pressure.