Abstract: Hydrogen gas production includes supplying a hydrocarbon fluid to a gap between a pair of electrodes, applying a voltage across the electrodes to induce an electrical arc, wherein the electrical arc contacts the hydrocarbon to form a plasma and produces a gaseous product comprising hydrogen gas and a solid product comprising carbon, and dynamically adjusting the gap length to control at least one parameter of the plasma. Preferably, the gap length is decreased during plasma initiation or reformation and increased to increase the hydrogen gas production rate. The method preferably includes dynamically adjusting the spatial separation of the electrodes and rotating at least one electrode while generating hydrogen gas to reduce adherence of solids to the electrodes. Furthermore, the polarity of the electrodes may be periodically reversed, primarily to reduce adherence of solids.

Abstract: A chemical sensor for detecting the presence of one or more analytes. The sensor comprises at least one electrode pair and a photopolymerized electrically conducting polymer composition disposed in contact between each of the electrode pairs. Each polymer composition may include an organic polymer capable of interacting with one or more analytes. The sensor also comprises a means for delivering an analyte to each polymer composition, and a means for processing the resultant electronic signal from each polymer composition and electrode pair. Preferably, the sensor comprises a plurality of different polymer compositions, each with a dedicated electrode pair, to generate a collection of signals that provide a fingerprint unique to a particular analyte.

Abstract: A chemical sensor for detecting the presence of one or more analytes. The sensor comprises at least one electrode pair and a photopolymerized electrically conducting polymer composition disposed in contact between each of the electrode pairs. Each polymer composition may include an organic polymer capable of interacting with one or more analytes. The sensor also comprises a means for delivering an analyte to each polymer composition, and a means for processing the resultant electronic signal from each polymer composition and electrode pair. Preferably, the sensor comprises a plurality of different polymer compositions, each with a dedicated electrode pair, to generate a collection of signals that provide a fingerprint unique to a particular analyte.