Abstract: Provided herein are various leptonic power sources, leptonic control systems, and leptonic-powered engines. An apparatus includes a leptonic source configured to emit beam electrons to ionize a material into a plasma according to a selectable ionization degree and deposit charge onto a plurality of cathodes in a progressively more negatively charged arrangement to establish an electric field of a selectable intensity in the plasma.

Abstract: Provided herein are various leptonic power sources, leptonic control systems, and leptonic-powered engines. In one example, an apparatus includes a housing having apertures through which material can enter and exit, and an anode coupled to the housing upstream from a cathode. A leptonic source emits beam electrons into the housing to ionize the material into a plasma according to a selectable ionization degree and deposit charge onto the cathode to establish an electric field in the plasma. A magnetic field source produces a magnetic field in the plasma at selectable angle to the flow of the plasma to at least partially entrain plasma electrons. Ions of the plasma are accelerated downstream in the housing by the electric field and impart momentum to a portion of the material to produce a thrust proportional to the selectable ionization degree of the plasma and a selectable intensity of the electric field.

Abstract: Provided herein are various leptonic power sources, leptonic control systems, and leptonic-powered engines. In one example, an apparatus includes a housing having apertures through which material can enter and exit, and an anode coupled to the housing upstream from a cathode. A leptonic source emits beam electrons into the housing to ionize the material into a plasma according to a selectable ionization degree and deposit charge onto the cathode to establish an electric field in the plasma. A magnetic field source produces a magnetic field in the plasma at selectable angle to the flow of the plasma to at least partially entrain plasma electrons. Ions of the plasma are accelerated downstream in the housing by the electric field and impart momentum to a portion of the material to produce a thrust proportional to the selectable ionization degree of the plasma and a selectable intensity of the electric field.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes, impinging a plurality of particles on a target such that electrons are emitted from the target and transporting the electrons from the target to a heat sink through a transporting medium. The target and the heat sink may be separated by a distance. The method further includes cooling the electrons using the heat sink and returning the electrons from the heat sink to the target.

Abstract: System for storing and using energy quantum mechanically includes an electronic device that produces heat while operating. A quantum heat engine can be in thermal contact with and electrically connected to the electronic device. The heat produced by the electronic device can dissipate to the quantum heat engine. The quantum heat engine can induce a current to bias the electronic device. Methods for storing and using memory resource to convert heat into electrical work, coherence capacitors, methods for quantum energy storage, and quantum heat engines, are also disclosed.

Abstract: System for quantum energy storage can include a quantum information engine including topological insulator having at least one edge. A coherence capacitor can include nuclei of atoms within the topological insulator, and each nucleus can have a spin direction. An energy source can be electrically connected to the topological insulator and configured to supply a current along the at least one edge of the topological insulator. The current can interact with at least one nucleus of the nuclei to flip a spin direction of the at least one nucleus. Methods for quantum energy storage, systems and methods for storing and using quantum energy, quantum information engines, and quantum heat engines are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electron emission from an emissive substance, such as an emissive composite material, can be employed as a heat dissipation technique and mechanism for a part subject to operational heating. Emissive composite materials containing a refractory metal matrix and a ceramic electride material in the refractory metal matrix can be utilized for this purpose. Emissive composite materials can retain the thermal stability of the base refractory metal and emit electrons upon being heated to a sufficiently high temperature. Cooling systems and associated methods can utilize a collector configured to receive electrons emitted across open space by the ceramic electride material upon heating, and a conductive pathway can allow the electrons to be returned to the emissive composite material. Accordingly, the emissive composite material and the collector define a portion of an electrical circuit.

Abstract: An electrical device is provided. The electrical device includes a pulse generator configured to generate a first pulse. The electrical device also includes a battery. The battery includes a first conductive electrode configured to receive the first pulse from the pulse generator, a second conductive electrode coupled to the first conductive electrode, and a dielectric separator element coupled to the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode and configured to provide a second pulse. The second pulse is based on the first pulse and based on the electrical properties of the dielectric separator element. The electrical device also includes a controller coupled to the pulse generator and the dielectric separator element. The controller is configured to compare the first pulse with the second pulse.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes, impinging a plurality of particles on a target such that electrons are emitted from the target and transporting the electrons from the target to a heat sink through a transporting medium. The target and the heat sink may be separated by a distance. The method further includes cooling the electrons using the heat sink and returning the electrons from the heat sink to the target.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes, impinging a plurality of particles on a target such that electrons are emitted from the target and transporting the electrons from the target to a heat sink through a transporting medium. The target and the heat sink may be separated by a distance. The method further includes cooling the electrons using the heat sink and returning the electrons from the heat sink to the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a quantum Otto cycle, including a superconducting LC resonator circuit electrically coupled to an input control unit with a reservoir source and a waveform generator configured to generate a bias current. A superconducting flux qubit is coupled to the LC resonator via a superconducting quantum interference device (“SQUID”). The SQUID generates a flux in the presence of the bias current, and the flux generated by the SQUID mediates a coupling rate between the flux qubit and the LC resonator. The waveform generator alternates the bias current to adiabatically change the coupling rate between the flux qubit and the LC resonator during adiabatic stages of the quantum Otto cycle. The reservoir source sends pulses to thermalize the flux qubit and the LC resonator system during isochoric stages of the quantum Otto cycle.

Abstract: System for storing and using energy quantum mechanically includes an electronic device that produces heat while operating. A quantum heat engine can be in thermal contact with and electrically connected to the electronic device. The heat produced by the electronic device can dissipate to the quantum heat engine. The quantum heat engine can induce a current to bias the electronic device. Methods for storing and using memory resource to convert heat into electrical work, coherence capacitors, methods for quantum energy storage, and quantum heat engines, are also disclosed.

Abstract: System for quantum energy storage can include a quantum information engine including topological insulator having at least one edge. A coherence capacitor can include nuclei of atoms within the topological insulator, and each nucleus can have a spin direction. An energy source can be electrically connected to the topological insulator and configured to supply a current along the at least one edge of the topological insulator. The current can interact with at least one nucleus of the nuclei to flip a spin direction of the at least one nucleus. Methods for quantum energy storage, systems and methods for storing and using quantum energy, quantum information engines, and quantum heat engines are also disclosed.

Abstract: A motor includes a stator and a rotor coupled via the center hub of the rotor. The stator includes a support ring, the support ring comprising a plurality of windings arranged circumferentially. The rotor is configured to operate as a rotating propeller and includes a center hub, a rotor support ring, and a plurality of blades. The rotor support ring comprises a plurality of magnetic poles arranged circumferentially. Each particular blade is individually coupled to the rotor support ring.

Abstract: A system including a compressible element configured to compress a muscle in a limb of a user, a controller configured to control a sequence, rate or amount of compression of the compressible element, and a generator configured to move a working fluid to compress the compressible element as controlled by the controller. The sequence, rate or amount of compression of the compressible element is established to reduce an amount of effort expended by a heart of a user to move a volume of blood. Another system and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a quantum Otto cycle, including a superconducting LC resonator circuit electrically coupled to an input control unit with a reservoir source and a waveform generator configured to generate a bias current. A superconducting flux qubit is coupled to the LC resonator via a superconducting quantum interference device (“SQUID”). The SQUID generates a flux in the presence of the bias current, and the flux generated by the SQUID mediates a coupling rate between the flux qubit and the LC resonator. The waveform generator alternates the bias current to adiabatically change the coupling rate between the flux qubit and the LC resonator during adiabatic stages of the quantum Otto cycle. The reservoir source sends pulses to thermalize the flux qubit and the LC resonator system during isochoric stages of the quantum Otto cycle.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes, impinging a plurality of particles on a target such that electrons are emitted from the target and transporting the electrons from the target to a heat sink through a transporting medium. The target and the heat sink may be separated by a distance. The method further includes cooling the electrons using the heat sink and returning the electrons from the heat sink to the target.

Abstract: An electrical device is provided. The electrical device includes a pulse generator configured to generate a first pulse. The electrical device also includes a battery. The battery includes a first conductive electrode configured to receive the first pulse from the pulse generator, a second conductive electrode coupled to the first conductive electrode, and a dielectric separator element coupled to the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode and configured to provide a second pulse. The second pulse is based on the first pulse and based on the electrical properties of the dielectric separator element. The electrical device also includes a controller coupled to the pulse generator and the dielectric separator element. The controller is configured to compare the first pulse with the second pulse.

Abstract: Formation of metallic dendrites within a battery can lead to catastrophic batten failure in some instances. Methods for monitoring for the presence of metallic dendrites within a battery can include measuring the electric field within the battery's separator material over a period of time. Batteries containing an electric field sensor on or in their separator material can be fabricated and their operation regulated in the event of dendrite formation. The electric field sensor is configured to detect an electric field in the separator material.

Abstract: A system including a compressible element configured to compress a muscle in a limb of a user, a controller configured to control a sequence, rate or amount of compression of the compressible element, and a generator configured to move a working fluid to compress the compressible element as controlled by the controller. The sequence, rate or amount of compression of the compressible element is established to reduce an amount of effort expended by a heart of a user to move a volume of blood. Another system and a method are also disclosed.