Abstract: An air cooled inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is disclosed. The interface structure has a configuration that it can rapidly transfer heat away from the front surface of the interface that is exposed to a high temperature plasma, while maintaining heat in the ion beam to avoid recombination and clustering. The air cooled interface of the present system comprises of a set of fins for rapid heat transfer, which may be placed along the sides of the ICP-MS systems in a variety of orientations. Open-cell metal foam is also used to increase heat transfer efficiency. The system may be cooled by natural convention or forced convection using one or more air fans.

Abstract: A conical inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch (100) and a method for processing sample particles is disclosed. In this method raw, unprocessed, irregularly shaped sample particles (21) are injected into the conical torch, and pass through the plasma to form molten particles (22) and a spheroidization of the particles finally generates solid, smooth, spherical and dense processed particles (23) once cooled. The conical torch has a torch tube that has a conical section and an injector tube (2) that has a conical end. The conical section of the torch tube and the injector tube form an annular gap through which outer plasma gas is passed through. This conically exiting outer gas flow results in a rapid rise in gas temperatures and a short plasma region that rapidly melts any particles.

Abstract: An air cooled inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is disclosed. The interface structure has a configuration that it can rapidly transfer heat away from the front surface of the interface that is exposed to a high temperature plasma, while maintaining heat in the ion beam to avoid recombination and clustering. The air cooled interface of the present system comprises of a set of fins for rapid heat transfer, which may be placed along the sides of the ICP-MS systems in a variety of orientations. Open-cell metal foam is also used to increase heat transfer efficiency. The system may be cooled by natural convention or forced convection using one or more air fans.

Abstract: A torch for use in inductively coupled plasma is described. In the torch, a torch tube has an angular accelerator where a flow of gas experiences an increase in angular velocity. The torch tube also has a conical end where the increased angular velocity of the gas is encouraged to accelerate into a cavity that can support the plasma. In various examples, the conical end of the torch tube comprising a conical gap that accelerates the axial velocity component of the gas flow.

Abstract: A torch for use in inductively coupled plasma is described. In the torch, a torch tube has an angular accelerator where a flow of gas experiences an increase in angular velocity. The torch tube also has a conical end where the increased angular velocity of the gas is encouraged to accelerate into a cavity that can support the plasma. In various examples, the conical end of the torch tube comprising a conical gap that accelerates the axial velocity component of the gas flow.

Abstract: A method of producing substrate having an antimicrobial surface by thermally spraying the surface with metals such as copper and alloys of copper, silver and alloys of silver, zinc and alloys of zinc, tin and alloys of tin and combination thereof and thereafter abrading the sprayed surface to give the surface antimicrobial properties.

Abstract: A substrate having an antimicrobial surface. The texture of the surface which has exposed metal e.g., copper or copper alloy contributes to the antimicrobial properties. Cavities or depressions in the surface can be coated or partially coated with an organic polymer, and the polymer can contain antimicrobial agents. Methods of preparing a coated surface, and uses are described.

Abstract: A cathode electrode for plasma generation. The cathode is made of graphite with highly ordered structure such as Pyrolitic Graphite or Carbon-Carbon composites. Furthermore, carbon containing gases will be used as plasma gas. The cathode will allow for theoretically an unlimited lifetime of the cathode.

Abstract: A cathode electrode for plasma generation. The cathode is made of graphite with highly ordered structure such as Pyrolitic Graphite or Carbon-Carbon composites. Furthermore, carbon containing gases will be used as plasma gas. The cathode will allow for theoretically an unlimited lifetime of the cathode.

Abstract: A DC plasma torch which includes a long lasting thermionic cathode and has a high thermal efficiency. The DC plasma torch employs a solid cathode made of graphite with highly ordered structure such as Pyrolitic Graphite or Carbon-Carbon composites. Furthermore, carbon containing gases will be used as plasma gas. The cathode will allow for theoretically an unlimited lifetime of the cathode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of depositing one or more layers of metal coatings onto an organic substrate. The method includes providing a source of a jet of molten metal particles having an average temperature within a predetermined range, an average velocity within a predetermined range. The jet of molten droplets is then directed at a surface of an organic substrate thereby depositing a metal coating on said organic substrate surface. The source of droplets is spaced from the organic substrate a pre-determined distance, and the average velocity and the average temperature are selected for a given metal such that the temperature of the molten metal particles is very close to the melting point of the metal as the molten droplets coat the surface of the organic substrate to minimize damage to the organic substrate.

Abstract: A DC plasma torch which includes a long lasting thermionic cathode and has a high thermal efficiency. The DC plasma torch employs a solid cathode made of graphite with highly ordered structure such as Pyrolitic Graphite or Carbon-Carbon composites. Furthermore, carbon containing gases will be used as plasma gas. The cathode will allow for theoretically an unlimited lifetime of the cathode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spray gun with associated nozzle attachments for high deposition efficiency for thermal spray of high quality, dense, low oxide content coatings. The spray guns are used to produce coatings using a thermal spray process, a high velocity oxy-fuel process, a high velocity air-fuel process, cold spraying, and plasma spraying in which the process is characterized by having an over-expanded flow with a Mach number from about 1.0 to about 4.0 which have passageway section which diverges to the gun outlet. In one embodiment the nozzle attachment is another diverging section with a greater angle of divergence than the diverging nozzle section. In another embodiment the nozzle attachment includes the aforementioned diverging nozzle attachment section followed by a converging nozzle section having an outlet section through which the thermal spray is emitted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spray gun with associated nozzle attachments for high deposition efficiency for thermal spray of high quality, dense, low oxide content coatings. The spray guns are used to produce coatings using a thermal spray process, a high velocity oxy-fuel process, a high velocity air-fuel process, cold spraying, and plasma spraying in which the process is characterised by having an over-expanded flow with a Mach number from about 1.0 to about 4.0 which have passageway section which diverges to the gun outlet. In one embodiment the nozzle attachment is another diverging section with a greater angle of divergence than the diverging nozzle section. In another embodiment the nozzle attachment includes the aforementioned diverging nozzle attachment section followed by a converging nozzle section having an outlet section through which the thermal spray is emitted.

Abstract: A two-zone lime mud calciner is provided for processing lime mud from kraft pulp recovery operations. A conveyer is employed for conveying lime mud horizontally through the calciner. The first zone and second zone of the calciner each contains a dielectric hysteresis heating device for first drying the lime mud in the first zone and then decomposing the dried lime mud to lime and carbon dioxide. A co-current flow of purge air removes steam generated in the first zone and a counter-current flow of purge air removes carbon dioxide generated in the second zone with a vent being provided adjacent the upstream and of the second zone.

Abstract: Lime mud from kraft pulp recovery operations is processed using dielectric hysteresis heating, in a two-stage operation, in which wet lime mud first is dried then the dried lime mud is decomposed to lime and carbon dioxide. A two-zone lime mud calciner is employed in which the lime mud is conveyed horizontally, with drying being effected in the first zone and then decomposition being effected in the second zone. A co-current flow of purge air removes steam generated in the first zone and a counter-current flow of purge air removes carbon dioxide generated in the second zone.