Abstract: Systems and methods that incorporate a kinetic booster component into thermal pyrolysis systems are disclosed herein. For example, a method according to the present technology can include receiving an input flow of the hydrocarbon reactant from a supply of a hydrocarbon reactant, then modifying the input flow to generate a modified input flow. The modified input flow can have a lower activation energy than an unmodified flow and/or can include one or more catalysts for a pyrolysis reaction. The method can then include heating the modified input flow within a pyrolysis chamber of a pyrolysis reactor. The hearting process can drive a pyrolysis reaction in the modified input flow that generates solid carbon and hydrogen gas. The method can then include removing at least a portion of the solid carbon from the hydrogen gas in an output flow from the pyrolysis reactor.

Abstract: A pyrolysis system for conducting a hydrocarbon pyrolysis reaction and related systems and methods are disclosed herein. A pyrolysis reactor according to the present disclosure can include a first tube, a second tube coaxial with and surrounding the first tube, and a burner coupled to an end region of the first tube. The burner delivers heat to a first flow path in the first tube via combustion. An annulus between the second tube and the first tube defines a second flow path that is thermally coupled to the first tube such that a portion of the heat from the combustion is received by the second flow path. The pyrolysis reactor can also include a thermal component positioned at least partially within the first tube to help increase heat transfer. Additionally, or alternatively, the pyrolysis reactor can include a heat recycling component coupled to an output of the second tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing organic compounds byproducts from a product stream from a pyrolysis reactor and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system includes a first condenser that is fluidly couplable to the product stream, a coalescer that is fluidly couplable to the product stream downstream from the first condenser along a first flow path, and a second condenser that is fluidly couplable to the product stream downstream from the first condenser along a second flow path. The system also includes a first valve positioned to regulate the flow of the product stream along the first flow path including a second valve positioned to regulate the flow of the product stream along the second flow path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing carbon from the pyrolysis reactor are disclosed herein. For example, a pyrolysis reactor according to the present technology can include a combustion component that is fluidly couplable to a combustion fuel supply, as well as a reaction chamber that is thermally coupled to an output of the combustion component. Further, the pyrolysis reactor can include a carbon removal component that is operably coupled to the reaction chamber. The carbon removal component can include an actuator, a rod coupled to the actuator, and a scraper head coupled to the rod and positioned within the reaction chamber. The actuator can drive movement of the rod within the reaction chamber, thereby driving movement of the scraper head. The scraper head can include a plurality of teeth that are positioned to scrape carbon deposits from an interior wall of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A pyrolysis system for conducting a hydrocarbon pyrolysis reaction and related systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the pyrolysis system includes a combustion component, a reaction chamber thermally coupled to the combustion component, and a recycling component fluidly coupled to an output of the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber can be couplable to a supply of pyrolysis feedstock. The thermal coupling allows the reaction chamber to transfer heat from the combustion component to the pyrolysis feedstock to generate a product stream that includes hydrogen gas and solid carbon. The recycling component receives the product stream and can direct a portion of the product stream into the combustion component. In some embodiments, the pyrolysis system includes a controller configured to adjust various operational parameters of the pyrolysis system based on various goals for combustion fuel consumption, hydrogen gas output, energy consumption, reactor efficiency, and/or the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires, and to methods of producing nanoscale wires. In some aspects, the nanoscale wires are nanowires comprising a core which is continuous and a shell which may be continuous or discontinuous, and/or may have regions having different cross-sectional areas. In some embodiments, the shell regions are produced by passing the shell material (or a precursor thereof) over a core nanoscale wire under conditions in which Plateau-Raleigh crystal growth occurs, which can lead to non-homogenous deposition of the shell material on different regions of the core. The core and the shell each independently may comprise semiconductors, and/or non-semiconductor materials such as semiconductor oxides, metals, polymers, or the like. Other embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods of making or using such nanoscale wires, devices containing such nanoscale wires, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires and, in particular, to nanoscale wires with heterojunctions, such as tip-localized homo- or heterojunctions. In one aspect, the nanoscale wire may include a core, an inner shell surrounding the core, and an outer shell surrounding the inner shell. The outer shell may also contact the core, e.g., at an end portion of the nanoscale wire. In some cases, such nanoscale wires may be used as electrical devices. For example a p-n junction may be created where the inner shell is electrically insulating, and the core and the outer shell are p-doped and n-doped. Other aspects of the present invention generally relate to methods of making or using such nanoscale wires, devices, or kits including such nanoscale wires, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires, and to systems and methods of producing nanoscale wires. In some aspects, the present invention is generally related to facet-specific deposition on semiconductor surfaces. In one embodiment, a first surface of a nanoscale wire, or a semiconductor, is preferentially oxidized relative to a second surface, and material is preferentially deposited on the second surface relative to the first surface. For example, the nanoscale wire or semiconductor may be a silicon nanowire that is initially exposed to an etchant to remove silicon oxide, then exposed to an oxidant under conditions such that one facet or surface (e.g., a {113} facet) is oxidized more quickly than another facet or surface (e.g., a {111} facet). Material may then be deposited or immobilized on the less-oxidized facet relative to the more-oxidized facet.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires, and to methods of producing nanoscale wires. In some aspects, the nanoscale wires are nanowires comprising a core which is continuous and a shell which may be continuous or discontinuous, and/or may have regions having different cross-sectional areas. In some embodiments, the shell regions are produced by passing the shell material (or a precursor thereof) over a core nanoscale wire under conditions in which Plateau-Raleigh crystal growth occurs, which can lead to non-homogenous deposition of the shell material on different regions of the core. The core and the shell each independently may comprise semiconductors, and/or non-semiconductor materials such as semiconductor oxides, metals, polymers, or the like. Other embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods of making or using such nanoscale wires, devices containing such nanoscale wires, or the like.