Abstract: Methods for constructing multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) antenna arrays, may include: variable doping of the MWCNTs, forming light pipes with layers of variable dielectric glass, forming geometric diodes on full-wave rectified devices that propagate both electrons and holes, using clear conductive ground plans to form windows that can control a building's internal temperature, and generating multiple lithographic patterns with a single mask.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to burners. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a burner body, an inlet to the burner body, a divider disposed in the burner body, and a burner plate. The inlet is operable for delivery of a fuel/air mixture to the burner body. The divider forms a first section and a second section in the burner body. The divider defines a plurality of interior ports between the first section and the second section. The burner plate defines a combustion surface for the fuel/air mixture. The burner plate forms a surface of the burner body and in part defines the second section. The burner plate defines a plurality of primary ports. The burner plate further defines a plurality of secondary ports surrounding each primary port of the plurality of primary ports.

Abstract: A new design for a low swirl burner is disclosed in which natural draft rather than a motorized pump is used to move a fuel-air mixture through the burner. This new design enables the burn off of gas at refineries in an environment where electric motors cannot be used because of the potential for sparks, which could trigger explosions. Additional modifications to the burner, including the introduction of flue gas to the burner allows for the reduction of NOx gas to meet current emission control targets, without the need for further post combustion emission control systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical swirler for generating diverging flow in lean premixed fuel burners. The swirler of the present invention includes a central passage with an entrance for accepting a feed gas, a flow balancing insert that introduces additional pressure drop beyond that occurring in the central passage in the absence of the flow balancing insert, and an exit aligned to direct the feed gas into a combustor. The swirler also has an annular passage about the central passage and including one or more vanes oriented to impart angular momentum to feed gas exiting the annular passage. The diverging flow generated by the swirler stabilizes lean combustion thus allowing for lower production of pollutants, particularly oxides of nitrogen.

Abstract: A novel burner and burner method has been invented which burns an ultra lean premixed fuel-air mixture with a stable flame. The inventive burning method results in efficient burning and much lower emissions of pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen than previous burners and burning methods. The inventive method imparts weak swirl (swirl numbers of between about 0.01 to 3.0) on a fuel-air flow stream. The swirl, too small to cause recirculation, causes an annulus region immediately inside the perimeter of the fuel-air flow to rotate in a plane normal to the axial flow. The rotation in turn causes the diameter of the fuel-air flow to increase with concomitant decrease in axial flow velocity. The flame stabilizes where the fuel-air mixture velocity equals the rate of burning resulting in a stable, turbulent flame.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling a burner to stably burn a lean fuel/air mixture. The burner directs the lean fuel/air mixture in a stream. The apparatus comprises an annular flame stabilizer; and a device for mounting the flame stabilizer in the fuel/air mixture stream. The burner may include a body having an internal bore, in which case, the annular flame stabilizer is shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the bore, is spaced from the bore by a distance greater than about 0.5 mm, and the mounting device mounts the flame stabilizer in the bore. An apparatus for burning a gaseous fuel with low NOx emissions comprises a device for premixing air with the fuel to provide a lean fuel/air mixture; a nozzle having an internal bore through which the lean fuel/air mixture passes in a stream; and a flame stabilizer mounted in the stream of the lean fuel/air mixture. The flame stabilizer may be mounted in the internal bore, in which case, it is shaped and is spaced from the bore as just described.