Abstract: An improved solid expellant plasma generator has been developed. The plasma generator includes a support housing, an electrode rod located in the central portion of the housing, and a mass of solid expellant material that surrounds the electrode rod within the support housing. The electrode rod and the solid expellant material are made of separate materials that are selected so that the electrode and the solid expellant material decompose at the same rate when the plasma generator is ignited. This maintains a point of discharge of the plasma at the interface between the electrode and the solid expellant material.

Abstract: A pressure-shaped reflector apparatus is provided for collecting and concentrating electromagnetic radiation waves and the like. The apparatus can be used, among other things, for concentrating solar radiation waves to provide an alternate source of energy. The apparatus includes an upper cylindrical hoop member, a lower cylindrical hoop member and a plurality of vertical strut members carried between the upper and lower hoop members spacing the hoop members apart. A resiliently deformable enclosure is carried between the upper and lower hoop members having an upper reflective surface co-extensive with the upper hoop member. As air is evacuated from the interior surface of the enclosure the upper reflective surface deforms inwardly providing a reflective surface of spherical curvature having high specular reflection properties.