Abstract: A fuel tank for use with hydrogen carrier fuels. The fuel tank includes a self-supporting shell having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface. A fluid-tight inner layer is disposed adjacent the inward facing surface and a fluid-tight outer layer is disposed adjacent the outward facing surface. A vent extends through the fluid-tight inner layer, the fluid-tight outer layer, and the self-supporting shell. The fuel tank can also include a gas collection canister connected to the vent.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to injectors with integrated igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. These integrated injectors/igniters can include, for example, insulators with adequate mechanical and dielectric strength to enable high-energy plasma generation by components that have very small dimensions, multifunction valving that is moved to injector multiple bursts of fuel and to induce plasma projection, a fuel control valve at the interface to the combustion chamber for the purpose of eliminating fuel drip at undesired times, and one or more components at the interface of the combustion chamber for the purpose of blocking transmission of combustion sourced pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting and processing gases from submerged sources are disclosed. A system for removing and processing a gas from a submerged area in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a membrane or other open-bottom structure having a port and being disposed over at least a portion of the submerged area so as to at least partially enclose a volume of the gas. The system can further include a chemical reactor coupled to the open-bottom structure to receive the gas, and positioned to conduct a non-combustion reaction to dissociate a constituent from a donor substance of the gas.

Abstract: Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment include a reactor having a reaction zone, a reactant source coupled in fluid in communication with the reactant zone, and a solar concentrator having at least one concentrator surface positionable to direct solar energy to a focal area. The system can further include an actuator coupled to the solar concentrator to move the solar concentrator relative to the sun, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are described for generating renewable energy from biomass waste while sequestering carbon. In one aspect, a method performed by a reactor to dissociate raw biomass waste into a renewable source energy or a carbon byproduct or both includes receiving the raw biomass waste that includes carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to be dissociated under an anaerobic reaction. Waste heat is recovered from an external heat source to heat the received raw biomass waste. The heated raw biomass waste is dissociated to produce the renewable fuel, carbon byproduct or both. The dissociating includes compacting the heated raw biomass waste, generating heat from an internal heat source, and applying the generated heat to the compacted biomass waste under pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting and processing permafrost gases and for cooling permafrost are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment for processing gas in a permafrost region includes obtaining a gas from a sacrificial area of a thawing permafrost region, dissociating the gas in a non-combustive chemical process, and circulating a constituent of the gas through a savable area of the thawing permafrost region to cool the savable area. In particular embodiments, this process can be used to cool selected areas of permafrost and/or create clean-burning fuels and/or other products from permafrost gases.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, storing, and conveying aqueous thermal energy are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a floating film retains solar energy in a volume of water located under the film. A series of curtains hanging from a bottom surface of the film define a passage between a periphery of the film and a center of the film to direct the heated water at the center of the film. The heated water is circulated to deliver the heat to a dissociation reactor and/or donor substance. The donor is conveyed to the reactor and dissociated.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for providing a renewable source of material resources is provided comprising: a first source of renewable energy; first stream of materials from a first materials source; an electrolyzer coupled to the first source of renewable energy and the first stream of materials, wherein the electrolyzer is configured to produce a first material resource by electrolysis; a processor for further processing or use or the material resource to produce a second material resource, wherein the processor comprises a solar collector and where the solar collector is configured to provide heat to the first materials resource for disassociation; and a material resource storage coupled to the electrolyzer for receiving the material resource from the electrolyzer or providing the material resource to the processor for further processing or use.

Abstract: Fuel injector-igniters with variable gap electrodes. A fuel injector-igniter comprises a housing, an actuator disposed in the housing, and a valve including a valve head operative to open and close against a valve seat in response to activation of the actuator. An electrode cage surrounds the valve head and includes at least one aperture. At least one reed electrode extends from the electrode cage to form a gap between the reed electrode and the housing. The valve head includes a magnet, such as a permanent magnet, wherein the magnet is operative to move the reed electrode toward the electrode cage when the valve head opens, thereby increasing the gap.

Abstract: Techniques, systems and material are disclosed for transport of energy and/or materials. In one aspect a method includes generating gaseous fuel (e.g., from biomass dissociation) at a first location of a low elevation. The gaseous fuel can be self transported in a pipeline to a second location at a higher elevation than the first location by traveling from the first location to the second location without adding energy of pressure. A liquid fuel can be generated at the second location of higher elevation by reacting the gaseous fuel with at least one of a carbon donor, a nitrogen donor, and an oxygen donor harvested from industrial waste. The liquid fuel can be delivered to a third location of a lower elevation than the second location while providing pressure or kinetic energy.

Abstract: Engine control systems having rotational sensors and controllers, and associated methods and systems, are disclosed herein. An engine control system in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a drum operably coupled to a rotating shaft of an engine. The drum can include a pattern positioned on its surface and a sensor can be positioned proximate to the drum to read the pattern and/or write a new pattern. A rod can operably couple the drum to an engine input mechanism and operate to axially move the drum. The axial movement of the drum can shift the pattern to different portions, resulting in a change in the timing for an engine event.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for fabricating and implementing multifunctional fuel cells. In one aspect, a multifunctional fuel cell device includes a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a distance and aligned substantially in parallel, a first conduit and a second conduit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, substantially perpendicular to the electrodes, and a fluid including an electrolyte, the fluid dispersed between the electrodes, in which an applied electric potential across the first and second conduits induces oppositely charged sides of the first and second electrodes to form a cathode and an anode side of each electrode, thereby extracting energy from the electrolyte and producing a chemical product.

Abstract: A fuel injection system comprising an injector-igniter and a fuel tank in fluid communication with the injector-igniter. The injector igniter includes an injector housing and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve and a valve seat electrode located within the injector housing. The valve seat electrode forms an annular spark gap between the electrode and an electrode portion of the injector housing. An actuator, such as a piezoelectric actuator, is disposed in the housing and connected to the valve. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a thermochemical reactor operatively coupled to the injector-igniter to provide a supplemental supply of hydrogen for combustion enhancement. In other embodiments, a hydraulic stroke amplifier is disposed between the actuator and valve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an infrared emitter welder for fusion welding pipe joints. In one representative embodiment, the welder comprises a fuel tank adapted to contain a fuel under pressure and a heating element in fluid communication with the fuel tank. The heating element includes a pair of porous ceramic plates, each having opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first surfaces of the ceramic plates are joined together, and wherein at least one of the first surfaces includes fuel distribution channels formed therein. A catalytic material, such as platinum, is disposed on at least one of the second surfaces and is operative to ignite the fuel as it reaches the second surface. A supply conduit interconnects the fuel tank and heating element.

Abstract: Fittings and coupling assemblies for relatively easy and quick connections to conduits are disclosed herein. A fitting assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes a male connector and a female connector that can be coupled together to form a fitting assembly for attachment to a conduit or tube. The male connector can include a retaining feature, such as an undulated barb, to correspond with a corresponding engagement feature, such as a tooth carried by a shroud of the female connector, to allow the male and female connectors to be rapidly coupled together and also prevent the connectors from unintentional loosening. To couple and also separate the male and female connectors, a user can apply a compressive force to at least one of the male and female connectors, followed by a partial rotation of one of the connectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing customized renewable fuels are disclosed. The present invention can provide customized renewable fuels to users after communicating with users and receiving the information regarding the fuel requirements and their preference. The present invention also provides quality control mechanisms to maintain the qualities of renewable fuels and heat exchangers to improve the energy efficiency of the whole system. The system of the present invention includes: a first storage tank for storing a first renewable fuel; a second storage tank for storing a second renewable fuel; a communicator for receiving a first set of information from the user; a controller for receiving the first set of information from the communication device and generating a second set of information by analyzing the first set of information; and a dispenser for dispensing the first and the second renewable fuels to the user according to the second set of information.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a connection to a conduit may include a first part configured to be threadably attached to a second part. The first part can include a male threaded section spaced axially apart from a ratchet section having radially protruding teeth. The second part can be at least partly formed by an elastically deformable material and includes a female threaded section spaced axially apart from at least one pawl that is configured to engage the radially protruding teeth. When the at least one pawl is engaged with the teeth, relative rotation between the first part and the second part may be allowed in a tightening direction and prevented in a loosening direction or may be allowed in the tightening and loosening directions. When the second part is deformed by at least one radially inward force, the at least one pawl disengages the teeth of the ratchet section.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator including a reactor chamber having a feedstock inlet and an inlet seal positioned at the feedstock inlet. At least one pair of feed rollers is positioned to draw a feedstock through the inlet seal and into the reactor chamber. At least one pair of distressing rollers is positioned in line with the feed rollers to produce stress in the feedstock. Steam is provided to the reactor chamber through a steam inlet and hydrogen is collected from a hydrogen outlet.

Abstract: Regenerative intensifier systems that can receive fluids from landfills, anaerobic digesters, wastewater treatment plants, animal waste lagoons, swamp gas, decaying permafrost, and oceanic clathrate decomposition interchangeably with natural gas and other available fuels and substances and provide suitably conditioned fuel for operation of an engine, fuel cell, or other industrial and/or chemical processes. Alternatively, gases collected from landfills, waste digesters, bakeries, breweries, ethanol plants, calciners, power plant stacks, electrolyzers, and/or natural gas that may be delivered at relatively low pressures can be converted to high pressure and/or high purity constituents to enable efficient utilization as a transportation fuel and/or industrial feedstock or chemical plant reactant.

Abstract: Liquefaction systems and associated processes and methods are disclosed herein. Liquefaction systems in accordance with the present technology can include a liquefier positioned to liquefy gases from an emission stream. The liquefier can include a compressor configured to compress a first gas to produce a first liquid, and to compress a second gas to produce a second liquid. The first liquid can be directed to a first collection tank and the second liquid can be directed to a second collection tank. In some embodiments, a liquefaction system can direct a portion of a compressed liquid to a liquefier to pre-cool gases in the emission stream and/or to cool gases at various stages of compression.