Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for chemically activating a fuel for injection and ignition in a combustion engine. In one aspect, a method to initiate combustion includes transforming an interim fuel substance into constituents including radicals, the interim fuel substance formed by a chemical conversion using a fuel, in which the interim fuel substance has a lower ignition energy than that of the fuel, injecting the constituents into a combustion chamber of an engine, and providing a gaseous fluid including oxidants in the combustion chamber to react with the constituents in a combustion reaction, in which the combustion reaction of the constituents occurs at a reduced energy than that of a combustion reaction of the fuel substance.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fuel injectors that provide efficient injection, ignition, and combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injector can include a sensor that detects one or more conditions in the combustion chamber. The injector can also include an acoustical force generator or modifier that is responsive to the sensor and can be configured to (a) induce vibrations in the fuel in the injector body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) induce vibrations in air in the combustion chamber, (c) induce vibrations in a valve driver or other injector component to actuate a flow valve, and/or (d) control patterning of fuel injected into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for injecting a fuel using Lorentz forces. In one aspect, a method to inject a fuel includes distributing a fuel between electrodes configured at a port of a chamber, generating an ion current of ionized fuel particles by applying an electric field between the electrodes to ionize at least some of the fuel, and producing a Lorentz force to accelerate the ionized fuel particles into the chamber. In some implementations of the method, the accelerated ionized fuel particles into the chamber initiate a combustion process with oxidant compounds present in the chamber. In some implementations, the method further comprises applying an electric potential on an antenna electrode interfaced at the port to induce a corona discharge into the chamber, in which the corona discharge ignites the ionized fuel particles within the chamber.

Abstract: System and method for sustainable economic development which includes hydrogen extracted from substances, for example, sea water, industrial waste water, agricultural waste water, sewage, and landfill waste water. The hydrogen extraction is accomplished by thermal dissociation, electrical dissociation, optical dissociation, and magnetic dissociation. The hydrogen extraction further includes operation in conjunction with energy addition from renewable resources, for example, solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, or biomass resources.

Abstract: Embodiments of injectors configured for adaptively injecting multiple different fuels and coolants into a combustion chamber, and for igniting the different fuels, are disclosed herein. An injector according to one embodiment includes a body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The injector further includes a first flow channel extending through the body, and a second flow channel extending through the body that is separate from the first flow channel and electrically isolated from the first flow channel. The first flow channel is configured to receive a first fuel, and the second flow channel is configured to receive at least one of a second fuel and a coolant. The injector further comprises a valve carried by the body that is movable between a closed position and an open position to introduce at least one of the second fuel and the coolant into a combustion chamber.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for loading and/or unloading a substance into or from a sorption media. A substance is presented at an edge of the sorption media, which comprises parallel layers of a sorption material. To load (i.e., via absorption and/or adsorption) the substance into the sorption media, heat is transferred away from the sorption media, a loading voltage is applied to the sorption media, and/or a pressure is increased relative to the sorption media. To unload the substance from the sorption media, heat is transferred into the sorption media, a voltage of an opposite polarity from the loading voltage is applied to the sorption media, and/or a pressure is decreased relative to the sorption media. In some embodiments, the sorption media includes surface structures that may load molecules of the substance.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine including a combustion chamber and configured to perform at least a compression stroke and a power stroke. The method comprises direct injecting a first substance having a positive Joule-Thomson coefficient into the combustion chamber during a compression stroke, thereby reducing an amount of work otherwise may be used to perform the compression stroke and direct injecting a second substance having a negative Joule-Thomson coefficient into the combustion chamber during a power stroke, thereby increasing an amount of work otherwise produced from the power stroke.

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. A valve seat electrode including at least one aperture surrounds the valve head and valve seat and at least one rocker electrode is pivotably mounted to the housing to form a variable gap between the electrode and a portion of the valve seat electrode. The rocker electrode is positioned to move relative to the valve seat electrode in response to a fuel flow through the aperture, thereby varying the gap.

Abstract: Reactor vessels with pressure and heat transfer features for producing hydrogen-based fuels and structural elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative reactor system includes a first reaction zone and a heat path, a reactant source coupled to the first reaction zone, and a first actuator coupled to cyclically pressurize the first reaction zone. A second reaction zone is in fluid communication with the first, a valve is coupled between the first and second reaction zones to control a flow rate therebetween, and a second actuator is coupled in fluid communication with the second reaction zone to cyclically pressurize the second reaction zone. First and second heat exchangers direct heat from products to reactants in the reaction zones. A controller controls the first and second actuators in a coordinated manner based at least in part on a flow rate of the second product from the second reaction zone.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas hydrate conversion system is provided comprising a floating factory, an appendage for harvesting a gas hydrate from an oceanic hydrate deposit, and one or more storage tanks. The floating factory comprises one or more heat exchange assemblies, one or more heat pump assemblies and an engine. In another embodiment, a method for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits is provided, the method comprising providing a gas hydrate conversion system; inducing release of methane from an oceanic hydrate deposit; capturing the methane from a primary methane capture zone and/or a secondary methane capture zone; and converting the methane to hydrogen and carbon.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides calciners configured to convert a feedstock into a calcined product.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing energy to a dwelling. An engine is housed within an inner tank, which is in turn housed within an outer tank. The engine provides electricity which is used for a dwelling. Exhaust fumes from the engine are piped through a series of heat-exchanging tubes within the outer tank to heat potable water within the outer tank. Water enters the potable tank at a bottom of the tank, and warms as it rises through the outer tank toward an outlet near a top of the outer tank. Hot, potable water is provided from the top of the outer tank to the dwelling. Condensate from the exhaust is captured and used as potable water. Heat, vibration, and acoustic energy from the engine is captured by the fluid in the inner tank and transferred to the outer tank.

Abstract: Inserts and insert kits for converting internal combustion engines to multi-stage compressors are disclosed herein. An insert kit in accordance with present technology can include a first insert configured to be positioned at least partially within a first compression cylinder of an engine to reduce the volume by a first amount. A second insert can be configured to be positioned at least partially within a second compression cylinder of the engine to reduce the volume of the second compression cylinder by a second amount, greater than the first amount. Additionally, a first compression piston can be configured to be positioned within the first insert to compress a gas to a first volume. A second compression piston can be configured to be positioned within the second insert to compress the gas to a second volume, smaller than the first volume.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for adjusting the operation of a gasoline-fueled engine based on monitored conditions within a combustion chamber of the engine. In some cases, the system monitors regions within the combustion chamber, identifies or determines a satisfactory condition, and applies an ionization voltage to a fuel injector to initiate a combustion event during the satisfactory condition. In some cases, the system monitors the conditions within the combustion chamber, determines a monitored condition is associated with an adjustment, and adjusts a parameters of a combustion event in order to adjust ionization levels within a combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fluid injection system and associated systems and methods are described herein. A fluid injection system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, a housing with a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, a fluid metering valve, a valve seat having a valve seat component, and a valve actuator to axially move the metering valve from a seat in the valve seat component from a closed to an open position. The valve actuator can include a piezoelectric assembly operable to displace the valve. The piezoelectric assembly can be exposed to fluid delivered through the fluid inlet port. The materials of the fluid injection system can be made with different materials having substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion. The materials can have coefficients of thermal expansion that are close or nearly zero at for example, 450 degrees C. and/or ?50 degrees C.

Abstract: Apparatus is for vehicle wheel rim having outer peripheral rim edge surrounding an outer-facing zone. Vehicle wheel rim is configured to provide a connection with vehicle tire of vehicle. Apparatus includes rim-cover assembly having outer peripheral edge. Rim-cover assembly is configured to cover, at least in part, outer-facing zone of vehicle wheel rim for case where rim-cover assembly is positioned relative to outer-facing zone of vehicle wheel rim. Resilient clips are each positionable at spaced-apart positions located on outer peripheral edge of rim-cover assembly. Resilient clips are configured to resiliently clip the outer peripheral edge of rim-cover assembly at spaced-apart positions to outer peripheral rim edge, for case where rim-cover assembly is positioned relative to outer-facing zone of vehicle wheel rim.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to integrated injector/igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injectors/igniter can include a body having a base portion opposite a nozzle portion, and a fuel passageway extending from the base portion to the nozzle portion. A force generator and a first valve are carried by the base portion. The first valve is movable in response to actuation from the force generator to move between closed and open positions. The injector/igniter also includes a second valve at the nozzle portion that is deformable in response to pressure in the fuel passageway to deform between a closed position and an open position.

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: Dynamic filtration systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a filtration system can include a filter device having a body portion positioned between first and second end portions and a filter media in a cavity defined by the body portion. The filter media can be configured to filter a predetermined substance from a ferrofluid. The filter device can further include a coil at the body portion, a first magnetic plate proximate the first end portion and a second magnetic plate proximate the second end portion. The coil can generate a first magnetic field across the body portion, and the first and second magnetic plates interact to form a second magnetic field across the body portion. The first and second magnetic fields can be configured to drive filtration of the ferrofluid.

Abstract: Fluid distribution filters having spiral filter media and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a filter assembly can include a canister having a body portion positioned between a first opening and a second opening. The filter assembly can further include a filter media positioned in the body portion of the canister. The filter media can include at least one channel in fluid communication with the first and second openings. The channel can have a spiral-like shape and be configured to distribute incoming fluid across the filter media and move the fluid at a substantially equal velocity across the filter media.