Bussard collector

The Bussard collector, also known as a Bussard ramscoop or ramscoop, was a device usually attached to the forward end of a warp nacelle. The Tosk variation of the Bussard collector was known as the arva node. 

All Federation starships were equipped with Bussard collectors, which were positioned in the best line of sight to collect interstellar particles. Collection worked best in regions where particle density was high, such as in star systems or nebulae.

The Bussard collector normally collected hydrogen, especially deuterium, for fuel replenishment, but could be reconfigured to collect various gases like sirillium and plasma particles.

A Bussard collector could also be reconfigured to expel gases or plasma. Bussard collectors were not capable of producing nadion emissions. 

Modification and exceptional uses
In 2365, the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)'s collectors were used to create a harmless pyrotechnic display against the Pakleds to recover Lieutenant Geordi La Forge by igniting released hydrogen. This event came to be known as a crimson force field. 

While trapped in a Tyken's Rift in 2367, the Enterprise-D released large quantities of hydrogen from its Bussard collectors to help some unknown aliens create a violent explosion and release themselves. 

In 2373, USS Voyager's collectors were used to gather the sirillium from a class 17 nebula. It was described that they would "cut through that nebula like ice cream scoops." They were modified to gather plasma particles from an astral eddy. 

In 2374, Seven of Nine determined that the collectors of an starship were less than optimal. She performed a series of modifications that enhanced them by twenty-three percent. 

In 2375, Commander William T. Riker used the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E)'s collectors to gather, and then vent, metreon gas against attacking Son'a vessels, a maneuver which Commander La Forge nicknamed the Riker Maneuver. 

In 2376, USS Voyager's collectors were modified to gather deuterium from a J class nebula. 

Bussardův kolektor Bussardkollektor バサード・コレクター Bussard collector