Abstract: Anodes, cathodes, and separators for batteries (electrochemical energy storage devices). The anodes are Li metal anodes having lithiated carbon films (Li-MWCNT) (as dendrite suppressors and protective coatings for the Li metal anodes). The cathodes are sulfurized carbon cathodes. The separators are GNR-coated (or modified) separators. The invention includes each of these separately (as well as in combination both with each other and with other anodes, cathodes, and separators) and the methods of making each of these separately (and in combination). The invention further includes a battery that uses at least one of (a) the anode having a lithiated carbon film, (b) the sulfurized carbon cathode, and (c) the GNR-modified separator in the anode/cathode/separator arrangement. For instance, a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with the Li-MWCNT anode or a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with other anodes (such as a GCNT-Li anode).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making a carbon nanotube hybrid material by depositing a catalyst solution onto a carbon-based material, and growing carbon nanotubes on the carbon-based material such that the grown carbon nanotubes become covalently linked to the carbon-based material through carbon-carbon bonds. The catalyst solution includes a metal component (e.g., iron) and a buffer component (e.g., aluminum) that may be in the form of particles. The metal component of the particle may be in the form of a metallic core or metallic oxide core while the buffer component may be on a surface of the metal component in the form of metal or metal oxides. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the catalytic particles and carbon nanotube hybrid materials. The carbon nanotube hybrid materials of the present disclosure may be incorporated as electrodes (e.g., anodes or cathodes) in energy storage devices.

Abstract: Methods that expand the properties of laser-induced graphene (LIG) and the resulting LIG having the expanded properties. Methods of fabricating laser-induced graphene from materials, which range from natural, renewable precursors (such as cloth or paper) to high performance polymers (like Kevlar). With multiple lasing, however, highly conductive PEI-based LIG could be obtained using both multiple pass and defocus methods. The resulting laser-induced graphene can be used, inter alia, in electronic devices, as antifouling surfaces, in water treatment technology, in membranes, and in electronics on paper and food Such methods include fabrication of LIG in controlled atmospheres, such that, for example, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic LIG surfaces can be obtained. Such methods further include fabricating laser-induced graphene by multiple lasing of carbon precursors. Such methods further include direct 3D printing of graphene materials from carbon precurors.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a lithium-metal anode that suppresses dendrite formation and can be fabricated using a simple, inexpensive, and solvent-free process. The anode is coated with a layer of disordered nanomaterial, saturated with lithium ions, that suppresses dendrite formation during charging. The dendrite-suppression coating can be applied simply using a dry, abrasive technique in which the lithium-metal anode is alternately abraded to roughen the surface and polished using a polishing powder of a material that alloys with the lithium.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) printing of graphene materials and methods and apparatuses for making same. In some embodiments, combined metal powder and carbon growth sources (such as powder Ni and sucrose) are utilized in the 3D printing process. In other embodiments, metal powders with binders (such as powder Ni and a polymer bases binder) are utilized in the 3D printing process. The metal in the resulting 3D printed composite material can then be etched or otherwise removed yielding the 3D printed graphene materials.

Abstract: Virus and microbe-killing, self-sterilizing resistive heated air filters and methods of making and using same methods. The air filter is includes laser-induced graphene (LIG), a porous conductive graphene foam formed through photothermal conversion of a polyimide film (or another source or source of polymer or other LIG precursor material) by a laser source. The LIG in the air filter can capture particulates and bacteria. The bacteria cannot proliferate even when submerged in culture medium. Through a periodic Joule-heating mechanism, the filter easily reaches greater than 300° C. This destroys any microorganisms including bacteria, along with molecules that can cause adverse biological reactions and diseases such as viruses, pyrogens, allergens, exotoxins, endotoxins, teichoic acids, mycotoxins, nucleic acids, and prions.

Abstract: Method and system for soil remediation by flash Joule heating. A contaminated soil that includes organic pollutants and/or one or more metal pollutants can be mixed with carbon black or other conductive additive to form a mixture. The mixture then undergoes flash Joule heating to clean the soil (by the decomposing of the organic pollutants and/or removing of the one or more toxic metals, such as by vaporization).

Abstract: Rigid porous polymeric carbon sorbents, including particularly polymeric carbon sorbents for CO2 capture for flue gas from power plants and for gases from other post combustion CO2 emission outlets, and methods of making and using same. The porous carbon material can be prepared by heating plastic with an additive. The additive can be selected from metal hydroxide, metal oxalate, metal acetate, metal acetylacetonoate or mixtures thereof. By controlling the preparation, such as the temperature of preparation, the porous carbon sorbent can be controlled to be rigid.

Abstract: Ultrafast flash Joule heating synthesis methods and systems, and more particularly, ultrafast synthesis methods to recover metal from ores, fly ash, and bauxite residue (red mud).

Abstract: Ultrafast flash Joule heating synthesis methods and systems, and more particularly, ultrafast synthesis methods to recover precious metals recovery and other metals from electronic waste (e-waste).

Abstract: Laser-induced graphene (LIG) and laser-induced graphene scrolls (LIGS) materials and, more particularly to LIGS, methods of making LIGS (such as from polyimide (PI)), laser-induced removal of LIG and LIGS, and 3D printing of LIG and LIGS using a laminated object manufacturing (LOM) process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to electrodes for energy storage devices. The electrodes include a substrate from which extends bundles of carbon nanotubes. A metal, such as lithium, infiltrates the bundles, between the carbon nanotubes, to coat the surfaces of the carbon nanotubes. The bundled, metal-coated carbon nanotubes are covered with a layer of solid-electrolyte interphase that can be formed before the metal is inserted into the bundles by pretreating the bundles with an electrolyte bearing ions of the metal.

Abstract: Energy-storage devices in which the energy storage device has an electrode that includes graphitic carbon, carbon nanotubes, and a metallic-lithium layer between the carbon nanotubes and the energy-storage device further has an electrolyte that is in contact with the metallic lithium layer. The methods of manufacturing the energy-storage devices include that the energy storage device is made by providing electrodes that have a layer of carbon nanotubes adjacent additional carbon, applying a layer of lithium between the carbon nanotubes in the layer of carbon nanotubes of at least one of the electrodes, and providing an electrolyte between the electrodes.

Abstract: Anodes, cathodes, and separators for batteries (electrochemical energy storage devices). The anodes are Li metal anodes having lithiated carbon films (Li-MWCNT) (as dendrite suppressors and protective coatings for the Li metal anodes). The cathodes are sulfurized carbon cathodes. The separators are GNR-coated (or modified) separators. The invention includes each of these separately (as well as in combination both with each other and with other anodes, cathodes, and separators) and the methods of making each of these separately (and in combination). The invention further includes a battery that uses at least one of (a) the anode having a lithiated carbon film, (b) the sulfurized carbon cathode, and (c) the GNR-modified separator in the anode/cathode/separator arrangement. For instance, a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with the Li-MWCNT anode or a full battery can include the sulfurized carbon cathode in combination with other anodes (such as a GCNT-Li anode).

Abstract: A therapeutic method for catalytically forming persulfide and/or polysulfide from hydrogen sulfide in vitro and in vivo using endogenously or exogenously released hydrogen sulfide is disclosed. That method comprises contacting cells in need including those under oxidative stress, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hypoxia, or have an excess of hydrogen sulfide or deficiency of protein persulfidation with oxidized carbon nanoparticulate material in which the particles contain a plurality of carbonyl, hydroxyl and carboxyl substituents. Oxidized carbon nanoparticulate (OCN) material can be prepared from any of a variety of sources of which activated charcoal is preferred. A water-dispersible OCN material is described that does not need added hydrophilic polymers to provide dispersibility for at least 7 days at a concentration of about 1-5 mg/mL. These OCN materials also have a UV absorbance maximum in water of about 220 nm and pass through a 0.22 µm pore PES membrane.

Abstract: Virus and microbe-killing, self-sterilizing resistive heated air filters and methods of making and using same methods. The air filter is includes laser-induced graphene (LIG), a porous conductive graphene foam formed through photothermal conversion of a polyimide film (or another source or source of polymer or other LIG precursor material) by a laser source. The LIG in the air filter can capture particulates and bacteria. The bacteria cannot proliferate even when submerged in culture medium. Through a periodic Joule-heating mechanism, the filter easily reaches greater than 300° C.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of opening a lipid bilayer by associating the lipid bilayer with a molecule that includes a moving component capable of moving (e.g., rotating) in response to an external stimulus; and exposing the molecule to an external stimulus before, during or after associating the molecule with the lipid bilayer. The exposing causes the moving component of the molecule to move and thereby open the lipid bilayer (e.g., by pore formation). The external stimuli may include an energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The opened lipid bilayer may be a component of cell membranes in vitro or in vivo. The opening of the lipid bilayer may allow for the passage of various materials (e.g., active agents, such as peptide-based drugs) through the lipid bilayer and into cells. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned molecules for opening lipid bilayers.

Abstract: Alkali metal-sulfur cells and batteries with cathode layers that store alkali metal charge carriers (e.g., lithium ions) in agglomerates of sulfurized carbon. The cathode layers lack costly and environmentally unfriendly nickel and cobalt. The cathode layers are composites that include agglomerates of sulfurized-carbon particles in a conductive binder and interconnected by sp2-bonded carbon materials, such as carbon nanotubes or nanoribbons, that extend within the agglomerates and between the sulfurized-carbon particles.

Abstract: Alkali metal-sulfur cells and batteries with cathode layers that store alkali metal charge carriers (e.g., lithium ions) in agglomerates of sulfurized carbon. The cathode layers lack costly and environmentally unfriendly nickel and cobalt. The cathode layers are composites that include agglomerates of sulfurized-carbon particles in a conductive binder and interconnected by sp2-bonded carbon materials, such as carbon nanotubes or nanoribbons, that extend within the agglomerates and between the sulfurized-carbon particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of opening a lipid bilayer by associating the lipid bilayer with a molecule that includes a moving component capable of moving (e.g., rotating) in response to an external stimulus; and exposing the molecule to an external stimulus before, during or after associating the molecule with the lipid bilayer. The exposing causes the moving component of the molecule to move and thereby open the lipid bilayer (e.g., by pore formation). The external stimuli may include an energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The opened lipid bilayer may be a component of cell membranes in vitro or in vivo. The opening of the lipid bilayer may allow for the passage of various materials (e.g., active agents, such as peptide-based drugs) through the lipid bilayer and into cells. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned molecules for opening lipid bilayers.