Abstract: A consumer product having a sensor for controlling the operation of the consumer product, a system and method including the consumer product and a sensor are provided. The system and method including a central communication unit capable of receiving incoming signals and sending outgoing instructions from the consumer product and sensor. The central communication unit communicably connected with a memory configured to store an algorithm. The sensor has a cross-linked carbon nanotube network comprising: a plurality of carbon nanotubes; and at least one linker that covalently links adjacent carbon nanotubes. The algorithm controls the consumer product based on incoming signals sent from the sensor to the central communication unit.

Abstract: A coated fibre comprising a fibre and a coating, wherein the coating comprises nanoplatelets and a polymer, wherein the coating has a layered structure comprising at least two bilayers, each bilayer comprising a nanoplatelet layer and a polymer layer is described. A composite material comprising a plurality of coated fibres and a matrix is also described.

Abstract: A consumer product having a sensor for controlling the operation of the consumer product, a system and method including the consumer product and a sensor are provided. The system and method including a central communication unit capable of receiving incoming signals and sending outgoing instructions from the consumer product and sensor. The central communication unit communicably connected with a memory configured to store an algorithm. The sensor has a cross-linked carbon nanotube network comprising: a plurality of carbon nanotubes; and at least one linker that covalently links adjacent carbon nanotubes. The algorithm controls the consumer product based on incoming signals sent from the sensor to the central communication unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a carbon nanotube-grafted substrate, the process comprising: providing a substrate having catalytic material deposited thereon; and synthesising carbon nanotubes on the substrate by a chemical vapour deposition process in a reaction chamber; characterised in that the process comprises providing a counter electrode, applying a potential difference to the substrate in relation to the counter electrode and maintaining the potential difference of the substrate in relation to the counter electrode during the chemical vapour deposition process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a carbon nanotube-grafted substrate, the process comprising: providing a substrate having catalytic material deposited thereon; and synthesising carbon nanotubes on the substrate by a chemical vapour deposition process in a reaction chamber; characterised in that the process comprises providing a counter electrode, applying a potential difference to the substrate in relation to the counter electrode and maintaining the potential difference of the substrate in relation to the counter electrode during the chemical vapour deposition process.

Abstract: A coated fibre comprising a fibre and a coating, wherein the coating comprises nanoplatelets and a polymer, wherein the coating has a layered structure comprising at least two bilayers, each bilayer comprising a nanoplatelet layer and a polymer layer is described. A composite material comprising a plurality of coated fibres and a matrix is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a carbon nanotube-grafted substrate, the process comprising: providing a substrate having catalytic material deposited thereon; and synthesising carbon nanotubes on the substrate by a chemical vapour deposition process in a reaction chamber; characterised in that the process comprises providing a counter electrode, applying a potential difference to the substrate in relation to the counter electrode and maintaining the potential difference of the substrate in relation to the counter electrode during the chemical vapour deposition process.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of preparing a covalently functionalised carbon nanomaterial, comprising the steps of (i) treating a carbon material with a reducing agent comprising an alkali metal M in the presence of a solvent S to form a reduced-carbon material solution; and (ii) treating the resulting reduced-carbon material solution with a functionalising reagent to form a covalently functionalised carbon nanomaterial, wherein (a) the concentration of alkali metal [M] in step (i) is between 0.003 mol/L and 0.05 mol/L, and (b) the ratio of carbon material to alkali metal (C/M) in solution in step (i) is at least 2:1. A method of preparing a covalently functionalised carbon nanomaterial using N,N-dimethylacetamide as a solvent is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanostructure comprising a first hollow nanotube having at least one open end and a first anchor structure comprising a first anchor portion configured to anchor within the open end of the first nanotube, the first anchor structure further comprising a tether portion arranged to allow at least a part of said tether portion to extend outside of the end of the nanotube.

Abstract: A method of production of carbon nanoparticles comprises the steps of: providing on substrate particles a transition metal compound which is decomposable to yield the transition metal under conditions permitting carbon nanoparticle formation, contacting a gaseous carbon source with the substrate particles, before, during or after said contacting step, decomposing the transition metal compound to yield the transition metal on the substrate particles, forming carbon nanoparticles by decomposition of the carbon source catalysed by the transition metal, and collecting the carbon nanoparticles formed.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of a functionalised carbon (nano)material comprising heating a carbon (nano)material in an inert atmosphere to produce a surface-activated carbon (nano)material and incubating said surface-activated carbon (nano)material with a chemical species capable of reacting with the surface-activated carbon (nano)material.

Abstract: An electrolyte includes a continuous meso- or nanoporous component and a polymer electrolyte phase having a conductive matrix or continuous conducting component. The continuous meso- or nanoporous component includes an interconnected porous structure and may, for example, be a monolith. When the porous component is contacted with the electrolyte phase, the porous component is filled with and integrated into the electrolyte phase.

Abstract: A method for producing aligned carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibres comprises providing finely divided substrate particle having substantially smooth faces with radii of curvature of more than 1 ?m and of length and breadth between 1 ?m and 5 mm and having catalyst material on their surface and a carbon-containing gas at a temperature and pressure at which the carbon-containing gas will react to form carbon when in the presence of the supported catalyst, and forming aligned nanotubes and/or nanofibres by the carbon-forming reaction.

Abstract: A fuel cell or battery for providing useful electrical power by electrochemical means, comprises: at least one cell; at least one anode and at least one cathode within said cell, and ion-conducting electrolyte means for transporting ions between the electrodes; characterised in that: fuel, oxidant and said electrolyte means are present as a mixture.

Abstract: A fuel cell or battery for providing useful electrical power by electrochemical means, comprises: at least one cell; at least one anode and at leas one cathode within said cell, and ion-conducting electrolyte means for transporting ions between the electrodes; and is characterised in that: said electrodes are porous and in that means are provided for causing hydrodynamic flow of a mixture of at least fuel and oxidant through the body of said electrodes.

Abstract: Electronically conductive composites of electronically conductive polymers and carbon nanotubes are formed by electrochemical or gel polymerisation of monomer in a carbon nanotube suspension. Electrical energy storage devices are produced from carbon nanotube/electronically conductive polymer composites.