Abstract: A method of modifying a carbon material is disclosed. The method comprises: bonding a metal to a carbon material to form a metal-carbon complex comprising the metal and a benzene unit, wherein the carbon material comprises extended sp2-bonded carbon atoms.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a procedure for bulk scale preparation of high aspect ratio, 2-dimensional nanoplatelets comprised of a few graphene layers, Gn. n may, for example, vary between about 2 to 10. Use of these nanoplatelets in applications such as thermal interface materials, advanced composites, and thin film coatings provide material systems with superior mechanical, electrical, optical, thermal, and antifriction characteristics.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure present systems and methods for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with mono-terminated, protected polyethylene glycol (PEG). As compared with bi-functional PEG, mono-terminated PEG the PEG-THFF oligomer has only one reaction site. The use of mono-terminated PEG may enhance the solubility of CNTs functionalized with mono-terminated PEG by inhibiting cross-linking between nanotubes and leads to a dramatic increase in aqueous solubility. In an example, single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with PEG having a tetrahydrofurfuryl (THFF) terminal group (SWNT-PEG-THFF) is found to disperse in water by ultrasonication and forms stable viscous dispersions at concentrations as high as about 9 g/L. This result exceeds the solubility of a previously reported SWNT-PEG graft copolymer, approximately 6 g/L, by more than 30%.

Abstract: A method of modifying a carbon material is disclosed. The method comprises: bonding a metal to a carbon material to form a metal-carbon complex comprising the metal and a benzene unit, wherein the carbon material comprises extended sp2-bonded carbon atoms.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the extraction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by continuous and/or batch processing are disclosed. Generally, a carbon nanotube material including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), and carboxylated carbon (CC) is provided and agitated to produce a well-dispersed mixture. The well-dispersed mixture can be allowed to stand in a vessel having a lower end and an upper end. In some cases, the CNPs settle at the lower end. In some cases, at least some of the CNTs and CC are disposed at the upper end and can be removed in a dispersion, which can be pH adjusted and/or filtered to extract the CNTs from the CC.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the purification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by continuous liquid extraction are disclosed. Carbon nanotubes are introduced to a flow of liquid that enables the separation of CNTs from impurities due to differences in the dispersibility of the CNTs and the impurities within the liquid. Examples of such impurities may include amorphous carbon, graphitic nanoparticles, and metal containing nanoparticles. The continuous extraction process may be performed in one or more stages, where one or more of extraction parameters may be varied between the stages of the continuous extraction process in order to effect removal of selected impurities from the CNTs. The extraction parameters may include, but are not limited to, the extraction liquid, the flow rate of the extraction liquid, the agitation of the liquid, and the pH of the liquid, and may be varied, depending on the impurity to be removed from the CNTs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the extraction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by continuous and/or batch processing are disclosed. Generally, a carbon nanotube material including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), and carboxylated carbon (CC) is provided and agitated to produce a well-dispersed mixture. The well-dispersed mixture can be allowed to stand in a vessel having a lower end and an upper end. In some cases, the CNPs settle at the lower end. In some cases, at least some of the CNTs and CC are disposed at the upper end and can be removed in a dispersion, which can be pH adjusted and/or filtered to extract the CNTs from the CC.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions, systems and methods for the chemical and electrochemical modification of the electronic structure of graphene and especially epitaxial graphene (EG) are presented. Beneficially, such systems and methods allow the large-scale fabrication of electronic EG devices. Vigorous oxidative conditions may allow substantially complete removal of the EG carbon atoms and the generation of insulating regions; such processing is equivalent to that which is currently used in the semiconductor industry to lithographically etch or oxidize silicon and thereby define the physical features and electronic structure of the devices. However graphene offers an excellent opportunity for controlled modification of the hybridization of the carbon atoms from sp2 to sp3 states by chemical addition of organic functional groups.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the preparation of reinforcements for composite materials, whereby single- and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be electrophoretically deposited on fibrous substrates for the production of hybrid CNT/fibers. The fibers may include carbon fibers and woven carbon fabrics. The length, as well as the density and orientation of the deposited nanotubes on the fiber surfaces may also be tailored. The strength of the CNT/fiber-matrix interface formed in composites fabricated from the hybrid CNT/fibers may be adjusted by introduction of functional groups on the CNT/fiber surfaces, such as aminophenyl and carboxyphenyl groups.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the purification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by continuous liquid extraction are disclosed. Carbon nanotubes are introduced to a flow of liquid that enables the separation of CNTs from impurities due to differences in the dispersibility of the CNTs and the impurities within the liquid. Examples of such impurities may include amorphous carbon, graphitic nanoparticles, and metal containing nanoparticles. The continuous extraction process may be performed in one or more stages, where one or more of extraction parameters may be varied between the stages of the continuous extraction process in order to effect removal of selected impurities from the CNTs. The extraction parameters may include, but are not limited to, the extraction liquid, the flow rate of the extraction liquid, the agitation of the liquid, and the pH of the liquid, and may be varied, depending on the impurity to be removed from the CNTs.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a procedure for bulk scale preparation of high aspect ratio, 2-dimensional nano platelets comprised of a few graphene layers, Gn. n may, for example, vary between about 2 to 10. Use of these nano platelets in applications such as thermal interface materials, advanced composites, and thin film coatings provide material systems with superior mechanical, electrical, optical, thermal, and antifriction characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and fabricating carbon nanotube based detectors are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more sensor elements can be formed from a film of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Bolometric properties of such detectors are disclosed. In some embodiments, the film can be thermally isolated in various ways, such as suspending the film and providing a vacuum environment, to provide the bolometric properties. Various properties of the SWNT films, such as resistivity-dependence on temperature and spectral response, can be obtained by adjusting the dimension and/or composition of the film. Examples of SWNT film formation, detector element fabrication, and array fabrication are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are microcantilevers having structural shapes that are less sensitive to turbulence and drift effects yet provide greater deflections due to analyte concentration. The structural shapes include a C-shaped microcantilever, an E-shaped microcantilever, an L-shaped microcantilever, a double microcantilever, a slit microcantilever, a tapered microcantilever, and a triangular microcantilever. The microcantilevers may be piezoresistive microcantilevers. Also disclosed are microsensors, microfluidic devices, and biochips that comprise the microcantilevers as well as methods of using the microcantilevers to detect analytes in a fluid sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are microcantilevers having structural shapes that are less sensitive to turbulence and drift effects yet provide greater deflections due to analyte concentration. The structural shapes include a C-shaped microcantilever, an E-shaped microcantilever, an L-shaped microcantilever, a double microcantilever, a slit microcantilever, a tapered microcantilever, and a triangular microcantilever. The microcantilevers may be piezoresistive microcantilevers. Also disclosed are microsensors, microfludic devices, and biochips that comprise the microcantilevers as well as methods of using the microcantilevers to detect analytes in a fluid sample.

Abstract: A cell and substrate system and nerve regeneration implant are disclosed including a carbon nanotube and a neuron growing on the carbon nanotube. Both unfunctionalized carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotubes functionalized with a neuronal growth promoting agent may be utilized in the invention. A method is also disclosed for promoting neuronal growth.

Abstract: Naked single-walled nanotube carbon metals and semiconductors are dissolved in various organic solutions.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are dissolved in organic solutions by attaching an aliphatic carbon chain (which may contain aromatic residues) so as to render the carbon nanotubes soluble.

Abstract: An improved multilayer light emitting device includes novel compounds for use as the electron transporting layer. In particular, the novel compounds are novel aluminum cheltates (e.g. tris(9-oxidophenalenone) aluminum [Al(9-opo)3] and tris(6-oxidobenzanthrone) aluminum [Al(6-obao)3]. These compounds are electron acceptors having improved thermal stability while in most cases and in most applications maintaining comparable efficiencies. When negatively biased, electrons are infected into the electron transporting layer. The concurrent positive bias on the anode in relation to the cathode causes holes to be injected from the cathode into the hole transporting layer. Electroluminescence is produced and confined generally near the interface between these electron and hole transporting layers an a result of the recombination of the electron and hole pairs.

Abstract: Naked carbon nanotubes are dissolved in organic solutions by terminating the nanotubes with carboxylic acid groups and attaching an aliphatic carbon chain so as to render the carbon nanotubes soluble.

Abstract: Naked single-walled nanotube carbon metals and semiconductors were dissolved in organic solutions by derivatization with SOCl2 and octadecylamine charge. Both ionic (charge transfer) and covalent solution phase chemistry with concomitant modulation of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) band structure were demonstrated. Solution phase near-IR spectroscopy was used to study the effects of chemical modifications on the band gaps of the SWNTs. Reaction of solubilized SWNTs with dichlorocarbene led to functionalization of the nanotube walls.