Abstract: A device for converting a carbon pill into graphene is provided including a space between at least two electrically conductive surfaces, wherein the electrically conductive surfaces are configured to support a carbon pill in the space. The device also includes at least two electrodes electrically coupled to the at least two electrically conductive surfaces. The device also includes a power supply connected to the electrodes for passing a current through the electrodes to convert the carbon pill into graphene. A carbon pill for graphene conversion is also provided including a first carbon material for synthesizing to graphene by joule heating. The first carbon material is compressed from a powder form into a pill form. The carbon pill includes a second material for at least one of binding the first carbon material from a powder form into a pill form and improving conductivity of the first carbon material.

Abstract: Provided herein is a composite material, and a method of producing the composite material. The method of producing the composite material includes providing a first material comprising turbostratic graphene, providing a second material comprising rubber, mixing the first material and the second material, and producing a turbostratic graphene rubber composite.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flash joule heating carbon with variable frequency drives, for the production of graphene. The system includes a flash joule heating system, and a variable frequency drive system for driving the flash joule heating system, wherein the variable frequency drive system is coupled to the flash joule heating system, and is configured to output a pulse-width modulated current. The system and methods may further include sample temperature feedback, to adjust the output of variable frequency drive system.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method and a device for continuous synthesis of graphene. The device includes a container having a space for holding a carbon source, wherein the container has an entry opening for receiving the carbon source material, at least two electrodes for applying an electrical current through the space for joule heating the carbon source, wherein the space for joule heating the carbon source is between the at least to electrodes, and a movement component for moving the carbon source, with respect to the container, into the entry opening in a first direction and the at least two electrodes apply the electrical current in a second direction, wherein the first direction is not the same as the second direction.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of producing a polyurethane foam. The method includes dispersing turbostratic graphene in a polymerization solution. The polymerization solution includes a first component for polymerization into a polymer. The method includes adding a second component for polymerizing with the first component to chemically convert the polymerization solution into a polyurethane foam. Provided herein is also a polyurethane foam which includes a turbostratic graphene and a polymer formed from the polymerization of a polyol with an isocyanate. Provided herein is also a turbostratic graphene dispersion which includes a turbostratic graphene and a solvent for dispersing the turbostratic graphene.

Abstract: Energy storage asymmetric supercapacitor devices utilizing nanoporous-nickel and graphene-copper materials, and methods for fabrication of these supercapacitor devices are described herein, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The invention describes a single asymmetric redox-supercapacitor unit and assembly of two or more supercapacitor units connected in series to increase the voltage range of the assembly. A double-sided supercapacitor electrode embodiment of this invention, having anode materials on one side, cathode materials on the opposing side of the electrode, and a common current collector in between, is also described in this invention.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tag that may include an encapsulant and a plurality of three-dimensional objects randomly oriented within the encapsulant. Each three-dimensional object may include a plurality of characteristics defining at least one statistically unique signature. At least one of the characteristics may be dependent on the orientation of the object. In some instances, the plurality of three-dimensional objects may also be randomly distributed within the encapsulant, and at least one of the characteristics defining at least one statistically unique signature may be dependent on the distribution of the objects.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tag that may include an encapsulant and a plurality of three-dimensional objects randomly oriented within the encapsulant. Each three-dimensional object may include a plurality of characteristics defining at least one statistically unique signature. At least one of the characteristics may be dependent on the orientation of the object. In some instances, the plurality of three-dimensional objects may also be randomly distributed within the encapsulant, and at least one of the characteristics defining at least one statistically unique signature may be dependent on the distribution of the objects.

Abstract: Energy storage asymmetric supercapacitor devices utilizing nanoporous-nickel and graphene-copper materials, and methods for fabrication of these supercapacitor devices are described herein, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The invention describes a single asymmetric redox-supercapacitor unit and assembly of two or more supercapacitor units connected in series to increase the voltage range of the assembly. A double-sided supercapacitor electrode embodiment of this invention, having anode materials on one side, cathode materials on the opposing side of the electrode, and a common current collector in between, is also described in this invention.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for growing nanomaterials in high volume production on large-sized thin metal foils that includes one or more metal foils physically separated by one or more gas permeable separators that are stacked or rolled with high density packing, placed in a gas deposition chamber, and exposed to a gas deposition process. The gas permeable separator(s) allows gases and heat from the gas deposition process to form the nanomaterials on both sides of the foil(s) stacked or rolled with the separator(s). Nanomaterials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials, are some of the nanomaterials that may be grown. The nanomaterials may be used in anodes and cathodes for batteries, supercapacitors, sensors, and other devices.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tag that may include an encapsulant and a plurality of three-dimensional objects randomly oriented within the encapsulant. Each three-dimensional object may include a plurality of characteristics defining at least one statistically unique signature. At least one of the characteristics may be dependent on the orientation of the object. In some instances, the plurality of three-dimensional objects may also be randomly distributed within the encapsulant, and at least one of the characteristics defining at least one statistically unique signature may be dependent on the distribution of the objects.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tag that may include an encapsulant and a plurality of three-dimensional objects randomly oriented within the encapsulant. Each three-dimensional object may include a plurality of characteristics defining at least one statistically unique signature. At least one of the characteristics may be dependent on the orientation of the object. In some instances, the plurality of three-dimensional objects may also be randomly distributed within the encapsulant, and at least one of the characteristics defining at least one statistically unique signature may be dependent on the distribution of the objects.

Abstract: Nanotubes are positioned laterally between posts. These posts can be formed directly on a substrate, or on top of sharp protrusions, which are themselves located on the substrate. Horizontally positioned nanotubes can be used as emitters, either singly or as part of an array. Electron emissions from the sidewalls of the nanotubes can be used to generate X-rays, Microwaves and Terahertz radiation, or other electromagnetic radiation. Arrays of laterally positioned nanotubes can reduce screening effects and other emission irregularities sometimes caused by vertically positioned nanotube emitters that rely on emissions from nanotube ends. Carbon nanotubes can be manually between two posts, or grown in place.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube detection system is disclosed. The detection system is suitable to detect carbon nanotube vibrations. Types of detection systems include but are not limited to: magnetic coupling to a magnetic particle attached at the distal end of the nanotube oscillator, current readout from the nanotube oscillator that has been exposed to electromagnetic radiation or a stress, inductive pick-up coil and corresponding tank circuit, capacitive readout element positioned next to the nanotube oscillator having a charged particle attached at its distal end, an optical beam illumination and detection of its scattering, or combination of any of the above means of detection.

Abstract: A caliper atomic force microscope (AFM) comprises two AFM probes (each comprised of an oscillator and an attached tip) that operate on a sample in a coordinated manner. The coordinated operation of the AFM probes may be spatially or temporally coordinated. The result of the coordinated operation may be an image of the sample or a dimensional measurement of an unknown sample. The probes of the caliper AFM may be tilted, or the tips may be tilted at a non-orthogonal angle with respect to the probes, so as to enable the tips to access vertical sample surfaces or to enable the tips to touch each other. The tip shapes may include conical, boot-shaped, cylindrical, or spherical and materials from which the tips are fabricated may include silicon or carbon nanotubes. The oscillators may be beveled to allow the tips to operate in close proximity or in contact without interference of the oscillators. The disclosure of the present invention is discussed in terms of an atomic force (van der Waalls) interaction.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube devices comprising vertically aligned carbon nanotubes fabricated within vertically aligned holes within a substrate material form a pattern in the substrate material. Horizontal conducting interconnects are electrically coupled to the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A system and method of multi-dimensional force sensing for scanning probe microscopy is provided.

Abstract: A caliper atomic force microscope (AFM) comprises two AFM probes (each comprised of an oscillator and an attached tip) that operate on a sample in a coordinated manner. The coordinated operation of the AFM probes may be spatially or temporally coordinated. The result of the coordinated operation may be an image of the sample or a dimensional measurement of an unknown sample. The probes of the caliper AFM may be tilted, or the tips may be tilted at a non-orthogonal angle with respect to the probes, so as to enable the tips to access vertical sample surfaces or to enable the tips to touch each other. The tip shapes may include conical, boot-shaped, cylindrical, or spherical and materials from which the tips are fabricated may include silicon or carbon nanotubes. The oscillators may be beveled to allow the tips to operate in close proximity or in contact without interference of the oscillators. The disclosure of the present invention is discussed in terms of an atomic force (van der Waalls) interaction.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube devices and methods for fabricating these devices, wherein in one embodiment, the fabrication process consists of the following process steps: (1) generation of a template, (2) catalyst deposition, and (3) nanotube synthesis within the template. In another embodiment, a carbon nanotube transistor comprises a carbon nanotube having two or more defects, wherein the defects divide the carbon nanotube into three regions having differing conductivities. The defects may be introduced by varying the diameter of a template in which the carbon nanotube is fabricated and thereby causing pentagon-heptagon pairs which form the defects.

Abstract: A system and method of multi-dimensional force sensing for scanning probe microscopy is provided.