Abstract: A method of forming a B4C layer as a component of an oxidation protection system as component of oxidation protection system on a carbon-carbon composite material may include forming a liquid mixture comprising a boron-compound and a carbon-compound. The method may further include applying the liquid mixture on the carbon-carbon composite material. The boron compound may comprise boric acid (H3BO3). In various embodiments, the carbon-compound comprises phenolic resin. In various embodiments, the method further includes heating the carbon-carbon composite material after applying the liquid mixture on the carbon-carbon composite material to from a boron carbide (B4C) layer.

Abstract: A method for making an epitaxial structure includes the following steps. A substrate having an epitaxial growth surface is provided. A carbon nanotube layer is placed on the epitaxial growth surface. A buffer layer is formed on the epitaxial growth surface. A first epitaxial layer is epitaxially grown on the buffer layer. The substrate and the buffer layer are separated to form a second epitaxial growth surface. A second epitaxial layer is epitaxially grown on the second epitaxial growth surface.

Abstract: Provided are an acoustic diaphragm and an acoustic device including the same. The acoustic diaphragm may include graphene nanoparticles, and an average particle size of the graphene nanoparticles may be about 10 nm or less. The graphene nanoparticles substantially may have a particle size of about 1 nm to about 10 nm. The graphene nanoparticles may include at least one functional group selected from a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a carbonyl group, an epoxy group, an amine group, and an amide group.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a compound in powder form, wherein said compound is the reaction product of (i) at least one metal and/or metalloid, and (ii) at least one further element that is more electronegative than the metal and/or metalloid, which process includes steps of: mixing at least one oxide of said at least one metal and/or metalloid with a reducing agent including Ca or Mg granules or powder, and/or calcium hydride or magnesium hydride in granule or powder form, to form a mixture; exposing the mixture to a source of said at least one further element; maintaining said mixture under a H2 atmosphere at a temperature of from 950° C. to 1500° C. for 1-10 hours; and, recovering said compound in powder form; wherein said at least one further element is selected from carbon, nitrogen, boron, silicon and mixtures thereof. A compound in powder form obtainable by such a process.

Abstract: A method and structure for providing improved tactile response in fiber reinforced polymer composite materials is disclosed. The effect is achieved by jacketing the reinforcing carbon fiber with a thin coating of non-carbide forming metal, such as nickel. The resulting chemical and mechanical discontinuity at the fiber/coating interface allows for more transient energy to be retained within the fiber, while the strong chemical bond of the polymer matrix to the metal coating assures mechanical integrity of the composite. The result is a composite which retains its characteristic weight, stiffness, and strength, but exhibits increased low frequency vibrational sensitivity in composite applications, such as for fishing rods and other recreational equipment.

Abstract: Methods are described to make strong, tough, and lightweight whisker-reinforced glass-ceramic composites through a self-toughening structure generated by viscous reaction sintering of a complex mixture of oxides. The present invention further relates to strong, tough, and lightweight glass-ceramic composites that can be used as proppants and for other uses.

Abstract: A system comprising: a plasma production chamber configured to produce a plasma; a reaction chamber vaporize a precursor material with the plasma to form a reactive mixture; a quench chamber having a frusto-conical surface and a quench region formed within the quench chamber between an ejection port of the reaction chamber and a cooled mixture outlet, wherein the quench region configured to receive the reactive mixture from the ejection port, to cool the reactive mixture to form a cooled mixture, and to supply the cooled mixture to the cooled mixture outlet; and a conditioning fluid injection ring disposed at the ejection port and configured to flow a conditioning fluid directly into the reactive mixture as the reactive mixture flows through the ejection port, thereby disturbing the flow of the reactive mixture, creating turbulence within the quench region and cooling the reactive mixture to form a cooled mixture comprising condensed nanoparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the synthesis of silicon carbide (SiC) bodies having a relative density of 99% or higher and a SiC body synthesized according to the method.

Abstract: A method is followed to prepare a powder that includes carbon, silicon and boron, the silicon being in silicon carbide form and the boron being in boron carbide and/or free boron form. The method includes contacting a carbon-based precursor, a silicon-based precursor and a boron-based precursor BX3, X being a halogen atom, to obtain a mixture of these three precursors. The resulting mixture is subjected to laser pyrolysis. The boron-based precursor BX3 is heated, prior to the contacting step and/or simultaneously with the contacting step, to a temperature higher than the condensation temperature of the precursor.

Abstract: A hydrogen-free amorphous dielectric insulating film having a high material density and a low density of tunneling states is provided. The film is prepared by e-beam deposition of a dielectric material on a substrate having a high substrate temperature Tsub under high vacuum and at a low deposition rate. In an exemplary embodiment, the film is amorphous silicon having a density greater than about 2.18 g/cm3 and a hydrogen content of less than about 0.1%, prepared by e-beam deposition at a rate of about 0.1 nm/sec on a substrate having Tsub=400° C. under a vacuum pressure of 1×10?8 Torr.

Abstract: Feed material comprising uniform solution precursor droplets is processed in a uniform melt state using microwave generated plasma. The plasma torch employed is capable of generating laminar gas flows and providing a uniform temperature profile within the plasma. Plasma exhaust products are quenched at high rates to yield amorphous products. Products of this process include spherical, highly porous and amorphous oxide ceramic particles such as magnesia-yttria (MgO—Y2O3). The present invention can also be used to produce amorphous non oxide ceramic particles comprised of Boron, Carbon, and Nitrogen which can be subsequently consolidated into super hard materials.

Abstract: Feed material comprising uniform solution precursor droplets is processed in a uniform melt state using microwave generated plasma. The plasma torch employed is capable of generating laminar gas flows and providing a uniform temperature profile within the plasma. Plasma exhaust products are quenched at high rates to yield amorphous products. Products of this process include spherical, highly porous and amorphous oxide ceramic particles such as magnesia-yttria (MgO—Y2O3). The present invention can also be used to produce amorphous non oxide ceramic particles comprised of Boron, Carbon, and Nitrogen which can be subsequently consolidated into super hard materials.

Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor diamond containing boron by the high pressure synthesis method, wherein a graphite material to be converted to the semiconductor diamond is mixed with boron or a boron compound, formed and fired, in such a way that the resultant graphite material contains a boron component uniformly dispersed therein and has an enhanced bulk density, a high purity and a reduced content of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of making a sandwich of impact resistant material, the method comprising: providing a powder; performing a spark plasma sintering process on powder to form a tile; and coupling a ductile backing layer to the tile. In some embodiments, the powder comprises micron-sized particles. In some embodiments, the powder comprises nano-particles. In some embodiments, the powder comprises silicon carbide particles. In some embodiments, the powder comprises boron carbide particles. In some embodiments, the ductile backing layer comprises an adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the ductile backing layer comprises: a layer of polyethylene fibers; and an adhesive layer coupling the layer of polyethylene fibers to the tile, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a thickness of 1 to 3 millimeters.

Abstract: Feed material comprising uniform solution precursor droplets is processed in a uniform melt state using microwave generated plasma. The plasma torch employed is capable of generating laminar gas flows and providing a uniform temperature profile within the plasma. Plasma exhaust products are quenched at high rates to yield amorphous products. Products of this process include spherical, highly porous and amorphous oxide ceramic particles such as magnesia-yttria (MgO—Y2O3). The present invention can also be used to produce amorphous non oxide ceramic particles comprised of Boron, Carbon, and Nitrogen which can be subsequently consolidated into super hard materials.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon layer derived from carbide ceramics, wherein metal or non-metal atoms are extracted selectively from the surface of carbide ceramics to form voids, which, in turn, are filled with carbon synthesized by a carbon compound, thereby providing improved roughness and hardness, as well as to a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: A method of making a tile, the method comprising: providing a plurality of nano-particles, wherein the plurality of nano-particles comprises a plurality of ceramic nano-particles; and performing a spark plasma sintering (SPS) process on the plurality of nano-particles, thereby forming a tile comprising the plurality of nano-particles, wherein the nano-structure of the nano-particles is present in the formed tile. In some embodiments, the tile is bonded to a ductile backing material.

Abstract: A method of treating a diamond, the method comprising: (i) providing a liquid metal saturated with carbon with respect to graphite precipitation; (ii) lowering the temperature of the liquid metal such that the liquid metal is saturated with carbon with respect to diamond precipitation; (iii) immersing a diamond in the liquid metal; and (iv) removing the diamond from the metal.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for manufacturing high density boron carbide by pressureless sintering, enabling to create sintered products of complex shapes and high strength. The robust process of the invention enables to employ low-cost raw powders.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of use thereof for the production of carbon-based and other nanostructures, as well as fuels and reformed products, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating and/or purifying at least one polypeptide from a polypeptide-containing sample, characterized in that the sample is contacted with a boron carbide support material at a pH which allows the binding of the polypeptide to the boron carbide support material. Such isolating can, for example, be used to remove polypeptides from a sample or else to purify and/or to concentrate polypeptides. A matrix comprising a boron carbide support material for purification of polypeptides is further disclosed according to the invention.

Abstract: Hardmask films having high hardness and low stress are provided. In some embodiments a film has a stress of between about ?600 MPa and 600 MPa and hardness of at least about 12 GPa. In some embodiments, a hardmask film is prepared by depositing multiple sub-layers of doped or undoped silicon carbide using multiple densifying plasma post-treatments in a PECVD process chamber. In some embodiments, a hardmask film includes a high-hardness boron-containing film selected from the group consisting of SixByCz, SixByNz, SixByCzNw, BxCy, and BxNy. In some embodiments, a hardmask film includes a germanium-rich GeNx material comprising at least about 60 atomic % of germanium. These hardmasks can be used in a number of back-end and front-end processing schemes in integrated circuit fabrication.

Abstract: A metal carbide ceramic fiber having improved mechanical properties and characteristics and improved processes and chemical routes for manufacturing metal carbide ceramic fiber. Metal carbide ceramic fibers may be formed via reaction bonding of a metal-based material (e.g. boron) with the inherent carbon of a carrier medium. One embodiment includes a method of making a metal carbide ceramic fiber using VSSP to produce high yield boron carbide fiber. Embodiments of the improved method allow high volume production of high density boron carbide fiber. The chemical routes may include a direct production of boron carbide fiber from boron carbide powder (B4C) and precursor (e.g. rayon fiber) having a carbon component to form a B4C/rayon fiber that may be processed at high temperature to form boron carbide fiber, and that may be subsequently undergo a hot isostatic pressing to improve fiber purity. Another route may include a carbothermal method comprising combining boron powder (B) with a precursor (e.g.

Abstract: Methods of producing continuous boron carbide fibers. The method comprises reacting a continuous carbon fiber material and a boron oxide gas within a temperature range of from approximately 1400° C. to approximately 2200° C. Continuous boron carbide fibers, continuous fibers comprising boron carbide, and articles including at least a boron carbide coating are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing macroscale 3D heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials (such as boron doped carbon nanotube materials) and compositions thereof. Macroscopic quantities of three-dimensionally networked heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials are directly grown using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The porous heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material is created by doping of heteroatoms (such as boron) in the nanotube lattice during growth, which influences the creation of elbow joints and branching of nanotubes leading to the three dimensional super-structure. The super-hydrophobic heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube sponge is strongly oleophilic and an soak up large quantities of organic solvents and oil. The trapped oil can be burnt off and the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material can be used repeatedly as an oil removal scaffold.

Abstract: Described are boron carbide nanorods that have a molar ratio of 8:1 boron to carbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to boron carbide and to a method for making the same, as well as to a super-abrasive material and a machine device including said boron carbide. The boron carbide of the invention has the following formula BC5 and has a diamond-type cubic structure with a mesh parameter a=3.635±0.006 &angst. The boron carbide of the invention can particularly be used in the field of machining.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing high density boron carbide by pressureless sintering, enabling to create sintered products of complex shapes and high strength. The process comprises mixing raw boron carbide powder with carbon precursor, such as a polysaccharide, compacting the mixture to create an object of the desired shape, and finally carbonizing and sintering the object at higher temperatures.

Abstract: A method of treating a diamond, the method comprising: (i) providing a liquid metal saturated with carbon with respect to graphite precipitation; (ii) lowering the temperature of the liquid metal such that the liquid metal is saturated with carbon with respect to diamond precipitation; (iii) immersing a diamond in the liquid metal; and (iv) removing the diamond from the metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to boron carbide and to a method for making the same, as well as to a super-abrasive material and a machine device including said boron carbide. The boron carbide of the invention has the following formula BC5 and has a diamond-type cubic structure with a mesh parameter a=3.635±0.006 Å. The boron carbide of the invention can particularly be used in the field of machining.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing high density boron carbide by pressureless sintering, enabling to create sintered products of complex shapes and high strength. The process comprises mixing raw boron carbide powder with carbon precursor, such as a polysaccharide, compacting the mixture to create an object of the desired shape, and finally carbonizing and sintering the object at higher temperatures.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material has a microstructure deformed by cryogenic impact. When the cryogenic impact is applied to the thermoelectric material, defects are induced in the thermoelectric material, and such defects increase phonon scattering, which results in enhanced figure of merit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.

Abstract: Partially or fully saturated doped graphene materials are found to be superconducting. The saturation is with hydrogen or halogen. Doping is performed by substitution of carbon atoms or by applying an electric field. Diamond nano-rods are also found to be superconducting. These materials can be used in electronic devices having a gate.

Abstract: Three-dimensional nanoporous aerogels and suitable preparation methods are provided. Nanoporous aerogels may include a carbide material such as a silicon carbide, a metal carbide, or a metalloid carbide. Elemental (e.g., metallic or metalloid) aerogels may also be produced. In some embodiments, a cross-linked aerogel having a conformal coating on a sol-gel material is processed to form a carbide aerogel, metal aerogel, or metalloid aerogel. A three-dimensional nanoporous network may include a free radical initiator that reacts with a cross-linking agent to form the cross-linked aerogel. The cross-linked aerogel may be chemically aromatized and chemically carbonized to form a carbon-coated aerogel. The carbon-coated aerogel may be suitably processed to undergo a carbothermal reduction, yielding an aerogel where oxygen is chemically extracted. Residual carbon remaining on the surface of the aerogel may be removed via an appropriate cleaning treatment.

Abstract: Methods of forming one-dimensional carbide nanostructures are provided. In one embodiment, a carbide forming mixture (e.g., including a noncarbon element source, a catalyst, and a solvent) is applied to a porous plant template (e.g., cotton fibers, bamboo fibers, wood fibers, leaf fibers, straw fibers, or mixtures thereof). The porous plant template can then be dried to evaporate the solvent, and heated to a growth temperature of about 1000° C. or more (e.g., about 1050° C. to about 1300° C.) to grow the one-dimensional carbide nanostructures on the porous plant template. One-dimensional carbide nanostructures formed according to the presently disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal boride precursor mixture comprising a metal oxide and a boric oxide combined in such a manner so as to produce intimately linked clusters wherein the boric oxide is found within the metal oxide. Furthermore, the invention discloses a carbon composite material made with the metal boride precursor mixture and a carbonaceous component. Finally, the invention also teaches the process for preparing the metal boride precursor mixture comprising steps of providing a metal oxide and a boron oxide, mechanically mixing the metal oxide and the boron oxide at a temperature that liquefies the boron oxide and may impregnate the metal oxide to produce an intimately linked cluster of metal oxide and boric oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating and/or purifying at least one polypeptide from a polypeptide-containing sample, characterized in that the sample is contacted with a boron carbide support material at a pH which allows the binding of the polypeptide to the boron carbide support material. Such isolating can, for example, be used to remove polypeptides from a sample or else to purify and/or to concentrate polypeptides. A matrix comprising a boron carbide support material for purification of polypeptides is further disclosed according to the invention.

Abstract: A plurality of carbide, such as silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, etc., nanofibrils predominantly having diameters substantially less than about 100 nm and a method for making such carbide nanofibrils.

Abstract: The present invention is made to provide a carbon catalyst capable of preventing the coarsening of particles of nanoshell structure of carbon which causes reduction in activity for oxygen reduction reaction. The carbon catalyst is produced by the steps of: preparing a carbon precursor polymer; mixing a transition metal or a compound of the transition metal into the carbon precursor polymer; spinning the mixture of the carbon precursor polymer and the transition metal or the compound of the transition metal into fibers; and carbonizing the fibers.

Abstract: A boron carbide body having a graphite content in which the central portion of the body includes more graphite that the region surrounding the central portion and adjacent the exterior surface thereof, and a method for fabricating the boron carbide body.

Abstract: A boron carbide body having a graphite content in which the central portion of the body includes more graphite that the region surrounding the central portion and adjacent the exterior surface thereof, and a method for fabricating the boron carbide body.

Abstract: Combustion flame-plasma hybrid reactor systems, chemical reactant sources, and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a combustion flame-plasma hybrid reactor system comprising a reaction chamber, a combustion torch positioned to direct a flame into the reaction chamber, and one or more reactant feed assemblies configured to electrically energize at least one electrically conductive solid reactant structure to form a plasma and feed each electrically conductive solid reactant structure into the plasma to form at least one product is disclosed. In an additional embodiment, a chemical reactant source for a combustion flame-plasma hybrid reactor comprising an elongated electrically conductive reactant structure consisting essentially of at least one chemical reactant is disclosed. In further embodiments, methods of forming a chemical reactant source and methods of chemically converting at least one reactant into at least one product are disclosed.

Abstract: An electron microscope comprising an electron emitting cathode equipped with a carbon nanotube and an extraction unit to field-emit electrons. The carbon nanotube contains a sharp portion which is approximately conical shape at tip thereof closed at the electron-emitting cathode. A method of manufacturing carbon nanotube having a sharp angle part at the tip thereof, comprising a step of placing and heat-treating a tip-sharpened carbon nanotube still at a lower temperature than a phase transition temperature and a step of placing and heat-treating a tip-sharpened carbon nanotube still at a higher temperature than a phase transition temperature.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for the synthesis or preparation of boron-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes (B-SWCNTs). The invention provides a high yield, single step method for producing large quantities of continuous macroscopic carbon fiber from single-wall carbon nanotubes using inexpensive carbon feedstocks wherein the carbon nanotubes are produced by in situ boron substitutional doping. In one embodiment, the nanotubes disclosed are used, singularly or in multiples, in power transmission cables, in solar cells, in batteries, as antennas, as molecular electronics, as probes and manipulators, and in composites. It is another object of this invention to provide macroscopic carbon fiber made by such a method.

Abstract: The production of ultrafine metal carbide powders from polymeric powder and metallic precursor powder starting materials is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the polymeric powder may comprise polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester, polybutylene, nylon, polymethylpentene and the like. The metal precursor powder may comprise pure metals, metal alloys, intermetallics and/or metal-containing compounds such as metal oxides and nitrides. In one embodiment, the metal precursor powder comprises a silicon-containing material, and the ultrafine powders comprise SiC. The polymeric and metal precursor powders are fed together or separately to a plasma system where the feed materials react to form metal carbides in the form of ultrafine particles.

Abstract: A method for producing ultrafine metal carbide particles and hydrogen is disclosed. The method includes introducing a metal-containing precursor and a carbon-containing precursor into a thermal reaction chamber, heating the precursors in the thermal reaction chamber to form the ultrafine metal carbide particles from the precursors and to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen, collecting the ultrafine doped metal carbide particles, converting at least a portion of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and generating additional hydrogen, and recovering at least a portion of the hydrogen.

Abstract: The production of ultrafine boron carbide powders from liquid boron-containing precursors and/or liquid carbon-containing precursors is disclosed. The liquid precursors are fed together or separately to a plasma system where the precursor materials react to form boron carbide in the form of ultrafine particles.

Abstract: The production of ultrafine boron carbide powders from liquid boron-containing precursors and/or liquid carbon-containing precursors is disclosed. The liquid precursors are fed together or separately to a plasma system where the precursor materials react to form boron carbide in the form of ultrafine particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to prepare boron carbide nanorods wherein boron oxide is heated in the presence of nickel/boron supported on carbon.