Abstract: A disclosed construction structure unit may include at least one split-ring resonator, which may be embedded within a material. The split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. The split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, the split-ring resonator may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.

Abstract: Resonant sensors for environmental health risk detection are disclosed. A mechanical member may include at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator disposed on a surface of the mechanical member. Additionally, the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator may include a plurality of first carbon particles configured to uniquely resonate in response to an electromagnetic ping based at least in part on a concentration level of the first carbon particles within the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator. Further, the at least one meso-scale or micro-scale resonator may be configured to resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the mechanical member is in a first state, and may be configured to resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the mechanical member is in a second state.

Abstract: Techniques for refining valuable materials from aqueous sources, along with corresponding apparatuses, are disclosed. The disclosed techniques enable “green” and “conflict-free” acquisition of critical minerals. These advantages are impactful in applications including refinement of rare materials such as certain metals, especially metals necessary for production of energy storage devices required to advance environmental goals, such as in the Paris climate agreement. The inventive concepts include economically viable approaches to refinement, as well as economically viable apparatuses. In some approaches, valuable materials such as metals are refined from salts obtained from aqueous sources. Power required to refine materials is provided by renewable energy sources. Real world implementations involve co-locating a dissociative reactor with a geothermal energy plant near an aquifer with salt(s) therein. Refined minerals are produced on site.

Abstract: A disclosed airborne vehicle includes split-ring resonators (split ring resonators), which may be embedded within a material. Each split ring resonator may be formed from a three-dimensional (3D) monolithic carbonaceous growth and may detect an electromagnetic ping emitted from a user device. Each split ring resonator may generate an electromagnetic return signal in response to the electromagnetic ping. The electromagnetic return signal may indicate a state of the material in a position proximate to a respective split ring resonator. In some aspects, each may resonate at a first frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the 3D monolithic carbonaceous growth may be based on physical characteristics of the material.

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus includes sensors incorporated into adhesive material. In use, an apparatus may comprise an adhesive material and at least macro-scale or meso-scale or micro-scale resonator disposed on or in the adhesive material. Additionally, the at least one macro-scale or meso-scale or micro-scale resonator is formed from a carbon-containing material, and the adhesive material is a non-elastomeric material or a semi-rigid material. In some aspects, each macro-scale or meso-scale or micro-scale resonator may resonate at a first frequency in response to an electromagnetic ping when the adhesive material is in a first state, and may resonate at a second frequency in response to the electromagnetic ping when the adhesive material is in a second state. A resonant frequency of the adhesive material may be based on physical characteristics of the adhesive material.

Abstract: A container includes a surface defining a volume of the container, a first resonance portion disposed on a first portion of the surface of the container using one or more first carbon-based inks, and a second resonance portion disposed on a second portion of the surface of the container using one or more second carbon-based inks different than the one or more first carbon-based inks. The first resonance portion can resonate within a first range of frequencies in response to one or more electromagnetic pings received from a user device, and the second resonance portion can resonate within a second range of frequencies in response to the one or more electromagnetic pings, the second range of frequencies being different than the first range of frequencies. In some instances, the user device may be a smartphone, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, or a near-field communication (NFC) device.

Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to systems and methods for effluent stream abatement via pyrolytic emission looping. In use, the systems and methods include a feed gas stream, and at least one dissociating reactor that receives the feed gas stream. The at least one dissociating reactor outputs, at least in part, a carbon allotrope material and a discharge pyrolytic emissions stream. Additionally, a gas separating system is used to separate the discharge pyrolytic emissions stream into at least one species component, where the at least one species component is added to at least the feed gas stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel electrolyte system for lithium-based batteries in stationary storage applications. Unlike conventional electrolytes that suffer from limited cycle life and stability, this system incorporates strategically selected sacrificial additives that decompose in a predetermined sequence during cycling. This controlled breakdown forms a self-evolving electrode-electrolyte interface, addressing the limitations of existing technologies by mitigating polysulfide shuttling, enhancing long-term stability, and maintaining consistent ionic conductivity. The system's ability to adapt to changing operational conditions enables ultra-high cycle life, potentially revolutionizing the performance and longevity of stationary energy storage systems.

Abstract: A dual-layer gradient electrode structure is provided for optimizing power and energy density in batteries. In use, for an electrode of a lithium-based battery, the electrode includes a first layer above an electrically conductive substrate, the first layer including a first plurality of carbon aggregates having a first porosity. Additionally, a second layer is above, at least in part, the first layer, the second layer having a second porosity, and including a second plurality of carbon aggregates. The second plurality of carbon aggregates includes a first group of aggregates and a second group of aggregates. The first group of aggregates is characterized by a first porous structure, and the second group of aggregates is characterized by a second porous structure. Further, the second porous structure is characterized by a density greater than the first porous structure, and the second porosity is greater than the first porosity.

Abstract: A battery may include an anode, a cathode positioned opposite to the anode, a separator positioned between the anode and the cathode, an electrolyte dispersed throughout the cathode and in contact with the anode, and a dual-pore system. The anode may be configured to release a plurality of lithium ions. The cathode may include a plurality of pathways defined by a plurality of porous non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles and may include a plurality of carbonaceous structures each based on a coalescence of a group of the porous non-hollow carbonaceous spherical particles. The dual-pore system may be disposed in the cathode and defined in shape and orientation by the plurality of carbonaceous structures. In some aspects, the dual-pore system may be configured to receive gaseous oxygen from the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: Metal(s) (including various alloys, such as INCONEL® superalloys) are characterized by having carbon disposed within the metal lattice structure thereof. The carbon is primarily, or entirely, present at interstitial sites of the metal lattice, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 1.5 wt % to about 90 wt %. Carbon may be present in the form of graphene, which may be characterized as one or more coherent, planar layers of graphene. The carbon, moreover, forms non-polar covalent bonds with both metal atoms of the lattice and other carbon atoms present in the lattice. This facilitates substantially homogeneous dispersal of the carbon throughout the resultant material, conveying unique and advantageous properties such as strength-to-weight ratio, density, mechanical toughness, sheer strength, flex strength, hardness, anti-corrosiveness, electrical and/or thermal conductivity, etc. as described herein. In some approaches, the composition of matter may be powderized, or the powder may be pelletized.

Abstract: Cement compositions including ordinary Portland cement, a secondary cementitious material (SCM) including one or more of pozzolan, metakaolin, limestone, or gypsum in an amount of up to approximately 70% of a replacement level of ordinary Portland cement, and between approximately 0.05% by weight of cement (bwoc) and 2% bwoc of aggregates of mesoporous carbon nanoparticles (3DG) carbons. The cement compositions regulate nucleation and time-lapsed growth of calcium silica hydrates during initial hydration. The 3DG carbons include aggregates of mesoporous carbon nanoparticles, which include one or more interconnected bundles of electrically conductive graphene layers. The 3DG carbons include oxygen containing functional groups disposed on one or more of the surfaces of the 3DG carbons or within the 3DG carbons.

Abstract: A method of producing a structured composite material is described. A porous media is provided, an electrically conductive material is deposited on surfaces or within pores of the plurality of porous media particles, and an active material is deposited on the surfaces or within the pores of the plurality of porous media particles coated with the electrically conductive material to coalesce the plurality of porous media particles together and form the structured composite material.

Abstract: A vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnace and method of using. A VIM is configured for use with metal-containing carbon powders. In operation, the metal-containing carbon powders are formed into a pellet so as to minimize or eliminate ejection of material during introduction of the pellet into the VIM processor. The VIM processor may be substituted or used in combination with a vacuum arc melt processing apparatus, an electron beam melt furnace, an ion plating furnace, a plasma flame source, a smelter, a traditional metal-metal melt furnace, or any equivalent. Pelletizing can be accomplished through use of a press or through application of any pelletizing technique and/or use of any apparatus that is able to generate pellets that have sufficient mass to avoid ejection from a VIM processor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lithium-sulfur battery in a cylindrical cell format is provided. In some aspects, the method includes providing an anode current collector and providing an anode on the anode current collector. The method may include depositing a protective layer on and along the length of the anode, providing a cathode current collector opposite to the anode, and providing a cathode on the cathode current collector. The method may include providing a separator between the anode and the cathode, disposing an adhesive carbon-containing layer along the bottom edge of the anode (e.g., to replace one or more conventional anode tabs), and dispersing an electrolyte throughout the lithium-sulfur battery. The method may include forming the lithium-sulfur battery in the cylindrical cell format by collectively winding into a jelly roll.

Abstract: Pyrolytic emissions often include molecularly decomposed hydrocarbons, as well as byproducts from pyrolytic processes. Unfortunately, legacy processing treats effluent streams, including pyrolytic emissions, as waste that is released into the air-even though such pyrolytic emissions streams often include greenhouse gases and pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter-the discharge of which contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. Disclosed herein are pyrolytic emissions looping systems that include several reactors where each of the several reactors converts different hydrocarbons into different useful end-products, thus providing a way to continuously recycle the effluent gas stream from pyrolytic processes.

Abstract: Inventive techniques for forming unique compositions of matter are disclosed, as well as associated physical characteristics and properties of the materials. In particular, particles comprising a metal lattice are characterized by having carbon (preferably graphene) disposed within the crystalline lattice structure thereof. The carbon is at least partially disposed in interstitial sites of the metal lattice, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 15 wt % to about 90 wt % of the total particle mass, with about 15 wt % to about 60 wt % being disposed in the interstitial sites, e.g., between basal planes, of the metal lattice. The carbon, moreover, is substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the resultant material, conveying unique and advantageous properties such as strength-to-weight ratio, density, mechanical toughness, sheer strength, flex strength, hardness, anti-corrosiveness, electrical and/or thermal conductivity, etc. as described herein.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for producing covetic materials by exciting a hydrocarbon gas with pulse microwaves to form hydrocarbon radicals in a hot first region of a microwave reactor. Graphene nanoplatelets are formed by the nucleation, growth and assembly of the hydrocarbon radicals, and contact a metal melt introduced downstream of the hot region to produce a mixture of molten metal and graphene nanoplatelets which assemble in-flight to form covetic materials. Graphene planes are infused in the metal matrix to achieve carbon loadings of at least 60%.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lithium-sulfur battery in a cylindrical cell format is provided. In some aspects, the method includes providing an anode current collector and providing an anode on the anode current collector. The method may include depositing a protective layer on and along the length of the anode, providing a cathode current collector opposite to the anode, and providing a cathode on the cathode current collector. The method may include providing a separator between the anode and the cathode, disposing an adhesive carbon-containing layer along the bottom edge of the anode (e.g., to replace one or more conventional anode tabs), and dispersing an electrolyte throughout the lithium-sulfur battery. The method may include forming the lithium-sulfur battery in the cylindrical cell format by collectively winding into a jelly roll.

Abstract: Partially oxidized carbonaceous materials characterized by substantially homogenous, partially oxygenated surfaces thereof are enabled via microwave-assisted methods that are simple and fast. The exemplary methods include combining carbonaceous material(s), at least one mild oxidizer, at least one nucleophile, and an aqueous solvent system to obtain a mixture; and exposing the mixture to microwave radiation for a predetermined time to produce partially oxidized carbonaceous materials. The predetermined time may be in a range from about 5 seconds to about 2 hours, and the power of the microwave energy may be in a range from about 100 w to about 1700 W. The partially oxidized carbonaceous materials are characterized by a homogeneous distribution of oxygen content in surfaces thereof, in nonzero amounts up to about 10 at %, and a standard deviation of surface oxygen content in a range from about 0.1 at % to about 1.0 at %.