Abstract: Grinding media, including shaped media such as spheres or rods ranging in size from about 0.5 micron to 100 mm in diameter, are formed from a multi-carbide material consisting essentially of two or more carbide-forming elements and carbon, with or without carbide-forming elements in their free elemental state. The media have extremely high mass density, extreme hardness, and extreme mechanical toughness.

Abstract: An ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) having an average grain size between 3 and 5 nanometers (nm) with not more than about 8% by volume diamond having an average grain size larger than 10 nm. A method of manufacturing UNCD film is also disclosed in which a vapor of acetylene and hydrogen in an inert gas other than He wherein the volume ratio of acetylene to hydrogen is greater than 0.35 and less than 0.85, with the balance being an inert gas, is subjected to a suitable amount of energy to fragment at least some of the acetylene to form a UNCD film having an average grain size of 3 to 5 nm with not more than about 8% by volume diamond having an average grain size larger than 10 nm.

Abstract: Expandable graphic intercalatable compounds with controllable onset temperatures, methods for their synthesis and their use as intumescing, fire-protection additives for the preparation of flame-retardant compositions.

Abstract: Methods of making zirconium basic carbonate are further described which involve titrating an aqueous slurry of sodium zirconium carbonate to a pH of from about 3.5 to about 4.0 with an acidic agent wherein the sodium zirconium carbonate has a moisture content of from about 15% to about 25% LOD in solid form. The process further involves washing the aqueous slurry containing the formed zirconium basic carbonate with water. A novel zirconium basic carbonate is further disclosed which has a minimum adsorption capacity of from about 30 to about 35 mg/PO4-P/gm SCZ; a minimum HCO3- content of from about 2 to about 4 mEq HCO3-gm/SCZ; a leachable Na+ content of from about 1.5 to about 2.0 mEq Na+/gm SCZ; and/or a pH range of titrated sodium zirconium carbonate of from about 6 to about 7.

Abstract: Activated carbon adapted for electric double layer capacitors is provided, which capacitors can give a large power density per unit volume and which capacitors, even when charge-and-discharge cycle is repeated under a large current or a constant voltage is continuously applied for a long time, undergo less decrease in output density. That is, the present invention relates to the activated carbon manufactured by carbonization of coconut shell, which has a BET specific surface area of 2000 m2/g to 2500 m2/g, an average pore diameter of 1.95 nm (19.5 ?) to 2.20 nm (22 ?) and a pore volume of pores having a pore diameter calculated according to a Cranston-Inkley method of 5.0 nm (50 ?) to 30.0 nm (300 ?), of 0.05 cm3/g to 0.15 cm3/g.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for producing carbon filaments and synthesis gas from a mixture of alkanes, preferably natural gas, comprising converting a first portion of the alkanes, preferably C2+ hydrocarbons, directly to carbon filaments and converting a second portion of the alkanes, preferably methane, to syngas. The natural gas may be separated into a first feed stream comprising ethane, propane, and butane and a second feed stream comprising methane. The first feed stream is fed to a carbon filament CF reactor to produce carbon filaments and hydrogen. The second feed stream is fed to a syngas production reactor to produce syngas. Alternatively, the natural gas is fed to at least one carbon filament reactor that is maintained at an effective temperature to convert C2+ hydrocarbons in the natural gas to carbon filaments and hydrogen, thereby filtering methane from the natural gas.

Abstract: A process for producing a diamond substance with a first inner nozzle and a second outer nozzle. In the first step of the process, a first mixture comprised of oxygen and a hydrocarbon gas is formed in the first inner nozzle; such hydrocarbon gas contains from about 1.01 to about 1.1 moles of carbon for each mole of oxygen present in such first mixture, and said first mixture contains at least about 10 volume percent of hydrocarbon gas. In the second step of the process, the first mixture is ignited to produce a flame core. In the third step of the process, a second mixture comprised of hydrogen and oxygen is formed in the outer nozzle; the second mixture is comprised of at least 2 moles of said hydrogen for each mole of said oxygen present in the second mixture; hydrogen gas and oxygen gas comprise at least about 20 molar volume percent of the second mixture; and the second mixture contains up to about 5 volume percent of hydrocarbon gas.