Abstract: A method for producing vapor-grown carbon fibers, comprising contacting a carbon compound with a catalyst and/or a catalyst precursor compound in a heating zone, wherein the carbon compound is a combination of compounds respectively selected from carbon compounds having no benzene ring structure within molecule [Group (a)] and from aromatic compounds [Group (b)], these compounds satisfy the conditions that, in the raw materials, (number of atoms of element as catalyst)/(number of all carbon atoms) & equals; 0.000005 to 0.0015 and [number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (a)]/[number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (a)+number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (b)] & equals; 0.001 to 0.9, and the residence time in the temperature region of 600° C. or more is 30 seconds or less.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube yarn includes a number of carbon nanotube yarn strings bound together, and each of the carbon nanotube yarn strings includes a number of carbon nanotube bundles that are joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force, and each of the carbon nanotube bundles includes a number of carbon nanotubes substantially parallel to each other. A method for making the carbon nanotube yarn includes soaking the at least one carbon nanotube yarn string drawn out from a carbon nanotube array in an organic solvent to shrink it and then collecting it.

Abstract: Provided are a method of efficiently procuding fullerene into which a OH group or a SO3H group is introduced, such as fullerenol, or a derivative thereof, the fullerene and its derivative being preferable as a proton conductor, and a novel and usable proton conductor obtained by the method. Further, provided is an electrochemical device using the proton conductor such as a fuel cell or the like. In the producing method of the fullerene derivative, halogated fullerene, which is obtained through halogating a fullerene molecule is used as a precursor, the fullerene derivative is produced through introducing one or more proton dissociative group into at least one carbon atom of a fullerene molecule. Moreover, in a producing method of a polymerized fullerene derivative, a plurality of fullerene derivatives are bonded to one another by an aromatic group of an aromatic compound through reacting the plurality of fullerene derivatives with the aromatic compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active carbon containing an alkaline earth metal compound inside the particle and having a specific surface area of 10 to 2,000 m2/g, which is suitable to be used for polarizable electrodes in an electric double layer capacitor. The active carbon of the present invention enables to increase the capacitance of an electric double layer capacitor as well as to control the expansion of electrodes. The active carbon of the present invention can be obtained by adding an alkaline earth metal compound to a material such as pitch and performing heat treatment and activation.

Abstract: A water solubilizer for nanocarbons contains a surfactant which can form a spherical micelle vesicle having a diameter of 50-2,000 nm in a water solution or a water-soluble polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 10,000-50,000,000 as an active constituent. For example, the water solubilizer is used for purification of nanocarbons.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a product of activated carbon fiber supporting silver has the steps of: a) Impregnate activated carbon fibers in a silver acetate solution under a vacuum condition for a predetermined time to deposit silver on surfaces of the activated carbon fibers via a chemical reaction. And then, dry the activated carbon fibers to remove water therein. b) Heat the activated carbon fibers in a stove filled with protective gas to break the silver on the activated carbon fibers into very fine grains, and c) wash the activated carbon fibers to remove redundant sliver from the surfaces of the activated carbon fibers.

Abstract: A system and method for producing carbon nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition includes a catalyst support having first and second surfaces. The catalyst support is capable of hydrogen transport from the first to the second surface. A catalyst is provided on the first surface of the catalyst support. The catalyst is selected to catalyze the chemical vapor deposition formation of carbon nanotubes. A fuel source is provided for supplying fuel to the catalyst.

Abstract: A hydrogen purifying apparatus and method are provided for oxidizing and removing carbon monoxide (CO) in a modified gas containing CO in addition to a main component hydrogen gas. The apparatus and method use comprises a catalyst reaction segment having a catalyst layer for oxidizing CO, a material gas supplying segment for supplying the modified gas to the reaction segment via a material gas supply pathway, and an oxidant gas supplying segment for supplying an oxidant gas on the path of the material gas supply pathway. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises means for cooling the catalyst layer at the upstream side and means for heating the catalyst layer at the downstream side.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing isotope-doped carbon nanotubes (10) includes the steps of: (a) providing a carbon rod (209), the carbon rod including at least two kinds of carbon isotope segments (202, 203) arranged therealong according to need; (b) providing a laser beam source positioned opposite to the carbon rod; and (c) irradiating the carbon rod with a laser beam (214), wherein the carbon isotope segments of the carbon rod are consumed sequentially to form the isotope-doped carbon nanotubes. Growth mechanisms of the isotope-doped carbon nanotubes manufactured by this method can be readily studied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the purification of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Known methods of single-wall carbon nanotube production result in a single-wall carbon nanotube product that contains single-wall carbon nanotubes in addition to impurities including residual metal catalyst particles and amounts of small amorphous carbon sheets that surround the catalyst particles and appear on the side of the single-wall carbon nanotubes. The present purification processes remove the extraneous carbon as well as metal-containing residual catalyst particles.

Abstract: Certain applicator liquids and method of making the applicator liquids are described. The applicator liquids can be used to form nanotube films or fabrics of controlled properties. An applicator liquid for preparation of a nanotube film or fabric includes a controlled concentration of nanotubes dispersed in a liquid medium containing water. The controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity.

Abstract: A highly isotropic graphite useful for, inter alia, nuclear applications is disclosed, which has a ash content of less than 300 ppm and a boron equivalence of less than about 2 ppm without requiring a post graphitization purification step.

Abstract: A process for producing a graphite article having a CTE of less than about 2.0 ppm/° C. over the temperature range of from 30° C. to 100° C. and an isotropy ratio of less than about 1.5 also advantageously having a thermal shock resistance parameter of greater than about 150×103 W/m in both the with-grain and against-grain directions, and the graphite so produced.

Abstract: An adsorbent for oral administration, characterized by comprising a surface-modified spherical activated carbon, having a diameter of 0.01 to 1 mm, a specific surface area determined by Langmuir's adsorption equation of 1000 m2/g or more, a total amount of acidic groups of 0.40 to 1.00 meq/g, a total amount of basic groups of 0.40 to 1.10 meq/g, and a diffraction intensity ratio, an R value, determined by equation (1) of 1.4 or more. The adsorbents for oral administration exhibit a useful selective adsorbability; that is, a lesser adsorbability of useful substances, and a greater adsorbability of toxic substances, in a body.

Abstract: The fullerenic structures include fullerenes having molecular weights less than that of C60 with the exception of C36 and fullerenes having molecular weights greater than C60. Examples include fullerenes C50, C58, C130, and C176. Fullerenic structure chemically bonded to a carbon surface is also disclosed along with a method for tethering fullerenes to a carbon material. The method includes adding functionalized fullerene to a liquid suspension containing carbon material, drying the suspension to produce a powder, and heat treating the powder.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for making a stabilized transition alumina of enhanced hydrothermal stability, which include the introduction of at least one structural stabilizer; a steaming step before or after the introduction step, wherein steaming is effective in transforming a transition alumina at least partially to boehmite and/or pseudoboehmite; and a calcining step to create a stabilized transition alumina. The combination of the structural stabilizer and the steaming step is believed to impart high hydrothermal stability to the alumina crystal lattice. Particularly preferred structural stabilizers include boron, cobalt, and zirconium. The stabilized transition alumina is useful as a catalyst support for high water partial pressure environments, and is particularly useful for making a catalyst having improved hydrothermal stability. The invention more specifically discloses Fischer-Tropsch catalysts and processes for the production of hydrocarbons from synthesis gas.

Abstract: A highly oxidation-resistant copper powder for conductive paste, which is a copper powder containing not more than 5 wt % of Si, is characterized in that substantially all of the Si is adhered to the surfaces of the copper particles as SiO2-system gel coating film.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for regenerating titanium-containing catalysts, characterized in that a deactivated catalyst is treated in an acidic solution having a pH value of ?3, and then dried and calcined. The process is simple in procedure and can make the catalytic activity, selectivity and stability of the regenerated catalyst be recovered to the level of its fresh catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a superconductor comprising particles made of a superconductive material, and a conductive material. The conductive material is selected to be driven to a superconductive state when in proximity to the superconductive material, and preferably at least includes gallium. An unbroken length of the conductive material is located sufficiently close to a plurality of the particles to be driven to a superconductive state by the superconductive material.

Abstract: Process for preparing nanocrystalline lithium titanate spinels by reacting lithium hydroxide and a titanium alkoxide at elevated temperature in a reaction mixture which forms water of reaction.