Abstract: Provided is an face mask comprising: (a) a mask body configured to cover at least wearer's mouth and nose; and (b) a fastener to hold the mask in place on the wearer; wherein the mask body includes (i) an air-permeable outer layer preferably comprising a hydrophobic material (e.g. water-repelling fibers), (ii) an inner layer located on a wearer's side when the mask is worn, and (iii) a graphene foam layer disposed in the mask body between the outer layer and the inner layer or embedded (totally or partially) in the outer layer or the inner layer. The foam pore wall graphene surfaces may be deposited with an antiviral or anti-bacteria compound.

Abstract: Provided is an face mask comprising: (a) a mask body configured to cover at least wearer's mouth and nose; and (b) a fastener to hold the mask in place on the wearer; wherein the mask body includes (i) an air-permeable outer layer preferably comprising a hydrophobic material (e.g. water-repelling fibers), (ii) an inner layer located on a wearer's side when the mask is worn, and (iii) a graphene layer disposed in the mask body, wherein the graphene layer comprises a plurality of discrete single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. The graphene layer may be disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer or embedded (totally or partially) in the outer layer or the inner layer.

Abstract: Provided is a cooling system for a battery module or pack comprising one or a plurality of battery cells, the system comprising a graphitic heat spreader element configured to be in thermal communication with the battery cells; and a cooling mechanism or device in thermal communication with the graphitic heat spreader element and configured to transport heat generated from the battery cells through the graphitic heat spreader element to the cooling mechanism or device when the battery cell is discharged. The graphitic heat spreader element may comprise a graphitic film selected from a flexible graphite sheet or an artificial graphite film obtained from carbonization and graphitization of a carbon precursor film.

Abstract: Provided is a battery module cooling system, comprising a graphene heat spreader element (preferably in the form of a film, sheet, layer, belt, band, etc.) configured to abut at least one of the battery cells; and a cooling means in thermal communication with the heat spreader element and configured to transport heat generated from the battery cell(s) through the heat spreader element to the cooling means when the battery cells are discharged. Also provided is a method of operating a battery cooling system, comprising: (a) bringing a graphene heat spreader element in thermal contact with a plurality of battery cells in a module and receiving heat therefrom; and (b) directing the heat to transport through the graphene heat spreader element to a cooling means which acts to remove the heat and keep the battery below a desired temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a graphene-embraced particulate (a secondary particle) for use as a lithium-ion battery cathode active material. The particulate comprises a core of one or a plurality of particles of a cathode active material embraced or encapsulated by a shell comprising multiple graphene sheets, wherein the cathode active material is selected from the group of lithium cobalt metal oxides having a general formula of LixNiyCozMwO2, M is selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), beryllium (Be), calcium (Ca), tantalum (Ta), silicon (Si), and combinations thereof, and x ranges from 0 to 1.2, the sum of y+z+w ranges from 0.8 to 1.2, w range from 0 to 0.5, y and z are both greater than zero, and the ratio z/y ranges from 0 to 0.5.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a graphene-based supercapacitor electrode from a supply of coke or coal powder, comprising: (a) exposing this powder to a supercritical fluid for a period of time in a pressure vessel to enable penetration of the supercritical fluid into internal structure of the coke or coal; wherein the powder is selected from petroleum coke, coal-derived coke, meso-phase coke, synthetic coke, leonardite, anthracite, lignite coal, bituminous coal, or natural coal mineral powder, or a combination thereof; (b) rapidly depressurizing the supercritical fluid at a fluid release rate sufficient for effecting exfoliation and separation of the coke or coal powder to produce isolated graphene sheets, which are dispersed in a liquid medium to produce a graphene suspension; and (c) shaping and drying the graphene suspension to form the supercapacitor electrode having a specific surface area greater than 200 m2/g.

Abstract: Provided is a bi-polar electrode for a battery, the electrode comprising: (a) a current collector comprising a conductive material foil (e.g. metal foil) having a thickness from 10 nm to 100 ?m and two opposed, parallel primary surfaces, wherein one or both of the primary surfaces is coated with a layer of exfoliated graphite or expanded graphite material having a thickness from 10 nm to 50 ?m; and (b) a negative electrode layer and a positive electrode layer respectively disposed on the two sides of the current collector, each in physical contact with the layer of exfoliated graphite or expanded graphite material or directly with a primary surface of the conductive material foil (if not coated with a exfoliated or expanded graphite layer). Also provided is a battery comprising multiple (e.g. 2-300) bipolar electrodes internally connected in series. There can be multiple bi-polar electrodes that are connected in parallel.

Abstract: Provided is a rechargeable alkali metal-sulfur cell comprising an anode active material layer, an electrolyte, and a cathode active material layer comprising multiple particulates, wherein at least one of the particulates comprises one or a plurality of sulfur-containing material particles being embraced or encapsulated by a thin layer of a conductive sulfonated elastomer composite having from 0.01% to 50% by weight of a conductive reinforcement material dispersed in a sulfonated elastomeric matrix material, wherein the conductive reinforcement material is selected from graphene sheets, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, metal nanowires, conductive polymer fibers, or a combination thereof and the composite has a recoverable tensile strain from 2% to 500%, a lithium ion conductivity from 10?7 S/cm to 5×10?2 S/cm, and a thickness from 0.5 nm to 10 ?m. This battery exhibits an excellent combination of high sulfur content, high sulfur utilization efficiency, high energy density, and long cycle life.

Abstract: A process for producing a supercapacitor cell, comprising (a) Assembling a porous cell framework composed of a first conductive foam structure, a second conductive foam structure, and a porous separator, wherein the first and/or second conductive foam structure has a thickness no less than 200 ?m and at least 80% by volume of pores; (b) Preparing a first suspension of an anode active material dispersed in a liquid electrolyte and a second suspension of a cathode active material (e.g. graphene sheets) dispersed in a liquid electrolyte; and (c) Injecting the first suspension into pores of the first conductive foam structure to form an anode and injecting second suspension into pores of the second conductive foam structure to form a cathode, wherein the anode active material or the cathode active material constitutes an electrode active material loading >10 mg/cm2, preferably >15 mg/cm2, more preferably >20 mg/cm2.

Abstract: Lacrosse heads are provided that include a polymer and graphene. The graphene increases the durability of the lacrosse heads, while having limited impact on the stiffness and flexibility of the lacrosse heads. Also provided is equipment for other contact sports that include graphene to increase durability.

Abstract: Provided is an anode for a lithium battery or sodium battery, the anode comprising multiple porous graphene composite balls, wherein the porous graphene composite ball comprises a plurality of graphene sheets and an ion-conducting material, at a graphene-to-ion-conducting material weight ratio from 2/98 to 98/2, forming into the ball having a diameter from 100 nm to 20 ?m and a pore or multiple pores having a pore volume fraction from 10% to 99.9% based on the total porous graphene composite ball volume.

Abstract: Provided is a rechargeable alkali metal-selenium cell comprising an anode active material layer, an electrolyte, and a cathode active material layer containing multiple particulates of a selenium-containing material selected from a selenium-carbon hybrid, selenium-graphite hybrid, selenium-graphene hybrid, conducting polymer-selenium hybrid, a metal selenide, a Se alloy or mixture with Sn, Sb, Bi, S, or Te, a selenium compound, or a combination thereof and wherein at least one of the particulates comprises one or a plurality of selenium-containing material particles being embraced or encapsulated by a thin layer of an elastomer having a recoverable tensile strain no less than 5% when measured without an additive or reinforcement, a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10?7 S/cm at room temperature, and a thickness from 0.5 nm to 10 ?m This battery exhibits an excellent combination of high selenium content, high selenium utilization efficiency, high energy density, and long cycle life.

Abstract: A method of producing a pre-sulfurized active cathode layer for a rechargeable alkali metal-sulfur cell; the method comprising: (a) preparing an integral layer of mesoporous structure of a carbon, graphite, metal, or conductive polymer having a specific surface area greater than 100 m2/g; (b) preparing an electrolyte comprising a solvent and a sulfur source; (c) preparing an anode; and (d) bringing the integral layer and the anode in ionic contact with the electrolyte and imposing an electric current between the anode and the integral layer (serving as a cathode) to electrochemically deposit nanoscaled sulfur particles or coating on the graphene surfaces. The sulfur particles or coating have a thickness or diameter smaller than 20 nm (preferably <10 nm, more preferably <5 nm or even <3 nm) and occupy a weight fraction of at least 70% (preferably >90% or even >95%).

Abstract: A graphene-enabled hybrid particulate for use as an anode active material in a hybrid supercapacitor or lithium-ion capacitor, wherein the hybrid particulate is formed of a single or a plurality of graphene sheets and a single or a plurality of fine primary particles of a niobium-containing composite metal oxide, having a size from 1 nm to 10 ?m, and the graphene sheets and the primary particles are mutually bonded or agglomerated into the hybrid particulate containing an exterior graphene sheet or multiple exterior graphene sheets embracing the primary particles, and wherein the hybrid particulate has an electrical conductivity no less than 10?4 S/cm and said graphene is in an amount of from 0.01% to 30% by weight based on the total weight of graphene and the niobium-containing composite metal oxide combined.

Abstract: Provided is graphene-embraced particulate for use as a lithium-ion battery anode active material, wherein the particulate comprises primary particle(s) of an anode active material and multiple sheets of a first graphene material overlapped together to embrace or encapsulate the primary particle(s) and wherein a single or a plurality of graphene-encapsulated primary particles, along with an optional conductive additive, are further embraced or encapsulated by multiple sheets of a second graphene material, wherein the first graphene and the second graphene material is each in an amount from 0.01% to 20% by weight and the optional conductive additive is in an amount from 0% to 50% by weight, all based on the total weight of the particulate. Also provided are an anode and a battery comprising multiple graphene-embraced particulates.

Abstract: A process for producing a transparent conductive film, comprising (a) providing a graphene oxide gel; (b) dispersing metal nanowires in the graphene oxide gel to form a suspension; (c) dispensing and depositing the suspension onto a substrate; and (d) removing the liquid medium to form the film. The film is composed of metal nanowires and graphene oxide with a metal nanowire-to-graphene oxide weight ratio from 1/99 to 99/1, wherein the metal nanowires contain no surface-borne metal oxide or metal compound and the film exhibits an optical transparence no less than 80% and sheet resistance no higher than 300 ohm/square. This film can be used as a transparent conductive electrode in an electro-optic device, such as a photovoltaic or solar cell, light-emitting diode, photo-detector, touch screen, electro-wetting display, liquid crystal display, plasma display, LED display, a TV screen, a computer screen, or a mobile phone screen.

Abstract: A surface-enabled, metal ion-exchanging battery device comprising a cathode, an anode, a porous separator, and a metal ion-containing electrolyte, wherein the metal ion is selected from aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), or bismuth (Bi), and at least one of the electrodes contains therein a metal ion source prior to the first charge or discharge cycle of the device and at least the cathode comprises a functional material or nano-structured material having a metal ion-capturing functional group or metal ion-storing surface in direct contact with the electrolyte. This energy storage device has a power density significantly higher than that of a lithium-ion battery and an energy density dramatically higher than that of a supercapacitor.

Abstract: Provided is a continuous reactor system for producing graphene or an inorganic 2-D compound, the reactor comprising: (a) a first body comprising an outer wall and a second body comprising an inner wall, wherein the inner wall defines a bore and the first body is configured within the bore and a motor is configured to rotate the first and/or second body; (b) a reaction chamber between the outer wall of the first body and the inner wall of the second body; (c) a first inlet and a second inlet disposed at first end of the reactor and in fluid communication with the reaction chamber; (d) a first outlet and a second outlet disposed downstream from the first inlet, the outlets being in fluid communication with the reaction chamber; and (e) a flow return conduit having two inlets/outlets in fluid communication with two ends of the reactor.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery containing an anode, a cathode, a porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode, an electrolyte, and a lithium ion reservoir disposed between the anode and the porous separator and configured to receive lithium ions from the cathode when the battery is charged and enable the lithium ions to enter the anode in a time-delayed manner, wherein the reservoir comprises a conducting porous framework structure having pores (pore size from 1 nm to 500 ?m) and lithium-capturing groups residing in the pores, wherein the lithium-capturing groups are selected from (a) redox forming species that reversibly form a redox pair with a lithium ion; (b) electron-donating groups interspaced between non-electron-donating groups; (c) anions and cations wherein the anions are more mobile than the cations; or (d) chemical reducing groups that partially reduce lithium ions from Li+1 to Li+?, wherein 0<?<1.

Abstract: Provided is a powder mass of multiple individual hollow graphene balls, wherein at least one of the hollow graphene balls has a graphene shell composed of graphene sheets bonded by a carbon material and a hollow core enclosed by the graphene shell. These hollow graphene sheets can be used in a broad array of applications, such as for thermal management, for separating an organic solvent from a solvent-water mixture, and for separating oil from water.