Abstract: Inventive techniques for forming unique compositions of matter are disclosed, as well as various advantageous physical characteristics, and associated properties of the resultant materials. In particular, particles comprising polymer matrices are characterized by having carbon disposed within the polymer matrix structure thereof. The carbon is primarily, or entirely, present at interstitial sites of the polymer matrix, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 15 wt % to about 90 wt %. The carbon, moreover, forms covalent bonds with both atoms of the polymer matrix and other carbon atoms present in, but not part of, the matrix. 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for producing covetic materials that addresses limitations in conventional covetic material production methods. The apparatus utilizes pulsed RF energy to dissociate carbon-containing fluid into carbon species in a first region of a reactor, while a second region receives metal-containing fluid to form metal species. The downstream arrangement of the first and second regions enables controlled mixing of carbon and metal species, followed by cooling at an output port to form covetic materials. The pulsed RF energy configuration and dual-region reactor design provide enhanced control over the dissociation process and material formation compared to existing production methods.

Abstract: Various products, systems, and parts or components of such products and systems include a binder matrix (such as a polymer matrix) reinforced with carbon fibers and graphene particles. Inclusion of the carbon fibers and graphene particles substantially improves mechanical strength and utility of the resulting parts, components, and corresponding products and systems. The improvements facilitate substantial advances in various practices of fabrication using additive manufacturing techniques, which lend to applications in biomedical, industrial, agricultural, mechanical, energy generation, transmission, and storage, military, transportation, recreational, and other fields. The inventive materials are particularly well suited for manufacturing of parts for terrestrial vehicles, manned or unmanned aerial vehicles, and space-borne vehicles. Substantial improvements to mechanical strength are achieved even at very low levels of graphene loading (e.g., at about 0.