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: Carbon composites, including carbon fibers in a binder matrix, exhibit unique, advantageous mechanical properties, including inter laminar shear strength, compression strength, and resistance to forces applied at various angles. These improvements allow use of less material while conveying improved strength in myriad practical applications, reducing overall financial cost of fabrication, distribution, and practical utilization. These advantages are optimized via utilizing fabrication techniques that incorporate carbon filaments into carbon fibers, preferably incorporating carbon filaments and/or graphene platelets into said fibers, and incorporating the composite fibers, filaments, and/or graphene platelets into a binder matrix. The filaments and graphene platelets mechanically reinforce individual fibers, structures including multiple fibers strung together in a single cord, and the binder matrix, by “crosslinking” the individual fibers and/or fibers and binder matrix, e.g.

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 protective enclosure for electronic systems. The enclosure comprises a polymer-containing matrix and a metamaterial incorporated into the matrix. The metamaterial is tuned to a specific permittivity or permeability to absorb or reflect a particular frequency. The protective enclosure may be used to create a safe inner environment for electronic components while facilitating uninterrupted wireless communications to/from the outer environment. Additionally, the protective enclosure may be used to protect against electromagnetic interference. In particular, shielding metamaterials are configured individually or in combination to specifically shield (via reflection, absorption, etc.) against relatively wide bands of electromagnetic frequencies, while transparent metamaterials are configured specifically to pass electromagnetic signals within narrow bands of frequencies. This new approach resolves and vastly improves current shield solutions, such as Faraday cages.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a reactor system that includes a microwave energy source that generates a microwave energy, a field-enhancing waveguide (FEWG) coupled to the microwave source. The FEWG includes a field-enhancing zone having a cross-sectional area that decreases along a length of the FEWG. The field-enhancing zone includes a supply gas inlet that receives a supply gas, a reaction zone that generates a plasma in response to excitation of the supply gas by the microwave energy, a process inlet that injects a raw material into the reaction zone, and a constricted region that retains a portion of the plasma and combines the plasma and the raw material in response to the microwave energy within the reaction zone. An expansion chamber is in fluid communication with the constricted region facilitates expansion of the plasma. An outlet outputs a plurality of carbon-inclusive particles derived from the expanded plasma and the raw material.

Abstract: Carbon composites, including carbon fibers in a binder matrix, exhibit unique, advantageous mechanical properties, including inter laminar shear strength, compression strength, and resistance to forces applied at various angles. These improvements allow use of less material while conveying improved strength in myriad practical applications, reducing overall financial cost of fabrication, distribution, and practical utilization. These advantages are optimized via utilizing fabrication techniques that incorporate carbon filaments into carbon fibers, preferably incorporating carbon filaments and/or graphene platelets into said fibers, and incorporating the composite fibers, filaments, and/or graphene platelets into a binder matrix. The filaments and graphene platelets mechanically reinforce individual fibers, structures including multiple fibers strung together in a single cord, and the binder matrix, by “crosslinking” the individual fibers and/or fibers and binder matrix, e.g.

Abstract: Carbon composites, including carbon fibers, are disclosed and exhibit unique, advantageous mechanical properties, including inter laminar shear strength, compression strength, and resistance to forces applied at angles deviating from parallel to the longitudinal axis of the overall fiber. These improvements allow use of less material while conveying improved strength in myriad practical applications, reducing overall financial cost of fabrication, distribution, and practical utilization of resulting products. These advantages are optimized via utilizing inventive fabrication techniques that incorporate carbon filaments into carbon fibers, preferably incorporating carbon filaments including three-dimensional (3D) graphene platelets into said fibers. The filaments mechanically reinforce both individual fibers, as well as compositions including multiple fibers strung together in a single cord, by “crosslinking” the individual fibers with 3D graphene ligands.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a protective enclosure for electronic systems. The enclosure comprises a polymer-containing matrix and a metamaterial incorporated into the matrix. The metamaterial is tuned to a specific permittivity or permeability to absorb or reflect a particular frequency. The protective enclosure may be used to create a safe inner environment for electronic components while facilitating uninterrupted wireless communications to/from the outer environment. Additionally, the protective enclosure may be used to protect against electromagnetic interference. In particular, shielding metamaterials are configured individually or in combination to specifically shield (via reflection, absorption, etc.) against relatively wide bands of electromagnetic frequencies, while transparent metamaterials are configured specifically to pass electromagnetic signals within narrow bands of frequencies. This new approach resolves and vastly improves current shield solutions, such as Faraday cages.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and batteries including a polymeric support system in lieu of a conventional, metal-based structures. The polymer support system provides mechanical strength and mechanical flexibility to the electrochemical cells in a manner that is advantageously greater than what is provided by conventional structures, in spite of the fact that the polymer support system contributes far less to the overall weight of the electrochemical cells. The polymer support system may be present in an interior volume of an electrochemical cell, e.g., in the form of a continuous polymeric network penetrating various components of the electrochemical cell. The penetrating structures may include the anode and cathode current collectors, and any/all components therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the polymer support system may include various forms of external support structures, chemical anchors, coatings and/or casings of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating electrochemical cells employing polymeric support systems rather than metal-based materials as a protective mechanism against mechanical and electrical damage include assembling components of the electrochemical cell. In addition to an anode, a cathode, and a porous separator, the components include a continuous network of precursors of a polymer support system. The continuous network is arranged in continuous pathway(s) extending throughout the interior of the electrochemical cell. Batteries may be provided with the continuous network of precursors in place, i.e., uncured, and curing may be performed post-fabrication and/or sale. Alternatively, curing may be performed during fabrication (or prior to sale), resulting in a continuous network of polymeric pathways extending throughout the volume of the cell and providing mechanical strength, e.g., by penetrating and physically coupling the various components of the cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and batteries including a polymeric support system in lieu of a conventional, metal-based structures. The polymer support system provides mechanical strength and mechanical flexibility to the electrochemical cells in a manner that is advantageously greater than what is provided by conventional structures, in spite of the fact that the polymer support system contributes far less to the overall weight of the electrochemical cells. The polymer support system may be present in an interior volume of an electrochemical cell, e.g., in the form of a continuous polymeric network penetrating various components of the electrochemical cell. The penetrating structures may include the anode and cathode current collectors, and any/all components therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the polymer support system may include various forms of external support structures, chemical anchors, coatings and/or casings of the electrochemical cell.

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 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 presently disclosed concepts relate to generation of green power. In principle, a recycling separation system may be used to separate pyrolytic emissions. Such separation system may yield species-specific stream(s), which in turn, may be used for material production, recycling of species-specific stream(s), and/or generation of green power. Because nearly all of the species-specific stream(s) can be consumed or reused (via the material production, recycling of species-specific stream(s), and/or the generation of green power), the net result is a near-zero emission effluent stream. Further, the process can be used to decrease and minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable use of waste streams. Still yet, the process can be used to produce a carbon allotrope material with negative emissions.

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: A composite material, methods for its fabrication and example applications. The composite material comprises a polymer having a carbon allotrope incorporated into the polymer's crystalline structure. The material is characterized by a crystallinity greater than the native crystallinity of the polymer in the absence of the carbon allotrope being incorporated into the polymer's crystalline structure. The composite material is non-laminate, substantially excludes metals, ceramics, and cermets, and is electrically conductive. The carbon allotrope serves as a bridge between a first region of the polymer and a second region of the polymer. The fabrication method involves mixing a powder of polymer and carbon allotrope particles, suspending the powder in a solvent, spinning the solution into fibers, and drawing the fibers into a composite material.

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: 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: Electrochemical cells and batteries including a polymeric support system in lieu of a conventional, metal-based structures. The polymer support system provides mechanical strength and mechanical flexibility to the electrochemical cells in a manner that is advantageously greater than what is provided by conventional structures, in spite of the fact that the polymer support system contributes far less to the overall weight of the electrochemical cells. The polymer support system may be present in an interior volume of an electrochemical cell, e.g., in the form of a continuous polymeric network penetrating various components of the electrochemical cell. The penetrating structures may include the anode and cathode current collectors, and any/all components therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the polymer support system may include various forms of external support structures, chemical anchors, coatings and/or casings of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A composite material is provided. In some aspects, the composite material may include a combination of a thermoplastic resin mixed with a polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PPgMA). Carbon particles may be mixed in the combination. In this way, the composite material may include between 80 wt. % and 90 wt. % of the thermoplastic resin, between 0.5 wt. % and 15 wt. % of PPgMA, and between 0.1 wt. % to 7 wt. % of carbon particles. Carbon particles may have exposed carbon surfaces with carbon atoms bonded to molecular sites on adjacent PPgMA molecules. At least some carbon atoms may be oxidized with one or more of oxygen-containing groups. Oxidation of carbon atoms may be associated with an increase in at least some PPgMA molecules chemically bonding with adjacent carbon atoms per unit volume. In this way, interaction between carbon atoms and PPgMA molecules may maintain composite material density within +/?3% of thermoplastic resin density.