Abstract: A device for detecting a biomarker for inflammation in a respiratory system includes a sample collection and/or holding area to receive an exhaled breath condensate (EBC) sample obtained from a respiratory system; an electrode system coupled to the sample collection area, the electrode system including reduced graphene oxide (rGO); and circuitry coupled to the electrode system. The circuitry is configured to apply a voltage to the EBC sample in the sample collection area via the electrode system and to measure a current via the electrode system in response to the voltage applied, in order to determine a concentration of nitrite in the EBC sample based on the current measured. The concentration of nitrite is a biomarker for inflammation in the respiratory system.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of producing microwave-reduced graphene oxide (MW-rGO), by providing graphene oxide; reducing the graphene oxide to obtain reduced graphene oxide (rGO) wherein the reduction of oxygen concentration is sufficient to allow microwaves to be absorbed by the rGO; and microwaving the reduced graphene oxide until microwave-reduced graphene oxide (MW-rGO) containing an oxygen concentration of 5 atomic % or less is produced. The method is a quick and efficient method to produce high quality graphene.

Abstract: A device for detecting a biomarker for inflammation in a respiratory system includes a sample collection and/or holding area to receive an exhaled breath condensate (EBC) sample obtained from a respiratory system; an electrode system coupled to the sample collection area, the electrode system including reduced graphene oxide (rGO); and circuitry coupled to the electrode system. The circuitry is configured to apply a voltage to the EBC sample in the sample collection area via the electrode system and to measure a current via the electrode system in response to the voltage applied, in order to determine a concentration of nitrite in the EBC sample based on the current measured. The concentration of nitrite is a biomarker for inflammation in the respiratory system.

Abstract: Methods for solubilizing carbon nanohorns and applications thereof, including the manufacture of composites, hydrogen storage, catalyst supports and drug delivery. In certain embodiments, the method can include: a) Reduction of pristine carbon nanohorns by an alkali metal to lead to a carbon nanohorn alkali salt; and b) Exposure of said carbon nanohorn alkali salt to a polar aprotic solvent to lead to a solution of reduced carbon nanohorns. In certain other embodiments, solutions of carbon nanohorns, and individual carbon nanohorns are obtainable by the methods, as well as uses of such individual carbon nanohorns and solutions of carbon nanohorns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for depositing a metal or a metalloid on carbon nanotubes (NTC). The method of the invention comprises homogenising an NTC powder in a reactor, and depositing said metal or metalloid on the homogenised NTC powder using a chemical vapor deposition technique implemented inside the reactor from a precursor comprising an alkyl of said metal or metalloid. The method can be used for the production of nanostructured SiC at the surface of the NTC by Si deposition on said NTC.