Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carbon nanostructure, such as a carbon foam material, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: (a) using a first laser beam to irradiate an encapsulated or sub-surface region of a carbon pre-cursor material below a surface of the material, to create carbon foam in that sub-surface region, and a disorganised, amorphous non-graphene material above the carbon foam, and then (b) using a second laser beam to remove or ablate the disorganised, amorphous non-graphene material sitting above the carbon foam, to expose at least some of the carbon foam. The resultant carbon foam material shows a significant D peak; the 2D peak is significantly less than the G peak; and the peak D: peak G ratio is significantly above zero. In appearance and Raman signature, it appears similar to a carbon nano-onion material. It can be used in biosensors, supercapacitors and pseudo-capacitors.

Abstract: A symmetric supercapacitor device comprising two electrodes, wherein each electrode comprises graphene, and a hydrogel electrolyte enveloping the electrodes in an active area, produces an enhanced operational voltage window. The graphene may be 3D graphene. The electrolyte may comprise a high molarity salt. The electrodes may have an interdigitated geometry.

Abstract: The invention relates to aerogels of two-dimensional materials such as graphene. This invention particularly relates to methods of making said aerogels by room temperature freeze casting (RTFC).