Abstract: A nuclear fuel element for use in a nuclear reactor may include a plurality of metal fuel sheaths extending along a longitudinal fuel element axis and spaced apart from each other, the plurality of fuel sheaths comprising a first fuel sheath having an inner surface, an opposing outer surface and a hollow interior configured to receive nuclear fuel material. A carbon coating may be on the inner surface of the first fuel sheath. The carbon coating may include more than 99.0% wt of a carbon material including more than 20% wt of carbon nanotubes and less than about 0.01% wt of organic contaminants.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel element for use in a nuclear reactor may include a plurality of metal fuel sheaths extending along a longitudinal fuel element axis and spaced apart from each other, the plurality of fuel sheaths comprising a first fuel sheath having an inner surface, an opposing outer surface and a hollow interior configured to receive nuclear fuel material. A carbon coating may be on the inner surface of the first fuel sheath. The carbon coating may include more than 99.0% wt of a carbon material including more than 20% wt of carbon nanotubes and less than about 0.01% wt of organic contaminants.

Abstract: An integrated method and apparatus to continuously produce purified Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) from a continuous supply of solid carbon powder fed to an induction plasma torch. The apparatus includes a reactor body disposed to maintain laminar flow of gases with the torch body and coupled to a quenching body where temperature and residence time is controlled. Conveniently, functionalization may take place in the quenching body. The torch is operated with an argon carrier gas, an argon stabilizing gas and a helium sheath gas. Solid carbon reactants are preferably mixed with at least two metal catalysts containing nickel and cobalt with additional metal oxides of yttrium and cerium being desirable.

Abstract: An integrated method and apparatus to continuously produce purified Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) from a continuous supply of solid carbon powder fed to an induction plasma torch. The apparatus includes a reactor body disposed to maintain laminar flow of gases with the torch body and coupled to a quenching body where temperature and residence time is controlled. Conveniently, functionalization may take place in the quenching body. The torch is operated with an argon carrier gas, an argon stabilizing gas and a helium sheath gas. Solid carbon reactants are preferably mixed with at least two metal catalysts containing nickel and cobalt with additional metal oxides of yttrium and cerium being desirable.