Abstract: Composite materials with thermoelectric properties and devices made from such materials are described. The thermoelectric composite material may comprise a metal oxide material and graphene or modified graphene. It has been found that the addition of graphene or modified graphene to thermoelectric metal oxide materials increases ZT. It has further been found that the ZT of the metal oxide becomes effective over a broader temperature range and at lower temperatures.

Abstract: A method for applying a graphene coating to a substrate comprising iron or aluminium, the method comprising: providing a metallic layer on a surface of the substrate; and contacting said metallic layer with a source of carbon atoms to provide a graphene coating on the metallic layer. There is also described an iron- or aluminium-containing substrate, for example a component of a chain, with a metallic layer on a surface of the substrate and a graphene coating disposed on said metallic layer.

Abstract: A water-soluble pouch suitable for use in machine dishwashing and which comprises a plurality of compartments in generally superposed or superposable relationship, each containing one or more detergent active or auxiliary components, and wherein the pouch has a volume of from about 5 to about 70 ml and a longitudinal/transverse aspect ratio in the range from about 2:1 to about 1:8, preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:4. The water-soluble pouch allows for optimum delivery of dishwashing detergent. A process for the manufacture of multi-compartment pouches and a pack to contain the pouches are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nanocomposite materials, methods of making nanocomposites and uses of nanocomposite materials. In particular, the invention relates to composite materials which contain two-dimensional materials (e.g. graphene) in multi-layer form i.e. in a form which has a number of atomic layers. The properties of a composite material containing two-dimensional material is in multi-layer from are shown to be superior to those which contain the two-dimensional material in monolayer form.

Abstract: A water-soluble pouch suitable for use in machine dishwashing and which comprises a plurality of compartments in generally superposed or superposable relationship, each containing one or more detergent active or auxiliary components, and wherein the pouch has a volume of from about 5 to about 70 ml and a longitudinal/transverse aspect ratio in the range from about 2:1 to about 1:8, preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:4. The water-soluble pouch allows for optimum delivery of dishwashing detergent. A process for the manufacture of multi-compartment pouches and a pack to contain the pouches are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the production of graphene oxide and its use in various applications. The invention provides a method for the preparation of graphene oxide which involves treating a mixture of graphene oxide and impurities with a solution of a base. The impurities in the graphene oxide include oxygen-containing species that are associated with it i.e. bound to the graphene oxide but which are not covalently bonded to the graphene. The graphene oxide of the present invention has improved purity relative to the poorly characterised graphene oxide that is produced by existing methods.

Abstract: A method for producing aligned carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibres comprises providing finely divided substrate particle having substantially smooth faces with radii of curvature of more than 1 ?m and of length and breadth between 1 ?m and 5 mm and having catalyst material on their surface and a carbon-containing gas at a temperature and pressure at which the carbon-containing gas will react to form carbon when in the presence of the supported catalyst, and forming aligned nanotubes and/or nanofibres by the carbon-forming reaction.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoscaled carbon materials comprising providing, dispersed in a carrier gas, finely divided substrate particles on which to nucleate a catalyst, providing in said carrier gas a catalyst precursor material, decomposing the catalyst precursor material to form a catalytic metal in the presence of the substrate particles such that the catalyst metal is deposited on said substrate particles to form supported-catalyst particles dispersed in said carrier gas, forming a mixture of said dispersed supported-catalyst particles and a gas comprising a carbon containing gas at a temperature at which said carbon containing gas will react to form carbon when in the presence of said supported-catalyst particles, forming nanoscaled carbon materials by said carbon forming reaction and recovering the nanoscaled carbon materials.

Abstract: A method for producing aligned carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibres comprises providing finely divided substrate particle having substantially smooth faces with radii of curvature of more than 1 ?m and of length and breadth between 1 ?m and 5 mm and having catalyst material on their surface and a carbon-containing gas at a temperature and pressure at which the carbon-containing gas will react to form carbon when in the presence of the supported catalyst, and forming aligned nanotubes and/or nanofibres by the carbon-forming reaction.

Abstract: A method is described for the continuous production of nanotubes comprising forming a plasma jet, introducing into the plasma jet a metal catalyst or metal catalyst precursor to produce vaporised catalyst metal, directing one or more streams of quenching gas into the plasma to quench the plasma and passing the resulting gaseous mixture through a furnace, one or more nanotube forming materials being added whereby nanotubes are formed therefrom under the influcence of the metal catalyst and are grown to a desired length during passage through the furnace, and collecting the nanotubes so formed.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon nanoparticles comprises the steps of: passing a gaseous carbon source through a heated reactor; and adding catalyst supported on substrate particles or thermally decomposable catalyst precursor supported on substrate particles to the heated reactor to form a fluidised bed; such that carbon nanoparticles are formed in the heated reactor.

Abstract: A process for production of an agglomerate comprises the steps of: passing a flow of one or more gaseous reactants into a reactor; reacting the one or more gaseous reactants within a reaction zone of the reactor to form product particles; agglomerating the product particles into an agglomerate; and applying a force to the agglomerate to displace it continuously away from the reaction zone.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoscaled carbon materials comprising providing, dispersed in a carrier gas, finely divided substrate particles on which to nucleate a catalyst, providing in said carrier gas a catalyst precursor material, decomposing the catalyst precursor material to form a catalytic metal in the presence of the substrate particles such that the catalyst metal is deposited on said substrate particles to form supported-catalyst particles dispersed in said carrier gas, forming a mixture of said dispersed supported-catalyst particles and a gas comprising a carbon containing gas at a temperature at which said carbon containing gas will react to form carbon when in the presence of said supported-catalyst particles, forming nanoscaled carbon materials by said carbon forming reaction and recovering the nanoscaled carbon materials.

Abstract: A detergent composition in the form of a substantially anhydrous liquid, gel or paste and which comprises a premix of an amine oxide surfactant and a solvent therefor selected from C3 to C10 alkylene and polyalkylene diols and mixtures thereof. The invention also relates to unit dose forms containing the detergent compositions and processes for making a premix for use in said compositions.