Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells. The invention provides nanocarriers that comprise an immunofeature surface and an immunostimulatory moiety. In some embodiments, the immunostimulatory moiety is an adjuvant. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells. The invention provides nanocarriers that comprise an immunofeature surface. The nanocarriers are capable of targeting antigen presenting cells when administered to a subject. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for delivery of nanocarriers to cells of the immune system. The invention provides nanocarriers capable of stimulating an immune response in T cells and/or in B cells. The invention provides nanocarriers that comprise an immunofeature surface having a plurality of nicotine moieties. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising inventive nanocarriers. The present invention provides methods of designing, manufacturing, and using inventive nanocarriers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. For example, the present invention nanocarriers capable of eliciting an immune response and the production of anti-nicotine antibodies.

Abstract: A composite composition for electrochemical cell electrode applications, the composition comprising multiple solid particles, wherein (a) a solid particle is composed of graphene platelets dispersed in or bonded by a first matrix or binder material, wherein the graphene platelets are not obtained from graphitization of the first binder or matrix material; (b) the graphene platelets have a length or width in the range of 10 nm to 10 ?m; (c) the multiple solid particles are bonded by a second binder material; and (d) the first or second binder material is selected from a polymer, polymeric carbon, amorphous carbon, metal, glass, ceramic, oxide, organic material, or a combination thereof. For a lithium ion battery anode application, the first binder or matrix material is preferably amorphous carbon or polymeric carbon. Such a composite composition provides a high anode capacity and good cycling response.

Abstract: This invention provides a nanocomposite-based lithium battery electrode comprising: (a) A porous aggregate of electrically conductive nano-filaments that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a three-dimensional network of electron-conducting paths, wherein the nano-filaments have a diameter or thickness less than 1 ?m (preferably less than 500 nm); and (b) Sub-micron or nanometer-scale electro-active particles that are bonded to a surface of the nano-filaments with a conductive binder material, wherein the particles comprise an electro-active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and wherein the electro-active material content is no less than 25% by weight based on the total weight of the particles, the binder material, and the filaments. Preferably, these electro-active particles are coated with a thin carbon layer. This electrode can be an anode or a cathode.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a hybrid nano-filament composition for use in a lithium battery electrode. The process comprises: (a) providing a porous aggregate of electrically conductive nano-wires that are substantially interconnected, intersected, physically contacted, or chemically bonded to form a porous network of electrically conductive filaments, wherein the nano-wires have a diameter or thickness less than 500 nm; and (b) depositing an electro-active coating onto a surface of the nano-wires, wherein the electro-active coating is capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and the coating has a thickness less than 10 ?m, preferably less than 1 ?m. This process is applicable to the production of both an anode and a cathode. The battery featuring an anode or cathode made with this process exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrically conductive laminate composition for fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate applications. The process comprises: (a) feeding a thin metal sheet, having a first surface and a second surface, into a consolidating zone; and (b) feeding a first exfoliated graphite composite sheet onto the first surface of the metal sheet to form a two-layer precursor laminate in this consolidating zone; wherein the exfoliated graphite composite sheet comprises (i) expanded or exfoliated graphite and (ii) a binder or matrix material to bond the expanded graphite to form a cohered. The process preferably further comprises (c) feeding a second exfoliated graphite composite sheet onto the second surface of the metal sheet to form a three-layer precursor laminate.

Abstract: A process of continuously producing a more isotropic, electrically conductive composite composition is provided. The process comprises: (a) continuously supplying a compressible mixture comprising exfoliated graphite worms and a binder or matrix material, wherein the binder or matrix material is in an amount of between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; (b) continuously compressing the compressible mixture at a pressure within the range of from about 5 psi or 0.035 MPa to about 50,000 psi or 350 MPa in at least a first direction into a cohered graphite composite compact; and (c) continuously compressing the composite compact in a second direction, different from the first direction, to form the composite composition in a sheet or plate form. The process leads to composite plates with exceptionally high thickness-direction electrical conductivity.

Abstract: This invention provides an electrically conductive, less anisotropic, recompressed exfoliated graphite article comprising a mixture of (a) expanded or exfoliated graphite flakes; and (b) particles of non-expandable graphite or carbon, wherein the non-expandable graphite or carbon particles are in the amount of between about 3% and about 70% by weight based on the total weight of the particles and the expanded graphite flakes combined; wherein the mixture is compressed to form the article having an apparent bulk density of from about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 2.0 g/cm3. The article exhibits a thickness-direction conductivity typically greater than 50 S/cm, more typically greater than 100 S/cm, and most typically greater than 200 S/cm. The article, when used in a thin foil or sheet form, can be a useful component in a sheet molding compound plate used as a fuel cell separator or flow field plate. The article may also be used as a current collector for a battery, supercapacitor, or any other electrochemical cell.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for recompressing expanded or exfoliated graphite to produce a less anisotropic, flexible graphite foil having a thickness-direction electrical conductivity no less than 15 S/cm. In one preferred embodiment, the method comprises: (a) providing a mixture of expanded or exfoliated graphite flakes and particles of non-expandable graphite or carbon, wherein the non-expandable graphite or carbon particles are in the amount of between about 3% and 70% by weight based on the total weight of the particles and the exfoliated graphite; (b) compressing the mixture in at least a first direction to a pressure within the range of from about 0.04 MPa to about 350 MPa into a first cohered mixture; and (c) compressing this first cohered mixture in a second direction, different from the first direction, to a pressure sufficient to produce said flexible graphite foil having a bulk density within the range of from about 0.1 g/cm2 to about 2.0 g/cm2.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode comprising a carbonaceous material which is capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions, and a non-aqueous electrolyte disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The carbonaceous material comprises a graphite crystal structure having an interplanar spacing d002 of at least 0.400 nm (preferably at least 0.55 nm) as determined from a (002) reflection peak in powder X-ray diffraction. This larger interplanar spacing implies a larger interstitial space between two graphene planes to accommodate a greater amount of lithium. The battery exhibits an exceptional specific capacity, excellent reversible capacity, and long cycle life.

Abstract: A method of producing ultra-thin, separated nano-scaled platelets having an average thickness no greater than 2 nm or comprising, on average, no more than 5 layers per platelet from a layered graphite material. The method comprises: (a) providing a supply of nano-scaled platelets with an average thickness of no more than 10 nm or having, on average, no more than 30 layers per platelet; and (b) intercalating the supply of nano-scaled platelets to produce intercalated nano platelets and exfoliating the intercalated nano platelets at a temperature and a pressure for a sufficient period of time to produce the ultra-thin nano-scaled platelets. The nano-scaled platelets are candidate reinforcement fillers for polymer nanocomposites. Nano-scaled graphene platelets are much lower-cost alternatives to carbon nano-tubes or carbon nano-fibers.

Abstract: An electrically conductive laminate composition for fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate applications. The laminate composition comprises at least a thin metal sheet having two opposed exterior surfaces and a first exfoliated graphite composite sheet bonded to the first of the two exterior surfaces of the metal sheet wherein the exfoliated graphite composite sheet comprises: (a) expanded or exfoliated graphite and (b) a binder or matrix material to bond the expanded graphite for forming a cohered sheet, wherein the binder or matrix material is between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the first exfoliated graphite composite sheet. Preferably, the first exfoliated graphite composite sheet further comprises particles of non-expandable graphite or carbon in the amount of between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the non-expandable particles and the expanded graphite.

Abstract: This invention provides an electrically conductive, less anisotropic, and structurally sound composite composition for fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate applications. The composition comprises: (a) expanded or exfoliated graphite; (b) particles of non-expandable graphite or carbon, wherein the particles are between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total weight of the particles and the expanded graphite; and (c) a binder or matrix material to bond the expanded graphite and the particles of non-expanded graphite or carbon for forming a highly conductive composite, wherein the binder or matrix material is between 3% and 60% by weight based on the total composite composition weight. The composite plate exhibits a thickness-direction conductivity typically greater than 35 S/cm, more typically greater than 50 S/cm, most typically greater than 100 S/cm, and a thickness-direction specific areal conductivity greater than 200 S/cm2, more typically greater than 500 S/cm2.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrically conductive composite composition, which is particularly useful for fuel cell bipolar plate applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of exfoliating a layered material (e.g., graphite and graphite oxide) to produce nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm, typically smaller than 10 nm. The method comprises (a) dispersing particles of graphite, graphite oxide, or a non-graphite laminar compound in a liquid medium containing therein a surfactant or dispersing agent to obtain a stable suspension or slurry; and (b) exposing the suspension or slurry to ultrasonic waves at an energy level for a sufficient length of time to produce separated nano-scaled platelets. The nano-scaled platelets are candidate reinforcement fillers for polymer nanocomposites. Nano-scaled graphene platelets are much lower-cost alternatives to carbon nano-tubes or carbon nano-fibers.

Abstract: A method of exfoliating a layered material to produce separated nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm. The method comprises: (a) providing a graphite intercalation compound comprising a layered graphite containing expandable species residing in an interlayer space of the layered graphite; (b) exposing the graphite intercalation compound to an exfoliation temperature lower than 650° C. for a duration of time sufficient to at least partially exfoliate the layered graphite without incurring a significant level of oxidation; and (c) subjecting the at least partially exfoliated graphite to a mechanical shearing treatment to produce separated platelets. The method can further include a step of dispersing the platelets in a polymer or monomer solution or suspension as a precursor step to nanocomposite fabrication.