Abstract: A novel biomass derived catalyst doped porous carbon material and efficient methods to produce it. The doped porous carbon material can be used as a host to generate several materials with a higher performance than exhibited by previous materials. The host material performance enhancement is due to ability to control the amount of doping material, material structure, surface property, and pore size, as well as a high surface area and large pore volume allowing for high sulfur loading. In addition, the hierarchical structure of the porous composites allows an increased in energy density and long cycle life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produce silicon-carbon composite materials through a chemical vapor deposition or a thermal disposition process in a fluidized bed reactor on a semi-continuous basis. The produced silicon-carbon composite has a unique structure that silicon particles are uniformly dispersed, bonded and embedded into the carbon conductive matrix and forming a secondary structure. The produced silicon-carbon composite can be used as advanced anode materials for lithium battery and other electrochemical energy storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produce silicon-carbon composite materials through a chemical vapor deposition or a thermal disposition process in a fluidized bed reactor on a semi-continuous basis. The produced silicon-carbon composite has a unique structure that silicon particles are uniformly dispersed, bonded and embedded into the carbon conductive matrix and forming a secondary structure. The produced silicon-carbon composite can be used as advanced anode materials for lithium battery and other electrochemical energy storage device.

Abstract: A process for producing nanocomposite materials for use in batteries includes electroactive materials are incorporated within a nanosheet host material. The process may include treatment at high temperatures and doping to obtain desirable properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produce silicon-carbon composite materials through a chemical vapor deposition or a thermal disposition process in a fluidized bed reactor on a semi-continuous basis. The produced silicon-carbon composite has a unique structure that silicon particles are uniformly dispersed, bonded and embedded into the carbon conductive matrix and forming a secondary structure. The produced silicon-carbon composite can be used as advanced anode materials for lithium battery and other electrochemical energy storage device.

Abstract: Carbon microspheres are doped with boron to enhance the electrical and physical properties of the microspheres. The boron-doped carbon microspheres are formed by a CVD process in which a catalyst, carbon source and boron source are evaporated, heated and deposited onto an inert substrate.

Abstract: Carbon microspheres are doped with boron to enhance the electrical and physical properties of the microspheres. The boron-doped carbon microspheres are formed by a CVD process in which a catalyst, carbon source and boron source are evaporated, heated and deposited onto an inert substrate.

Abstract: A porous polymer, poly-9,9?-spirobifluorene and its derivatives for storage of H2 are prepared through a chemical synthesis method. The porous polymers have high specific surface area and narrow pore size distribution. Hydrogen uptake measurements conducted for these polymers determined a higher hydrogen storage capacity at the ambient temperature over that of the benchmark materials. The method of preparing such polymers, includes oxidatively activating solids by CO2/steam oxidation and supercritical water treatment.

Abstract: A process for producing nanocomposite materials for use in batteries includes electroactive materials are incorporated within a nanosheet host material. The process may include treatment at high temperatures and doping to obtain desirable properties.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the invention comprises an anode and a cathode and a proton conductive membrane therebetween, the anode and the cathode each comprising a patterned sheet of longitudinally aligned transition metal-containing carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotubes are in contact with and are aligned generally perpendicular to the membrane, wherein a catalytically active transition metal is incorporated throughout the nanotubes.

Abstract: A porous polymer, poly-9,9?-spirobifluorene and its derivatives for storage of H2 are prepared through a chemical synthesis method. The porous polymers have high specific surface area and narrow pore size distribution. Hydrogen uptake measurements conducted for these polymers determined a higher hydrogen storage capacity at the ambient temperature over that of the benchmark materials. The method of preparing such polymers, includes oxidatively activating solids by CO2/steam oxidation and supercritical water treatment.

Abstract: Porous polymers, tribenzohexazatriphenylene, poly-9,9?-spirobifluorene, poly-tetraphenyl methane and their derivatives for storage of H2 prepared through a chemical synthesis method. The porous polymers have high specific surface area and narrow pore size distribution. Hydrogen uptake measurements conducted for these polymers determined a higher hydrogen storage capacity at the ambient temperature over that of the benchmark materials. The method of preparing such polymers, includes oxidatively activating solids by CO2/steam oxidation and supercritical water treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite material suitable for use in an anode for a lithium ion battery, the composite material comprising a layer of a lithium-alloying material on the walls of an aligned nanotubular base material. Preferably, the lithium-alloying material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of Si, Sn, Pb, Al, Au, Pt, Zn, Cd, Ag, Mg, and a combination of two or more of the foregoing.

Abstract: A fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cathode and an anode, one or both of the anode and the cathode including a catalyst comprising a bundle of longitudinally aligned graphitic carbon nanotubes including a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally and atomically distributed throughout the graphitic carbon walls of said nanotubes. The nanotubes also include nitrogen atoms and/or ions chemically bonded to the graphitic carbon and to the transition metal. Preferably, the transition metal comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Cr.

Abstract: A fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cathode and an anode, one or both of the anode and the cathode including a catalyst comprising a bundle of longitudinally aligned graphitic carbon nanotubes including a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally and atomically distributed throughout the graphitic carbon walls of said nanotubes. The nanotubes also include nitrogen atoms and/or ions chemically bonded to the graphitic carbon and to the transition metal. Preferably, the transition metal comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Cr.

Abstract: Carbon microspheres are doped with boron to enhance the electrical and physical properties of the microspheres. The boron-doped carbon microspheres are formed by a CVD process in which a catalyst, carbon source and boron source are evaporated, heated and deposited onto an inert substrate.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the invention comprises an anode and a cathode and a proton conductive membrane therebetween, the anode and the cathode each comprising a patterned sheet of longitudinally aligned transition metal-containing carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotubes are in contact with and are aligned generally perpendicular to the membrane, wherein a catalytically active transition metal is incorporated throughout the nanotubes.

Abstract: A catalyst for an electro-chemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of a bundle of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes having a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally in said nanotubes. A method of making an electro-chemical catalyst for an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) having a bundle of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes with a catalytically active transition metal incorporated throughout the nanotubes, where a substrate is in a first reaction zone, and a combination selected from one or more of a hydrocarbon and an organometallic compound containing an catalytically active transition metal and a nitrogen containing compound and an inert gas and a reducing gas is introduced into the first reaction zone which is maintained at a first reaction temperature for a time sufficient to vaporize material therein.

Abstract: A method of making a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) having an anode and a cathode and a proton conductive membrane there between. A bundle of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes with a catalytically active transition metal incorporated in the nanotubes forms at least one portion of the MEA and is in contact with the membrane. A combination selected from one or more of a hydrocarbon and an organometallic compound containing an catalytically active transition metal and a nitrogen containing compound and an inert gas and a reducing gas is introduced into a first reaction zone maintained at a first reaction temperature for a time sufficient to vaporize material therein. The vaporized material is transmitted to a second reaction zone maintained at a second reaction temperature for a time sufficient to grow longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes with a catalytically active transition metal incorporated throughout the nanotubes.

Abstract: A catalyst for an electro-chemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of a bundle of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes having a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally in said nanotubes. A method of making an electro-chemical catalyst for an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) having a bundle of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes with a catalytically active transition metal incorporated throughout the nanotubes, where a substrate is in a first reaction zone, and a combination selected from one or more of a hydrocarbon and an organometallic compound containing an catalytically active transition metal and a nitrogen containing compound and an inert gas and a reducing gas is introduced into the first reaction zone which is maintained at a first reaction temperature for a time sufficient to vaporize material therein.