Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide an asymmetric activated carbon block comprising at least a first element and a second element. In some embodiments, the first element can comprise at least two constituents and the second element can comprise at least two constituents. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first element can be positioned within the second element and at least one of the at least two constituents of the first element can differ from at least one of the at least two constituents of the second element. In some embodiments, the first element and the second element can be asymmetric with respect to a structural property. Some embodiments include part of the first element being located immediately adjacent the second element.