Abstract: A system and method of producing carbon nanotubes from flare gas and other gaseous carbon-containing sources.

Abstract: A system and method of producing carbon nanotubes from flare gas and other gaseous carbon-containing sources.

Abstract: Method of producing short carbon nanotube fibers from a carbonaceous gas.

Abstract: A system and method of producing carbon nanotubes from flare gas and other gaseous carbon-containing sources.

Abstract: Method of producing short carbon nanotube fibers from a carbonaceous gas.

Abstract: An intumescent nanostructured material for thermal protection comprising a member including a plurality of nanostructured materials, and an intumescent material associated with the member and configured to react in the presence of a heat source to form a foam for thermally insulating the member from the heat source. The member may be a non-woven sheet, a woven sheet, a yarn, or a network, and may be configured to conduct thermal energy away from a heat source. A solution comprising a plurality of nanostructured materials, an intumescent material, and a solvent, wherein the solution has a viscosity suitable for coating or spraying onto a surface of a substrate. The solution may have a viscosity of about 3000 centipoise to about 6000 centipoise, and possibly less than about 1000 centipoise. The solution, when dried on the substrate, may form a thermally-protective coating on the substrate.

Abstract: An intumescent nanostructured material for thermal protection comprising a member including a plurality of nanostructured materials, and an intumescent material associated with the member and configured to react in the presence of a heat source to form a foam for thermally insulating the member from the heat source. The member may be a non-woven sheet, a woven sheet, a yarn, or a network, and may be configured to conduct thermal energy away from a heat source. A solution comprising a plurality of nanostructured materials, an intumescent material, and a solvent, wherein the solution has a viscosity suitable for coating or spraying onto a surface of a substrate. The solution may have a viscosity of about 3000 centipoise to about 6000 centipoise, and possibly less than about 1000 centipoise. The solution, when dried on the substrate, may form a thermally-protective coating on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and integrated circuits are disclosed for providing a buck converter charger in a multiphase buck converter topology comprising at least a first phase, a second phase, and an alternative charging switch, wherein the first phase includes a first high-side switch and a first low-side switch and the second phase includes a second high-side switch and a second low-side switch. The methods, devices, and integrated circuits may control at least one phase to operate as a boost converter, control at least one phase to operate as buck converter, and close the alternative charging switch in the multiphase buck converter topology to connect an alternative charging source to a system voltage output, the alternative charging switch coupled to the first phase between the first high-side switch and the first low-side switch.

Abstract: A circuit contains a successive approximation register and an adjustable capacitor with a set input for adjusting a capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor. Moreover, it comprises a comparator having an input coupled to a terminal of the adjustable capacitor, and with an at least one output, wherein at least one of the outputs of the comparator is coupled to an input of the successive approximation register. The circuit also includes an analog input which is coupled to a terminal of the adjustable capacitor. The circuit may be set into a first operating state and a second operating state, wherein an output of the circuit is controlled in the first operating state by the successive approximation register and is not controlled in the second operating state by the successive approximation register, but by the comparator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating nanoscopically aligned carbon nanotubes in yarns, tapes and sheets. Some embodiments relate to methods and systems to allow in situ alignment of the tubes within the growth chamber. In particular, processes for in situ alignment include: (1) gas flow alignment using gas lenses introduced within the reaction tube, (2) electrostatic alignment using electrostatic lenses surrounding the reaction tube, (3) gas flow alignment by convergent flow within the reaction tube, (4) placing catalysts on a fixed substrate and flowing reaction gas parallel to the substrate. Other embodiments involve post processing of the CNT material in order to align the materials once it has been produced.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a reactor for synthesis of nanostructures is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber having one end in fluid communication with the reactor and defining a pathway along which a fluid mixture for the synthesis of nanostructures can be injected into the reactor. The apparatus also has a tube in fluid communication with an opposite of the chamber to impart a venturi effect in order to generate from the fluid mixture small droplets prior to introducing the fluid mixture into the chamber. A heating zone is situated downstream from the tube to provide a temperature range sufficient to permit the formation, from components within the fluid mixture, of catalyst particles upon which nanostructures can be generated. A mechanism is further provided at a distal end of the chamber to minimize turbulent flow as the fluid mixture exits the chamber, and to impart a substantially laminar flow thereto. A method for synthesis of nanostructures is also provided.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and integrated circuits are disclosed for providing a buck converter charger in a multiphase buck converter topology comprising at least a first phase, a second phase, and an alternative charging switch, wherein the first phase includes a first high-side switch and a first low-side switch and the second phase includes a second high-side switch and a second low-side switch. The methods, devices, and integrated circuits may control at least one phase to operate as a boost converter, control at least one phase to operate as buck converter, and close the alternative charging switch in the multiphase buck converter topology to connect an alternative charging source to a system voltage output, the alternative charging switch coupled to the first phase between the first high-side switch and the first low-side switch.

Abstract: A circuit contains a successive approximation register and an adjustable capacitor with a set input for adjusting a capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor. Moreover, it comprises a comparator having an input coupled to a terminal of the adjustable capacitor, and with an at least one output, wherein at least one of the outputs of the comparator is coupled to an input of the successive approximation register. The circuit also includes an analog input which is coupled to a terminal of the adjustable capacitor. The circuit may be set into a first operating state and a second operating state, wherein an output of the circuit is controlled in the first operating state by the successive approximation register and is not controlled in the second operating state by the successive approximation register, but by the comparator.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a reactor for synthesis of nanostructures is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber having one end in fluid communication with the reactor and defining a pathway along which a fluid mixture for the synthesis of nanostructures can be injected into the reactor. The apparatus also has a tube in fluid communication with an opposite of the chamber to impart a venturi effect in order to generate from the fluid mixture small droplets prior to introducing the fluid mixture into the chamber. A heating zone is situated downstream from the tube to provide a temperature range sufficient to permit the formation, from components within the fluid mixture, of catalyst particles upon which nanostructures can be generated. A mechanism is further provided at a distal end of the chamber to minimize turbulent flow as the fluid mixture exits the chamber, and to impart a substantially laminar flow thereto. A method for synthesis of nanostructures is also provided.

Abstract: Improved methods for manufacturing silicon carbide rings using chemical vapor deposition. Cylindrical tubes are used as deposition substrates and the resulting material deposited on the inside surface of cylindrical tubes or on the outside surface of cylindrical mandrels, or both, is sliced or cut into the desired ring size and shape. The resulting rings have a crystal growth that is oriented substantially planar to the finished article. The invention also relates to nitrogen doped silicon carbide material, as well as to silicon carbide structures having axes of grain growth substantially parallel to the plane of the structure and to each other, and having rotational orientation that is substantially random with respect to the axes of grain growth of the grains.

Abstract: Improved methods for manufacturing rings using chemical vapor deposition. Cylindrical tubes are used as deposition substrates and the resulting material deposited on the inside surface of the cylindrical tubes is sliced or cut into the desired ring size and shape. The resulting rings have a crystal growth that is oriented substantially planar to the finished article.