Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for production of vapor-phase growth carbon fibers. The apparatus can continuously produce these carbon fibers for a long time without blocking a furnace of tubular reactor of the apparatus. Also disclosed is a process for production of carbon fibers by means of the apparatus, a device for preventing deposition of carbon fibers on an inside of a furnace of tubular reactor, and vapor-phase growth carbon fibers produced in the apparatus. The vapor-phase growth carbon fibers include carbon nanofibers and/or carbon nanotubes. The apparatus includes a furnace of tubular reactor, at an end of which a feedstock-supplying nozzle is provided, and a discharge pipe inserted in the furnace of tubular reactor, the top end of which faces the opening of the nozzle and the bottom end discharges the carbon fibers.

Abstract: A carbonaceous nanotube has a hollow part with an inner diameter of, at most, 5 nm, and a thickness part of, at most, 10 nm. The thickness part is formed of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, optionally containing at least one transition metal atom. Such a carbonaceous nanotube has excellent conductivity and excellent wettability.

Abstract: A carbonaceous nanotube has a hollow part with an inner diameter of, at most, 5 nm, and a thickness part of, at most, 10 nm. The thickness part is formed of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, optionally containing at least one transition metal atom. Such a carbonaceous nanotube has excellent conductivity and excellent wettability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The graphitized vapor-grown carbon fibers used as an anode in the present invention have a specific surface area of at most 5 m.sup.2 /g and an average aspect ratio of 2-30. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises an anode comprising a cathode comprising a lithium-containing complex oxide, an anode comprising the graphitized vapor-grown carbon fibers, and an electrolyte comprising a lithium salt and a solvent. The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a high capacity maintained over a broad temperature range, good cycle characteristics, a high safety and an improved load characteristics.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing carbon fiber with less uniformity of physical strength in the longitudinal direction, an oil additive in a volatile medium is applied to an organic fiber after it is removed from a container and while the volatile medium has not completely evaporated from the fiber, and before the fiber is fed to a flameproofing furnace.

Abstract: A carbon fiber of high strength is disclosed, each filament of which is substantially circular in its cross-section but which has circumferential ruggedness which extends in parallel to an axis of the filament to form pleats. The ruggedness has a depth of more than 0.1 .mu.m.The carbon fiber is prepared by extruding a spinning solution of an aqueous polyacrylonitrile/pure zinc chloride solution of a specified polymer content into a coagulating bath at a specified draft ratio, followed by washing, drying and stretching at a total stretching ratio of 10-20 folds to form a precursor which is then subjected to conventional stabilizing and carbonizing steps.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing carbon fibers in a gaseous phase reaction comprising introducing a gas mixture comprising at least one carbon compound, at least one inorganic transition metal compound gas and at least one carrier gas into a reactor and subjecting the mixture to a temperature of 600.degree. C. to 1300.degree. C. in the reactor for inducing growth of carbon fibers.

Abstract: A brush, for use for example as an electrical pick-up, includes a brush portion composed of a bundle of metal coated carbon fibers arranged substantially in parallel. A base portion includes a region where the metal coated fibers have been bonded by diffusion via a hot pressing method, and at least one metallic piece bonded to the fiber bundle by diffusion by the same process. The brush of the invention has excellent durability and a conductivity.