Abstract: A method for preparing a modified optically isotropic pitch comprising, preparing a synthetic pitch by reacting a member selected from the group consisting of a conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbon containing a low molecular weight alkyl group or a material containing such a substituted hydrocarbon in the presence of hydrofluoric acid/boron trifluoride, and treating the synthetic pitch by passing an oxidizing gas through the synthetic pitch at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery employing a non-aqueous media in which the carbonaceous anode material is prepared by the calcination of an organic compound obtained by reacting a precursor organic compound with a lithium salt.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery employing a non-aqueous electrolyte in which the anode material is prepared by calcining a precursor organic compound obtained from the reaction of at least one polycyclic organic compound with a compound containing nitrogen and sulfur.

Abstract: The invention provides for a lithium secondary battery using a non-aqueous solvent wherein the anode material is prepared by the pyrolysis of organic compound starting materials obtained by reacting at least one conjugated polycyclic compound with a nitro compound or with a nitrating agent. The anode material contains at least the elements carbon and nitrogen, the nitrogen content ranging from 0.5% to 6% by weight. Eighty percent or more of this nitrogen is bound to carbon by either C--N or C.dbd.N bonds. The ratio of the intensity of the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ("XPS") peak observed for the anode material at 401.2.+-.0.2 eV to the intensity of peak observed for the anode material at 398.8.+-.0.4 eV is 1.0:1 or more.

Abstract: A mixture of carbon powder and a carbonaceous binder is molded and pyrolyzed in an atmosphere of nitrogen to form a carbon molded article for a negative electrode. The properties of the carbon molded article are: an interfacial distance (d002) within a range from 3.38 .ANG. to 3.56 .ANG. measured by X-ray diffraction; and a three-point strength of 100 kgf/cm.sup.2 or greater at room temperature. A lithium secondary battery formed by using this carbon molded article as the negative electrode has a high energy density per unit volume and advantageous charge-discharge characteristics for higher loads.

Abstract: A secondary battery comprising a rechargeable positive electrode, a rechargeable lithium-containing negative electrode, a separator allowing the positive electrode and negative electrode to be separated from each other, and organic electrolyte solution for connecting the positive electrode and negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a complex having a carbon molded article made of carbon fiber or carbon powder having an interfacial distance (d.sub.002) of 3.38 to 3.56 .ANG. as measured by X-ray diffraction analysis using silicon as standard material, wherein lithium have been absorbed into the carbon molded article beforehand. The above value of interfacial distance corresponds to 3.36 to 3.48 .ANG. as measured by X-ray diffraction analysis using no standard material.

Abstract: A method of stably effecting a rolling of a steel strip with deformed section by use of a continuous hot strip mill, said method comprising the steps of:providing an excess metal portion along each of opposite sides of a meterial to be rolled for simultaneously obtaining one or a plurality of deformed section portions; andproviding, on a roll for effecting said rolling and at a position corresponding to each of the excess metal portions, a hold portion constituted by a tilted surface placed in a contact-and-rolling relation to each of said excess metal portions so that a self-aligning function occurs in a rolled material itself.