Abstract: A process for producing a carbon-particle structure, including the step of irradiating opaque carbon dioxide at and/or near its critical point, as light is scattered, with a UV-wavelength laser beam to produce a carbon-particle structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of activating a photosensitizer, wherein for the photosensitizer nanoparticles of a catalyst capable of catalyzing the production of active oxygen (1) is selected, which is further subjected to irradiation by light (5). Preferably, heterocrystal minerals are used as a source of nanoparticles. Preferably, the photosensitizer is combined with a liquid (3), to which a suitable amount of oxygen gas (4) is added. Still preferably, the photosensitizer is chemically coupled to a DNA-molecule and a suitable anti-metabolic agent. The invention further relates to a method for treating a health disorder using activated photosensitizer provided in nanoparticle form, whereby the activated nanoparticle photosensitizer is administered to a recipient (7).

Abstract: [Problems] An object of this invention is to provide a method for the production of diamond at a high rate and in a high efficiency using in-liquid plasma. [Solving Means] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a method for the production of diamond, characterized in that, electromagnetic wave is irradiated to a liquid containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in which the ratio of hydrogen atoms to the sum of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms is from 0.75 to 0.82 and the ratio of carbon atoms to the sum of carbon atoms and oxygen atoms is from 0.47 to 0.58 so as to generate plasma in the liquid whereby diamond is manufactured.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for end and side derivatization of carbon nanotubes. Also facile methods to attach moieties and nanoparticles on the side walls and both ends are described. The invention provides hybide materials for analytical, and optoelectronic purposes as well as materials applications. Materials have improved properties in the areas of tensile, electrical and thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for the photo-induced reduction/oxidation of carbon nanotubes, and their use in photochemical cells and in electrochemical cells for the generation of hydrogen.

Abstract: A gas processing chamber for treating a gas stream containing an oxidant and carbon particles, having a gas inlet port for receiving the gas stream from a high temperature processing chamber, a gas outlet port for exhausting the processed gas stream, a microwave source for introducing microwave energy into the gas processing chamber having a sufficient power to induce the carbon to react with the oxidant, a microwave waveguide to direct the microwave energy at the gas stream for processing, a reflected microwave power dump for protecting the microwave source from reflected microwave power, and a window seal to separate the gas stream from the microwave source.

Abstract: A Y-shaped carbon nanotube atomic force microscope probe tip and methods comprise a shaft portion; a pair of angled arms extending from a same end of the shaft portion, wherein the shaft portion and the pair of angled arms comprise a chemically modified carbon nanotube, and wherein the chemically modified carbon nanotube is modified with any of an amine, carboxyl, fluorine, and metallic component. Preferably, each of the pair of angled arms comprises a length of at least 200 nm and a diameter between 10 and 200 nm. Moreover, the chemically modified carbon nanotube is preferably adapted to allow differentiation between substrate materials to be probed. Additionally, the chemically modified carbon nanotube is preferably adapted to allow fluorine gas to flow through the chemically modified carbon nanotube onto a substrate to be characterized. Furthermore, the chemically modified carbon nanotube is preferably adapted to chemically react with a substrate surface to be characterized.

Abstract: A method is presented for effectively manufacturing multi-wall (double-wall, etc.) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a structure whereby interior tubes are formed within the CNTs. In this manufacturing method, fullerene/CNT hybrid structures are prepared, wherein assembled fullerenes, these being fullerenes that are linked, have been housed within single-wall CNTs. The interior tubes are formed from the assembled fullerenes by subjecting the hybrid structures to electron beam irradiation while in a heated state. It is preferred that irradiation with the electron beams occurs at a temperature of 100˜500° C. and with the electron beams having an accelerating voltage of 80˜250 kV. According to the manufacturing method of the present invention, multi-wall CNTs with few defects can be manufactured at lower temperatures and in a shorter period than in the case where the fullerene/CNT hybrid structures are only maintained under high temperature conditions (and electron beam irradiation is not performed).

Abstract: Transparent monolithic aerogels based on silica, the bioderived polymer chitosan, and coordinated ions are employed to serve as a three-dimensional scaffold decorated with metal ions such as Au, Pt and Pd ions. It has also been found that the metal aerogels, such as Au(III) aerogels, can be imaged photolytically to produce nanoparticles.

Abstract: A functional device comprising a semiconductor material, wherein the functional device contains a compound not substantially undergoing oxidation-reduction reaction but having at least one lone electron pair and in which adding the compound negatively changes a flat band potential of the semiconductor material with respect to a case not adding it.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing carbon nanotubes and/or fullerenes reduces the pressure inside a system to 1.3 Pa or lower, supplies a carboniferous liquid state material to raise the pressure inside the system to at least 1.3 kPa to 93.3 kPa, generates arc discharges, supplies the carboniferous liquid state material in discharge plasma created by the arc discharges, and disintegrates or excites the carboniferous liquid state material, thereby producing the carbon nanotubes and/or the fullerenes. And, the manufacturing apparatus is equipped with at least a pair of electrodes that generate arc discharges into a vacuum chamber to create discharge plasma, a gas supply unit capable of supplying a carrier gas into the vacuum chamber, and a raw material supply unit capable of supplying a carboniferous liquid state material in the discharge plasma through an introduction tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a potentially economically viable process for the efficient microwave catalysis production of hydrogen involving a modified steam-reforming reaction using light hydrocarbons or light alcohols as the basic reactant with supplementary oxygen to increase the efficiency. Such hydrogen-rich gas is potentially an economical fuel for fuel cells.

Abstract: A method is presented for effectively manufacturing multi-wall (double-wall, etc.) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a structure whereby interior tubes are formed within the CNTs. In this manufacturing method, fullerene/CNT hybrid structures are prepared, wherein assembled fullerenes, these being fullerenes that are linked, have been housed within single-wall CNTs. The interior tubes are formed from the assembled fullerenes by subjecting the hybrid structures to electron beam irradiation while in a heated state. It is preferred that irradiation with the electron beams occurs at a temperature of 100˜500° C. and with the electron beams having an accelerating voltage of 80˜250 kV.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a structure from a carbide of a group IIa, group IIIa, group IVa, group IVb, group Vb, group VIb, group VIIb or group VIIIb carbon reactive element including the steps of: mixing the element with the carbon; and heating the carbon and the element to melt the element so that it reacts with the carbon to form the carbide; wherein, the carbon and element are heated by means of electromagnetic radiation having a frequency below the infrared spectrum. The method does not waste energy by unnecessary heating of the furnace or surrounding mold. The mold itself may be more stable because it is only heated by hot contained material and not by other sources of heat. Resulting formed products are not a sintered product and may approach one hundred percent of theoretical density. The carbon may be in the form of a powder that is mixed with the element or may be a porous carbon structure such as a graphite fiber mat or sheet into which the carbon reactive element is melted.

Abstract: A multi-layer fullerene, particularly a carbon nano-onion which is nano-size particulate can be produced efficiently and in high purity by irradiating soot-like carbon such as carbon black obtained by incomplete combustion or thermal cracking of carbon-containing compound such as hydrocarbon, aromatic oil and so on with high energy such as electron rays, gamma rays, X-rays, beam from an ion source and so on, and heat-treated.

Abstract: A method for making diamond material comprises providing a deposition chamber; placing a substrate in said deposition chamber; sealing and evacuating said deposition chamber; admitting to said deposition chamber gases suitable for diamond deposition; heating said substrate to a diamond deposition temperature; igniting and maintaining a plasma adjacent to a growth surface of said substrate such that said plasma extends no further than 1 mm from said growth surface of said substrate; and maintaining said plasma during a diamond deposition time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a potentially economically viable process for the efficient microwave catalysis production of hydrogen involving a modified steam-reforming reaction using light hydrocarbons or light alcohols as the basic reactant with potentially supplementary oxygen to increase the efficiency. Such hydrogen-rich gas is potentially an economical fuel for fuel cells.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of a catalytically active carbonaceous char. By this process, a nitrogen-containing compound is combined with an uncarbonized nitrogen-poor carbon-containing material. The resulting mixture is then carbonized and oxidized at temperatures less than 500° C. The resulting char is next heated to temperatures greater than 500° C and subsequently activated with H2O, CO2, or O2, singly or in any combination, to result in the catalytically active carbonaceous char. The resulting catalytically active carbonaceous char has utility for the chemical conversion of peroxides, hydrides, SOX, NOX, and chloramines in liquid and/or gaseous media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for measuring a linewidth or profile of a feature and comprises a scanning probe microscope having a nanotube scanning tip. The nature of the nanotube scanning tip provides high resolution and accurate measurements which is generally independent of a wearing thereof. The present invention also relates to a method of measuring a linewidth of profile of a feature and comprises the steps of scanning a portion of the feature on the substrate with a scanning probe microscope comprising a nanotube scanning tip and detecting a characteristic associated with the nanotube scanning tip. The method also comprises determining a characteristic associated with the portion of the feature on the substrate based on the detected nanotube scanning tip characteristic. Lastly, the present invention relates to a method of detecting a partially open contact hole and comprises scanning a region containing the contact hole with a scanning probe microscope comprising a nanotube scanning tip.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of a catalytically-active carbonaceous char. By this process, a nitrogen-containing compound is combined with an uncarbonized nitrogen-poor carbon-containing material. The resulting mixture is then carbonized and oxidized at temperatures less than 600° C. The resulting low-temperature char is next heated to temperatures greater than 600° C. and subsequently activated with H2O, CO2, or O2, singly or in any combination, to result in the catalytically-active carbonaceous char. The resulting catalytically-active carbonaceous char has utility for the chemical conversion of peroxides, hydrides, SOx, NOx, and chloramines in liquid and/or gaseous media.

Abstract: Single-wall carbon nanotubes are produced from carbon vapor in the presence of nickel-cobalt catalyst vapor, and the carbon vapor and the nickel-cobalt catalyst vapor are constantly generated from a carbon pellet and a nickel-cobalt pellet under radiation of YAG laser beams so that the single-wall carbon nanotubes are constant in diameter.

Abstract: A method for producing diamonds is provided comprising exposing carbonaceous material to ion irradiation at ambient temperature and pressure.