Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a keyboard or other input structure having a continuous fiber material. In one aspect, the continuous fiber material is disposed in a layered fiber pattern under tension. The continuous fiber material is continuous in that it is not broken or severed within the webbing. Heat and pressure are then applied to form a structural web. The resulting structural web may be stronger than a webbing of conventional materials yet with reduced relative weight.

Abstract: Method for making a liquid foam from graphene. The method includes preparing an aqueous dispersion of graphene oxide and adding a water miscible compound to the aqueous dispersion to produce a mixture including a modified form of graphene oxide. A second immiscible fluid (a gas or a liquid) with or without a surfactant are added to the mixture and agitated to form a fluid/water composite wherein the modified form of graphene oxide aggregates at the interfaces between the fluid and water to form either a closed or open cell foam. The modified form of graphene oxide is the foaming agent.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from a sample of carbon nanotubes wherein the sample is contacted with an electronic liquid comprising a metal and an amine solvent is described.

Abstract: A method of preparing graphene sheets. The method includes: immersing a portion of a first electrode and a portion of a second electrode in a solution containing an acid, an anionic surfactant, a salt, an oxidizing agent, or any combination thereof as an electrolyte, the immersed portion of the first electrode including a first carbon material and the immersed portion of the second electrode including a second carbon material or a metal; causing a potential to exist between the first and second electrodes; and recovering, from the solution, graphene sheets exfoliated from the carbon material(s). Also disclosed is a method of preparing a graphene film electrode. The method includes: dissolving graphene sheets in an organic solvent to form a solution, applying the solution on a substrate, adding deionized water to the solution on the substrate so that a graphene film is formed, and drying the graphene film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing thin graphene nanoplatelets, and the method includes the steps of providing a carbon precursor and a filling material, using the carbon precursor as a binding agent to mix with the filling material thoroughly, producing a composite material through a forming process, performing a heat treatment of the composite material under an atmosphere and at different temperatures to improve the electrical conductivity and adjust to an appropriate binding strength, perform a carbon conversion of the composite material with a good graphite cyrstallinity to produce a layered graphite structure of a thin graphene nanoplatelet precursor, while obtaining high quality graphene by performing an electrochemical process of the thin graphene nanoplatelet precursor, so as to achieve the mass production of the high quality thin graphene nanoplateletes with a low cost.

Abstract: A flow-path pattern provided with plural flow paths along a facing direction of facing electrodes is placed on the facing electrodes, a carbon nanotube-dispersed solvent is guided to the flow paths to allow it to flow in one direction, and, after the solvent is dried, the flow-path pattern is peeled off the facing electrodes, thereby controlling the position of carbon nanotubes. The flow path pattern is made of a filmy material. The respective flow paths are formed in parallel to each other at constant intervals, and an interval M between adjacent facing electrodes and an interval N between adjacent flow paths have a constant relation between them. Liquid pools for the carbon nanotube-dispersed solvent are provided at ends of the flow path pattern to allow the liquid pools to communicate with the respective flow paths.

Abstract: A method of treating electrically conductive nanoparticles using a dynamic processing electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method for dispersing nanomaterial comprising an electrochemical process, a solution of dispersed nanomaterial, comprising individual charged nanomaterial at a concentration of about O.1 mgm?1 or more and a solvent and an electrochemical cell are described.

Abstract: A method of preparing an oxidized electrode for a capacitive deionization device, the method including electrochemically oxidizing an electrode including a hydrophobic active material to produce the oxidized electrode.

Abstract: A drinking water filter system includes; a filter unit including; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed separate from and substantially opposite to the first electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a filter layer, and a voltage applying device which alternately applies a forward voltage and a reverse voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to sterilize and regenerate the at least one filter layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for the combination of injecting charge in a material electrochemically via non-faradaic (double-layer) charging, and retaining this charge and associated desirable properties changes when the electrolyte is removed. The present invention is also directed to compositions and applications using material property changes that are induced electrochemically by double-layer charging and retained during subsequent electrolyte removal. In some embodiments, the present invention provides reversible processes for electrochemically injecting charge into material that is not in direct contact with an electrolyte. Additionally, in some embodiments, the present invention is directed to devices and other material applications that use properties changes resulting from reversible electrochemical charge injection in the absence of an electrolyte.

Abstract: By controlling the heating speed and the pressure in carbonizing a wood powder, a macroporous carbon material is formed. Herein provided are the macroporous carbon material starting from a wood material, and a method for producing it.

Abstract: This invention relates to technology of carbographite materials, in particular, to production of oxidized graphite for making low foaming temperature foamed graphite, which is used for manufacturing flexible foil, fireproof materials, water-purification sorbents, materials for cleaning up spills of petroleum products, and so on. The method for producing oxidized low foaming temperature graphite comprises the stages of (a) preparing a mixture based on graphite particles and at least one aqueous solution of an acid; (b) activating the surface of said graphite particles to produce acid-containing functional groups on the surface of the particles; (c) treating the graphite particles to produce a graphite intercalation compound; (d) washing said compound with water; (e) drying said compound, and heat-treating it to produce foamed graphite, wherein stage (b) and (c) are carried out by electrochemical treatment at a quantity of electricity within 300 to 600 mA·hour/g of graphite.

Abstract: A method for recovery of intact graphitic fibers from fiber/polymer composites is described. The method comprises first pyrolyzing the graphite fiber/polymer composite mixture and then separating the graphite fibers by molten salt electrochemical oxidation.

Abstract: A tunable nanomechanical oscillator device and system is provided. The nanomechanical oscillator device comprising at least one nanoresonator, such as a suspended nanotube, designed such that injecting charge density into the tube (e.g. by applying a capacitively-cuopled voltage bias) changes the resonant frequency of the nanotube, and where exposing the resonator to an RF bias induces oscillitory movement in the suspended portion of the nanotube, forming a nanoscale resonator, as well as a force sensor when operated in an inverse mode. A method of producing an oriented nanoscale resonator structure with integrated electrodes is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing graphite intercalation compounds in which graphite particles are immersed in an aqueous electrolyte media comprising both an acid and an oxidizing agent. The immersed graphite particles are subjected to an anodic current and then removed from the electrolyte and rinsed with a solvent. The excess solvent and electrolyte is then removed from the graphite particles. The graphite particles may be placed in a plating barrel which is immersed in the electrolyte and rotated while the graphite particles are subjected to the current. The resultant intercalated graphite has an expansion volume of from between about 100 ml/g to 2000 ml/g when heated to 1000° C.

Abstract: A tunable nanomechanical resonator system comprising an array of nanofeatures, such as nanotubes, where the nanofeatures are in signal communication with means for inducing a difference in charge density in the nanofeature such that the mechanical resonant frequency of the nanofeature can be tuned, and where the nanofeature is in signal communication with a waveguide or other RF bias conduit such that an RF signal having a frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonant frequency of the array will couple to the array thereby inducing resonant motion in the array of nanofeatures, and subsequently coupling to an output waveguide, forming a nanoscale RF filter is provided. A method of producing a nanoscale RF filter structure controllably positioned and oriented with a waveguide and integrated electrodes is also provided.

Abstract: According to this invention, an active portion in nano-size substance is destroyed selectively by applying an electric potential to the nano-size substance having a network structure of carbon at an outer shell thereof in electrolytic solution. For example, an electric potential of 1.20 to 1.60 V (RHE) is applied to carbon nanotube in electrolytic solution so as to oxidize the active portion in the carbon nanotubes selectively and remove the ends of them. Consequently, an open end is created in the carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A process for preparing a material in which a gas mixture is subjected to a a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius while its pressure increased to at least 1,000 Torr. The pressurized hot gas mixture, which contains inert gas and fullerene ions, is then quenched by decreasing its temperature to a temperature of less than 500 degrees Celsius in a period of less than about 1 millisecond, and by decreasing its pressure of to a pressure of less than about 1 Torr in a period of less than about 10 milliseconds.

Abstract: Intercalated graphite flake is prepared having enhanced exfoliation characteristics in terms of at least one of reduced exfoliation temperature and increased expanded volume (also referred to as “worm volume”). The method entails contacting graphite flake with an organic expansion aid either before immersing in an aqueous intercalant solution or by dissolving the expansion aid in the aqueous intercalant solution prior to subjecting graphite flake to an electrolytic oxidation treatment therein. The graphite flake is subjected to electrolytic oxidation to provide intercalated graphite flake. Then, the intercalated graphite flake is recovered from the bulk of the intercalant solution and is preferably washed and further treated with a suitable surfactant in order to reduce the exposed gallery acids on the subsequently dried flake.

Abstract: The present process provides improved means for adsorbing components and for regeneration of a composite adsorption carbon material (CRAC) used for effecting the desired separation using an electrochemical process under conditions wherein the specific volumetric electric conductivity of the CRAC differs from that of the electrolyte employed by not more than one order of magnitude, a specific current density of at least 0.01 ampere per gram of CRAC is employed, and a high degree of regeneration of CRAC from polar and non-polar substances and heavy metal ions is obtained, as well as improved adsorption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graphitized cathode block for aluminum smelting obtained by forming a raw material containing at least one calcined coke selected from the group consisting of calcined petroleum coke and calcined pitch coke, and a binder; baking the formed material to give a non-graphitized block; and graphitizing the non-graphitized block by resistive heating; wherein both end portions of the block have a higher electrical resistivity than the center portion thereof. By employing the cathode block of the present invention, during electrolytically smelting aluminum, current may be uniformly flowed as the concentration of current at both end portions of the cathode block is lightened, and it becomes possible to maximize the advantages of graphitized cathode blocks.

Abstract: A method of treating scrap graphite having a metal contaminant adhered thereto. The metal is separated from the graphite by placing the scrap graphite in an aqueous oxidizing electrolyte and passing there through an electric current. The electric current may be directional. The metal may be uranium and the scrap graphite may be from the casting of uranium fuel rods. The graphite body disintegrates in the electrolyte and the metal dissolves at an accelerated rate under the influence of the electric current. The metal can also break off from the graphite and may dissolve over a longer time period in the electrolyte. The graphite so treated may be separated from the electrolyte by filtering and washing. Where the graphite has been contaminated with uranium the separation by this process is sufficient to allow the graphite to be disposed of in a conventional manner rather than special means required for hazardous, radioactive materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing activated carbon fibers having greatly improved adsorption performance time and adsorption performance when in contact with surface oxides such as in the case where gas and liquid impurities are treated. The process of the present invention comprises the following steps: a) placing conventional activated carbon fibers between an anode and a cathode plate in an acidic or an alkaline electrolytic solution, and b) applying a certain voltage at a current density between said graphite anode and graphite cathode plate. The present invention also relates to the product resulting from this process and the use of this product.

Abstract: The present invention is, in one aspect, a process for removing low-valent sulfur from carbon containing such low-valent sulfur (sulfur-containing carbon), having the step of contacting the sulfur-containing carbon with a platinum oxide in an aqueous environment, for a time sufficient to remove a desired amount of low-valent sulfur from the sulfur-containing carbon, especially from the surface of the carbon. Another aspect of the invention is an electrode, comprising an electrocatalyst or active material for a fuel cell or battery, disposed in a carbon matrix, where the carbon matrix is essentially free of low-valent sulfur adjacent to the active material of the battery electrode or electrocatalyst of the fuel cell electrode. Such an electrode will be suitable for use in a fuel cell or in a battery. Another aspect of the invention is a fuel cell or a battery using this electrode.

Abstract: Method for the regeneration of active carbon and polymeric adsorbents having oxidizable, organic pollutants adsorbed thereon by electrochemical and chemical means and apparatus therefor. The method involves a desorption step and a decomposition step. Desorption is accomplished in one embodiment by flowing an aqueous stream at a preselected pH through the adsorbent material. Generally, decomposition is accomplished by contacting an aqueous stream containing an organic pollutant with hydroxyl radicals. Sequential or simultaneous desorption and decomposition can also take place during electrolysis in an electrolytic cell. During decomposition the active carbon can be made a carbon bed electrode of the cell. Electrolysis to produce peroxide can take place in the presence of a transition metal or a chelate of a transition metal while feeding an oxygen containing gas to the electrolysis cell.

Abstract: The method is practiced such that the material is alternately repeatedly placed in low temperature and high temperature active gas atmospheres, the material is subjected to low temperature contraction and high temperature expansion due to the endothermic reaction of active gas, and a part of the active gas adhesively adsorbed to the material during low temperature contraction is detached from the material due to high temperature expansion.

Abstract: Method for the regeneration of active carbon having oxidizable, organic pollutants adsorbed thereon by electrochemical and chemical means and apparatus therefor. The method involves a desorption step prior to a decomposition step. Each step involves conducting electrolysis in a cell using the active carbon as a carbon bed electrode. It is advantageous to conduct the electrolysis in the presence of a transition metal or a chelate of a transition metal while feeding an oxygen containing gas to the electrolysis cell.

Abstract: A process for preparing carbon fibers including electrolyzing a carbon fiber in an alkaline aqueous solution, or electrolyzing a carbon fiber in an acidic aqueous solution followed by washing with an alkaline aqueous solution, and then applying a sizing agent of an aliphatic compound with multiple epoxy groups or an aromatic compound with multiple epoxy groups in which the number of atoms between the epoxy groups and an aromatic ring is 6 or greater. Alternatively, the carbon fibers are prepared by electrolyzing a carbon fiber in an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt and then applying a sizing agent of an aliphatic compound with multiple epoxy groups or an aromatic compound with multiple epoxy groups in which the number of atoms between the epoxy groups and an aromatic ring is 6 or greater.