Elemental Carbon Containing Patents (Class 252/502)
  • Patent number: 8110170
    Abstract: Provided are a conductive polymer-carbon nanotube composite including a carbon nanotube and a conductive polymer filled therein, and a method of manufacturing the same. The conductive polymer-carbon nanotube composite where a conductive polymer is filled in a carbon nanotube is manufactured by introducing a monomer of the conductive polymer into the carbon nanotube using a supercritical fluid technique and polymerizing the monomer. The conductive polymer-carbon nanotube composite is a novel nano-structure material which can overcome limitations that conventional materials may have, and thus can be applied to various applications such as sensors, electrode materials, nanoelectronic materials, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Yung-Woo Park, Johannes Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20120028116
    Abstract: This invention relates to a composition for producing a cathode for an electricity storage device, including carbon nanofibers prepared by electrospinning a spinning solution including a cathode active material, a conductive material and a carbon fiber precursor; and a binder, and to a cathode for an electricity storage device made with the composition and to an electricity storage device including the cathode. The composition for producing a cathode includes carbon nanofibers instead of part or all of a conductive material, a dispersant and/or a binder, so that the cathode has remarkably increased specific surface area and electrical conductivity (decreased resistance), thus maximizing the efficiency of the cathode active material and the capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Won-Gil Choi, Kim Pyung-Kyu, Jun-Hwan Jeong, Byeong-Sun Lee, Song-Yi Choi, Jung-Ae Kim, Byung-Jun Lee
  • Publication number: 20120025131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conductive preparation, in particular an electrically and/or thermally conductive preparation, which is characterized in that it has a first, at least temporarily, liquid phase and at least one, preferably at least two conductive additive(s) provided in the first phase. A method for producing a conductive preparation of this type is characterized by the following steps: A) Providing a first, at least temporarily, liquid phase; B) Adding at least one conductivity additive, preferably at least two conductivity additives into the first phase; C) Mixing the first phase and the at least one conductivity additive into a homogeneous state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Futurecarbon GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Forero
  • Publication number: 20120028798
    Abstract: A composition comprising: at least one porous carbon monolith, such as a carbon aerogel, comprising internal pores, and at least one nanomaterial, such as carbon nanotubes, disposed uniformly throughout the internal pores. The nanomaterial can be disposed in the middle of the monolith. In addition, a method for making a monolithic solid with both high surface area and good bulk electrical conductivity is provided. A porous substrate having a thickness of 100 microns or more and comprising macropores throughout its thickness is prepared. At least one catalyst is deposited inside the porous substrate. Subsequently, chemical vapor deposition is used to uniformly deposit a nanomaterial in the macropores throughout the thickness of the porous substrate. Applications include electrical energy storage, such as batteries and capacitors, and hydrogen storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Marcus A. Worsley, Theodore F. Baumann, Joe H. Satcher, JR., Michael Stadermann
  • Patent number: 8105505
    Abstract: An electrically conductive composite consisting of Vinyl-ester (as an anti-corrosive matrix), woven carbon fibers (as the reinforcement and conductive material) and carbon black powder (as a conductive filler) is manufactured. Various weight percentages of the matrix, fibers and filler are examined. The product cured at room temperature. Low weight, high strength, high stiffness, chemically corrosive resistance, electrically conductive characteristics are obtained from the product. The product may serve as electrically conductive polymeric composites in chemically corrosive environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nokhbegan Institute of Technology (NITD)
    Inventors: Mahmood Mehrdad Shokrieh, Saber Mirzaee, Ali Naghashpour
  • Publication number: 20120021294
    Abstract: This invention provides a graphite or graphite-carbon particulate for use as a lithium secondary battery anode material having a high-rate capability. The particulate is formed of a core carbon or graphite particle and a plurality of satellite carbon or graphite particles that are each separately bonded to the core particle wherein the core particle is spherical in shape, slightly elongate in shape with a major axis-to-minor axis ratio less than 2, or fibril in shape, and wherein the satellite particles are disc-, platelet-, or flake-like particles each containing a graphite crystallite with a crystallographic c-axis dimension Lc and a lateral dimension. Preferably, Lc is less than 100 nm and the flake/platelet lateral dimension is less than 1 ?m. The core particle may be selected from natural graphite, artificial graphite, spherical graphite, graphitic coke, meso-carbon micro-bead, soft carbon, hard carbon, graphitic fibril, carbon nano-fiber, carbon fiber, or graphite fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Jinjun Shi, Guorong Chen, Qing Fang, Bor Z. Jang, Ming C. Wang
  • Publication number: 20120012796
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a conductive film comprising: 1) coating a solution comprising functionalized graphene on the surface of a substrate to form a film; and 2) chemically reducing and/or calcining the film, which is loaded on the matrix material and obtained in step 1). The process can be used to prepare a conductive film on various substrates, such as steel, glass, ceramic, quartz, carbon materials, silicon materials, and organic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Yongsheng Chen, Yi Huang, Lu Huang
  • Publication number: 20120007027
    Abstract: Activated carbon blacks and the enhanced methods of preparing activated carbon blacks have been discovered. In order to form an activated carbon black, a conductive carbon black is coated with nanoparticles containing metal, and then catalytically activated in steam and an inert gas to form a catalytically activated mesoporous carbon black, where the mass of the catalytically activated carbon black is lower than the mass of the carbon black. The nanoparticles may serve as catalysts for activation rugosity of mesoporous carbon blacks. The catalytically activated carbon black material may be used in all manner of devices that contain carbon materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Rudyard Lyle Istvan, Stephen M. Lipka, Christopher Ray Swartz
  • Patent number: 8092773
    Abstract: The liquid fullerene derivative according to the present invention contains a fullerene moiety, a benzene ring bonded to the fullerene moiety, and first to third alkyl substituents R1, R2 and R3 bonded to 2-, 4- and 6-positions of the benzene ring, respectively, and the first to third alkyl substituents R1, R2 and R3 each contain at least 12 carbon atoms. The liquid fullerene derivative which is liquid at room temperature without requiring a solvent and easily exhibits the function of the fullerene itself, a method for producing the same, and a device using the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Takashi Nakanishi, Tsuyoshi Michinobu, Jonathan P. Hill, Katsuhiko Ariga
  • Patent number: 8088305
    Abstract: Described are lithium iron phosphate cathode materials for lithium secondary batteries and methods of preparation thereof. Better cathode materials may be produced by two carbon processes. The first carbon process comprises mixing lithium compounds, iron compounds, phosphorous compounds and a first carbon additive, and heating the mixture to a first temperature. The second carbon process comprises adding a second carbon additive to the to the product of the first carbon process and heating the mixture to a second temperature. The cathode material so produced exhibits superior electrical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Quan Dai, Julin Shen, Feng Xiao
  • Publication number: 20110314840
    Abstract: This invention is comprised of the following innovations: various devices/instruments which may be used in the preparation of a compact monolayer [made up of a suitable organic material (or organic compound)] as well as the carbonization of the latter; efficient methods for preparing a compact monolayer which is free from all “other” materials that were used in the various processes involved in the said preparation of the said compact monolayer; various methods for carbonizing a compact monolayer by means of a suitable “heat source” (which allows the application of a sudden searing “heat” extremely quickly) in order to produce a graphene layer, where the said heat source may be a “hot surface” or a suitable “radiation type beam” such as a suitable laser beam, or a suitable maser beam, or a suitable electron beam; and finally, various methods to provide a protective layer for a graphene layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Hamid-Reza Jahangiri-Famenini
  • Patent number: 8084167
    Abstract: Provided is a nanocomposite for the catalyst layer of a fuel cell electrode including: a carbon nanofiber; and metal catalyst particles uniformly applied to the surface of the carbon nanofiber, wherein the carbon nanofiber has a surface oxygen content of at least 0.03 calculated by the formula: Oxygen content=[atomic percentage of oxygen/atomic percentage of carbon] using atomic percentages of oxygen and carbon, respectively calculated from an area of an oxygen peak having a binding energy of 524 to 540 eV, an area of a nitrogen peak having a binding energy of 392 to 404 eV, and an area of a carbon peak having a binding energy of 282 to 290 eV in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The nanocomposite according to the present invention has high surface oxygen content and has metal catalyst nano particles densely and uniformly distributed on the outer wall of the carbon fibers, thereby having high electrochemical efficiency. Thus, efficiency of fuel cells can be improved using the nanocomposite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-hee Lee, Jae-young Choi, Chan-ho Pak, Eun-ju Ra, Young-hee Lee, Kay-hyeok An
  • Patent number: 8083970
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electroconductive inks and methods of making and using the same. The electroconductive inks include carbon fibrils and a liquid vehicle. The electroconductive ink may further include a polymeric binder. The electroconductive filler used is carbon fibrils which may be oxidized. The ink has rheological properties similar to that of commercially available electroconductive inks that use carbon black as their filler. The ink can be screen-printed, slot-coated, sprayed, brushed or dipped onto a wide variety of substrates to form an electroconductive coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Ma, Alan Fischer, Chunming Niu, Lein Ngaw
  • Publication number: 20110311873
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing an electrically conductive, porous, silicon- and/or tin-containing carbon material which is suitable in particular for the production of an anode material, preferably for lithium ion batteries; in a first step of the process, preferably crystalline silicon nanoparticies and/or tin nanoparticies and/or silicon/tin nanoparticles are introduced into a matrix based on at least one organic polymer, being more particular dispersed therein, and subsequently, in a second step of the process, the resultant polymer matrix containing the silicon, tin and/or silicon/tin nanoparticies is carbonized to form carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Christof Schulz, Hartmut Wiggers
  • Publication number: 20110309310
    Abstract: A process for producing active material for an electrode of an electrochemical element includes providing carbon particles, applying a silicon precursor to surfaces of the carbon particles, and thermally decomposing the silicon precursor to form metallic silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicants: VOLKSWAGEN VARTA MICROBATTERY FORSCHUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH & CO. KG, VARTA MICROBATTERY GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Koller, Stefan Pichler, Bernd Fuchsbichler, Frank Uhlig, Calin Wurm, Thomas Wöhrle, Martin Winter
  • Patent number: 8080179
    Abstract: The invention provides a dispersion capable of producing an electroconductive coating film and an electroconductive composite material comprising thin particles having a skeleton consisting of carbons, which can, without any problem in film manufacturability, attain high electrical conductivity at a temperature as lower as possible without deteriorating the dispersed state of the thin particles, a produced material, and a process for producing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Takuya Gotou, Masahiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8080228
    Abstract: A graphite material is provided wherein D50% is 2 to 9 ?m in particle diameter distribution based on volume as measured by laser diffraction, a specific surface area is 2 to 6 m2/g and no coating layer is substantially included in a surface of the particle. Also provided is a graphite material comprising substantially single-composition particles having an isotropic crystal structure, wherein D50% is 2 to 9 ?m in particle diameter distribution based on volume as measured by laser diffraction, and a specific surface area is 2 to 6 m2/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Denka K.K.
    Inventors: Akinori Sudoh, Masataka Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20110303880
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing nano-engineered carbon materials, such as carbon aerogels and carbon xerogels, and methods of manufacturing precursor solutions and sol-gels for making the same are provided. A method for manufacturing a precursor solution comprises programmed-addition of a cross-linking agent to a component mixture comprising a resorcinol compound. A method for manufacturing a sol-gel comprises subjecting a precursor solutions to at least one heat treatment. Methods for producing nano-engineered carbon materials from precursor solutions and sol-gels are also provided. Methods for using the nano-engineered carbon materials are also disclosed. The resulting nano-engineered carbon materials can be useful in a range of products including, supercapacitor applications, high-surface-area electrodes, fuel cells, and desalination systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CHEMICALS LLC
    Inventors: Sudhir M. Mulik, Joseph F. Ludvik, Robert W. Fleming, Christopher M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20110305956
    Abstract: An electrode conductive material, an electrode material including the electrode conductive material, an electrode including the electrode material, and a lithium battery including the electrode material. When the electrode conductive material is used, the amount of a conductive material required is decreased, capacity of the lithium battery is improved, and a charge and discharge rate is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deok-Hyun Kim, Jae-Myung Kim, Kyu-Nam Joo, So-Ra Lee, Jong-Hee Lee, Young-Su Kim, Gu-Hyun Chung, Beom-Kwon Kim
  • Patent number: 8075805
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a conductive masterbatch containing a polyamide resin and a carbonaceous filler. The present invention provides a method for producing a conductive masterbatch which can suppress an increase in resin temperature during extrusion, formation of die drips, and strand breakage and can also significantly increase the output of extruding. The method is achieved by the steps of feeding the carbonaceous filler to a molten first polyamide to melt-knead them together and then feeding a second polyamide to the resulting melt-kneaded product to further melt-knead the second polyamide, the carbonaceous filler, and the first polyamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Noda, Takaaki Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20110286147
    Abstract: An electrode material comprising 0.5-50 wt % functionalized graphene material and a capacitor comprising the electrode material are provided. A method for preparing the functionalized graphene material is also provided. The method comprises the step of chemically reducing the soluble graphene material and the step of physically reducing the chemically reduced graphene material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: TIANJIN PULAN NANO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., NANKAI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yongsheng Chen, Yi Huang, Yan Wang, Yanfeng Ma
  • Publication number: 20110284804
    Abstract: The thermoelectric material according to the present invention is characterized in that carbon nanotubes are dispersed in thermoelectric matrix powder by mechanically grinding, mixing, and treating by heating a mixed powder formed through a chemical reaction after mixing a first solution in which carbon nanotubes are dispersed and a second solution containing metallic salts. Further, a method for fabricating the thermoelectric material includes fabricating the first solution and the second solution, mixing the first solution and the second solution with each other to form a mixed solution, forming and growing a mixed powder in which carbon nanotubes and metals are mixed by a chemical reaction of the mixed solution, mechanically grinding and mixing the mixed powder, and heating the ground-and-mixed mixed powder to form the thermoelectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Kyung Tae Kim, Gook Hyun Ha, Dong Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20110285951
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube (“CNT”) composition includes CNTs, a dispersing agent containing a reactive functional group, and at least one kind of dispersion medium. A CNT layer structure includes a substrate and a CNT layer disposed on the substrate, the CNT layer including the CNT composition including the CNTs arranged in a network-shape, and an organic material adsorbed to the CNTs and chemically bonded to the substrate. A liquid crystal display device includes the CNT layer structure. A method of manufacturing the CNT layer structure uses the CNT composition. A method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device includes forming a pixel electrode on a passivation layer, by using the method of manufacturing the CNT layer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Seon-mi YOON, Honglong NING, Chang-oh JEONG, Jae-young CHOI, Won-mook CHOI, Hyeon-jin SHIN
  • Publication number: 20110284805
    Abstract: A method for producing nanospacer-graphene composite materials (i.e., mechanically-exfolitated graphene), wherein the graphene sheets are interspersed with nanospacers, thereby maintaining the 2D characteristics of the graphene sheets. The nanospacer-graphene composite material is highly porous, has a high surface area and is highly electrically conductive and may be optically transparent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
    Inventors: Edward T. SAMULSKI, Yongchao SI
  • Publication number: 20110284803
    Abstract: A method for sorting nanoobjects from the mixture comprising nanoobjects such as semiconducting and metallic carbon nanotubes and an apparatus fabricated thereby. An embodiment comprises an energy transfer to the mixture in a way that the degree in which nanoonobjects are heated and bonded to the surface of a substance depends on their electrical conductivities. The next embodiment comprises an electrolytic deposition of a material on the mixture in a way that the degree in which nanoanobjects are bonded to the surface of the substance by the deposited layer depends on their electrical conductivities. The above nanoobjects are sorted by selectively separating mostly the weaker bonded nanoobjects from the surface. Another embodiment comprises an energy transfer in a low pressure reactive gas medium to the mixture in a way that the degree in which nanoonobjects are heated and chemically modified depends on their conductivities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Vladimir Y. Butko
  • Patent number: 8062556
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is an anode material of the silicon-carbon composite type, for a lithium cell, having a high mass capacity and good cycling stability. This material is obtained by a preparation method comprising the steps consisting of: a) providing a silicon powder obtained by the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique or by CO2 laser, the size of the silicon particles being less than 100 nm; b) mixing the silicon powder with a carbon-containing polymer, and c) carrying out the pyrolysis of the mixture. The invention also proposes a lithium cell containing at least one anode the material of which contains the nanocomposite material produced by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Peres, Stephane Gillot, Juliette Saint, Mathieu Morcrette, Dominique Larcher, Jean-Marie Tarascon, Pere Roca I Cabarrocas
  • Publication number: 20110281180
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to negative active materials for lithium rechargeable batteries and to lithium rechargeable batteries including the negative active materials. The negative active material includes a crystalline carbon material having pores, and amorphous conductive nanoparticles in the pores, on the surface of the crystalline carbon, or both in the pores and on the surface of the crystalline carbon. The conductive nanoparticles have a FWHM of about 0.35 degrees (°) or greater at the crystal plane that produces the highest peak as measured by X-ray diffraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Bong-Chull Kim, Cheol-Hee Hwang, Dong-Yung Kim, Se-Ho Park, Hyun-Jun Choi
  • Patent number: 8057901
    Abstract: The invention relates to a carbon nanotube composite material, to methods of its production and to uses of such composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: William E. Ford, Jurina Wessels, Akio Yasuda, Jack Barger
  • Publication number: 20110273085
    Abstract: An article is disclosed comprising a network-like pattern of conductive traces formed of at least partially-joined nanoparticles that define randomly-shaped cells that are generally transparent to light and contain a transparent filler material. In a preferred embodiment, the filler material is conductive such as a metal oxide or a conductive polymer. In another preferred embodiment, the filler material is an adhesive that is can be used to transfer the network from one substrate to another. A preferred method of forming the article is also disclosed wherein an emulsion containing the nanoparticles in the solvent phase and the filler material in the water phase is coated onto a substrate. The emulsion is dried and the nanoparticles self-assemble to form the traces and the filler material is deposited in the cells. An electroluminescent device is also disclosed wherein the article of the invention forms a transparent electrode in the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Arkady Garbar, Fernando Dela Vega, Eric L. Granstrom, Lorenzo Mangolini
  • Patent number: 8052896
    Abstract: A nanocarbon film that is produced in such a manner that, after a nanocarbon dispersion containing nanocarbon and a dispersant is used to form a film containing the nanocarbon and the dispersant, an external stimulus is applied to the film to at least partially decompose the dispersant contained in the film. Light irradiation is preferably applied as the external stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kato, Naoyuki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20110269016
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anode for lithium secondary battery comprising vapor grown carbon fiber uniformly dispersed without forming an agglomerate of 10 ?m or larger in an anode active material using natural graphite or artificial graphite, which anode is excellent in long cycle life and large current characteristics. Composition used for production for the anode can be produced, for example, by mixing a thickening agent solution containing an anode active material, a thickening agent aqueous solution and styrene butadiene rubber as binder with a composition containing carbon fiber dispersed in a thickening agent with a predetermined viscosity or by mixing an anode active material with vapor grown carbon fiber in dry state and then adding polyvinylidene difluoride thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Masataka TAKEUCHI, Chiaki Sotowa
  • Publication number: 20110268647
    Abstract: Two-dimensional nanomaterials are produced in a process comprising the steps of (a) providing (a1) a mixture comprising graphene oxide particles, water and at least one cationic surfactant and/or nonionic surfactant or (a2) a mixture comprising graphene particles, at least one solvent useful for solution exfoliation of graphite and at least one cationic surfactant and/or nonionic surfactant, (b) adding at least one sol precursor compound to the mixture from step (a), (c) reacting the mixture from step (b) in a sol/gel process to form gel from the at least one sol precursor compound on the graphene oxide particles or, respectively, the graphene particles, (d) removing the at least one surfactant, and (e) optionally heating the gel-coated graphene oxide particles for at least 1 min to at least 500° C. under inert gas atmosphere to reduce the graphene oxide to graphene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicants: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerd. der Wisse. e.V., BASF SE
    Inventors: Sorin IVANOVICI, Shubin YANG, Xinliang FENG, Klaus MÜLLEN
  • Patent number: 8048341
    Abstract: A method of making a polymer composite from a mixture of a polymeric material, carbon nanofibers, and nano-scale particles is provided. The carbon nanofibers are less than about 1 micrometer in diameter, and the nano-scale particles are shorter in length than the carbon nanofibers. The nano-scale particles are selected from nano-scale carbon additives, non-conductive nano-clays, nano-scale conductive metallic additives, or combinations thereof. The components are mixed to form a polymer composite. A polymer composite having a resistivity of less than about 107 ohm-cm is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: David Burton, Patrick Lake, Carla Leer R. Castro
  • Publication number: 20110262812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, a preparation method thereof, and a lithium secondary battery containing the negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material for the lithium secondary battery according to the present invention is formed by mixing: a carbon material coated with vapor growth carbon fiber (VGCF) and amorphous graphite; and one or more kinds of other carbon material selected from natural graphite, artificial graphite, amorphous-coated graphite, resin-coated graphite and amorphous carbon. According to the present invention, when the negative electrode active material is prepared, the carbon fiber is uniformly dispersed throughout the carbon material, and the carbon material is coated with the amorphous graphite and then mixed with other carbon materials, and thus, a high electrode density can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicants: SHOWA DENKO K.K., LS MITRON LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung-Hee Han, Jeong-Hun Oh, Jong-Sung Kim, Chul Youm, Jung-Min Han
  • Patent number: 8038908
    Abstract: An aggregate of carbon nanotubes satisfying all of the following requirements (1) to (3): (1) the volume resistivity is from 1×10?5 ?·cm to 5×10?3 ?·cm; (2) at least 50 out of 100 carbon nanotubes are double-walled carbon nanotubes in observation by a transmission electron microscope; and (3) the weight loss from 200° C. to 400° C. in thermogravimetry at a temperature rise of 10° C/min is from 5% to 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: TORAY Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Hirai, Hidekazu Nishino, Kenichi Sato, Naoyo Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8038977
    Abstract: Carbon powder having low temperature calcined carbon derived from pitch adhered to a portion of the surface of natural graphite powder is obtained by solids mixing of natural graphite powder and pitch powder as a carbon precursor followed by heat treatment at 900-1500° C. to carbonize the pitch. The amount of pitch powder is such that the ratio V2/V1 of the pore volume V2 of pores having a diameter of 50-200 nm to the pore volume V1 of pores having a diameter of 2-50 nm in a pore size distribution curve obtained by analysis of the nitrogen desorption isotherm of the resulting carbon powder by the BJH method is at least 1. This carbon powder can be used as a negative electrode material for a nonaqueous secondary battery able to operate at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Chuo Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Tooru Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20110248210
    Abstract: The invention is a bulk-processed thermoelectric material and a method for fabrication. The material measures at least 30 microns in each dimension and has a figure of merit (ZT) greater than 1.0 at any temperature less than 200° C. The material comprises at least two constituents; a host phase and a dispersed second phase. The host phase is a semiconductor or semimetal and the dispersed phase of the bulk-processed material is comprised of a plurality of inclusions. The material has a substantially coherent interface between the host phase and the dispersed phase in at least one crystallographic direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Rhonda R. Willigan, Susanne M. Opalka, Joseph V. Mantese, Slade R. Culp, Jefferi J. Covington
  • Publication number: 20110226066
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing strain are disclosed. A thin film sensor includes a thin film polymer matrix that has two electrical terminals, conductive nanoparticles dispersed within the polymer matrix, and carbon nanotubes dispersed within the polymer matrix. The thin film sensor has a resistivity across the two electrical terminals that varies with a magnitude of strain applied to the thin film sensor. Strain may be sensed by applying a voltage to the thin film sensor, and an electrical response of the thin film sensor may be detected due to a strain present across the sensor. A magnitude of the strain can be determined based on the electrical response. Methods and systems for a memristor are also disclosed. The memristor has a resistivity that varies with a time-varying voltage input and with a time-varying strain input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Sandeep Venkit Anand, Debiprosad Roy Mahapatra
  • Publication number: 20110227000
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing electrophoretically deposited graphene based films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Rodney S. Ruoff, Sung Jin An, Meryl Stoller, Tryggvi Emilsson, Dileep Agnihotri
  • Patent number: 8021747
    Abstract: Provided is a transparent carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode comprising a net-like (i.e., net-shaped) CNT thin film and a method for preparing the same. More specifically, a transparent CNT electrode comprises a transparent substrate and a net-shaped CNT thin film formed on the transparent substrate, and a method for preparing a transparent CNT electrode, comprising forming a thin film using particulate materials and CNTs, and then removing the particulate materials to form a net-shaped CNT thin film. The transparent CNT electrode exhibits excellent electrical conductivity while maintaining high light transmittance. Therefore, the transparent CNT electrode can be widely used to fabricate a variety of electronic devices, including image sensors, solar cells, liquid crystal displays, organic electroluminescence (EL) displays, and touch screen panels, that have need of electrodes possessing both light transmission properties and conductive properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Kee Yi, Seon Mi Yoon, Jae Young Choi, O Ok Park, Mun Ho Kim, Hong Kyoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20110220177
    Abstract: A tandem photovoltaic device includes at least two photovoltaic cells stacked in an optical and electrical series relationship. At least one of the tandem cells includes a dual function semiconductor layer fabricated from a dual function semiconductor material. This dual function layer is an electronically active constituent of the cell. The dual function layer also is optically active and creates a reflective condition which redirects a portion of the light which has passed through the cell back through the cell's active layers to photo generate additional photocurrent. Use of the dual function material eliminates the need for incorporating separate semiconductor and reflective layers in a photovoltaic device. Further disclosed are exemplary formulations of some dual function materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: United Solar Ovonic LLC
    Inventors: Baojie Yan, Subhendu Guha, Chi Yang
  • Patent number: 8013247
    Abstract: Carbon nanotube-based devices that can be used to meet the growing miniaturization and performance needs of electronic systems, are provided. In particular, a transmission line and inductor that include nanotube bundles is disclosed. In a further embodiment a method for isolating nanotubes with proteins is disclosed. In another embodiment a nanoswitch using nanotubes is disclosed. In a final embodiment a low loss, high permeability material is disclosed that includes a conductive coil and a set of nanotube toroids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: The MITRE Corporation
    Inventors: Janet Werth, Sarah O'Donnell, David Lamensdorf, Jim Marshall, Lucien Teig
  • Patent number: 8012376
    Abstract: A method for preparing a carbon material for an electrode is provided that comprises a step for activating a mixture of a carbonous main material and a conductive additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Cataler Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kume, Yasuyuki Higaonna, Kazuaki Yanagi
  • Publication number: 20110210282
    Abstract: Novel dispersions of nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, boron nanotubes, clay nanotubes, other nanotube species, buckminster fullerenes, graphene, graphene nanoplatelets, elements, oxides, nanoparticles, nanoclusters, nanopowders, nanocrystals, nanoscale molecules, other nanoscale materials, as well as products produced therefrom are described. These dispersions can then be further processed into a wide variety of products including but not limited to composite materials, polymers, resins, epoxies, emulsions, cements, coatings, clays, films, membranes, paper, fibers, inks, paints, pastes, electronics, spintronics, optics, biotechnology materials, electrodes, field emission or other displays, plating, capacitance, ceramics, catalysts, clays, ballistic materials, drug delivery, doping, magnetics, dielectrics, barrier layers, selective ion flow membranes, batteries, fuel cells, solar and other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Mike Foley
  • Publication number: 20110213229
    Abstract: A method for amperometric detection of proteins, especially haemoglobin in faeces, using an electrochemical sensor. The electrochemical sensor includes: a working electrode having an electrically conductive matrix holding a first reagent and/or a second reagent, the second reagent being an oxidising agent, or a precursor thereof, for the first reagent; a counter electrode and optionally a reference electrode; wherein a reaction between the first reagent and the oxidising agent is catalysed by the protein to provide a detectable signal at the working electrode. The electrically conductive matrix is an electrically conductive carbon- or graphite-containing matrix or an electrically conductive porous matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: MODE DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Vincent Benoit
  • Publication number: 20110204296
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a composite having a reduced electrical resistance which comprises providing a mixture comprising a fluid material and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a predeterminable size distribution, and subjecting the mixture to a minimum stress in a dispersing machine, wherein the minimum stress is determined empirically as a function of the predetermined size distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Carsten Conzen, Michael Bierdel, Udo Dünger, Maren Heinemann, Thomas König, Björn Walter, Jörg Metzger, Peter Heidemeyer, Werner Wiedmann
  • Patent number: 8003257
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anode for lithium secondary battery comprising vapor grown carbon fiber uniformly dispersed without forming an agglomerate of 10 ?m or larger in an anode active material using natural graphite or artificial graphite, which anode is excellent in long cycle life and large current characteristics. Composition used for production for the anode can be produced, for example, by mixing a thickening agent solution containing an anode active material, a thickening agent aqueous solution and styrene butadiene rubber as binder with a composition containing carbon fiber dispersed in a thickening agent with a predetermined viscosity or by mixing an anode active material with vapor grown carbon fiber in dry state and then adding polyvinylidene difluoride thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Masataka Takeuchi, Chiaki Sotowa
  • Patent number: 8003015
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite positive electrode material for a lithium ion battery, which is particularly excellent in high-rate discharge characteristics in a battery, and also provides a slurry, positive electrode and battery using the composite positive electrode material. The composite positive electrode material for a lithium ion battery contains: a positive electrode active material (a); a conductive material (b) having a primary particle diameter of 10 to 100 nm and/or a fibrous conductive material (c) having a fiber diameter of 1 nm to 1 ?m; and a conductive material (d) having an aspect ratio of 2 to 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: Kao Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Oki, Yasuhisa Fukumoto, Ryuichi Akagi, Kenichi Nishimura, Taketo Kaneko, Tamaki Miura, Takamitsu Saito, Mikio Kawai, Mieko Kawai, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8003014
    Abstract: The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of couplings attached to opposing ends of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Clifton P. Breay, Sara D. Pfannenstiel, Stephen C. Matthews, Edward W. S. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20110199716
    Abstract: The present application is directed to electric double layer capacitance (EDLC) devices. In one aspect, the present application is directed to an electrode comprising an activated carbon cryogel having a tunable pore structure wherein: the surface area is at least 1500 m2/g as determined by nitrogen sorption at 77K and BET analysis; and the pore structure comprises a pore volume ranging from about 0.01 cc/g to about 0.25 cc/g for pores having a pore diameter of 0.6 to 1.0 nm. In another aspect, the present application is directed to an Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) device comprising an activated cryogel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicants: EnerG2, Inc., University of Washington
    Inventors: Aaron M. Feaver, Guozhong Cao