Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising esterified lignin and poly(lactic acid). In various embodiments, the present invention provides fibers comprising the esterified lignin and poly(lactic acid) blend, carbon fibers made therefrom, and methods of making the fiber and the carbon fibers.

Abstract: A carbon/carbon part and a process for making carbon/carbon parts is provided. The process involves forming steps, carbonization steps and densification steps. The forming steps may include needling fibrous layers to form fibers that extend in three directions. The carbonization steps may include applying pressure to increase the fiber volume ratio of the fibrous preform. The densification steps may include filling the voids of the fibrous preform with a carbon matrix.

Abstract: A method of making an anode includes the steps of providing fibers from a carbonaceous precursor, the carbon fibers having a glass transition temperature Tg. In one aspect the carbonaceous precursor is lignin. The carbonaceous fibers are placed into a layered fiber mat. The fiber mat is fused by heating the fiber mat in the presence of oxygen to above the Tg but no more than 20% above the Tg to fuse fibers together at fiber to fiber contact points and without melting the bulk fiber mat to create a fused fiber mat through oxidative stabilization. The fused fiber mat is carbonized by heating the fused fiber mat to at least 650° C. under an inert atmosphere to create a carbonized fused fiber mat. A battery anode formed from carbonaceous precursor fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing one or more nanofibers includes providing (a) a solution comprising a polymer and a solvent, (b) a nozzle for ejecting the solution, and (c) a stationary collector disposed a distance d apart from the nozzle. A voltage is applied between the nozzle and the stationary collector, and a jet of the solution is ejected from the nozzle toward the stationary collector. An electric field intensity of between about 0.5 and about 2.0 kV/cm is maintained, where the electric field intensity is defined as a ratio of the voltage to the distance d. At least a portion of the solvent from the stream is evaporated, and one or more polymer nanofibers are deposited on the stationary collector as the stream impinges thereupon. Each polymer nanofiber has an average diameter of about 500 nm or less and may serve as a precursor for carbon fiber production.

Abstract: A polymer-bonded fiber agglomerate includes short fibers selected from carbon, ceramic materials, glasses, metals and organic polymers, and a polymeric bonding resin selected from synthetic resins and thermoplastics. The fiber agglomerates have an average length, measured in the fiber direction, of from 3 mm to 50 mm and an average thickness, measured perpendicularly to the fiber direction, of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm. At least 75% of all of the contained fibers have a length which is at least 90% and not more than 110% of the fiber agglomerate average length. A fiber-reinforced composite material having the fiber agglomerate and processes for the production thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a production system (1) for a carbon fiber thread (Z) by continuously subjecting a carbon fiber thread precursor (X) having a jointed portion (a) connecting respective ends of two carbon fiber thread precursors (X) to heat treatment, which contains an oxidization oven (10) for subjecting the carbon fiber thread precursor (X) to an oxidization treatment, a carbonization furnace (12) for subjecting a thus obtained oxidized fiber thread to a carbonization treatment, a winder (18) for winding the carbon fiber thread (Z) around a winding bobbin, a detection means (24) for detecting the jointed portion (a), a positional information-acquisition means (26) for acquiring positional information of the jointed portion (a), a control means (28) for controlling the winder (18) in such a way that a carbon fiber thread including the jointed portion (a) and a carbon fiber thread not including the jointed portion (a) are separately wound up around different winding bobbins based on the positional information.

Abstract: An anode material for a galvanic element, in particular a lithium-ion cell. To improve the current density and thermal stability of galvanic elements, the anode material includes nanofibers made of a metal, a metal alloy, a carbon-metal oxide composite material, a carbon-metal alloy composite material, a conductive polymer, a polymer-metal composite material, a polymer-metal alloy composite material or a combination thereof. The nanofibers may be in the form a nanofiber netting, a nonwoven and/or a network and may be connected to a current conductor.

Abstract: A membrane-forming dope solution for carbon membranes, comprising a polyphenyleneoxide polymer, ammonium nitrate, and a solvent having a boiling point of 100° C. or more and being capable of dissolving these components; the membrane-forming dope solution having a concentration of the polyphenyleneoxide polymer of 20 to 40 wt. %, and a concentration of the ammonium nitrate of 1 to 10 wt. %. The membrane-forming dope solution for carbon membranes is subjected to vacuum defoaming, and then subjected to a spinning step, thereby producing a carbon hollow fiber membrane. The use of the membrane-forming dope solution for carbon membranes can reduce yarn breakage during spinning or the formation of pinhole defects in the resulting polymer hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: The invention provides nanostructure composite porous silicon and carbon materials, and also provides carbon nanofiber arrays having a photonic response in the form of films or particles. Composite materials or carbon nanofiber arrays of the invention are produced by a templating method of the invention, and the resultant nanomaterials have a predetermined photonic response determined by the pattern in the porous silicon template, which is determined by etching conditions for forming the porous silicon. Example nanostructures include rugate filters, single layer structures and double layer structures. In a preferred method of the invention, a carbon precursor is introduced into the pores of a porous silicon film. Carbon is then formed from the carbon precursor.

Abstract: Fibrous materials composed of activated carbon fibers and methods for their preparation are described. Electrodes comprising the fibrous materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A carbon fiber centrifugal head includes an interior mechanism that at least partially controls flow of precursor material to exterior holes of the head during spinning.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyacrylonitrile fiber includes a spinning process in which a spinning dope including polyacrylonitrile is spun; a first drawing process; a drying process; and a second hot drawing process in this order.

Abstract: A metal carbide ceramic fiber having improved mechanical properties and characteristics and improved processes and chemical routes for manufacturing metal carbide ceramic fiber. Metal carbide ceramic fibers may be formed via reaction bonding of a metal-based material (e.g. boron) with the inherent carbon of a carrier medium. One embodiment includes a method of making a metal carbide ceramic fiber using VSSP to produce high yield boron carbide fiber. Embodiments of the improved method allow high volume production of high density boron carbide fiber. The chemical routes may include a direct production of boron carbide fiber from boron carbide powder (B4C) and precursor (e.g. rayon fiber) having a carbon component to form a B4C/rayon fiber that may be processed at high temperature to form boron carbide fiber, and that may be subsequently undergo a hot isostatic pressing to improve fiber purity. Another route may include a carbothermal method comprising combining boron powder (B) with a precursor (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides CNT, in particular CNT having inherent properties thereof, which has a thin wall and does not form a bundle, and an efficient production method of the CNT. The method is for producing CNT, the whole length or a part thereof is compressed to form a band, said method comprises preparing a powdery and/or particulate material of an organic compound pre-baked to an extent of containing remaining hydrogen and allowed to carry a catalyst, which may be a transition metal, other metal or other element, thereon; charging the powdery and/or particulate material of the organic compound in a closed vessel made of a heat resistant material; and subjecting the powdery and/or particulate material of the organic compound together with the vessel to hot isostatic pressing treatment using a compressed gas atmosphere, wherein a maximum ultimate temperature at the hot isostatic pressing treatment is 750 to 1200° C.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of a non-woven mat or paper made of carbon fibers, the method comprising carbonizing a non-woven mat or paper preform (precursor) comprised of a plurality of bonded sulfonated polyolefin fibers to produce said non-woven mat or paper made of carbon fibers. The preforms and resulting non-woven mat or paper made of carbon fiber, as well as articles and devices containing them, and methods for their use, are also described.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparation of carbon fibers based from fibers of poly(?(1?3) glucan). The method comprises three thermal exposures at progressively higher temperatures to drive off volatiles, thermally stabilize the glucan fiber, and carbonize the thermally stabilized fiber. The carbon fibers prepared according to the process hereof are strong, stiff, tough, and easily handled.

Abstract: A method produces a molded part from carbon containing carbon fibers in an amount of less than 20% by weight. The method includes comminuting waste parts or scrap parts formed from a carbon fiber-reinforced synthetic material, a carbon fiber reinforced carbon or a carbon fiber reinforced concrete. A mixture is produced from the comminuted product, a binder such as pitch, a carbon material such as coke and optionally one or more additives, wherein the mixture contains less than 20% by weight of fibers. The mixture is molded into a molded part and the molded part is carbonized. Optionally, the molded carbonized part is impregnated with an impregnating agent. Finally and optionally, the molded carbonized part or the molded part impregnated part is graphitized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing hollow carbon fibers having an empty space in the cross section thereof. More specifically, the disclosed method includes melt-spinning an acrylonitrile-based polymer by using a supercritical fluid as a plasticizer; drawing spun fibers to prepare hollow precursor fibers; and stabilizing and carbonizing the hollow precursor fibers to prepare the hollow carbon fibers. The hollow carbon fibers obtained by the disclosed method have at least a 10 to 50% lower specific gravity than conventional hollow carbon fibers (solid), but have similar mechanical properties to the conventional fibers. Furthermore, the diameter of carbon fibers can be adjusted, thereby making it possible to widen the application of hollow carbon fibers.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, a composite raw material and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes sulfonating a polycyclic aromatic compound to form a polycyclic aromatic carbon sulfonate (PCAS); and mixing the polycyclic aromatic carbon sulfonate and a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to form a composite raw material. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a carbon fiber containing the composite raw material described above and a method for forming the same are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing hollow carbon fibers having an empty space in the cross section thereof. More specifically, the disclosed method includes preparing a spinning solution of an acrylonitrile-based polymer having a viscosity ranging from 2000 to 5000 poise at room temperature; spinning the prepared spinning solution using a spinneret designed for spinning hollow fibers; super-drawing and drawing spun fibers to prepare hollow precursor fibers; and stabilizing and carbonizing the hollow precursor fibers to prepare the hollow carbon fibers. The hollow carbon fibers obtained by the disclosed method have a lower specific gravity by 10 to 50% than conventional hollow carbon fibers (solid), but have similar mechanical properties to the conventional fibers. Furthermore, in the method, the diameter of carbon fibers can be adjusted. Thus, it is possible to widen the application of hollow carbon fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a carbon nanofiber in which a nano-sized metal oxide or an intermetallic compound is dispersed, and more specifically, provides a preparation method comprising the step of electrospinning a metal precursor/carbon fiber precursor solution and heat treating the same. The carbon nanofiber containing a metal oxide or an intermetallic compound can be used as an anode material for a secondary battery. According to the present invention, a secondary battery using the carbon nanofiber containing a metal oxide or an intermetallic compound as an anode material has excellent capacity, and shows excellent cycle stability, in other words, maintains a capacity of 90% or more of the initial capacity even after 100 cycles, and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing carbon fiber bundles excellent in productivity without impairing the quality in the process for producing carbon fibers. The method includes a flame-retarding step, a precarbonization step, and a carbonization step. When traveling pitches of the fiber bundles in the flame-retarding step, precarbonization step and carbonization step are represented by P1, P2 and P3, respectively, 0.8?P2/P1?1.0 and 0.4?P3/P1?0.8 are satisfied; when traveling pitches of the fiber bundles at the inlet and the outlet of a heat treatment section of a precarbonization furnace are represented by P11 and P12, respectively, 0.40?(P12/P11)?0.90 is satisfied; or when traveling pitches of the fiber bundles at the inlet and the outlet of a heat treatment section of a carbonization furnace are represented by P13 and P14, 0.40?(P14/P13)?0.90 is satisfied.

Abstract: The method for preparing a carbon fiber of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a polyacrylonitrile-based polymer solution; spinning the polyacrylonitrile-based polymer solution to prepare a precursor fiber for a carbon fiber, the precursor fiber having a water content of 20-50%; converting the precursor fiber for a carbon fiber into a preliminary flame-retarded fiber while stretching the precursor fiber for a carbon fiber at an elongation rate of ?10˜?0.1% or 0.1˜5% at 180˜220° C. in air; converting the preliminary flame-retarded fiber into a flame-retardant fiber while stretching the preliminary flame-retarded fiber at an elongation rate of ?5˜5% at 200˜300° C. in air; and heating the flame-retardant fiber under an inert atmosphere to carbonize the flame-retardant fiber.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of carbon fiber from polyolefin fiber precursor, wherein the polyolefin fiber precursor is partially sulfonated and then carbonized to produce carbon fiber. Methods for producing hollow carbon fibers, wherein the hollow core is circular- or complex-shaped, are also described. Methods for producing carbon fibers possessing a circular- or complex-shaped outer surface, which may be solid or hollow, are also described.

Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a carbon nanofiber supporting a metal fine particle in which the metal fine particles are supported in high dispersion and sintering of the metal fine particles is restrained. The present invention attains the object by providing a method for producing a carbon nanofiber supporting a metal fine particle comprising a step of: spinning a material composition which contains a nitrogen-containing polymer, including a nitrogen element and capable of forming a carbon nanofiber, and an organometallic compound by an electro spinning process, and the spinning is conducted under a condition which keeps the nitrogen element remained to the carbon nanofiber and allows the formation of the carbon nanofiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a shaped composite material and the material obtained through that process. In particular it relates to a process for obtaining a disk of composite ceramic material for disc brakes in which the friction coefficient is varied by varying the composition of the surface layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous, multicellular, hollow carbon fiber wherein the fiber structure includes a substantially hollow fiber and multiple internal walls defining multiple integral internal hollow fibers such that the fiber structure comprises a honeycomb-like cross section.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon-containing fibers, in particular carbon fibers and/or the precursor fibers thereof, contains the following steps: a) providing one or more starting material fibers; b) bringing the one or more starting material fibers in contact with at least one treatment fluid, wherein a treatment fluid has at least one silicon compound and has a content of 0-25 wt. % water, in relation to the total weight of the treatment fluid; c) treating the one or more starting material fibers with the treatment fluid during a treatment time having a duration of at least three minutes at a treatment temperature ranging from 126 C to 450 C.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanotubes uses a polymer as a raw material to undergo in situ thermal decomposition. The method includes steps of mixing the polymer and metallic catalyst through a multiple heating stage process of in-situ thermal decomposition to carbonize the polymer and release carbon elements to produce carbon nanotubes. Advantages of the present invention include easy to prepare, low temperature in manipulation, low production cost, and high safety.

Abstract: A plasticizing agent and a composition for fabricating a polyacrylonitrile-based fiber precursor and a fabrication method of a polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber are provided. The plasticizing agent includes a copolymer represented by formula (I) or a derivative of formula (I): wherein R is methyl or ethyl, z?0.5 mol %, and y=99.5-85.0 mol %. The plasticizing agent has an intrinsic viscosity of between 0.20-0.40 dL/g. The composition for fabricating the polyacrylonitrile-based fiber precursor includes the plasticizing agent and a polyacrylonitrile-based copolymer having an intrinsic viscosity of between 0.41-0.75 dL/g.

Abstract: A process for producing polyacrylonitrile-base precursor fibers for production of carbon fibers, which comprises spinning a spinning dope containing 10 to 25 wt % of a polyacrylonitrile-base polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of 2.0 to 10.0 by extruding the spinning dope from a spinneret by a wet spinning or a dry wet spinning method, drying and heat-treating fibers obtained by the spinning, and then steam drawing the resulting fibers, wherein the linear extrusion rate of the polyacrylonitrile-base polymer from the spinneret is 2 to 15 m/min.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous electrode substrate that has low production cost, high mechanical strength, thickness precision, and surface smoothness, and sufficient gas permeability and electrical conductivity, and a method for producing the same. In the present invention, for example, a porous electrode substrate that includes short carbon fibers (A) joined together via three-dimensional mesh-like carbon fibers (B) is produced by a method including a step (1) of dispersing short carbon fibers (A), and short carbon fiber precursors (b) to be fibrillated by beating, to produce a precursor sheet; and a step (2) of subjecting the precursor sheet to carbonization treatment at a temperature of 1000° C. or higher.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon fiber bundle for obtaining a fiber-reinforced plastic having high mechanical characteristics. An acrylonitrile swollen fiber for a carbon fiber having openings of 10 nm or more in width in the circumference direction of the swollen fiber at a ratio in the range of 0.3 openings/?m2 or more and 2 openings/?m2 or less on the surface of the swollen fiber, and the swollen fiber is not treated with a finishing oil agent. A precursor fiber obtained by treating the swollen fiber with a silicone-based finishing oil agent has a silicon content of 1700 ppm or more and 5000 ppm or less, and the silicon content is 50 ppm or more and 300 ppm or less after the finishing oil agent is washed away with methyl ethyl ketone by using a Soxhlet extraction apparatus for 8 hours. The fiber is preferably an acrylonitrile copolymer containing acrylonitrile in an amount of 96.0 mass % or more and 99.7 mass % or less and an unsaturated hydrocarbon having at least one carboxyl group or ester group in an amount of 0.

Abstract: A carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite material and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite material includes carbon fibers, and a carbonaceous matrix. The carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite material is integrally formed. The carbon fibers are a substantially linear fiber existing in a bare-fiber state within the carbonaceous matrix and having an average fiber length of less than about 1.0 mm. The carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite material has a bulk density of about 1.2 g/cm3 or more.

Abstract: A carbon fiber structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The carbon fiber structure includes a carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite material having carbon fibers and a carbonaceous matrix. The carbon fibers are configured by a substantially linear fiber. The carbon fibers form thin piece bodies in which a longitudinal direction of the carbon fibers is oriented in parallel to a surface direction of the carbon fiber structure within the carbonaceous matrix. The carbon fiber structure is configured by a laminate having the thin piece bodies laminated therein.

Abstract: A carbon/nanoparticle nanofiber includes a carbon base structure and a plurality of nanoparticles that include a lithium alloy or a lithium alloy precursor. One or more nanofibers may be formed into a nonwoven fabric. The fabric may be utilized as an electrode, such as for example in a battery. The carbon/nanoparticle composite nanofiber may be fabricated by forming a polymer/nanoparticle nanofiber, such as for example by a spinning technique, and carbonizing the polymer/nanoparticle nanofiber.

Abstract: Processes for producing carbon fibre, the filament thereof and pre-oxidized fibre are provided. In one embodiment, the gel spinning of polyacrylonitrile filament is achieved by using small-molecule gelling agent, and the carbon fibre obtained thereby is increased by 15% to 40% in tensile strength and by 20% to 35% in toughness. In another embodiment, the melt spinning process of polyacrylonitrile is conducted by using imidazole type ion liquid as plasticizer, the process reduces environment pollution, is suitable for industrial production and the fibre produced thereby is improved in its strength. In yet another embodiment, polyacrylonitrile pre-oxidized fibre is produced by melt spinning, so low cost and controllable pre-oxidization of polyacrylonitrile can be achieved. In a further embodiment, high strength carbon fibre is manufactured by using polymer thickening agent.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing fibrous materials in which the apparatus includes an enclosure having an inlet configured to receive a substance from which the fibrous materials are to be composed, a common electrode disposed in the enclosure, and plural extrusion elements provided in a wall of the enclosure opposite the common electrode so as to define between the plural extrusion elements and the common electrode a space in communication with the inlet to receive the substance in the space. In the method, a substance from which the fibrous materials are to be composed is fed to the enclosure having the plural extrusion elements, a common electric field is applied to the extrusion elements in a direction in which the substance is to be extruded, the substance is extruded through the extrusion elements to tips of the extrusion elements, and the substance is electrosprayed from the tips to form the fibrous materials.

Abstract: A polymer-bonded fiber agglomerate includes short fibers selected from carbon, ceramic materials, glasses, metals and organic polymers, and a polymeric bonding resin selected from synthetic resins and thermoplastics. The fiber agglomerates have an average length, measured in the fiber direction, of from 3 mm to 50 mm and an average thickness, measured perpendicularly to the fiber direction, of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm. At least 75% of all of the contained fibers have a length which is at least 90% and not more than 110% of the fiber agglomerate average length. A fiber-reinforced composite material having the fiber agglomerate and processes for the production thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Pitch-based graphitized short fibers formed from mesophase pitch as a raw material, having an average fiber diameter of 5 to 20 ?m, a percentage (CV value) of a variance of a fiber diameter with respect to the average fiber diameter of 8 to 15%, a number average fiber length of 20 to 500 ?m, and a crystallite size (La) derived from a growth direction of a hexagonal net plane of 30 nm or more, having graphene sheets that are closed upon observation of an end surface of a filler with a transmission electron microscope, and a substantially flat surface observed with a scanning electron microscope, and having an R value, which is a relative intensity ratio (ID/IG) of an intensity (ID) of a Raman band in the vicinity of 1,360 cm?1 to an intensity (IG) of a Raman band in the vicinity of 1,580 cm?1 measured by laser Raman spectroscopy, in a range of 0.01 to 0.07. The short fibers can be filled in a rubber composition at a high density without inhibition of curing of the rubber composition.

Abstract: Electroprocessed phenolic nanofibers, microfibers, beads, and films and materials including these electroprocessed materials are prepared using a delivery means (10), a grounded collecting means (20) and a power supply (30) for generating an electric field.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric which contains pitch-based carbon fibers having a high elongation and a high elastic modulus which are not attained in the prior art and is obtained by improving the tensile elongation of carbon fibers derived from mesophase pitch, a felt obtained from the nonwoven fabric, and production processes therefore. The nonwoven fabric contains pitch-based carbon fibers, wherein the pitch-based carbon fibers have (i) an average fiber diameter (D1) measured by an optical microscope of more than 2 ?m and 20 ?m or less, (ii) a percentage of the degree of fiber diameter distribution (S1) to average fiber diameter (D1) measured by an optical microscope of 3 to 20%, (iii) a tensile elastic modulus of 80 to 300 GPa and (iv) a tensile elongation of 1.4 to 2.5%.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a windable carbonaceous material sheet, which is obtained by continuously curing a long uncured fiber sheet which is obtained by using short fibers to make paper and which contains uncured resin to produce a resin-impregnated cured sheet, and then continuously carbonizing it, and its production process. For the object, a long uncured fiber sheet (1a) is conveyed by conveyance means which is equipped with one rotation belt set (2) comprising a drive roll (2a), a follower roll (2b), and an endless belt (2c) which is put on and around these rolls (2a, 2b). A resin-impregnated cured sheet (1b) is produced by heating and pressurizing the uncured fiber sheet (1a) by resin curing means (3) which is arranged so as to nip the uncured fiber sheet through the endless belt (2c).

Abstract: A process for the production of a carbon hollow fibre membrane comprising: (i) dissolving at least one cellulose ester in a solvent to form a solution; (ii) dry/wet spinning the solution to form hollow fibres; (iii) deesterifying said hollow fibres with a base or an acid in the presence of an alcohol; (iv) if necessary, drying said fibres; (v) carbonising the fibres; (vi) assembling the carbonised fibres to form a carbon hollow fibre membrane.

Abstract: Strengthened filaments and fibers are realized by mixing and dissolving monomer and catalyst in a solvent into open-ended nanotubes to form a polymer precursor prior to polymerization in which the open nanotubes are filled with monomer and catalyst. The remaining steps for forming a stabilized filament may follow the conventional sequence. The result is that the nanotubes are “doubly-embedded” in the polymer matrix (bonds to the polymer inside and extending through the nanotube and bonds to other polymer chains outside the nanotube) in the filament. These additional bonds provide additional mechanical strength. The number of bonds may be further enhanced by pretreating the nanotubes to create defects in the nanotubes to form sites along the inner and outer walls for additional polymer-to-nanotube bonds.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide improved carbon fibers and films, as well as methods of making the carbon fibers and films. The carbon fibers and films disclosed herein are generally formed from an acrylonitrile-containing polymer. The carbon fibers and/or films can also be formed from a composite that includes the acrylonitrile-containing polymer as well as carbon nanotubes, graphite sheets, or both. The fibers and films described herein can be tailored to exhibit one or more of high strength, high modulus, high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, or optical transparency, depending on the desired application for the fibers or films.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conductive nonwoven fabric that is carbonized and/or graphitized and possesses a bending rigidity <8 taber, a density of 0.1 g/m3 to 0.5 g/m3, a thickness of 80 ?m to 500 ?m, and an electrical conductivity of 10 to 300 S/cm in the nonwoven fabric strip and 30 to 220 S/cm2 perpendicular to the nonwoven fabric strip.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing a pre-oxidation fiber in the production of the pre-oxidation fiber by subjecting a polyacrylic precursor fiber to pre-oxidation processing in an oxidizing atmosphere, including shrinking the precursor fiber as a pretreatment of pre-oxidation at a load of 0.58 g/tex or less in the temperature range of 220 to 260° C. under conditions in which the degree of cyclization (I1620/I2240) of the precursor fiber measured by a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR) does not exceed 7%, initially-drawing the precursor fiber at a load of 2.7 to 3.5 g/tex in an oxidizing atmosphere at 230 to 260° C. in the ranges of the degree of cyclization of not exceeding 27% and of the density of not exceeding 1.2 g/cm3, and then subjecting the pre-oxidation fiber to pre-oxidation treatment.

Abstract: A system for self-repairing matrices such as concrete or cementitous matrices, polymeric matrices, and/or fibrous matrices, including laminates thereof. The system includes repair agents retained in and/or on vessels, such as hollow fibers, within the matrix. Upon impact, the vessel rupture, releasing the chemicals. For multi-layer laminates, the systems provides a total dynamic energetic circulation system that functions as an in situ fluidic system in at least one layer or area. The energy from the impact ruptures the vessels to release the chemical(s), and mixes the chemical(s) and pushes the chemical(s) and/or resulting compound through the matrix. The repair agents can withstand high temperatures, such as the heat of processing of many laminates, e.g., 250-350° F.

Abstract: The invention is directed to carbon fibers having high tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for making the carbon fibers. The method comprises advancing a precursor fiber through an oxidation oven wherein the fiber is subjected to controlled stretching in an oxidizing atmosphere in which tension loads are distributed amongst a plurality of passes through the oxidation oven, which permits higher cumulative stretches to be achieved. The method also includes subjecting the fiber to controlled stretching in two or more of the passes that is sufficient to cause the fiber to undergo one or more transitions in each of the two or more passes. The invention is also directed to an oxidation oven having a plurality of cooperating drive rolls in series that can be driven independently of each other so that the amount of stretch applied to the oven in each of the plurality of passes can be independently controlled.