Abstract: Embodiments of a product such as a stimuli-responsive product can comprise a shape memory component and a nanofiber component that forms a fibrous microstructure or network. The resulting product can be responsive to stimuli, such as electrical stimuli, in a manner that cause the product to deform, deflect, and rebound. In one embodiment, the product can comprise an epoxy and a continuous non-woven nanofiber, the combination of which provides a product with enhanced actuation speed.

Abstract: Provided is a fullerene thin wires-attached substrate in which fullerene thin wires are vertically aligned relative to the surface of the substrate and which is applicable to catalysts, column materials, chemical synthesis templates, field emission devices, field effect transistors, photonic crystals, etc.

Abstract: A cathode material for a lithium secondary battery, including fibrous carbon and a plurality of cathode active material particles bonded to a surface of the fibrous carbon. The cathode active material particles are composed of olivine-type LiMPO4 where M represents one or more kinds of elements selected from Fe, Mn, Ni, and Co. Also disclosed is a method of producing the cathode material and a lithium secondary battery.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bulk carbon nanotube and metallic composite is provided. The bulk carbon nanotube and metallic composite includes a bulk carbon nanotube material layer including a plurality of carbon nanotubes, and a metal film applied across the bulk carbon nanotube material layer. The metal film penetrates into the interstices between individual carbon nanotubes to reduce an electrical resistance between the plurality of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube composite film includes a treated patterned carbon nanotube film and a polymer film having the treated patterned carbon nanotube film located therein. The treated patterned carbon nanotube film includes carbon nanotube linear units spaced from each other and carbon nanotube groups spaced from each other and combined with the carbon nanotube linear units. A method for making the carbon nanotube composite film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making carbon nanotube composite film is provided. An original carbon nanotube film includes carbon nanotubes joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force. The carbon nanotubes substantially extend along a first direction. A patterned carbon nanotube film is formed by patterning the original carbon nanotube film to define at least one row of through holes arranged in the original carbon nanotube film along the first direction. Each row of through holes includes at least two spaced though holes. The patterned carbon nanotube film is treated with a polymer solution. The patterned carbon nanotube film is shrunk into the carbon nanotube composite film.

Abstract: There are provided a carbon wire using CNT or a similar carbon filament having a sufficiently low electrical resistance value, and a wire assembly employing that carbon wire. A carbon wire includes an assembly portion and a graphite layer. The assembly portion is configured of a plurality of carbon filaments implemented as carbon nanotubes in contact with one another. The graphite layer is provided at an outer circumference of the assembly portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a battery anode in which a quantity of graphite powder is provided. The temperature of the graphite powder is raised from a starting temperature to a first temperature between 1000 and 2000° C. during a first heating period. The graphite powder is then cooled to a final temperature during a cool down period. The graphite powder is contacted with a forming gas during at least one of the first heating period and the cool down period. The forming gas includes H2 and an inert gas.

Abstract: Provided are Composite graphite particles comprising core material comprising graphite obtained by heat treating petroleum based coke with a grindability index of 35 to 60 at a temperature of not less than 2500° C. and not more than 3500° C. and carbonaceous layer present on the surface of the core material, wherein the composite graphite particles have an intensity ratio ID/IG of 0.1 or more in intensity (ID) of peak in the range between 1300 and 1400 cm?1 and intensity (IG) of peak in the range between 1500 and 1620 cm?1 as measured by Raman spectroscopy spectrum, the composite graphite particles have a 50% particle diameter (D50) of not less than 3 ?m and not more than 30 ?m in accumulated particle size distribution by volume as measured by the laser diffraction method, and the composite graphite particles have a ratio I110/I004 of 0.

Abstract: A method for fabricating the anode of the lithium battery is related. A carbon nanotube film structure is provided. A metal layer is deposited on the carbon nanotube film structure by vacuum evaporating method. The metal layer deposited on the carbon nanotube film structure is oxidized spontaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enhanced electrode for an energy storage device, comprising a current collector and nanoform carbon, with active material disposed thereon. In particular embodiments, the present invention also provides energy storage devices comprising the enhanced electrodes of the invention, as well as techniques for fabrication.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon paper, including: 1) employing a polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber as a reinforcing material, a phenolic resin or epoxy resin as a bonding agent, and molding and preparing the carbon fiber into a carbon fiber blank by a dry paper-making method; and 2) stacking and putting a product obtained in step 1) into a reaction furnace for deposition process, the pressure in the reaction furnace being 1 kPa to 1 atmosphere, with methane, propene, or liquefied petroleum gas as a carbon source gas, nitrogen or argon gas as a diluent gas, the concentration of the carbon source gas being 5-100%, the gas flow rate being 0.1-5 L/min, and the temperature in the reaction furnace being controlled at between 800° C. and 1100° C., and the time of deposition process being 1-5 h.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a lithium battery anode is related. A carbon nanotube film structure and an anode active solution are provided. The anode active solution is obtained by mixing an organic solvent with an Co(NO3)2 solution. The anode active solution is sprayed on the carbon nanotube film structure to form a pre-anode. The pre-anode is heated.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a lithium battery anode is related. A carbon nanotube film structure and an anode active solution are provided. The anode active solution includes a number of Co(OH)2 particles dispersed into an organic solvent. The anode active solution is sprayed on the carbon nanotube film structure to form a pre-anode. The pre-anode is heated, thus, achieving the lithium battery anode.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide for an intelligent method and system with carbon nano tube filters for adsorbing and removing toxic and hydrocarbons in exhaust and in industrial soot. The carbon nano tube filter comprises two nano catalysts and monolith cylinders. The carbon nano tubes are single or multi walled. The nano catalysts are optimized carbon nano tubes coated with adhesive material, cobalt oxide and nano oxides of specific metals. The monolith cylinders are covered by palladium and rhodium oxides. The process of making the carbon nano tube based filter involves synthesis of highly purified carbon nano tube, surface modification of carbon nano tube with catalyst nano particle and optimization and deposition of nano metal oxides on the surface of nano catalyst. Further the nano-materials are coated on the internal surface of monoliths and the entire structure in subjected to sintering in a vacuum furnace.

Abstract: A metal oxide-carbon composite includes a carbon aerogel with an oxide overcoat. The metal oxide-carbon composite is made by providing a carbon aerogel, immersing the carbon aerogel in a metal oxide sol under a vacuum, raising the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to atmospheric pressure, curing the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol at room temperature, and drying the carbon aerogel with the metal oxide sol to produce the metal oxide-carbon composite. The step of providing a carbon aerogel can provide an activated carbon aerogel or provide a carbon aerogel with carbon nanotubes that make the carbon aerogel mechanically robust. Carbon aerogels can be coated with sol-gel silica and the silica can be converted to silicon carbide, improving the thermal stability of the carbon aerogel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative electrode material for a secondary battery and to a method for manufacturing same. The negative electrode material includes a graphite matrix and a plurality of tin-oxide nanorods disposed on the graphite matrix. Thus, when the negative electrode material is used as the negative electrode for a secondary battery, the negative electrode material may provide high initial capacity (1010 mAhg?1) and coulombic efficiency, superior rate capability, and improved electrochemical properties. Further, the method for manufacturing the negative electrode material for a secondary battery includes: a step of activating a surface of graphite; coating tin-oxide nanoparticles onto the activated surface of the graphite so as to form tin-oxide seed-type graphite; and heating the tin-oxide seed-type graphite using heated water in order to grow a plurality of tin-oxide nanorods.

Abstract: A method for making sulfur-graphene composite material is disclosed. In the method, a dispersed solution including a solvent and a plurality of graphene sheets dispersed in the solvent is provided. A sulfur-source chemical compound is dissolved into the dispersed solution to form a mixture. A reactant, according to the sulfur-source chemical compound, is introduced to the mixture. Elemental sulfur is produced on a surface of the plurality of graphene sheets due to a redox reaction between the sulfur-source chemical compound and the reactant, to achieve the sulfur-graphene composite material. The sulfur-graphene composite material is separated from the solvent.

Abstract: Sulfur containing nanoparticles that may be used within cathode electrodes within lithium ion batteries include in a first instance porous carbon shape materials (i.e., either nanoparticle shapes or “bulk” shapes that are subsequently ground to nanoparticle shapes) that are infused with a sulfur material. A synthetic route to these carbon and sulfur containing nanoparticles may use a template nanoparticle to form a hollow carbon shape shell, and subsequent dissolution of the template nanoparticle prior to infusion of the hollow carbon shape shell with a sulfur material. Sulfur infusion into other porous carbon shapes that are not hollow is also contemplated. A second type of sulfur containing nanoparticle includes a metal oxide material core upon which is located a shell layer that includes a vulcanized polymultiene polymer material and ion conducting polymer material. The foregoing sulfur containing nanoparticle materials provide the electrodes and lithium ion batteries with enhanced performance.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward carbon-based electrodes. The carbon-based electrodes include a composition of carbon-based structures treated with an oxide material. The composition is annealed, including application of heat in excess of 200 degrees Celsius, which causes the reduction of the oxide material by electron transfer from the carbon-based structures. Additionally, the annealing facilitates stabilization and conductivity of the electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrocatalyst for a fuel cell comprising carbon nanotubes as substrate, ruthenium oxide deposited on the substrate, platinum particles supported on the ruthenium oxide, and manganese dioxide layer coated on the surface of the ruthenium oxide-platinum particles deposited carbon nanotubes. The invention also relates to the method of preparing the electrocatalyst for a fuel cell comprising the steps of depositing ruthenium oxide on the surface of carbon nanotubes, depositing platinum particles on the ruthenium oxide, and coating a manganese dioxide layer on the surface of the ruthenium oxide-platinum particles deposited carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An arrangement of elongated nanowires that include titanium silicide or tungsten silicide may be grown on the exterior surfaces of many individual electrically conductive microfibers of much larger diameter. Each of the nanowires is structurally defined by an elongated, centralized titanium silicide or tungsten silicide nanocore that terminates in a distally spaced gold particle and which is co-axially surrounded by a removable amorphous nanoshell. A gold-directed catalytic growth mechanism initiated during a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process is used to grow the nanowires uniformly along the entire length and circumference of the electrically conductive microfibers where growth is intended. The titanium silicide- or tungsten silicide-based nanowires can be used in a variety electrical, electrochemical, and semiconductor applications.

Abstract: A negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries comprises amorphous coated particles that are composed of a plurality of consolidated particles having no specific shape, said consolidated particles being obtained by consolidating a plurality of primary spheroidized graphite particles, and 0.5-20% by mass of an amorphous carbon layer that covers the surfaces of the consolidated particles and binds the consolidated particles with each other; and 0.5-20% by mass of a highly crystalline carbon layer that is formed so as to cover the outer surfaces of the amorphous coated particles and has an interplanar distance ascribed to CVD processing of 0.335 nm or more but less than 0.3369 nm. The negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries is also characterized by having a porosity of 5% by volume or less, and a method for producing the negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method including (a) mixing a precursor of a material for preparing at least one material selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon with a metal and/or a non-metal capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, followed by purification to prepare a mixture for coating, (b) mixing the mixture for coating with a crystalline carbon-based material to prepare a core-shell precursor in which the mixture for coating is coated on a core including the crystalline carbon-based material, and (c) calcining the core-shell precursor to carbonize the material for preparing the at least one material selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon into the at least one material selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon.

Abstract: Disclosed are a support for an electrode catalyst that includes a carbon support and a crystalline carbon layer disposed on a surface of the carbon support, the crystalline carbon layer including one or more heteroatoms chemically-bound to carbon of the carbon support. A method of manufacturing the support for electrode catalyst, an electrode support, and a fuel cell including the support for an electrode catalyst are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments provide electron-conducting, electron-transparent substrates that are chemically derivatized (e.g., functionalized) to enhance and facilitate the deposition of nanoscale materials thereupon, including both hard and soft nanoscale materials. In various embodiments, the substrates may include an electron-conducting mesh support, for example, a carbon, copper, nickel, molybdenum, beryllium, gold, silicon, GaAs, or oxide (e.g., SiO2, TiO2, ITO, or Al2O3) support, or a combination thereof, having one or more apertures. In various embodiments, the mesh support may be coated with an electron conducting, electron transparent carbon film membrane that has been chemically derivatized to promote adhesion and/or affinity for various materials, including hard inorganic materials and soft materials, such as polymers and biological molecules.

Abstract: An apparatus having a conductive body defined by a plurality of nanotubes forming a planar structure. The apparatus further includes a plurality of junctions, formed by adjacent nanotubes, and a plurality of conductive deposits positioned at the junctions to electrically join the adjacent nanotubes at the junctions and reduce electrical resistance between the nanotubes, thereby increasing overall conductivity of the body.

Abstract: A method for making an electrostrictive composite includes the following steps. Carbon nanotubes and a first polymer precursor are mixed. The first carbon nanotubes and the polymer precursor are polymerized to obtain a first material layer. A second material layer is applied to the first material layer, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first material layer is different from the thermal expansion coefficient of the second material layer.

Abstract: There are provided a carbon wire using CNT or a similar carbon filament having a sufficiently low electrical resistance value, and a wire assembly employing that carbon wire. A carbon wire (1) includes an assembly portion (3) and a graphite layer (4). The assembly portion (3) is configured of a plurality of carbon filaments implemented as carbon nanotubes (2) in contact with one another. The graphite layer (4) is provided at an outer circumference of the assembly portion (3).

Abstract: Methods of forming a metal nanoparticle-graphene composite are provided. The methods include providing a functionalized hydrogen exfoliated wrinkled graphene (f-HEG) substrate and dispersing metal nanoparticles on a first major surface of the f-HEG substrate to form the metal nanoparticle-graphene composite.

Abstract: A thermally and electrically conductive structure comprises a carbon nanotube (110) having an outer surface (111) and a carbon coating (120) covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the carbon nanotube. The carbon coating may be applied to the carbon nanotube by providing a nitrile-containing polymer, coating the carbon nanotube with the nitrile-containing polymer, and pyrolyzing the nitrile-containing polymer in order to form the carbon coating on the carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube may further be coated with a low contact resistance layer (130) exterior to the carbon coating and a metal layer (140) exterior to the low contact resistance layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anode for a lithium battery comprising a body of carbon, such as graphitic carbon, having a layer of a Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance disposed upon its electrolyte contacting surface. Further disclosed is an anode comprising a body of carbon having an SEI layer formed thereupon by interaction of a layer of Group IV element or Group IV element-containing substance with an electrolyte material during the initial charging of the battery.

Abstract: For use as electrode material for a lithium battery, porous templates are impregnated with a carbon feedstock that can be graphitized. This frequently results in only a low thickness of the deposited, graphite-like layer, such that generally several such infiltration and carbonation processes must be carried out consecutively.

Abstract: The principal object of the present invention is to provide an anode active material suitable for rapid charging. The present invention provides an anode active material comprising a metallic part which comprises Sn or Si and has a film thickness of 0.05 ?m or less, and thereby solving the problem.

Abstract: A battery having a negative electrode including an anode current collector having at least one sheet of carbon nanotubes and semiconductor material deposited on the sheet; a positive electrode including a cathode current collector having at least one sheet of carbon nanotubes having a nickel sulfide or tin sulfide deposited on the sheet; and a separator situated between the negative electrode and positive electrode is provided. Methods for forming a cathode having nickel sulfide or tin sulfide deposited on a carbon nanotube sheet are also provided.

Abstract: A process of forming and the resulting nano-pitted metal substrate that serves both as patterns to grow nanostructured materials and as current collectors for the resulting nanostructured material is disclosed herein. The nano-pitted substrate can be fabricated from any suitable conductive material that allows nanostructured electrodes to be grown directly on the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of receiving a conductor element formed from a plurality of carbon nanotubes; and exposing the conductor element to a controlled amount of a dopant so as to increase the conductance of the conductor element to a desired value, wherein the dopant is one of bromine, iodine, chloroauric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydroiodic acid, nitric acid, and potassium tetrabromoaurate. A method includes the steps of receiving a conductor element formed from a plurality of carbon nanotubes; and exposing the conductor element to a controlled amount of a dopant solution comprising one of chloroauric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and potassium tetrabromoaurate, so as to increase the conductance of the conductor element to a desired value.

Abstract: A graphene sheet including an intercalation compound and 2 to about 300 unit graphene layers, wherein each of the unit graphene layers includes a polycyclic aromatic molecule in which a plurality of carbon atoms in the polycyclic aromatic molecule are covalently bonded to each other; and wherein the intercalation compound is interposed between the unit graphene layers.

Abstract: There is a composition including polymeric binder and carbon-sulfur (C—S) composite. The C—S composite includes about 5 to 95 wt. % sulfur compound. The C—S composite also includes templated carbon having a surface area of about 50 to 4,000 square meters per gram templated carbon and a pore volume of about 0.5 to 6 cubic centimeters per gram templated carbon. The templated carbon has a carbon microstructure that is complementary with an inorganic microstructure, characterized by a three-dimensional framework, of an inorganic template used in a process for making the templated carbon. There is a method for making the composition. There is also an electrode incorporating the composition, as well as methods for making the electrode. There are also methods relating to using the composition and the electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are an anode active material, a non-aqueous lithium secondary battery, and a preparation method thereof. The surface of a carbonaceous material is modified without using an electrolyte additive, and the reactivity and structural stability of the surface is improved, thereby obtaining long lifetime characteristics without deteriorating charge/discharge efficiency and rate characteristics when applied as an anode active material of a non-aqueous lithium secondary battery. The anode active material comprises a carbonaceous material, and a coating layer formed on the surface of the carbonaceous material through hetero atom substitution, wherein the hetero atom can be phosphorus (P) or sulfur (S). A side reaction with an electrolyte on the surface of the carbonaceous material is inhibited and the structural stability of the surface is enhanced by forming a coating layer on the surface of the carbonaceous material with a hetero atom such as phosphorus (P) or sulfur (S).

Abstract: High-surface-area carbon nanostructures coated with a smooth and conformal submonolayer-to-multilayer thin metal films and their method of manufacture are described. The manufacturing process may involve initial oxidation of the carbon nanostructures followed by immersion in a solution with the desired pH to create negative surface dipoles. The nanostructures are subsequently immersed in an alkaline solution containing non-noble metal ions which adsorb at surface reaction sites. The metal ions are then reduced via chemical or electrical means and the nanostructures are exposed to a solution containing a salt of one or more noble metals which replace adsorbed non-noble surface metal atoms by galvanic displacement. Subsequent film growth may be performed via the initial quasi-underpotential deposition of a non-noble metal followed by immersion in a solution comprising a more noble metal.

Abstract: A method for making sulfur-graphene composite material is disclosed. In the method, a dispersed solution including a solvent and a plurality of graphene sheets dispersed in the solvent is provided. A sulfur-source chemical compound is dissolved into the dispersed solution to form a mixture. A reactant, according to the sulfur-source chemical compound, is introduced to the mixture. Elemental sulfur is produced on a surface of the plurality of graphene sheets due to a redox reaction between the sulfur-source chemical compound and the reactant, to achieve the sulfur-graphene composite material. The sulfur-graphene composite material is separated from the solvent.

Abstract: A carbon-rich carbon boron nitride dielectric film having a dielectric constant of equal to, or less than 3.6 is provided that can be used as a component in various electronic devices. The carbon-rich carbon boron nitride dielectric film has a formula of CxByNz wherein x is 35 atomic percent or greater, y is from 6 atomic percent to 32 atomic percent and z is from 8 atomic percent to 33 atomic percent.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an anode active material, a non-aqueous lithium secondary battery, and a manufacturing method thereof. The anode active material of this disclosure comprises a carbon-based material, and a coating film formed on the surface of the carbon-based material by performing heat treatment using an ammonia-based compound. The coating film may be formed on the surface of the carbon-based material through a thermal decomposition method using 10% or less by weight of the ammonia-based compound with respect to the carbon-based material. Since the surface of the carbon-based material is thermally treated using the ammonia-based compound, side reaction of the carbon-based material with an electrolyte at the surface thereof can be suppressed and structural stability can be enhanced, thereby improving battery lifespan and high-rate capability of a non-aqueous lithium secondary battery.

Abstract: The electrode for a lithium battery comprises a porous current collector made of woven or nonwoven carbon fibers.

Abstract: Modified natural graphite particles intended for forming a negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery are characterized by having a circularity of at least 0.93 and at most 1.0 and a surface roughness of at most 1.5% with respect to the length of the particles. These modified natural graphite particles are obtained by a manufacturing method including a step of applying an impact force to natural graphite particles for pulverization and spheroidization to obtain intermediate particles having a circularity of at least 0.93 and at most 1.0, and a step of carrying out surface smoothing of the resulting intermediate particles by mechanical grinding treatment to obtain the modified natural graphite particles.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process for preparing an inert anode material or inert cathode coating material for aluminium electrolysis, which includes the following steps: A) putting aluminium into a reactor, injecting an inert gas to the reactor after vacuumizing, adding the mixture of dried fluoborate and fluorotitanate in the reactor to enable a reaction to form titanium boride and cryolite, and isolating the titanium boride; and B) melting the obtained titanium boride with a carbon material, tamping the melt liquid on a carbon cathode surface, sintering the carbon cathode surface to form the inert cathode coating material for aluminium electrolysis; or, mixing the obtained titanium boride with the carbon material evenly, then high-pressure moulding the mixture, and finally sintering the moulded mixture at a high temperature to form the inert anode material for aluminium electrolysis.

Abstract: A microelectrode for electrochemical analysis having an analysis surface which comprises one or more regions of electrically conductive diamond material surrounded by electrically insulating diamond-like carbon material, the diamond-like carbon material having, (a) a hardness lower than that of the electrically conductive diamond material and (b) a resistivity of at least 1×109 ohm·cm, and the microelectrode being provided with connection means (10) for electrically connecting the one or more regions to an external circuit.

Abstract: A porous electrochemical electrode is made up of a solid cellular material provided in the form of a semi-graphitised carbon monolith comprising a hierarchised porous network free of mesopores and including macropores with a mean dimension dA of 1 ?m to 100 ?m, and micropores with a mean dimension dI of 0.5 nm to 2 nm, said macropores and micropores being interconnected. In said electrode, the macropores contain at least one electroactive species in direct contact with the semi-graphitised carbon that makes up the surface of the macropores. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such an electrode as well as to the use thereof as a biosensor or for manufacturing a biopile.

Abstract: Growing spin-capable multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forests in a repeatable fashion will become possible through understanding the critical factors affecting the forest growth. Here we show that the spinning capability depends on the alignment of adjacent MWCNTs in the forest which in turn results from the synergistic combination of a high areal density of MWCNTs and short distance between the MWCNTs. This can be realized by starting with both the proper Fe nanoparticle size and density which strongly depend on the sheet resistance of the catalyst film. Simple measurement of the sheet resistance can allow one to reliably predict the growth of spin-capable forests. The properties of pulled MWCNTs sheets reflect that there is a relationship between their electrical resistance and optical transmittance. Overlaying either 3, 5, or 10 sheets pulled out from a single forest produces much more repeatable characteristics.