Abstract: Solvents for macromolecules generally believed to be insoluble in their pristine form are identified by generation of a “solvent resonance” in the relationship between solvent quality (deduced by Rayleigh scattering) and an intrinsic property of solvents. A local extreme of the solvent resonance identifies the ideal intrinsic property of an ideal solvent which may then be used to select a particular solvent or solvent combination. A solvent for graphene is used in the production of transparent conductive electrodes.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a method and system configured effective to alter a defect area in a layer on a substrate including graphene. An example method may include receiving and heating the layer to produce a heated layer and exposing the heated layer to a first gas to produce a first exposed layer, where the first gas may include an amine. The method may further include exposing the first exposed layer to a first inert gas to produce a second exposed layer and exposing the second exposed layer to a second gas to produce a third exposed layer where the second gas may include an alane or a borane. Exposure of the second exposed layer to the second gas may at least partially alter the defect area.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to induce growth of carbon nanotubes using a liquid phased-hydrocarbon based material under a critical range of equilibrating between liquid and gas phases, thereby easily manipulating a required carbon source. This invention also relates to a method to facilitate easy generation of a carbon backbone of the carbon nanotube because the reaction is performed in the presence of a metal nanoparticle or a metal compound capable of spontaneously generating a seed catalyst which stimulates the growth of carbon nanotubes as well as secures safety enough for the industrial application by using a mild reaction condition within the critical range. Accordingly, this invention can produce the carbon nanotube with high transition efficiency under a mild condition with a relatively lower temperature and pressure than those in conventional gas phased-methods without using a costly equipment, thereby cost-effectively producing the carbon nanotube in large quantities.

Abstract: A method for chemical modification of graphene includes dry etching graphene to provide an etched graphene; and introducing a functional group at an edge of the etched graphene. Also disclosed is graphene, including an etched edge portion, the etched portion including a functional group.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a system and method for image analysis and processing. The present invention provides a software package for processing AFM data. More particularly it can be used for characterizing carbon nanotubes found within AFM images, though it does offer editing features that are general in nature. Its features are split amongst five menus, one button, and four data panels. The software package can be used to determine physical characteristics related to the imaged subject, such as, for instance length data for imaged carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method for preparing a graphene based conductive material and the graphene based conductive material prepared by the method. The method includes: preparing a solid film on a substrate layer by using graphene oxide sol and metal salt solution and/or metal colloidal solution, keeping the solid film separated or without separated from the substrate layer standing for from 30 s to 10000 h in an atmosphere consisting of hydrogen or containing hydrogen with temperature of ?50° C.˜200° C. and hydrogen pressure of 0.01-100 MPa, obtaining the graphene based conductive material. The preparation method can be processed at low temperature and uses cheap hydrogen as reductant, so the preparation process is simple and environment friendly.

Abstract: Methods for converting graphite oxide into graphene by exposure to electromagnetic radiation are described. As an example, graphene oxide may be rapidly converted into graphene upon exposure to converged sunlight.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display screen includes an upper board, a lower board opposite to the upper board, and a liquid crystal layer located between the upper board and the lower board. The upper board includes a touch panel. The touch panel includes an amount of transparent electrodes. At least one of the transparent electrodes includes a transparent carbon nanotube structure. The lower board includes a thin film transistor panel. The thin film transistor panel includes an amount of thin film transistors. Each of the thin film transistors includes a semiconducting layer. The semiconducting layer includes a semiconducting carbon nanotube structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon nanotube-invaded metal oxide composite film used as an N-type metal oxide conductive film of an organic solar cell, a manufacturing method thereof, and the organic solar cell with an improved photoelectric conversion efficiency and improved durability using the same, and more specifically, to a metal oxide-carbon nanotube composite film, a manufacturing method thereof, and an organic solar cell with an improved photoelectric conversion efficiency and improved durability using the same, characterized in that a single-wall carbon nanotube which has been surface-treated by a metal oxide is uniformly dispersed and is combined with the metal oxide.

Abstract: A method for controlling density, porosity and/or gap size within a nanotube fabric layer is disclosed. In one aspect, this can be accomplished by controlling the degree of rafting in a nanotube fabric. In one aspect, the method includes adjusting the concentration of individual nanotube elements dispersed in a nanotube application solution. A high concentration of individual nanotube elements will tend to promote rafting in a nanotube fabric layer formed using such a nanotube application solution, whereas a lower concentration will tend to discourage rafting. In another aspect, the method includes adjusting the concentration of ionic particles dispersed in a nanotube application solution. A low concentration of ionic particles will tend to promote rafting in a nanotube fabric layer formed using such a nanotube application solution, whereas a higher concentration will tend to discourage rafting. In other aspects, both concentration parameters are adjusted.

Abstract: A power storage device including a negative electrode having high cycle performance in which little deterioration due to charge and discharge occurs is manufactured. A power storage device including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is manufactured, in which the negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode active material layer includes an uneven silicon layer formed over the negative electrode current collector, a silicon oxide layer or a mixed layer which includes silicon oxide and a silicate compound and is in contact with the silicon layer, and graphene in contact with the silicon oxide layer or the mixed layer including the silicon oxide and the silicate compound.

Abstract: An electrode useful in an energy storage system, such as a capacitor, includes an electrode that includes at least one to a plurality of layers of compressed carbon nanotube aggregate. Methods of fabrication are provided. The resulting electrode exhibits superior electrical performance in terms of gravimetric and volumetric power density.

Abstract: A first precipitate is formed by mixing graphite and an oxidizer containing an alkali metal salt in a solution. Next, a second precipitate is formed by ionizing the oxidizer which is included in the first precipitate, with an acid solution, and removing the oxidizer from the first precipitate. Then, a dispersion liquid in which graphene oxide is dispersed is prepared by mixing the second precipitate and water to form a mixed solution and then applying ultrasonic waves to the mixed solution or mechanically stirring the mixed solution, so that the graphene oxide is separated from graphite oxide that is the graphite which is included in the second precipitate and oxidized. Next, graphene oxide salt is formed by mixing the dispersion liquid, a basic solution, and an organic solvent and reacting the graphene oxide included in the dispersion liquid and a base included in the basic solution to each other.

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 preferred manufacturing process involves the initial oxidation of the carbon nanostructures followed by a surface preparation process involving immersion in a solution with the desired pH to create negative surface dipoles. The nanostructures are subsequently immersed in an alkaline solution containing a suitable quantity of non-noble metal ions which adsorb at surface reaction sites. The metal ions are then reduced via chemical or electrical means. 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. The process can be controlled and repeated to obtain a desired film coverage.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for preparing a solution comprising few-layered graphene, a process for preparing a few-layered graphene solid, and a process for preparing a film thereof.

Abstract: Process for producing carbon nanospheres and other nano materials with carbon dioxide and magnesium. The carbon dioxide and magnesium are combusted together in a reactor to produce carbon nanospheres and magnesium oxide, which are then separated to provide the individual reaction products. The reaction occurs at a very high temperature, e.g. 2000° F.-5000° F. and also produces large amounts of useful energy in the form of heat and light, including infrared and ultraviolet radiation. Other oxidizing agents such as aluminum can be combined with the magnesium, and the metal oxides produced by the reaction can be recycled to provide additional oxidizing agents for combustion with the carbon dioxide. By varying the reaction temperature, the morphology of the carbon products can be controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the production of catalysts for the production of carbon nanotubes in agglomerated form, which are characterised by a low bulk density. This invention likewise provides the catalysts, their use in the production of carbon nanotubes in high catalyst-specific yields, and the carbon nanotubes produced by this process.

Abstract: Cohesive carbon assemblies are prepared by obtaining a functionalized carbon starting material in the form of powder, particles, flakes, loose agglomerates, aqueous wet cake, or aqueous slurry, dispersing the carbon in water by mechanical agitation and/or refluxing, and substantially removing the water, typically by evaporation, whereby the cohesive assembly of carbon is formed. The method is suitable for preparing free-standing, monolithic assemblies of carbon nanotubes in the form of films, wafers, discs, fiber, or wire, having high carbon packing density and low electrical resistivity. The method is also suitable for preparing substrates coated with an adherent cohesive carbon assembly. The assemblies have various potential applications, such as electrodes or current collectors in electrochemical capacitors, fuel cells, and batteries, or as transparent conductors, conductive inks, pastes, and coatings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing controlled growth and assembly of nanostructures is presented. A first substrate including at least one reaction site is provided. Energy is provided to the reaction site and a reaction species is introduced to the first substrate. A nanostructure is grown from the reaction site. The growth process of the nanostructure is controlled while continuously monitoring the properties of at least one of the nanostructure and the at least one reaction site, and by controlling process variables based on the monitored properties of the nanostructure and the at least one reaction site.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid porous carbon fiber and a method for fabrication thereof. Such fabricated porous carbon fibers contain a great amount of mesopores as a porous structure readily penetrable by electrolyte. Accordingly, the hybrid porous carbon fibers of the present disclosure are suitable for manufacturing electrodes with high electric capacity.

Abstract: A touch panel includes a first substrate having a plurality of lower electrodes; a second substrate spaced a distance apart from the lower substrate and having a plurality of upper electrodes that correspond to the lower electrodes; a conductive rubber layer interposed between the lower electrodes and the upper electrodes; and a plurality of organic transistors interposed between the lower electrodes and the upper electrodes and to be connected to a top or bottom portion of the conductive rubber layer.

Abstract: A thin film transistor having a channel region including a nanoconductor layer. The nanoconductor layer can be a dispersed monolayer of nanotubes or nanowires formed of carbon. The thin film transistor generally includes a gate terminal insulated by a dielectric layer. The nanoconductor layer is placed on the dielectric layer and a layer of semiconductor material is developed over the nanoconductor layer to form the channel region of the thin film transistor. A drain terminal and a source terminal are then formed on the semiconductor layer. At low field effect levels, the operation of the thin film transistor is dominated by the semiconductor layer, which provides good leakage current performance. At high field effect levels, the charge transfer characteristics of the channel region are enhanced by the nanoconductor layer such that the effective mobility of the thin film transistor is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate on which a graphene layer or carbon nanotube layer is formed; exposing part of the graphene layer or carbon nanotube layer after forming a gate structure on the graphene layer or carbon nanotube layer, wherein the gate structure comprises a gate stack, a spacer and a cap layer, the cap layer is located on the gate stack, and the spacer surrounds the gate stack and the cap layer; epitaxially growing a semiconductor layer on the exposed graphene layer or carbon nanotube layer; and forming a metal contact layer on the semiconductor layer. In the present invention, the semiconductor layer is formed on the graphene layer or carbon nanotube layer, and then the metal contact layer is formed on the semiconductor layer, instead of forming the metal contact layer directly from the graphene layer or carbon nanotube layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cobalt and molybdenum doped mesoporous silica catalysts and methods for using the catalysts to making Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. The methods offer increased control over the orientation, length and diameter of the nanotubes produced.

Abstract: A method of increasing the density of carbon nanotube fibres or films containing carbon nanotubes to at least 50% w/w, said method including the steps of exposing the fibre or film to suitable density enhancing agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a carbon nanotube heat sink includes a board, and a number of first and second carbon nanotubes formed on the board. The first carbon nanotubes and the second nanotubes are grown along a substantially same direction from the board. A height difference exists between a common free end of the first carbon nanotubes and a common free end of the second carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method for depositing graphene is provided. The method includes depositing a layer of non-conducting amorphous carbon over a surface of a substrate and depositing a transition metal in a pattern over the amorphous carbon. The substrate is annealed at a temperature below 500° C., where the annealing converts the non-conducting amorphous carbon disposed under the transition metal to conducting amorphous carbon. A portion of the pattern of the transition metal is removed from the surface of the substrate to expose the conducting amorphous carbon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell includes: growing carbon nanotubes substantially perpendicular to a substrate formed by loading a growth catalyst on a base material; arranging the substrate and a polymer electrolyte membrane so as to oppose to each other and combining the carbon nanotubes with the polymer electrolyte membrane; and dissolving and removing part of the substrate by immersing the substrate in a solution which dissolves the substrate, after the carbon nanotubes and the polymer electrolyte membrane are combined.

Abstract: A process for the production of exfoliated graphite is presented, involving providing a graphite intercalation compound; and exfoliating the graphite intercalation compound by passing the graphite intercalation compound through a plasma which is at a temperature of at least about 6000° C. to bring the graphite intercalation compound to a temperature between about 1600° C. and about 3400° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing wholly aromatic polyimide powder with antistatic properties or electric conductivity. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for preparing wholly aromatic polyimide composite powder, comprising the steps of dissolving aromatic diamine in a phenolic polar organic solvent in which electrically conductive carbon black powder and multi-wall carbon nano-tube (MWCNT) powder are dispersed, adding aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride thereto, and polymerizing the resulting mixture. The wholly aromatic polyimide powder prepared according to the method of the present invention shows excellent antistatic properties or electric conductivity simultaneously with maintaining similar or equal heat-resistance and mechanical properties as compared to conventional polyimide resin.

Abstract: Optoelectronic devices and thin-film semiconductor compositions and methods for making same are disclosed. The methods provide for the synthesis of the disclosed composition. The thin-film semiconductor compositions disclosed herein have a unique configuration that exhibits efficient photo-induced charge transfer and high transparency to visible light.

Abstract: A solid mixture of fullerene and titanium hydride, a method of its formation, and a method of its use to rapidly produce a gaseous mixture of molecular hydrogen and fullerene on demand. The solid mixture may be resistively heated by discharge of a high power electrical current from a capacitor bank through the mixture to produce the mixture of hydrogen and fullerene within a few tens of microseconds. The resulting gaseous mixture of hydrogen and fullerene may be ionized and accelerated for the purpose of mitigating electromagnetic disruptions in a magnetically confined plasma.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for wafer-scale processing of aligned nanotube devices and integrated circuits. In one aspect, a method can include growing aligned nanotubes on at least one of a wafer-scale quartz substrate or a wafer-scale sapphire substrate. The method can include transferring the grown aligned nanotubes onto a target substrate. Also, the method can include fabricating at least one device based on the transferred nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a UCST-type thermoresponsive polymer compound which responds to a temperature under physiological conditions and has biofunctionality, and various uses thereof as a thermoresponsive material. Specifically, the invention provides a thermoresponsive material containing, as an active ingredient, a polymer compound represented by Formula (I) below or an addition salt thereof, the thermoresponsive material having an upper critical solution temperature in the range of 5 to 50° C. in an aqueous solution with a salt concentration of at least 1 mM and a pH in the range of 3 to 10.5: wherein m represents an integer of 10 or more; n represents a number satisfying 0.4?n?1; R1 represents hydrogen or succinyl; and R2 represents carbamoyl.

Abstract: A high power density photo-electronic and photo-voltaic material comprising a bio-inorganic nanophotoelectronic material with a photosynthetic reaction center protein encapsulated inside a multi-wall carbon nanotube or nanotube array. The array can be on an electrode. The photosynthetic reaction center protein can be immobilized on the electrode surface and the protein molecules can have the same orientation. A method of making a high power density photo-electronic and photo-voltaic material comprising the steps of immobilizing a bio-inorganic nanophotoelectronic material with a photosynthetic reaction center protein inside a carbon nanotube, wherein the immobilizing is by passive diffusion, wherein the immobilizing can include using an organic linker.

Abstract: Methods for controlling and improving the conductivity of thermoplastic polymer composites containing CNTs or even for making these materials conductive when they are initially insulating. For example, methods including either injection moulding or extrusion at a temperature above the melting temperature of the polymer, or a subsequent heat treatment step of said composite obtained by injection moulding or extrusion.

Abstract: A graphene ribbon fiber manufacturing process, where a coagulation medium flows in the same direction as the graphene ribbon fibers. The process for spinning graphene ribbon fibers starts with unzipping carbon nanotubes to form graphene ribbons, purifying and drying the graphene ribbons and subsequent dissolving of the graphene ribbons in a suitable solvent, preferably a super acid to form a spin-dope. The spin-dope is spun such that the accrued fibers are guided into a coagulation medium, also known as anti-solvent, where the spun or accrued fibers are coagulated. The coagulated graphene ribbon fibers are stripped, neutralized and washed and wound on bobbins.

Abstract: A structure includes a conductive film (12) provided in an underlying layer (10); and a carbon nanotube bundle (20) including a plurality of carbon nanotubes each having one end connected to the conductive film (12), wherein, at other end side of the carbon nanotube bundle (20), at least carbon nanotubes allocated at outer side of the carbon nanotube bundle (20) extend with convex curvatures toward the outside of the carbon nanotube bundle (20), and the convex curvatures of the carbon nanotubes allocated at the outer side of the carbon nanotube bundle are larger than those of inner side of the carbon nanotube bundle (20), and diameters of the carbon nanotube bundle (20) decrease toward the other end of the carbon nanotube bundle (20).

Abstract: Graphene layers can be formed on a dielectric substrate using a process that includes forming a copper thin film on a dielectric substrate; diffusing carbon atoms through the copper thin film; and forming a graphene layer at an interface between the copper thin film and the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying to a substrate a coating composition containing carbon in the form of carbon nanotubes, graphenes, fullerenes, or mixtures thereof and metal particles. The invention further relates to the coated substrate produced by the method according to the invention and to the use of the coated substrate as an electromechanical component.

Abstract: Provided in this invention is a process for producing chemically functionalized nano graphene materials, known as nano graphene platelets (NGPs), graphene nano sheets, or graphene nano ribbons. Subsequently, a polymer can be grafted to a functional group of the resulting functionalized graphene. In one preferred embodiment, the process comprises a step of mixing a starting nano graphene material having edges and two primary graphene surfaces, an azide or bi-radical compound, and an organic solvent in a reactor, and allowing a chemical reaction between the nano graphene material and the azide compound to proceed at a temperature for a length of time sufficient to produce the functionalized nano graphene material.

Abstract: An improved method of synthesizing nanotubes that avoids the slow process and the impurities or defects that are usually encountered with regard to as-grown carbon nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, nanotubes are synthesized from nanotubes providing a novel catalyst-free growth method for direct growth of single- or multi-walled, metallic or semiconducting nanotubes.

Abstract: Techniques for providing heat to a small area and apparatus capable of providing heat to a small area are provided.

Abstract: Transistor devices having nanoscale material-based channels (e.g., carbon nanotube or graphene channels) and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a transistor device is provided. The transistor device includes a substrate; an insulator on the substrate; a local bottom gate embedded in the insulator, wherein a top surface of the gate is substantially coplanar with a surface of the insulator; a local gate dielectric on the bottom gate; a carbon-based nanostructure material over at least a portion of the local gate dielectric, wherein a portion of the carbon-based nanostructure material serves as a channel of the device; and conductive source and drain contacts to one or more portions of the carbon-based nanostructure material on opposing sides of the channel that serve as source and drain regions of the device.

Abstract: A heat dissipating structure includes a heat source; a heat dissipating part disposed to oppose to the heat source; a concave portion formed in at least one of opposing surfaces of the heat source and the heat dissipating part; and a heat conducting structure comprising a filler layer of thermoplastic material disposed between the heat source and the heat dissipating part and contacting with the opposing surfaces of the heat source and the heat dissipating part, and an assembly of carbon nanotubes that are distributed in the thermoplastic material, oriented perpendicularly to the surfaces of the filler layer, contacting, at both ends, with the opposing surfaces of the heat source and the heat dissipating part, and limited its distribution in the opposing surfaces by the concave portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing graphene, a transparent electrode and an active layer including the graphene, and a display, an electronic device, an optoelectronic device, a solar cell, and a dye-sensitized solar cell including the transparent electrode and the active layer. The method of manufacturing graphene includes: (a) preparing a subject substrate; (b) forming a metal thin film on the subject substrate and heat-treating the metal thin film to increase the grain size of the metal thin film; (c) supplying a carbon source material on the metal thin film; (d) heating the supplied carbon source material, the subject substrate, and the metal thin film; (e) diffusing carbon atoms generated from the heated carbon source material due to thermal decomposition into the metal thin film; and (f) forming graphene on the subject substrate by the carbon atoms diffused through the metal thin film.

Abstract: A device and method for device fabrication includes forming a buried gate electrode in a dielectric substrate and patterning a stack comprising a high dielectric constant layer, a carbon-based semi-conductive layer and a protection layer over the buried gate electrode. An isolation dielectric layer formed over the stack is opened to define recesses in regions adjacent to the stack. The recesses are etched to form cavities and remove a portion of the high dielectric constant layer to expose the carbon-based semi-conductive layer on opposite sides of the buried gate electrode. A conductive material is deposited in the cavities to form self-aligned source and drain regions.

Abstract: The invention provides a fast, scalable, room temperature process for fabricating metallic nanorods from nanoparticles or fabricating metallic or semiconducting nanorods from carbon nanotubes suspended in an aqueous solution. The assembled nanorods are suitable for use as nanoscale interconnects in CMOS-based devices and sensors. Metallic nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes are assembled into lithographically patterned vias by applying an external electric field. Since the dimensions of nanorods are controlled by the dimensions of vias, the nanorod dimensions can be scaled down to the low nanometer range. The aqueous assembly process is environmentally friendly and can be used to make nanorods using different types of metallic particles as well as semiconducting and metallic nanaotubes.

Abstract: A method of producing carbon fibers, in which the producing method comprises allowing a supported type catalyst and a carbon atom-containing compound to come in contact with each other in a heating zone, wherein the supported type catalyst is prepared by a method comprising impregnation of a powdery carrier with colloid containing catalyst to support particles of the catalyst on the powdery carrier having a specifically developed crystal plane such as a powdery carrier being 4 or more in the ratio (I1/I2) of the intensity I1 of the strongest peak to the intensity I2 of the second strongest peak observed in X-ray diffraction, or a powdery carrier having the ratio (I1/I2) of the intensity I1 of the strongest peak to the intensity I2 of the second strongest peak observed in X-ray diffraction of 1.5 times or more the ratio (I1s/I2s) of the intensity I1s of the strongest peak to the intensity I2s of the second strongest peak described in JCPDS.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for producing a graphite intercalation compound (GIC) and to the production of graphene using the same. The method of the present invention comprises the following steps: (a) obtaining alkaline metals or alkaline metal ions, or alkaline earth metals or alkaline metal ions, from alkaline metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts; (b) forming a graphite intercalation compound using the alkaline metals or alkaline metal ions, or the alkaline earth metals or alkaline earth metal ions; and (c) dispersing the graphite intercalation compound so as to obtain graphene. As the method of the present invention uses salts which are inexpensive and safe, graphite intercalation compounds can be easily produced at a low cost, and the graphene can be obtained from the thus-produced compounds, thereby reducing the costs of producing the graphene and enabling the easy mass production of the graphene.