Applied Sciences, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Nanotek Instruments, Inc.

Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation

Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation

David Joseph Burton

Max L Lake

Robert L Alig

Maryam Nazri

Patrick D Lake

Bor Z Jang

Aruna Zhamu

Andrew Palmer

Gholam-Abbas Nazri

Douglas D Moseley

Joseph W Hager

Chi Tang

Jason R Guth

John P Cushman

William Tarasen

Gerald A Hardin

Phillip H Kaufman

Douglas Fate

Carla Leer R Castro

Joseph Hager

The invention provides a method of producing a graphene material from a starting graphitic material. In an embodiment, the method comprises: (a) dispersing the starting graphitic material in a liquid medium to form a graphite suspension; and (b) introducing the graphite suspension into a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor that generates and collapses cavitation or bubbles in the liquid medium to exfoliate and separate graphene planes from the starting graphitic material for producing the graphene material. The process is fast (minutes as opposed to hours or days of conventional processes), environmentally benign, and highly scalable. The reactor can concurrently perform the functions of graphene production, chemical functionalization, dispersion, and mixing with a polymer to make a composite.

Production of graphene materials in a cavitating fluid

A method of modifying the surface of carbon materials such as vapor grown carbon nanofibers is provided in which silicon is deposited on vapor grown carbon nanofibers using a chemical vapor deposition process. The resulting silicon-carbon alloy may be used as an anode in a rechargeable lithium ion battery.

Method of depositing silicon on carbon materials and forming an anode for use in lithium ion batteries

Methods of making a cathode element for an electrochemical cell. The methods comprise providing hollow carbon nanotubes and a sulfur source in a closed environment. Sulfur is deposited within an interior of the hollow carbon nanotube. The method includes cleaning an exterior surface of the carbon nanotubes and incorporating the carbon nanotubes into a cathode element. A cathodic material for a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell is also provided. The material comprises a plurality of stacked-cone carbon nanotubes. Each nanotube defines a hollow interior and has a substantially continuous exterior surface area. Elemental sulfur is disposed within the hollow interior of each nanotube.

Encapsulated sulfur cathode for lithium ion battery

A method of making a polymer composite from a mixture of a polymeric material, carbon nanofibers, and nano-scale particles is provided. The carbon nanofibers are less than about 1 micrometer in diameter, and the nano-scale particles are shorter in length than the carbon nanofibers. The nano-scale particles are selected from nano-scale carbon additives, non-conductive nano-clays, nano-scale conductive metallic additives, or combinations thereof. The components are mixed to form a polymer composite. A polymer composite having a resistivity of less than about 10ohm-cm is also described.

Nanocarbon-reinforced polymer composite and method of making

A process for fabricating a carbon composite structure that is lightweight, structurally sound, and characterized by high heat capacity. A carbon structure is devised with cavities therein receiving a phase change medium. The phase change medium demonstrates both high energy absorption capacity and high thermal conductivity and is formed from a carbon fiber to establish a high porosity medium having a large volume fraction. The surface energy of the carbon fibers is enhanced in various ways as by deposition of a carbide former, a metallurgical coating or a precursor liquid or by electroplating or etching the surfaces of the carbon fibers. The enhanced surface energy allows for the retention of phase change material.

Method of containing a phase change material in a porous carbon material and articles produced thereby

A method and apparatus are provided for separating carbon fibers from gaseous effluent which fibers have been formed in a continuous gas phase reaction. The apparatus is a collection chamber including top and bottom portions and including exit tubes attached to the bottom portion. Carbon fibers enter the top portion of the chamber from a reactor and are collected in the bottom portion where they are forced into the exit tubes by a piston and then collected in bundles. As the fibers are compressed into the tubes, they form an airtight seal which prevents air from entering the chamber and prevents gas from exiting the chamber. The remaining gaseous effluent may then be removed from the chamber and processed for reuse.

Method and apparatus for separating vapor-grown carbon fibers from gaseous effluent

A method of producing vapor grown carbon fibers is provided in which coal is utilized as a source of an iron catalyst, as a source of hydrocarbon and sulfur, or both. The method includes the steps of introducing pulverized coal into a furnace containing a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbon, nitrogen, ammonia, helium, or mixtures thereof, and maintaining the gas at a temperature from about 1000.degree.-1175.degree. C. to form the fibers. The coal has a sulfur content of from 1 to 6% by weight and may comprise high volatile bituminous coal. The use of coal to produce vapor grown carbon fibers provides a significant cost advantage over other starting materials and also provides an environmentally safe use for high sulfur content coal.

Method of producing vapor grown carbon fibers using coal

Carbon fiber with increased bulk density comprising vapor grown carbon fiber is provided. The preferred method of increasing the carbon fiber bulk density comprises mixing a vapor grown carbon fiber with a diameter of less than about 1 .mu.m and an initial bulk density of less than about 0.2 lb/ft.sup.3 with an aqueous-based solution, blending the mixture under high shear conditions, and drying the blended mixture. Upon drying, the mixture forms a carbon fiber mass with an increased bulk density having a final bulk density of at least about 3 lb/ft.sup.3. The increased bulk density carbon fiber pellets are ideally suited for use as reinforcing materials in rubber, plastic and the like. Preferably, the aqueous-based solution is a latex containing solution and latex is deposited on the fibers.

Vapor grown carbon fibers with increased bulk density and method for

Growing community of inventors

Waynesville, OH, United States of America

David Joseph Burton