The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of boron carbide nanoparticles, characterized in that it comprises at least the stages consisting in: (i) interacting boric acid, boron oxide B.sub.2O.sub.3 or a boric acid ester of B(OR).sub.3 type, with R, which are identical or different, representing C.sub.1-4-alkyl groups, with 1 to 2 molar equivalents of at least one C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 polyol, under conditions favorable to the formation of a boron alkoxide powder; (ii) interacting, in an aqueous medium, the boron alkoxide powder obtained on conclusion of stage (i) with an effective amount of one or more completely hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, with a molar mass of between 10 000 and 80 000 g.mol.sup.1, under conditions favorable to the formation of a crosslinked PVA gel, and (iii) carrying out an oxidizing pyrolysis of the crosslinked gel formed on conclusion of the preceding stage (ii), under conditions favorable to the formation of the CB.sub.4 nanoparticles.

Apparatus and methods of use thereof for the production of carbon-based and other nanostructures, as well as fuels and reformed products, are provided.

Feed material comprising uniform solution precursor droplets is processed in a uniform melt state using microwave generated plasma. The plasma torch employed is capable of generating laminar gas flows and providing a uniform temperature profile within the plasma. Plasma exhaust products are quenched at high rates to yield amorphous products. Products of this process include spherical, highly porous and amorphous oxide ceramic particles such as magnesia-yttria (MgOY.sub.2O.sub.3). The present invention can also be used to produce amorphous non oxide ceramic particles comprised of Boron, Carbon, and Nitrogen which can be subsequently consolidated into super hard materials.

A positive electrode active material for a secondary battery includes a lithium complex transition metal oxide and a surface coating portion. The lithium complex transition metal oxide includes nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and at least one selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn) and aluminum (Al). The surface coating portion is formed on surfaces of the lithium complex transition metal oxide particles and the surface coating portion includes a cobalt-rich layer, which has a higher cobalt content than the lithium complex transition metal oxide, and a lithium boron oxide.

A positive electrode active material for a secondary battery includes a lithium complex transition metal oxide and a surface coating portion. The lithium complex transition metal oxide includes nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and at least one selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn) and aluminum (Al). The surface coating portion is formed on surfaces of the lithium complex transition metal oxide particles and the surface coating portion includes a cobalt-rich layer, which has a higher cobalt content than the lithium complex transition metal oxide, and a lithium boron oxide.

There is provided a method for separating an input feedstock using thermal plasma to obtain a processed feedstock and/or remove one or more hazardous compounds. There is also provided system for same comprising a plasma vortex reactor and a separator. There is also provided a method for forming a product from an input or processed feedstock using thermal plasma. There is also provided a system for same comprising a blender and a plasma rotary furnace.

There is provided a method for separating an input feedstock using thermal plasma to obtain a processed feedstock and/or remove one or more hazardous compounds. There is also provided system for same comprising a plasma vortex reactor and a separator. There is also provided a method for forming a product from an input or processed feedstock using thermal plasma. There is also provided a system for same comprising a blender and a plasma rotary furnace.