An object of the present invention is to provide a method for a carbon nanofiber composite, which can obtain a carbon nanofiber composite with high productivity and high activity, and which does not require removal of fluidizing materials or dispersing materials. The present invention also provides a carbon nanofiber composite having improved dispersibility. The method for producing the carbon nanofiber composite includes bringing at least one catalyst and at least one particulate carbon material into contact with at least one gas containing at least one gaseous carbon-containing compound while mechanically stirring the catalyst and the particulate carbon material in a reactor. The carbon nanofiber composite includes carbon nanofibers and at least one particulate carbon material, wherein the particulate carbon material has 70% by volume or more of particles with a particle diameter of 1 μm or less, and/or a median diameter D50 by volume of 1 μm or less.

A method of forming a security device includes selectively providing a high refractive index (HRI) layer to a first outwardly facing surface of a security device substrate, the HRI layer having a substantially transparent host material and particles having a dimension along at least one axis less than 200 nm, such that they are substantially non-scattering to visible light and the HRI layer is substantially transparent to visible light, and wherein; the particles have a refractive index of at least 1.8 and are present within the host material in a proportion such that the resultant refractive index of the HRI layer is at least 1.6. A corresponding security device, as well as security articles and security documents, are also disclosed.

A method of forming a security device includes selectively providing a high refractive index (HRI) layer to a first outwardly facing surface of a security device substrate, the HRI layer having a substantially transparent host material and particles having a dimension along at least one axis less than 200 nm, such that they are substantially non-scattering to visible light and the HRI layer is substantially transparent to visible light, and wherein; the particles have a refractive index of at least 1.8 and are present within the host material in a proportion such that the resultant refractive index of the HRI layer is at least 1.6. A corresponding security device, as well as security articles and security documents, are also disclosed.

A method termed “superacid-surfactant exchange” (S2E) for the dispersion of carbon nanomaterials in aqueous solutions. This S2E method enables nondestructive dispersion of carbon nanomaterials (including single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-wall carbon nanotubes, and graphene) at rapidly and at large scale in aqueous solution without a requirement for expensive or complicated equipment. Dispersed carbon nanotubes obtained from this method feature long length, low defect density, high electrical conductivity, and in the case of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes, bright photoluminescence in the near-infrared.

A method termed “superacid-surfactant exchange” (S2E) for the dispersion of carbon nanomaterials in aqueous solutions. This S2E method enables nondestructive dispersion of carbon nanomaterials (including single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-wall carbon nanotubes, and graphene) at rapidly and at large scale in aqueous solution without a requirement for expensive or complicated equipment. Dispersed carbon nanotubes obtained from this method feature long length, low defect density, high electrical conductivity, and in the case of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes, bright photoluminescence in the near-infrared.

The present disclosure is directed to multiphase dispersions and nanaocomposites comprised of continuous matrix or binder and endohedrally impregnated cellular carbon filler. These nanocomposites may exhibit superior mechanical, electrical, thermal, or other properties, and may be used in a variety of products, including hierarchical fiber-reinforced composites with nanocomposite matrices.

Disclosed herein are ink compositions for making a conductive palladium structure. For example, the ink composition can comprise a palladium salt and a complex of a complexing agent and a short chain carboxylic acid or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a second or third metal salt is included in the compositions. Also disclosed herein are methods for making and using such conductive ink compositions.

Disclosed herein are ink compositions for making a conductive palladium structure. For example, the ink composition can comprise a palladium salt and a complex of a complexing agent and a short chain carboxylic acid or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a second or third metal salt is included in the compositions. Also disclosed herein are methods for making and using such conductive ink compositions.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to an article of manufacturing for printing on a foamed beverage comprising: an ink-jet cartridge; and a sugar-poor and unfermented-wort-based ink formulation disposed within the ink jet cartridge. The unfermented wort is the primary colorant of the ink formulation. In embodiments of the invention, (i) a ratio between the EBC number of the ink formulation and the 25° C. viscosity thereof is at least 400 (centipoise).sup.−1; (ii) the ink formulation is characterized by at least a EBC number of at least 1800 colorant units; (iii) the ink formulation comprises at least 10% wt/wt carbohydrates; (iv) the ink formulation is sugar-poor such that a ratio between a wt/wt% concentration of soluble sugars and a wt/wt concentration of carbohydrates in the ink formulation is at most 0.2 (e.g. ≤0.1 or ≤0.05); and (v) at least 60% of particles of the ink formulation are sub-400 nanometer particles.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to an article of manufacturing for printing on a foamed beverage comprising: an ink-jet cartridge; and a sugar-poor and unfermented-wort-based ink formulation disposed within the ink jet cartridge. The unfermented wort is the primary colorant of the ink formulation. In embodiments of the invention, (i) a ratio between the EBC number of the ink formulation and the 25° C. viscosity thereof is at least 400 (centipoise).sup.−1; (ii) the ink formulation is characterized by at least a EBC number of at least 1800 colorant units; (iii) the ink formulation comprises at least 10% wt/wt carbohydrates; (iv) the ink formulation is sugar-poor such that a ratio between a wt/wt% concentration of soluble sugars and a wt/wt concentration of carbohydrates in the ink formulation is at most 0.2 (e.g. ≤0.1 or ≤0.05); and (v) at least 60% of particles of the ink formulation are sub-400 nanometer particles.