Nanoporous selective sol-gel ceramic membranes, selective-membrane structures, and related methods are described. Representative ceramic selective membranes include ion-conductive membranes (e.g., proton-conducting membranes) and gas selective membranes. Representative uses for the membranes include incorporation into fuel cells and redox flow batteries (RFB) as ion-conducting membranes.

A method of fabricating a composite part, includes forming a fiber preform for the part that is to be obtained by depositing a plurality of fiber structures impregnated with a thermoplastic polymer onto a surface, with deposition being performed by automated fiber placement; eliminating the thermoplastic polymer present in the preform by dissolution with a solvent; and injecting a liquid impregnation composition into the pores of the fiber preform after eliminating the thermoplastic polymer in order to form a matrix in the pores of the fiber preform.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a conductive ceramic composition comprising: conductive non-oxide ceramic particles; oxide ceramic particles electrostatically bonded or co-dispersed with the non-oxide ceramic particles; and a binder resin.

A method of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements may include: forming a base portion of the fuel element by depositing a powdered matrix material including a mixture of a graphite material and a fibrous material; depositing particles on the base portion in a predetermined pattern to form a first particle layer, by controlling the position of each particle in the first particle layer; depositing the matrix material on the first particle layer to form a first matrix layer; depositing particles on the first matrix layer in a predetermined pattern to form a second particle layer by controlling positions of each particle in the second particle layer; depositing the matrix material on the second particle layer to form a second matrix layer; and forming a cap portion of the fuel pebble by depositing the matrix material. The particles in the first particle layer and the second particle layer include nuclear fuel particles.

Carbon powders are homogeneous powders derived from mesophase pitch. Additive Manufacturing (AM) use these powders in two basic classes of AM to produce manufactured articles: 1) Low temperature 3D printers suitable for plastics, polymers, binders and resins, and 2) High temperature 3D printers suitable for direct 3D metal-fusion printing. There are three categories of carbon powders used for AM: a) Powders derived directly from mesophase carbon pitches with a low melting point. These powders can be printed, without binders; b) Carbon powders, that blend with polymers, binders or resins of similar melting temperatures; and c) Carbon powders that have been graphitized and/or carbonized, that can sustain their form above 3000 C. and are compounded with metal or ceramic matrix powders, which can be printed in high temperature environment 3D printers.

A device for converting a carbon pill into graphene is provided including a space between at least two electrically conductive surfaces, wherein the electrically conductive surfaces are configured to support a carbon pill in the space. The device also includes at least two electrodes electrically coupled to the at least two electrically conductive surfaces. The device also includes a power supply connected to the electrodes for passing a current through the electrodes to convert the carbon pill into graphene. A carbon pill for graphene conversion is also provided including a first carbon material for synthesizing to graphene by joule heating. The first carbon material is compressed from a powder form into a pill form. The carbon pill includes a second material for at least one of binding the first carbon material from a powder form into a pill form and improving conductivity of the first carbon material.

A continuous operation method is employed for the microwave high-temperature pyrolysis of a solid material containing an organic matter. The method includes the steps of mixing a solid material containing an organic matter with a liquid organic medium; transferring the obtained mixture to a microwave field; and in the microwave field, continuously contacting the mixture with a strong wave absorption material in an inert atmosphere or in vacuum. The strong wave absorption material continuously generates a high temperature under a microwave such that the solid material containing an organic matter and the liquid organic medium are continuously pyrolyzed to implement a continuous operation.

The present invention provides a sintering control method of ceramic manufacturing. The method includes the following steps: S1: preparing a pore-forming agent containing a porogen; S2: mixing the pore-forming agent with a ceramic slurry and forming a greenpart; S3: sintering the greenpart at a first temperature in an oxygen-free environment to form a semi-finished object; and S4: sintering the semi-finished object at a second temperature in an oxygen-containing environment to form a ceramic article. Wherein, the first temperature is higher than the second temperature. While the porogen is a carbon-based material, the second temperature is from 300 C. to 600 C., and the porosity of the ceramic article may reach 30% to 70%. By this method, the property of the ceramic article (including mechanical strength, porosity, pore shape and size) can be designed according to requirement and controlled for quality assurance.

The present invention provides a lithium ion capacitor (LIC) that achieves high specific capacity and high energy density. The lithium ion capacitor according to the present invention includes a cathode, an anode arranged apart from the cathode, and a Li-ion electrolyte with which a space between the cathode and the anode is filled. The cathode is made of a composite of graphene and carbon nanotubes, the anode is made of a Li-doped composite of graphene and carbon nanotubes, and the mass ratio of the anode to the cathode is larger than 0 and less than 1.0.

A type of composite material where the matrix material and additive are held together by covalently or non-covalently bound ligands is described. A particularly useful composite material covered by the present invention is a carbon nanotube-reinforced composite material where the matrix consists of a polymer, covalently attached to a linker, where said linker is non-covalently attached to the carbon nanotube.

Methods for the preparation of such composite materials are provided.