The invention relates to a method of producing a carbon-ceramic shaped body comprising a carbon fibre-reinforced carbon matrix and a content of silicon carbide and silicon, characterised in that a carbonisable shaped body having an organic matrix based on cellulose and reinforced with carbonisable textile structures has been carbonised to form a porous shaped body and the porous carbonised shaped body is then subjected to a liquid silicisation to give the carbon-ceramic shaped body, This method is performable in an economically advantageously manner without losing the beneficial properties achievable according to the prior art.

A new technique for treating non-PAN-based pre-cursor polymeric fibers, tows, yarns, and films has been created for use in making stabilized pre-cursor polymers. By applying stepwise or non-stepwise microwave and/or ultraviolet radiation to the pre-cursor polymeric fibers, tows, yarn, or films prior to the stabilization thereof, a reduction in time for the costly stabilization process is achieved. Application of this technique extends to less-costly production of carbon fibers, for uses in industries such as automotive, aviation, trains, medical, military, sporting goods, orthopedics, and other industries. The pre-cursor polymeric fibers, tows, yarns, or films may be a multi-component polymer composite comprised of a non-PAN-based polymeric fiber, tow, yarn, or film and at least one or more constituent materials. Carbonization of such pre-cursor polymeric fibers, tows, yarns, or films results in less-costly carbon fibers that perform equally, if not better, than traditional costly PAN-based carbon fibers.

The present disclosure provides cover systems for covering components of a cabin interior of a vehicle, such as an automobile, a train car, a bus, a boat, or an aircraft, among others. For instance, the cover systems may cover one or more of a seat and a floor, among others, of the cabin interior. The fabric cover systems may absorb or partially absorb one or more of low-frequency sounds, such as low-frequency noise emitted by an engine, and high-frequency sounds, among others. The fabric cover systems may absorb or partially absorb odor molecules. The fabric covering systems may include multiple layers. For instance, one of the layers may include activated carbon fibers. The activated carbon fibers may absorb or partially absorb one or more of sounds, liquids, and odors, among others.

This utility invention is to replace some of the parts of current vehicles and robotic machines with intelligent graphene-based fibers and nanocomposites to achieve significantly weight-decreasing and energy-savings. This invention also is related to the formation of new generation vehicles, machine parts including robotics, which include but not limited to all kinds of cars, trailers, trucks, vehicles on roads and in the sky, ships on the ocean, and intelligent robotics for Human, as well as computer parts, bicycles, and sports supplies.

This utility invention is to replace some of the parts of current vehicles and robotic machines with intelligent graphene-based fibers and nanocomposites to achieve significantly weight-decreasing and energy-savings. This invention also is related to the formation of new generation vehicles, machine parts including robotics, which include but not limited to all kinds of cars, trailers, trucks, vehicles on roads and in the sky, ships on the ocean, and intelligent robotics for Human, as well as computer parts, bicycles, and sports supplies.

There is provided a process and system for producing carbon fiber products. The process can involve deasphalting a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, which can contain native asphaltenes, to produce a solid asphaltene particulate material, which can be further treated to produce the carbon fiber products. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be extruded in the presence of a polymer. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be chemically treated with a chemical agent including a Lewis acid, an oxidizing agent and/or a reducing agent before extrusion. In some implementations, the process can further produce activated carbon fibers.

In a first embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture, isolating a residue from the first mixture, forming a second mixture comprising the residue, and electrospinning the second mixture to form a carbon fiber precursor material. In a second embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a mixture comprising solids and a liquid fraction, separating and filtering the liquid fraction from the mixture, and isolating one or more compounds from the liquid fraction. In a third embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture comprising residues, exposing the first mixture to (a) an acid, (b) a solvent, or (c) both to form a second mixture, and isolating rare earth elements and rare earth element compounds.

In a first embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture, isolating a residue from the first mixture, forming a second mixture comprising the residue, and electrospinning the second mixture to form a carbon fiber precursor material. In a second embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a mixture comprising solids and a liquid fraction, separating and filtering the liquid fraction from the mixture, and isolating one or more compounds from the liquid fraction. In a third embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture comprising residues, exposing the first mixture to (a) an acid, (b) a solvent, or (c) both to form a second mixture, and isolating rare earth elements and rare earth element compounds.

A method of separating carbon fiber tows. The method includes separating two or more first carbon fiber tows from a first tow band onto a second elevation to form two or more second carbon fiber tows from a second tow band. The two or more second carbon fiber tows from the second tow band leave gaps next to first adjacent tows of the two or more first carbon fiber tows remaining from the first tow band after the separating step. The first adjacent tows from the first tow band leave gaps next to second adjacent tows of the two or more second carbon fiber tows from the second tow band.

A method of separating carbon fiber tows. The method includes separating two or more first carbon fiber tows from a first tow band onto a second elevation to form two or more second carbon fiber tows from a second tow band. The two or more second carbon fiber tows from the second tow band leave gaps next to first adjacent tows of the two or more first carbon fiber tows remaining from the first tow band after the separating step. The first adjacent tows from the first tow band leave gaps next to second adjacent tows of the two or more second carbon fiber tows from the second tow band.