A fast algorithm is used to study the transient behavior due to the step-like pulse. This algorithm consists of two parts: The algorithm I reduces the computational complexity to T.sup.0N.sup.3 for large systems as long as T<N; The algorithm II employs the fast multipole technique and achieves scaling T.sup.0N.sup.3whenever T<N.sup.2 beyond which it becomes T log.sub.2 N for even longer time. Hence it is of order O(1) if T<N.sup.2. Benchmark calculation has been done on graphene nanoribbons with N=10.sup.4 and T=10.sup.8. This new algorithm allows many large scale transient problems to be solved, including magnetic tunneling junctions and ferroelectric tunneling junctions that could not be achieved before.

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.

A method for producing carbon nanotubes and/or fibers, such as carbon nanotubes, involves sparging a gas (such as carbon dioxide) through a liquid hydrocarbon (such as crude oil) in the presence of an effective amount of metal oxide particles (such as MgO, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, CeO.sub.2, and/or SiO.sub.2 nanoparticles having a size in the range from about 2 nm to about 10 microns, and which may have a bimodal particle size distribution) at a temperature in a range of between about 70 to about 350° C. to produce carbon nanotubes and fibers having a size range of from about 50 nm to about 20 microns.

A process for the preparation of graphene includes the steps of a) providing flash thermal treatment of a graphite oxide at a temperature up to 700° C. sufficient to produce exfoliation and under inert atmosphere and b) cooling the material obtained in the previous step below 90° C. The method further includes the step of c) heating the material resulting from the previous step under inert atmosphere at a temperature which is higher than the temperature of step a), wherein the heating rate is between 1 and 15° C./min. The graphenes obtained from the process exhibit excellent physico-chemical properties.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a carbon nanotube conductive ball and a method for preparing a carbon nanotube ball conductive adhesive. The method for preparing the carbon nanotube conductive ball integrates the advantages of stability of polymer microsphere and SiO.sub.2 microsphere, and high conductivity of carbon nanotube, by applying polymer microsphere or SiO.sub.2 microsphere as matrix, and plating carbon nanotube material to obtain the spherical carbon nanotube conductive ball. The method is simple, low equipment requirements, abundant raw materials, low cost, and high efficiency, the particle size of the carbon nanotube conductive ball is controllable, the material stability and conductivity of the carbon nanotube conductive ball are excellent. The method for preparing the carbon nanotube ball conductive adhesive adopts carbon nanotube as an electrically conducting particle, which replaces the commonly used conductive gold ball in TFT-LCD field, the disadvantages in traditional conductive adhesive such as high filling content, expensive price, complicated preparation process, environmental pollution, and so on are solved. Besides, the carbon nanotube ball conductive adhesive also has a great prospect in ultra-fine circuit connections.

The present invention is related to the method for producing the cathode material, cathode material and lithium-ion battery. The present invention provides the higher capacity and number of recharge cycles. The lithium battery comprises the metallic lithium anode, electrolyte and a cathode comprising metallic current collector coated with a suspension (concentration 0.1-1 g/mL) of composite material comprising V.sub.2O.sub.5 nanorods in graphene shell, dissolved in acetone.

Provided are a positive electrode for a secondary battery which includes a positive electrode collector, a porous positive electrode active material layer disposed on a surface of the positive electrode collector and including a positive electrode active material and first carbon nanotubes, and a conductive layer disposed on a surface of the positive electrode active material layer, wherein the conductive layer includes a porous network structure formed by a plurality of second carbon nanotubes and has a porosity equal to or greater than a porosity of the positive electrode active material layer +10 vol %, and a secondary battery including the same.

A method for forming electrical contacts for a solar cell and a solar cell formed using the method is provided. The method includes forming a first metal layer over predefined portions of a surface of the solar cell; depositing a carbon nanotube layer over the first metal layer; and forming a second metal layer over the carbon nanotube layer, wherein the first metal layer, the carbon nanotube layer, and the second metal layer form a first metal matrix composite layer that provides electrical conductivity and mechanical support for the metal contacts.

The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for continuous production of composites of carbon nanotubes and electrode active material from decoupled sources. Composites thusly produced may be used as self-standing electrodes without binder or collector. Moreover, the method of the present disclosure may allow more cost-efficient production while simultaneously affording control over nanotube loading and composite thickness.

Provided is a method of producing isolated graphene sheets directly from a carbon/graphite precursor. The method comprises: (a) providing a mass of halogenated aromatic molecules selected from halogenated petroleum heavy oil or pitch, coal tar pitch, polynuclear hydrocarbon, or a combination thereof; (b) heat treating this mass at a first temperature of 25 to 300° C. in the presence of a catalyst and optionally at a second temperature of 300-3,200° C. to form graphene domains dispersed in a disordered matrix of carbon or hydrocarbon molecules, and (c) separating and isolating the planes of hexagonal carbon atoms or fused aromatic rings to recover graphene sheets from the disordered matrix.