Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a cathode material within a lithium-air battery, where the cathode is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that improve the oxygen transport properties of electrolyte solution and improve the formation of lithium peroxide along the surface and/or within the pores of the carbon aerogel. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-air battery.

Nanoporous carbon-based scaffolds or structures, and specifically carbon aerogels and their manufacture and use thereof. Embodiments include a cathode material within a lithium-air battery, where the cathode is formed of a binder-free, monolithic, polyimide-derived carbon aerogel. The carbon aerogel includes pores that improve the oxygen transport properties of electrolyte solution and improve the formation of lithium peroxide along the surface and/or within the pores of the carbon aerogel. The cathode and underlying carbon aerogel provide optimal properties for use within the lithium-air battery.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to multicolored carbon quantum dot nanoparticles (Cdots), “one-pot” methods of making same starting from coal and using mild reaction conditions, and applications of the same. The disclosed methods are safe and environmentally benign as well as inexpensive. Additionally, the disclosed carbon quantum dot nanoparticles are stable and have tunable properties based on reaction conditions used for their synthesis.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to multicolored carbon quantum dot nanoparticles (Cdots), “one-pot” methods of making same starting from coal and using mild reaction conditions, and applications of the same. The disclosed methods are safe and environmentally benign as well as inexpensive. Additionally, the disclosed carbon quantum dot nanoparticles are stable and have tunable properties based on reaction conditions used for their synthesis.

The invention includes apparatus and methods for instantiating and quantum printing materials, such as elemental metals, in a nanoporous carbon powder.

The invention includes apparatus and methods for instantiating and quantum printing materials, such as elemental metals, in a nanoporous carbon powder.

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method, system and composition producing a magnetic carbon nanomaterial product that may comprise carbon nanotubes (CNTs) at least some of which are magnetic CNTs (mCNTs). The method and apparatus employ carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) as a reactant in an electrolysis reaction in order to make mCNTs. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a magnetic additive component is included as a reactant in the method and as a portion of one or more components in the system or composition to facilitate a magnetic material addition process, a carbide nucleation process or both during the electrosynthesis reaction for making magnetic carbon nanomaterials.

A method for producing a spherical nanocarbon fiber assembly, including: freezing a dispersion liquid containing cellulose nanofibers by spraying the dispersion liquid on a brine solution to obtain a frozen product; drying the frozen product in a vacuum to obtain a dried product; and heating the dried product in an atmosphere that does not burn the dried product, thereby carbonizing the dried product to obtain a spherical nanocarbon fiber assembly.

A method for manufacturing a silver-carbon composite includes steps as follows. A carbon-containing solution is provided, wherein a carbon-containing material is subjected to a calcination step and is dissolved by a solvent to obtain the carbon-containing solution. The carbon-containing solution includes a plurality of carbon nanodots, and the carbon nanodots are negatively charged. A silver ion-containing solution is provided, wherein the silver ion-containing solution includes a plurality of silver ions. The carbon-containing solution and the silver ion-containing solution are mixed to obtain a mixed solution. The mixed solution is heated, such that at least one of the silver ions is reduced on at least one of the carbon nanodots to obtain the silver-carbon composite.

The present invention provides for a process for synthesis of carbon beads comprising sub-micron size, micron size or milli size. The process enables modulation of the viscous slurry for synthesis of the carbon beads with improved physico-chemical properties. The process enhances ability of the carbon beads to withstand extreme pH and high temperatures. The present invention also provides a composition for synthesis of the carbon beads. The present invention also provides a microfluidic droplet generator for synthesizing the carbon beads. The carbon beads synthesized by the present invention are applicable in separation, filtration, purification, wires and cables, electrodes, sensor, composite and additive manufacturing, pharmaceutical delivery applications.