Methods for producing nanostructures from copper-based catalysts on porous substrates, particularly silicon nanowires on carbon-based substrates for use as battery active materials, are provided. Related compositions are also described. In addition, novel methods for production of copper-based catalyst particles are provided. Methods for producing nanostructures from catalyst particles that comprise a gold shell and a core that does not include gold are also provided.

A method and apparatus for producing AlN whiskers includes reduced incorporation of metal particles, an AlN whisker body, AlN whiskers, a resin molded body, and a method for producing the resin molded body. The method for producing AlN whiskers includes heating an Al-containing material in a material accommodation unit to thereby generate Al gas; and introducing the Al gas into a reaction chamber through a communication portion while introducing nitrogen gas into the reaction chamber through a gas inlet port, to thereby grow AlN whiskers on the surface of an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 substrate placed in the reaction chamber.

There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes: forming a first amorphous silicon film on a substrate in a process chamber; and etching a portion of the first amorphous silicon film using a hydrogen chloride gas under a temperature at which an amorphous state of the first amorphous silicon film is maintained, in the process chamber.

A composition of matter comprising a plurality of nanowires on a substrate, said nanowires having been grown epitaxially on said substrate in the presence of a metal catalyst such that a catalyst deposit is located at the top of at least some of said nanowires, wherein said nanowires comprise at least one group III-V compound or at least one group II-VI compound or comprises at least one non carbon group IV element; and wherein a graphitic layer is in contact with at least some of the catalyst deposits on top of said nanowires.

Methods for producing nanostructures from copper-based catalysts on porous substrates, particularly silicon nanowires on carbon-based substrates for use as battery active materials, are provided. Related compositions are also described. In addition, novel methods for production of copper-based catalyst particles are provided. Methods for producing nanostructures from catalyst particles that comprise a gold shell and a core that does not include gold are also provided.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a power storage device in which a crystalline silicon layer including a whisker-like crystalline silicon region is formed as an active material layer over a current collector by a low-pressure CVD method in which heating is performed using a deposition gas containing silicon. The power storage device includes the current collector, a mixed layer formed over the current collector, and the crystalline silicon layer functioning as the active material layer formed over the mixed layer. The crystalline silicon layer includes a crystalline silicon region and a whisker-like crystalline silicon region including a plurality of protrusions which project over the crystalline silicon region. With the protrusions, the surface area of the crystalline silicon layer functioning as the active material layer can be increased.

A gas phase nanowire growth apparatus including a reaction chamber, a first input and a second input. The first input is located concentrically within the second input and the first and second input are configured such that a second input fluid delivered from the second input provides a sheath between a first fluid delivered from the first input and a wall of the reaction chamber. An aerosol of catalyst particles may be used to grow the nanowires.

Methods for producing nanostructures from copper-based catalysts on porous substrates, particularly silicon nanowires on carbon-based substrates for use as battery active materials, are provided. Related compositions are also described. In addition, novel methods for production of copper-based catalyst particles are provided. Methods for producing nanostructures from catalyst particles that comprise a gold shell and a core that does not include gold are also provided.

Methods for producing nanostructures from copper-based catalysts on porous substrates, particularly silicon nanowires on carbon-based substrates for use as battery active materials, are provided. Related compositions are also described. In addition, novel methods for production of copper-based catalyst particles are provided. Methods for producing nanostructures from catalyst particles that comprise a gold shell and a core that does not include gold are also provided.

An internal gas heating system apparatus enables operation of a large diameter horizontal chemical vapor processing tube reactor in the manufacture of nanomaterials, such as silicon nanowires (SiNWs) or vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on at least one catalytically active substrate. Where the nanomaterials are SiNWs, they may have controlled length, dopant level incorporation, and lower and narrower diameter distribution that on average is not greater than 50% of the average catalytic Au nanoparticle size deposited on the catalytically active substrate(s) before the SiNW growth phase.