Methods are disclosed for manufacturing carbon rods from lignin scrap and for using such lignin-derived carbon rods for manufacturing carbon nanotubes in an arc discharge process.

A method of producing a shaped product for a thermoelectric conversion element is provided. The method comprises: mixing a coarse mixture that contains metal nanoparticle-supporting carbon nanotubes, a resin component, and a solvent by dispersion treatment that brings about a cavitation effect or a crushing effect, to obtain a composition for a thermoelectric conversion element; and removing the solvent from the composition for a thermoelectric conversion element.

A method of producing a shaped product for a thermoelectric conversion element is provided. The method comprises: mixing a coarse mixture that contains metal nanoparticle-supporting carbon nanotubes, a resin component, and a solvent by dispersion treatment that brings about a cavitation effect or a crushing effect, to obtain a composition for a thermoelectric conversion element; and removing the solvent from the composition for a thermoelectric conversion element.

Provided herein are compositions, systems, kits, and methods for administering a gel composition into a tumor of a subject and treating with laser light (e.g., for photoacoustic destruction of the tumor and tumor debris generation), where the gel comprises functionalized fullerenes (FFs) and a biocompatible polymer. In certain embodiments, 0.1-5% (e.g., about 1-2%) by weight of the gel is the functionalized fullerenes (e.g., polyhydroxy fullerenes). In other embodiments, the FFs have a generally symmetrical spherical structure.

Provided herein are compositions, systems, kits, and methods for treating a subject with a disease or condition by administering a composition comprising fullerenes to the subject such that H2S is generated in said subject. In certain embodiments, the disease or condition is associated with inflammation and/or below normal H2S levels. In certain embodiments, the fullerenes are polyhydroxy fullerenes (PHFs).

A method for generating vapour bubbles in an object comprises introducing a composition into the object, the composition comprising carbon-based nano- or microparticles that can couple with a photon wave of electromagnetic radiation. The method also comprises irradiating said object using electromagnetic radiation. The irradiation thereby is adapted for using a set of carbon-based nano- or microparticles for subsequently forming first vapour bubbles and at least second vapour bubbles using the same carbon-based nano- or microparticles.

The invention pertains to a process for the production of crystalline carbon structure networks in a reactor 3 which contains a reaction zone 3b and a termination zone 3c, by injecting a thermodynamically stable micro-emulsion c, comprising metal catalyst nanoparticles, into the reaction zone 3b which is at a temperature of above 600° C., preferably above 700° C., more preferably above 900° C., even more preferably above 1000° C., more preferably above 1100° C., preferably up to 3000° C., more preferably up to 2500° C., most preferably up to 2000° C., to produce crystalline carbon structure networks e, transferring these networks e to the termination zone 3c,and quenching or stopping the formation of crystalline carbon structure networks in the termination zone by spraying in water d.

The invention pertains to a process for the production of crystalline carbon structure networks in a reactor 3 which contains a reaction zone 3b and a termination zone 3c, by injecting a thermodynamically stable micro-emulsion c, comprising metal catalyst nanoparticles, into the reaction zone 3b which is at a temperature of above 600° C., preferably above 700° C., more preferably above 900° C., even more preferably above 1000° C., more preferably above 1100° C., preferably up to 3000° C., more preferably up to 2500° C., most preferably up to 2000° C., to produce crystalline carbon structure networks e, transferring these networks e to the termination zone 3c,and quenching or stopping the formation of crystalline carbon structure networks in the termination zone by spraying in water d.

A carbon nanotube array constituted by large numbers of carbon nanotubes vertically aligned on a substrate is produced by supplying a carbon source gas into a reaction vessel having a hydrogen gas atmosphere, in which a substrate on which a reaction catalyst comprising fine metal particles is formed is placed; forming large numbers of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on the substrate by keeping a reaction temperature of 500-1100° C. for 0.5-30 minutes; and heat-treating the carbon nanotubes by stopping the supply of the carbon source gas and keeping 400-1100° C. for 0.5-180 minutes in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Described herein are C.sub.60/70/PS-CB-Abx and nano-C.sub.60/70PS compounds, their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods pf photodynamic therapy using the compounds and compositions.