A method of producing dispersed of high quality graphene/graphite oxides in a powder matrix to then be reacted to form a composite. Where the powders have similar hydrophobicity and the graphene/graphite oxides has minimal surface oxidation or minimal epoxy group and where the powders are sonically mixed.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming calcium-silicate-hydrate particles by mixing a calcium source with a silicate source. In some embodiments, the mixing comprises sonication. In some embodiments, the mixing occurs in the presence of a surfactant and a solvent. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of controlling the morphology of the calcium-silicate-hydrate particles. In some embodiments, the step of controlling the morphology of calcium-silicate-hydrate particles comprises selecting a stoichiometric ratio of the calcium source over the silicate source. In some embodiments, the formed calcium-silicate-hydrate particles have cubic shapes. In some embodiments, the formed calcium-silicate-hydrate particles have rectangular shapes. In some embodiments, the formed calcium-silicate-hydrate particles are in the form of self-assembled particles of controlled shapes. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to compositions that contain the calcium silicate-hydrate particles of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming calcium-silicate-hydrate particles by mixing a calcium source with a silicate source. In some embodiments, the mixing comprises sonication. In some embodiments, the mixing occurs in the presence of a surfactant and a solvent. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of controlling the morphology of the calcium-silicate-hydrate particles. In some embodiments, the step of controlling the morphology of calcium-silicate-hydrate particles comprises selecting a stoichiometric ratio of the calcium source over the silicate source. In some embodiments, the formed calcium-silicate-hydrate particles have cubic shapes. In some embodiments, the formed calcium-silicate-hydrate particles have rectangular shapes. In some embodiments, the formed calcium-silicate-hydrate particles are in the form of self-assembled particles of controlled shapes. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to compositions that contain the calcium silicate-hydrate particles of the present disclosure.

A process for sintering silicon carbide is provided which includes the steps of providing a silicon carbide powder of silicon carbide granules; purifying the silicon carbide powder; subjecting the purified silicon carbide powder to a gel-casting process; removing the gel-cast part from the mold; drying the gel-cast part; obtaining a dried cast ceramic part (a green body) which is capable of green machining into a final desired shape; firing the green body in an oven at temperatures ranging from about 100 C. to about 1900 C. to remove or burn out any polymer remaining in the ceramic; and sintering the green body at temperatures ranging from about 1600 C. to less than about 2200 C.

Systems, devices, and methods for kinetic release testing of compounds are discussed herein. Ultrasonic agitation, with resultant cavitation and acoustic streaming, is used to breakdown and release drugs from one or more compounds to form a solution. The system uses small volumes of solvent to increase accessibility and portability of the system. Once dissolved, the solution is passed to a sampling system for calculating kinetic release behavior. The kinetic release behavior can be compared to existing reference data to identify the compound and/or confirm accurate manufacture by comparison of dissolution characteristics of the active ingredients. In some embodiments, streak photography and hydrophone measurements are used to study the effects of system parameters on the acousto-hydrodynamic environment.

Methods for making carbon-fiber reinforced geopolymer composites are provided. The methods produce metakaolin-based geopolymer composites in which multiwalled carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers are well dispersed in an metakaolin-based geopolymer matrix. The mixing protocols of the methods used to produce carbon-fiber reinforced geopolymer composites produce composites with reduced porosity, high elastic moduli, high strength, and/or high fracture toughness.

Methods for making carbon-fiber reinforced geopolymer composites are provided. The methods produce metakaolin-based geopolymer composites in which multiwalled carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers are well dispersed in an metakaolin-based geopolymer matrix. The mixing protocols of the methods used to produce carbon-fiber reinforced geopolymer composites produce composites with reduced porosity, high elastic moduli, high strength, and/or high fracture toughness.