Carbonaceous electrical connection

Abstract

Electrical connections formed from carbonaceous material are disclosed herein. These electrical connections may be used on carbon-based cables.

Description

Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCTCARBONACEOUS ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application Serial No.: 63 / 718,903, filed November 11, 2024, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure is related to carbon-based connections of electrical components.BACKGROUND

[0003] Electrical conductivity is measure of how well a material transports electrical charge. Typically conductive metals, such as copper are used to conduct electricity. Approximately 50% of all copper mined every year is used for electrical applications. However, production of typical electrical conductors, particularly via mining of non-renewable resources such as copper, is costly and has dramatic effects including impact on biodiversity, air pollution, water pollution, chemical pollution, radioactive wastes, and health risks.

[0004] Although carbonaceous materials such as graphene are known electrical conductors, having excellent electron transmission properties through the graphene plane (with some additional transmission between planes), cable termination and connection between cables is not possible with typical electrical conductions. Solder and crimping cables based on graphene for example, is difficult, if not impossible. Soldering, for example, often cannot create a strong enough and lasting connection to graphene or carbonaceous material. The solder may not form a strong union with the carbonaceous material thereby inhibiting conduction therethrough. Crimping may break the electrical conductance of the carbonaceous material (e.g., by separating and breaking the graphene planes) due to the brittleness of the material.

[0005] It is therefore an object of this disclosure to provide cables, electrical connections for cables, and methods of connecting cables, particularly carbon-based cables, that avoid these problems.SUMMARY

[0006] In accordance with the foregoing objectives and others, the present disclosure provides an encapsulator structure, that is connected between two electrical contacts (typically at least one of which is a carbon-based cable) that can electrically connect the contacts (e.g.,Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT and form a composite cable, and terminate a cable, and allow a cable to be connected to another electrical component). These encapsulator structures may be used for on-site wire and cable termination which may increase the ubiquity and use of carbon-based electrical conductors. Typically, these connections are made with the use of connection between each conductive region comprising carbonaceous materials formed from an encapsulator structure. The encapsulator structure may help increase the electrical conductivity of the carbonaceous material within the encapsulator structure and may allow for additional processing to further induce lattice matching of the carbonaceous material and resultant electrical connection.

[0007] Conductive cables are provided which may comprise a first conductive region having a first major longitudinal axis and a second conductive region have a second major longitudinal axis, wherein the first conductive region and the second conductive region are electrically connected with a carbonaceous material comprising at least one graphene sheet in contact with either the first conductive region or the second conductive region. In some embodiments, the plane of at least one graphene sheet in the carbonaceous material is substantially parallel (e.g., within 20°, within 30°) of the first and second longitudinal axes. The carbonaceous material may be surrounded by an encapsulator material such as an insulator. Typically, the carbonaceous material extends between the first and second conductive region providing electrical contact therebetween. In some embodiments, a portion of the encapsulator material is lattice matched with a portion of the carbonaceous material. In various implementations, the carbonaceous material is present in an encapsulator material (e.g., dispersed throughout the encapsulator material, in a cavity formed by an encapsulator structure) and said cavity further optionally comprises a sealant. For example, the carbonaceous material may be present in a viscoelastic thermoplastic polyurethane. In some embodiments, the carbonaceous material is present in a cavity' formed in an encapsulator structure, which ty pically comprises a cavity7where the carbonaceous material is present, and said cavity is under vacuum (e.g., less than 760 Torr, less than 500 Torr, less than 250 Ton, less than 100 Torr). The encapsulator structure may include two orifices, wherein a portion of the first conducive region and the second conductive region may be inserted such at that carbonaceous material that is placed in the cavity forms an electrical connection between the first and the second conductive regions. In some embodiments, the encapsulator structure is formed from a material comprising biodegradable polymers (e.g., hemp plastic such as hemp bioplastic, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(ethylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate), polypropylene succinate), poly(ethylene adipate), poly (butylene adipate), poly propylene adipate), poly(butylene terephthalate),Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT polylpropvlene terephthalate), poly(ethylene succinate-co-adipate), polypropylene succinate- co-adipate), poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate), polypropylene succinate-co-adipate), poly(ethylene succinate-co-terephthalate), polypropylene succinate-co-terephthalate), polyputylene succinate-co-terephthalate), polypropylene succinate-co-terephthalate), poly(caprolactone), poly(lactic acid), cellulose esters (such as cellulose acetate), nanocellulose, thermoplastic starch), and mixtures thereof.

[0008] Carbonaceous material is provided which may be used in the cables of the present disclosure (or to provide any form of electrical contact) The carbonaceous material may comprise (or is) graphene, multilayer graphene, graphene oxide, multilayer graphene oxide, graphite, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the graphene, multilayer graphene, graphene oxide, multilayer graphene oxide, graphite, or combinations thereof is in the form of flakes and / or a colloidal solution within the encapsulator material. In various implementations, the carbonaceous material is activated, curved, laser-scribed, ultrathin, or sponge-like. In certain aspects, the carbonaceous material comprises carbon nanosheets (e.g., single or multilayer graphene or graphite having dimensions of less than 1 pm). For example, the carbonaceous material may be formed of optionally processed bast or hurd material. In certain aspects, the carbonaceous material is electrically biased (e.g., biased separately from any current being applied through the cable such as with magnetic fields applied to the carbonaceous material in the presence of DC current, addition of a dopant such as by sonication in a solution comprising a dopant). In particular embodiments, the first conductive region and / or second conductive region comprise, are composed of. or are made with carbonaceous material. In some embodiments, the carbonaceous material is derived from processed ballast or hurd material, herein the carbonaceous material is doped. In various implementations, the carbonaceous material is doped with a physisorbed dopant. In certain aspects, the carbonaceous material comprises (or is) graphene, multilayer graphene, graphene oxide, multilayer graphene oxide, graphite, or combinations thereof.

[0009] Methods of electrically connecting a first conductive material and a second conductive material are also provided comprising at least one of: a) joining the first conductive material and the second conductive material with an encapsulator structure having a cavity joining the first conductive material and second conductive material; b) optionally removing air from the cavity;Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT c) exposing conductive material in the first conductive material and / or second conductive material (e.g., exfoliating a portion of the first conductive material and / or second conductive material within the cavity); d) injecting carbonaceous material into the cavity; e) biasing the carbonaceous material in the cavity; and f) injecting sealant into the cavity.

[0010] In certain aspects, the carbonaceous material is injected into the cavity with an encapsulator material (e.g., as a mixture formed by fluid dynamic processing of the carbonaceous material with the encapsulator material). The method may comprise injecting an encapsulator material into the cavity7prior to the injecting the carbonaceous material. In some embodiments, the method comprises injecting an encapsulator material into the cavity7after the injecting the carbonaceous material. In some embodiments, the method may comprise providing a force on the first conductive region comprising a direction oriented along the major longitudinal axis of the first conductive region after the cavity is injected with the carbonaceous material, such that the first conductive region is inserted further into the cavity7. In some embodiments, the method may comprise providing a force on the second conductive region comprising a direction oriented along the major longitudinal axis of the second conductive region after the cavity is injected with the carbonaceous material, such that the second conductive region is inserted further into the cavity. In various implementations the force on the first conductive region and / or second conductive region is applied such that a distance along the major longitudinal axis of from 0.5 mm to 10 cm (e.g., from 0.5 mm to 50 mm, from 0.5 mm to 20 mm. from 0.5 mm to 15 mm. from 0.5 mm to 10 mm. from 5 mm to 5 cm. from 5 mm to 2 cm, from 1 cm to 10 cm from 0.5 cm to 10 cm, from 0.5 cm to 2 cm) between the electrically conductive regions. In various implementations, the electrical conductivity (or measurements associated with electrical conductivity such as resistance) is measured during and / or after these steps, such as: during and / or after the carbonaceous material is injected into the cavity, during and / or after the carbonaceous material is biased, during and / or after the sealant in injected into the cavity, during and or after the force is applied to the first and / or second conductive regions.Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCTBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 11 provides a schematic view of an encapsulator structure which may be used to electrically connect two conductive regions (e.g., and form a cable, and terminate a cable, and allow a cable to be connected to another electrical component).

[0012] FIG. 2 provides a schematic view of a cable formed from two conductive regions connected with carbonaceous material disposed within the cavity of an encapsulator structure therebetween.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the disclosure that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

[0014] All terms used herein are intended to have their ordinary meaning in the art unless otherwise provided. All concentrations are in terms of percentage by weight of the specified component relative to the entire weight of the topical composition, unless otherwise defined.

[0015] As used herein, “a” or "an" shall mean one or more. As used herein when used in conjunction with the word “comprising,” the words “a” or “an” mean one or more than one. As used herein “another” means at least a second or more.

[0016] As used herein, all ranges of numeric values include the endpoints and all possible values disclosed between the disclosed values. The exact values of all half-integral numeric values are also contemplated as specifically disclosed and as limits for all subsets of the disclosed range. For example, a range of from 0.1% to 3% specifically discloses a percentage of 0.1%, 1%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3%. Additionally, a range of 0.1 to 3% includes subsets of the original range including from 0.5% to 2.5%, from 1% to 3%, from 0. 1% to 2.5%, etc. It will be understood that the sum of all weight % of individual components will not exceed 100%.

[0017] By “consist essentially” it is meant that the ingredients include only the listed components along with the normal impurities present in commercial materials and with any other additives present at levels which do not affect the operation of the embodiments disclosed herein, for instance at levels less than 5% by weight or less than 1% or even 0.5% by weight.Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT

[0018] The present application provides components, systems, kits, and methods which may be used to electrically connect two conductive regions. Typically, these connections are formed through use of a carbonaceous material dispersed between the two conductive regions in a manner that affords electrical connection that is structurally reinforced and substantially decreases the brittleness associated with carbonaceous conductors. The components are typically made with electrically conductive material made from renewal resources. For example, in some embodiments, the first conductive region, second conductive region, and / or carbonaceous material may be formed from electrically conductive carbon formed from certain plants such as hemp.

[0019] The bast fiber which may be used to make components as described herein includes natural (e.g, plant) fiber and / or other material collected from the phloem (also referred to as the “inner bark” or “skin”) or bast surrounding the stem of certain dicotyledonous plants. Such plants may include cannabis plants, for example. Bast fiber may be obtained from herbs cultivated in agriculture, such as, for instance, flax, hemp, jute, sisal, kenaf, or ramie. Bast fiber may be obtained from wild plants, such as stinging nettle, and trees, such as lime, linden, wisteria, or mulberry'. Bast fiber may be obtained from such natural material through, for example, retting or otherwise extracting from the interior xylem or epidermis (e.g.. bark surface) of a plant. For example, a retting (e.g., water retting, dew retting, chemical retting, etc.) process can remove adhesive (pectinous) substances from the bast fibers to allow for their isolation. In certain instances, bast fiber may be obtained via decortication or the manual or mechanical peeling from the plant. In some instances, after extraction of bast fiber (e.g., via peeling), the stalk, stem, or core of the plant, such as hurds or shives, may be obtained.

[0020] Similarly, bast powder may include powdered bast fiber and / or a powder of the phloem or bast surrounding the stem of certain dicotyledonous plants. In some cases, the bast powder can comprise particles in the nanometer or micrometer range. The particles may be cellulose particles, such as microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). derived from bast or bast fiber. In some cases, the MCC and NCC may be isolated and / or derived from the bast or bast fiber via acid hydrolysis (e.g., hydrochloric acid hydrolysis). The bast powder may comprise nanoparticles and / or microparticles. The bast powder can be hemp bast powder, kenaf bast powder, sisal bast powder, and / or jute bast powder.

[0021] Hurd fibers or shive fibers include to natural (e.g., plant) fiber and / or other material collected from the stalk, stem, or core of certain dicotyledonous plants. Such plants mayCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT include cannabis plants, for example. Hurd fiber may be obtained from herbs cultivated in agriculture, such as, for instance, flax, hemp, jute, sisal, kenaf, or ramie. Hurd fiber may be obtained from wild plants, such as stinging nettle, and trees, such as lime, linden, wisteria, or mulberry. Hurd fiber may be obtained from such natural material through, for example, retting or otherw ise extracting the bast from the interior xylem or epidermis (e.g., bark surface) of a plant, and harvesting the inner stalk, stem, or core of the plant. In certain instances, hurd fiber may be obtained via decortication or the manual or mechanical peeling of the bast from the plant. In some instances, after extraction of bast fiber (e.g., via peeling), the stalk, stem, or core of the plant, such as hurds or shives, may be obtained.

[0022] Similarly, hurd powder or shive fibers includes powdered hurd fiber and / or a powder of the stem, stalk, or core of certain dicotyledonous plants. In some cases, the hurd powder can comprise particles in the nanometer or micrometer range. The particles may be cellulose particles, derived from hurd or hurd fiber. The hurd powder may comprise nanoparticles and / or microparticles.

[0023] Materials comprising relatively optimal structure to be used as the carbonaceous material and / or the first conductive region and / or the second conductive region, such as graphene (e.g., activated graphene, curved graphene, laser-scribed graphene, ultrathin planar graphene, sponge-like graphene) or other carbon micro or nanomaterials comprising large and flat adsorption surfaces and high in-plane electrical conductivity. Graphene-like materials can be used as well, for example, as synthesized via exfoliation (e.g., modified Hummers method), chemical vapor deposition, or microw ave synthesis. In contrast, carbonaceous material derived from petroleum or biowaste can be synthesized through pyrolysis or hydrothermal methods.

[0024] In some instances, biomass, such as bast fiber material, bast powder material, or hemp hurd material (e.g., fiber, powder), can be used as precursors to manufacture components of the cables of the present disclosure (e.g., carbonaceous material, first conductive material, second conductive material), such as, for example, graphene-like carbon nanosheet structures (e.g., stacked carbon sheets having planar dimensions independently from 1 nanometer to at most 1000 nanometers (e.g., 1 nm to 500 nm, 500 nm to 1000 nm)). These sheets may be formed, for example, using hydrothermal synthesis. The precursors may be formed in the form of sheets, tubes, or rolls, for example. The bast fiber, bast powder, hemp hurd, or a derivative thereof may be the active material for one or more components of the cable (e.g., carbonaceous material, first conductive region, second conductive region).Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT

[0025] For example, fibrous materials such as bast fiber and / or hurd fiber can first undergo hydrothermal carbonization to break up an initially yam like structure of the fiber into smaller pieces. The hydrothermal synthesis process can yield high oxygen content material (e.g., material with oxygen-containing functional groups), making the yield susceptible to a subsequent activation process using activating reagents including such as potassium hydroxide (KOH). After the hydrothermal process, the fiber can then be activated with a hydroxide, e.g., an alkaline hydroxide such as KOH, which may penetrate the fiber and generate carbon nanosheets. The activation temperature can be at least 600° Celsius (°C), 650 °C, 700 °C, 705 °C, 710 °C, 715 °C, 720 °C, 725 °C, 730 °C, 735 °C, 740 °C, 745 °C, 750 °C, 755 °C, 760 °C, 765 °C, 770 °C, 775 °C, 780 °C, 785 °C, 790 °C, 795 °C, 800 °C or higher. In various implementations, the activation temperature can be less than or equal to 800 °C. 790 °C, 780 °C, 770 °C, 760 °C, 750 °C, 740 °C, 730 °C, 720 °C, 710 °C, 700 °C, 650 °C, 600 °C or lower. The fibrous material such as bast fiber and / or hurd fiber may or may not be pretreated, such as to reduce the size or open up the fiber structure.

[0026] The hydrothermal carbonization process may generate graphite flakes which may be used in or part of the conductive material (e.g., carbonaceous material, first conductive material, second conductive material). The graphite flakes can have a diameter of at least 10 micrometers (pm), 50 pm, 100 pm, 200 pm, 300 pm, 400 pm, 500 pm or more. As an alternative, the diameter of the graphite flakes can be less than or equal to 500 pm, 400 pm, 300 pm, 200 pm, 100 pm, 50 pm, 10 pm or smaller. The graphite flakes can have a thickness of at least 0.1 pm, 1 pm. 10 pm, 20 pm, 40 pm, 80 pm, 100 pm. 120 pm, 150 pm or greater. In various implementations, the thickness of the graphite flakes can be less than or equal to 150 pm, 120 pm, 100 pm, 80 pm, 40 pm, 20 pm, 10 pm, 1 pm, 0.1 pm or smaller. Alternatively, or in addition to, the hydrothermal carbonization of the bast fiber, bast powder, hurd fiber, or hurd powder material may generate at least one stack of carbon nanosheets.

[0027] The graphite flakes or the at least one stack of carbon nanosheets (e.g., as prepared from the hydrothermal carbonization process) may be treated with one or more exfoliation techniques to generate at least one carbon nanosheet having a thickness of one carbon atom. The exfoliation techniques can have high scalability, reproducibility, processability, and / or low production cost. The one or more exfoliation techniques may utilize liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) devices based on fluid dynamics. Suitable solvents for the LPE devices may be organic solvents (e.g. N,N-dimethylformamide). surfactant / water solutions, aromatic solvents, or ionic liquids. The LPE devices may use the fluid dynamics to subject the graphite flakes or the atCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT least one stack of carbon nanosheets, dispersed in one or a mixture of the suitable solvents, under intensive shear forces. The intensive shear forces may be sufficient to exfoliate, or peel off, the at least one carbon nanosheet from the at least one stack of carbon nanosheets. The LPE devices that utilize the fluid dynamics may be a vortex fluidic device, a pressure-driven fluid dynamics device, or a rotary' mixer-driven fluid dynamics device. In various implementations, these devices may also be used to disperse the carbonaceous material in the encapsulator material of the present disclosure as well. An operational speed of the vortex fluidic device may be at least 10 rotations per minute (r.p.m.), 100 r.p.m., 1,000 r.p.m., or 10,000 r.p.m. or higher. Alternatively, the operational speed may be less than or equal to 10,000 r.p.m., 1,000 r.p.m., 100 r.p.m., 10 r.p.m. or lower. A pressure of the pressure driven fluid dynamics device may be at least 1 megapascal (MPa), 5 MPa, 10 MPa, 20 MPa. 30 MPa, 40 MPa, 50 MPa, 100 MPa or higher. Alternatively, the pressure may be less than or equal to 100 MPa, 50 MPa, 40 MPa, 30 MPa, 20 MPa, 10 MPa, 5 MPa or lower. A rotor speed of the rotary' mixer-driven fluid dynamics device may be at least 10 r.p.m., 100 r.p.m., 1,000 r.p.m., or 10,000 r.p.m. or higher. Alternatively, the rotor speed may be less than or equal to 10,000 r.p.m., 1,000 r.p.m., 100 r.p.m., 10 r.p.m. or lower.

[0028] In another example, bast or hurd powder can comprise micron-sized or nano-sized cellulose particles, such as microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), or cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), derived from bast or hurd. The powder may comprise nanoparticles and / or microparticles. In some cases, the MCC, NCC, and CNC may be isolated and / or derived from the bast or hurd via acid hydrolysis (e.g., hydrochloric acid hydrolysis). For example, bast or hurd fiber, after harvesting, can be dried to less than 10% moisture content (e.g. , in an industrial oven) and ground (e.g. , via a cutting mill pulverizer) to yield bast or hurd powder (e.g., hemp bast powder, kenaf bast powder, hemp hurd powder). The powder can undergo alkali treatment and washing. In some cases, the alkali treatment and washing can comprise treatment with an alkali hydroxide (e.g.. sodium hydroxide) solution, such as a from 1 -10% (w / w) (e.g., 4% (w / w) sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution) at, above room temperature (e.g., 80°C). Treatment may occur for from 1-3 hours (e.g., 2 hours), washing with distilled water, and filtering. The alkali treatment and washing can be repeated (e.g., 2 cycles, 3 cycles, 4 cycles). Subsequent to alkali treatment and washing, a bleaching treatment can be performed. In some cases, the bleaching treatment can comprise soaking in a solution containing equal parts of acetate buffer, aqueous chlorite (e.g., 1.7% (w / w)), and distilled water, washing with distilled water, and filtering. The bleaching treatment can be repeated (e.g., 2 cycles, 3 cycles,Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT4 cycles). The bast or hurd can then be subjected to acid hydrolysis (e.g., hydrochloric acid hydrolysis, sulfuric acid hydrolysis). In some instances, acid hydrolysis can comprise subjecting 4-6% (w / w) bleached fibers in preheated 65% sulfuric acid at 50°C for 60 minutes, mixing the suspension (e.g., via magnetic stirrers), and separating via a centrifuge maintained at 4000 rotations per minute (rpm) for 30 minutes and dialyzed with distilled water. Whiskers suspension can be homogenized to yield bast- or hurd-derived nanocellulose whiskers. In another example, nanoparticles such as nanocrystalline cellulose NCC or cellulose nanocrystal CNC can be prepared using isolated cellulose from bast or hurd, such as via acid hydrolysis (e.g., hydrochloric acid hydrolysis, sulfuric acid hydrolysis). The bast- or hurd-derived micro- or nano-powder may demonstrate properties such as high aspect rations, high surface areas, and high modulus. In some cases, the bast powder can comprise particles in the nanometer or micrometer range. For example, a bast or hurd powder particle may have a diameter of at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 nanometers (nm) or more. Alternatively, the bast or hurd powder particle may have a diameter of at most 500, 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, 150, 100. 90. 80. 70, 60, 50 nm or less. In some embodiments, a bast or hurd powder particle may have a diameter of at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100. 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 micrometers (pm) or more. In various implementations, the bast or hurd powder particle may have a diameter of at most 500, 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, 150, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30. 20, 10 pm or less.

[0029] In light of the above considerations, the cable or components thereof (e.g., carbonaceous material, first conductive region, second conductive region) may comprise, at least in part, bast fiber, bast powder, hemp hurd (e.g., fiber, powder), or a derivative thereof. For example, one of the two conductive regions can comprise bast fiber, bast powder, hemp hurd, or a derivative thereof. In some instances, the bast fiber-based, bast powder-based, or hemp hurd-based regions can comprise carbon nanosheets or carbon nanotubes that contain high levels of mesoporosity which may correlate with electrochemical properties relevant to conductivity in the cable. In various implementations, portions of the conductive materials may include a dielectric, or at least a portion of the dielectric material, can comprise bast fiber, bast powder, hemp hurd, or a derivative thereof. For example, a double layer of NFC and CNC can be used as the dielectric in a supercapacitor. In some instances, the CNC and NFC dielectric can be deposited on each electrode by spray-coating a thin film of CNC solution (e.g. , 0.8 wt% in water), drying the CNC film (e.g, at 60°C), drop-casting NFC gel (e.g., 0.8 wt% inCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT water), and letting the gel dry (e.g, at room temperature) for dehydration. A mechanical mask (e.g., poly dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mask) may be used during deposition.

[0030] In some instances, the cable or portions thereof (e.g., carbonaceous material, first conductive material, second conductive material all of which are embodiments of the present disclosure) may comprise, at least in part, hemp (e g., Cannabis sativa L.) bast fiber, hemp bast powder, hemp hurd (fiber or powder) or a derivative thereof. Hemp fiber (e.g. , bast fiber, hurd fiber) can comprise one or more layers of cellulose, semicellulose, and lignin. In particular, hemp fiber can comprise layered microfibrils consisting of crystalline cellulose fibrils. During a hydrothermal process of the hemp fiber, which may be conducted at 170-200 °C, optionally in addition other reactions (e.g., hydrolysis of lignin, dehydration, decomposition, condensation), the cry stalline cellulose can be partially carbonized. The hydrothermal process can loosen the interconnected layers of the cellulose microfibrils while converting a majority of the semicellulose and a part of the lignin into soluble organic compounds. The semicellulose and lignin can be dissolved to isolate the loosened cellulose microfibrils.

[0031] During an activation process (e.g., conducted at 700-800 °C), activating reagents, (e.g., alkaline hydroxides such as KOH), can penetrate the loosened microfibril layers and thereby separate the layers as sheets. The KOH can further carbonize and activate the separated layers to reduce their respective thickness and generate microporosity and mesoporosity in the carbon sheet structure. In particular, the crystalline cellulose content of the hemp precursor allows derivatives forming from the activation process to comprise a degree of alignment (e.g. , graphitic order) in their structural properties. In various implementations, a pyrolysis process can be used to synthesize bast or hurd fiber derivatives.

[0032] A resulting derivative of the hemp fiber (e.g., as formed from the activation process) can comprise carbon nanosheets with favorable degrees of microporosity, mesoporosity, and graphitic alignment for use in capacitor systems. In some instances, such fiber (e.g., pure hemp) or its derivatives (e.g. , graphene-like carbon nanosheets such as stacked nanosheets) can be used as a first conductive material, a second conductive material (e.g. , material of the second electrode) and / or the electrically connecting carbonaceous material within the encapsulator.

[0033] For example, cellulosic fibers or powders in bast or hurd (e.g., fiber or powder) can comprise relatively high electrical permittivity which can be advantageous for conduction performance. In some instances, natural fibers or powders (e.g., bast fiber, bast powder, hurd fiber, hurd powder) can be mixed with synthetic fibers or powders in varying proportions toCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT vary' electrical resistance and / or electrical permittivity. In some instances, moisture content (e.g, humidity) can be altered to vary electrical resistance and / or electrical permittivity of the bast or hurd material. For example, the bast or hurd material can have a moisture content of at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or more. In certain implementations, the bast or hurd material can have a moisture content of less than or equal to 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%. 45%. 40%. 35%. 30%. 25%. 20%. 15%. 10%. 5% or less.

[0034] In some instances, an operating temperature can be varied to vary electrical resistance and / or electrical permittivity. For example, the operating temperature can be at most -50 °C, - 40 °C, - 30 °C, -20 °C, -10 °C, 0 °C, 10 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C, 60 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C, 90 °C, 100 °C, 110 °C, 120 °C, 130 °C, 140 °C, 150 °C or higher. As an alternative, the operating temperature can be less than or equal to 150 °C, 140 °C, 130 °C, 120 °C, 110 °C, 100 °C, 90 °C. 80 °C, 70 °C. 60 °C. 50 °C, 40 °C. 30 °C, 20 °C, 10 °C. 0 °C. -10 °C. -20 °C. - 30 °C, -40 °C, -50 °C or lower. In some instances, the bast material can be configured to perform with varying electrical resistances and / or electrical permittivity7over a range of humidity and / or a range of operating temperatures. In some instances, a thickness, surface mass, density’ (e.g., number of threads per unit length) and / or other configuration (e.g., warp and weft) of a weaving structure in the cellulosic fibers in bast or hurd fiber can be altered to vary electrical resistance and / or electrical permittivity7.

[0035] In some instances, bast material, hurd material, or derivatives thereof can undergo processes such as electrospinning, solution casting, melt processing, and / or in-situ polymerization process to form polymer composites with desired material properties such as large surface to volume ratios. Electrospinning, for example, can control the deposition and dispersion of highly attractive nanomaterials, such as graphene, carbon nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoribbons, and other carbon nanofiber composites. Through electrospinning, carbon fibers with diameters less than one micrometer (micron) can be formed with relatively high control.

[0036] The input solution to an electrospinning apparatus can comprise a ell-dispersed amount of fiber (e.g.. bast, hurd) or its derivatives, such as graphene, carbon nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoribbons, and other carbon nanofiber composites dispersed in, for example, a polymer solution. In various implementations, the input solution comprises the encapsulator material. In some instances, this solution can be prepared by making the fiber solution separately from a dispersion solution and mixing them together. TheCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT polymer / dispersion solution can be a homogenous solution. Electrospinning this polymer / dispersion solution can generate resultant nanocomposite fibers that have well- dispersed embedded nanostructures. For example, a carbon nanotube (CNT) / polymer composite that undergoes electrospinning can result in better aligned nanocomposite fibers with the CNTs orienting substantially parallel to the nanofiber axis. In some instances, a stable dispersion of CNTs can be achieved by using surfactants (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulphate), large amphiphilic polymers (e.g., polyvinyl pyrrolidone), and / or natural macromolecules (e.g., polysaccharide. Gum Arabic) which can be adsorbed onto the hydrophobic nanotubes. In some instances, dispersion can be facilitated via ultrasonification of the solution.

[0037] Beneficially, electrospun bast fiber / polymer composites, particularly when coupled with the encapsulator material (e.g, CNT / polymer composites) can demonstrate significantly improved mechanical and electrical properties that are suitable for application as conductive components of the cable described herein. The improved dispersion and orientation of nanotubes within the polymer fiber, and strong interfacial adhesion due to the nanotube surface modification can significantly improve the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the polymers. The fiber / polymer composite may also have improved resistance to mechanical strain (e.g.. fracture strain), such as due to the nanopores on the fiber surface shielding slippage and stress, as well as the highly aligned nanotubes along the fiber axis taking on the mechanical load from the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the presence of conductive natural fiber (e.g., bast fiber, hurd fiber) or fiber derivatives in the fiber / polymer composites can provide a way for the otherwise relatively less conductive polymers to improve conductivity for various applications.

[0038] The carbonaceous material (e.g., graphene, graphene sheets) may be chemically doped such as by physisorption of one or more dopants onto (or between) the graphene sheets and / or impregnation of the crystalline lattice with heteroatoms (e.g., nitrogen, boron, halides such as Cl or F) and / or substitutional doping. For example, the carbonaceous material may have physisorbed dopants such as NO2, NEE, O2, H2O, CO, metals such as Au, organic adsorbates (e.g., aromatic molecules comprising electron withdrawing groups such as dibromonaphthalene or pyrenetetrasulfonate, aromatic molecules comprising electron donating groups such as diaminoaphthalene, dimethylanthracene, tetraofluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (e.g., 2,3,5,6-tetraofluoro-7,7,8,8- tetracyanoquinodimethane), polymers such as PMMA, acids (e.g., tetrasodium 1, 3,6,8- pyrenetetrasulfonic acid) or oxides of phosphorus (e.g., P2O5) onto the surface. Suitable dopants may be found in, for example, Lee, et al., Synthetic Metals 244 (2018): 36-47, whichCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and particularly in relation to graphene doping modulation by physisorption. The doping may occur in situ or ex situ. In some embodiments, the carbonaceous material is p-doped. In some embodiments, the carbonaceous material is doped by adsorption, deposition by thermal evaporation, inkjet printing, thermal annealing, or mixing (e.g., sonication of the carbonaceous material with a dopant).

[0039] The encapsulator structure is typically used to encapsulate the carbonaceous material and promote electrical conductivity through a central compartment that affords electrical conduction. Typically, the encapsulator structure has two orifices formed from an outer wall, wherein the encapsulator structure comprises a cavity connecting each orifice. Each orifice may be independently dimensioned to attach or insert a conductive material into the encapsulator structure. For example, each orifice may have a circular cross section with a diameter of from 0.5 mm to 1 cm (e.g., from 0.5 mm to 50 mm, from 0.5 mm to 20 mm, from 0.5 mm to 15 mm, from 0.5 mm to 10 mm). The orifice may be dimensioned, for example for insertion of 0000 AWG wire, 000 AWG wire, 00 AWG wire, 0 AWG wire, 1 AWG wire, 2 AWG wire, 3 AWG wire, 4 AWG wire, 5 AWG wire, 6 AWG wire, 7 AWG wire, 8 AWG wire, 9 AWG wire, 10 AWG wire, 11 AWG wire, 12 AWG wire, 13 AWG wire, 14 AWG wire, 15 AWG wire. 16 AWG wire, 17 AWG wire, 18 AWG wire, 19 AWG wire, 20 AWG wire, 21 AWG wire, 22 AWG wire, 23 AWG wire, 24 AWG wire, 25 AWG wire, or 26 AWG wire. In some embodiments, the outer wall (e.g., the outer wall forming the orifice) may have a thickness of from 0.5 mm to 1 cm (e.g., from 0.5 mm to 50 mm, from 0.5 mm to 20 mm, from 0.5 mm to 15 mm, from 0.5 mm to 10 mm). In some embodiments, the distance ratio of the outer wall (e.g., the outer wall forming the orifice) to the orifice diameter may be from 100: 1 to 1 : 100 (e.g., from 1:1 to 1: 100, from 1: 1 to 1 :50, from 1 : 1 to 1:25, from 1 : 1 to 1:10, from 100: 1 to 1: 1, from 50: 1 to 1 : 1, from 25: 1 to 1: 1, from 10: 1 to 1: 1). The length of the cavity is typically long enough for insertion of two cables and resultant connectivity, such as 5 mm to 10 cm (e.g.. from 5 mm to 5 cm, from 5 mm to 2 cm, from 1 cm to 10 cm from 0.5 cm to 10 cm, from 0.5 cm to 2 cm). Upon insertion, the electrically conductive materials may be inserted such that electrical contact to both conductive materials is made by the carbonaceous material present in the cavity of the encapsulator structure between the electrically conductive material. The encapsulator structure may be dimensioned along the major longitudinal axis such that the cables may be inserted (before and / or after a force is applied) with a distance of 0.5 mm to 10 cm (e.g., from 0.5 mm to 50 mm, from 0.5 mm to 20 mm, from 0.5 mm to 15 mm, from 0.5 mm to 10 mm, from 5 mm to 5 cm, from 5 mm to 2 cm, from 1 cm to 10 cmCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT from 0.5 cm to 10 cm, from 0.5 cm to 2 cm) between the electrically conductive materials when inserted into the encapsulator structure.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, an encapsulator structure 1, which may be used to electrically connect to conductive regions is depicted. Encapsulator structure 1 may be of a cylindrical shape having outer wall 2 and interior cavity 9. In various embodiments, the portions of the encapsulator structure may be straight, curved, angled, or combinations thereof. Encapsulator structure 1 includes orifices 5 and 7 each of which are independently dimensioned for insertion of a conductive region (to be connected). In some embodiment, one of the conductive regions is an electrical component such as a resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, pin other electrical connectors where the other conductive region is to be connected thereto. Encapsulator structure 1 comprises a feedthrough 11 which may provide access to cavity 9 through port 13 and connection orifice 15. Encapsulator material may be filled into cavity 9 (and / or vacuum may be applied to cavity 9) through feed through 11. In embodiments where a single feedthrough is present, the orifice may be connected to a manifold to allow multiple materials or vacuum to be independently applied through the port. In some embodiments, the encapsulator may comprise more than one feed through (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine).

[0041] Encapsulator structure 1 may be removed from the cables after the electrical connection is created with the encapsulator material. In some embodiments, the encapsulator structure remains on the cable and may add additional support to the carbonaceous material to maintain electrical connectivity. Encapsulator structure 1 may be removed by separating the halves at breaks 3 and 4. Encapsulator structure 1 comprises hinges (e.g., hinge 19) and locking mechanism 17 which allow for the encapsulator structure to be locked in a configuration suitable for connecting two conductive regions with an encapsulator material filling cavity 9. Unlocking of locking mechanism 17 may allow encapsulator structure 1 to be removed (e.g., via rotation of the hinge) after an electrical connection has been established between the electrically conductive regions.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 2, encapsulator 1 is illustrated connecting first conductive region 17 with second conductive region 19. The conductive regions are independently inserted into orifices 5 and 7 (labelled in FIG. 1). Between first conductive region 21 and second conductive region 23, encapsulator material has been filled within the cavity' to electrically connect the two conductive regions. The encapsulator material 20 includes a plurality of graphene flakes 20 which have sheets with planes dispersed substantially parallelCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT along the major longitudinal axis of the encapsulator structure. Such dispersal may increase the electrical conductivity between the two conductive regions 21 and 23. However, such orientation is not necessary insomuch as the two regions are electrical connected. For example, the resistance of the encapsulator material may be less than (or from 0.1 fl to) 1 VI Q or less than Ik or less than 100 Q or less than 10 . The resistance of the encapsulator material may be changed by. for example, altering the relative weight ratio of the carbonaceous material to a viscoelastic material which may suspend the carbonaceous material in a configuration suitable for conductivity. In various implementations, the weight ratio of the carbonaceous material to the viscoelastic material in the encapsulator material is from 100: 1 to 1 : 100 (e.g., 100: 1 to 1: 1, 50: 1 to 1 :1. 100: 1 to 50: 1, 25: 1 to 1: 1, 50: 1 to 25: 1, 75: 1 to 50: 1, 100: 1 to 75: 1). In various embodiments, the encapsulator material is substantially homogenous. In some embodiments, the encapsulator is a composite material comprising one or more sections of carbonaceous material independently electrically connecting regions 21 and 23, wherein the sections of carbonaceous material are sandwiched between viscoelastic material. In the cable embodiment depicted, port 25 comprises a cap. In some embodiments, the encapsulator structure 1 is not present in the cable, wherein the encapsulator structure has been used to set an electrically conductive carbonaceous region between electrically conductive regions 21 and 23 (e.g., after a time period after filling the cavity' with the encapsulaor material). The setting may occur, for example, by heating the encapsulator material within the encapsulator structure between the two cables. In various implementations the encapsulator material may further comprise a sealant (e.g., silicone) and / or an adhesive. These additional components may be mixed with the viscoselastic material and carbonaceous material (e.g., to form a substantially homogenous mixture) or may be added at different points during the filling of the encapsulator region (e.g., in nonhomogenous embodiments).

[0043] The carbonaceous material dispersed within the encapsulator material may undergo electrophoretic deposition, targeted ultrasound detection (sonication) with optional cunent applied thereto (e.g., AC current which may provide lattice alignment and joining of the carbonaceous material). Lattice joining and alignment may increase the connectivity' between the conductive regions. In some embodiments, the carbonaceous material may undergo freezing (e.g., cryogenic flashing) to afford the lattice joining as well as the application of pressure to afford the electrical connections and fusing of components of the cable.

[0044] The cable may comprise multiple connections using multiple encapsulator structures disposed between each conductive region. For example, the cable may comprise the structure:Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT— CRn- En—CRn+ 1—wherein CRnis nth conductive region n;Enis encapsulator structure (and / or encapsulator material) n;CRn+1 is the n+1 conductive region; andEn provides electrical conductivity between CRn and CRn+i. In various implementations, n may be greater than 1 (e.g., from 1-100, from 1-50, from 1-25, from 1-10, from 1-5). For example when n=3, the cable may have the structure:CR0-CR1-E1-CR2-E2-CR3-E3-CR4-CRF wherein CRo and CRF are the initial and final conductive regions, respectively.

[0045] The encapsulator material and / or encapsulator structure may comprise one or more viscoelastic materials including conductive and insulating viscoelastic material. For example, the encapsulator material and or structure may be a thermoplastic polyurethane, or other polymer, such acrylic, or latex rubber. The thermoplastic polymer film may also be of any desired composition, e.g. polyester, polyvinyl chloride or fluoride, polycarbonate, nylon, or polyurethane. Polyurethane films, ty pi cally thermoplastic polyurethane films, are available for use with such desirable properties as toughness, elasticity, clarity (including clarity after stretch or stretch / recovery), and chemical reactivity. The films which are used may be colored, printed, clear, smooth, textured, or perforated / pin-holed films. The thickness of such films can be widely varied and will depend on the product desired. A typical example is polyurethane film of two mils to 100 mils thickness for use in the flame-retardant composite fabric, although it will be appreciated that other types of films and thickness can be used.

[0046] Suitable thermoplastic polyurethanes include polyester based or polyether-based polyurethanes. The TPU may be prepared such that the polyisocyanate component of the TPU comprises a diisocyanate; the chain extender component, when present, comprises a diol, a diamine, or a combination thereof; and where the polyol component, when present, comprises a polyether polyol, a polyester polyol, a polycarbonate polyol, a polysiloxane polyol, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments the TPU may be formed from polyisocyanate components including methylene diphenyl diisocyante. 4.4" -methylene dicyclohexyl diisocyante, hexamethylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, lysine diisocyanate, 1,4-butatediisocyanate, 1,4-phenyldiisocyanate, trans-cyclohexane- 1,4- diisocyanate, O-tolidine diisocyanate, naphthalene-1.5-diisocyanate or combinations thereof;Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT the chain extender component, when present, may be formed from ethylene glycol, butanediol, hexamethylenediol, pentanediol, heptanediol, nonanediol, dodecanediol, ethylenediamine, butanediamine, hexamethylenediamine, or a combination thereof; and the polyol component, when present, may be formed from poly(ethylene glycol), poly(tetramethylene glycol), poly(trimethylene oxide), ethylene oxide capped poly(propylene glycol), polylbutylcne adipate), poly(ethylene adipate), poly(hexamethylene adipate), poly(tetramethylene-co- hexamethylene adipate), poly(3-methyl-l,5-pentamethylene adipate), poly caprolactone diol, poly(hexamethylene carbonate) glycol, poly(pentamethylene carbonate) glycol, poly(trimethylene carbonate) glycol, dimer fatty acid based polyester polyols, vegetable oil based polyols, poly(dimethyl siloxane) polyol, or any combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane is a polyether aromatic polyurethane such as ST- 4228 available from Argotec. Other polyurethanes are available with trade names including Epamould, Elastollan, Pearlthane, Desmopan, Estane, Pellethane, Irogran, exelast EC, Laripur, Avalon, Isothane, Zythane, TPU 95 A, Boost, and Luvosint.

[0047] The encapsulator structure is typically a rigid or flexible structure having a cavity which can house the carbonaceous material. Encapulator structures may be formed from biodegradable materials such as hemp plastics, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, other biodegradable polymers, or combinations thereof. For example, the encapsulator structure may be formed from a biodegradable polymer composition (e.g., for use in forming a container without the surface as described herein), which may comprise a blend of PHBV, PHB, PHO, and a biodegradable polymer (e.g., a biodegradable polymer having one or more monomeric units (e.g., monomer, co-polymer) independently having the structure -[C(O)-Ri-C(O)-O- R.2-O]- wherein Ri is C2-C6 alkylene (e.g., ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene) or arylene (e.g., phenylene) and R2 is C2-C6 alkylene (e.g., ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene), a succinate copolymer, poly(ethylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate), polypropylene succinate), poly(ethylene adipate). poly(butylene adipate), polypropylene adipate), poly(butylene terephthalate), polypropylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene succinate-co- adipate), polypropylene succinate-co-adipate), poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate), polypropylene succinate-co-adipate), poly(ethylene succinate-co-terephthalate), polypropylene succinate-co-terephthalate). poly(butylene succinate-co-terephthalate), polypropylene succinate-co-terephthalate), poly(butylene adipate-co- terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(caprolactone), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), cellulose esters (such as cellulose acetate), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), thermoplastic starch, and mixtures thereof). In some embodiments,Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT the biodegradable polymer composition is a bionanocomposite such as a composition comprising an inorganic material (e.g.. clay, silicate) mixed with polymer. In some embodiments, the inorganic material is a layered silicate nanoclays such as montmorillonite (MMT) or kaolinite, zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), titanium dioxide (TiCh-NPs), and silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). Suitable bionanocomposite materials for formation with the blends of the present disclosure may be found in, for example, A. Youssef, et al., Carbohydrate Polymers 193.1 (2018): 19-27, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and particularly in relation to inorganic nanomaterials for incorporation into polymer matrices for the formation of bionanocomposite. In various implementations, the encapsulator structure is reinforced with a fibrous material such as hemp fiber.

[0048] The hemp plastic may be a bioplastic made using industrial hemp. There are many different t pes of hemp plastic — from standard plastics reinforced with hemp fibers, to a 100% hemp plastic made entirely from the hemp plant. The hemp plastic may be recyclable and can be manufactured to be 100% biodegradable.

[0049] In some instances, portions of the cable (e.g., the first conductive region, the second conductive region, the carbonaceous material, the encapsulator structure) be produced and / or assembled via three-dimensional (3D) printing where bast or hurd material (e.g., hemp, flax), fiber or powder, is input and / or output material. The 3D printing can be 3D nano-printing. For example, individual components of the capacitor may be printed layer by layer onto a desired location (e.g., panel, wing, fabric) with high modularity and flexibility.

[0050] The first and second electrodes can be electrically isolated from each other such that no electron is directly conducted to or from the two electrodes. The dielectric can be placed adjacent to each of the first electrode and the second electrode, and between the two electrodes. In some instances, for supercapacitors, the dielectric can comprise an electrolyte and / or separator soaked in the electrolyte. The first and second electrodes can each be in contact with the electrolyte and configured to not chemically react with the electrolyte. For example, a plurality of ions present in the electrolyte can collect on an electrode-electrolyte interface.

[0051] The cables of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of electrical systems (particularly with the resistive variability that may be associated with the multiple component cables that may be constructed). For example, the electrical system can be a power grid or an electrical circuit of a vehicle, airplane, jet, tram, railcar, boat, electronic device, power grid, smart grid, or another device that is capable of consuming, transferring, or generating electricCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT power. Examples of vehicles include gas cars, electric cars, hybrid gas / electric vehicles, motorboats, or other electric or non-electric vehicles. The electronic device may be a personal computer (e.g., portable PC, desktop PC), slate or tablet PC (e.g, Apple® iPad, Samsung® Galaxy Tab), telephone, Smart phone (e.g., Apple® iPhone, Android-enabled device, Blackberry®), or personal digital assistant.

[0052] The cable can be used to transmit electrical current in various high-processing and - computing systems. For example, computing systems applied towards any processing work, such as blockchain mining systems (e.g., for cryptocurrency tokens), artificial intelligence systems, quantum systems, machine learning systems, cryptography systems (including any method of decryption), network operating systems, high-definition graphics system, or other large systems may use the cables of the present disclosure.

[0053] The cable can also be used to power various horizontal take-off and landing (HOTOL) or vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft systems. For example, rotors, proprotors, and propellers that are used for takeoff, flight, or landing may use the cables of the present disclosure. The rotors, proprotors, or propellers may be electric or hybrid gas / electric. A HOTOL aircraft system may be a distributed electric propulsion system. A VTOL aircraft system may be an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), such as a drone. The UAV may be flown remotely using radio frequencies by a pilot in a remote location or fly autonomously following a pre-programmed flight.

[0054] The cable can be incorporated into wearable textiles as wearable energy storage. The cable may be woven into wearable textiles to electrically connect various components and transmit power and / or charge various to computing systems or electronic devices. The wearable textiles may include gloves, socks, shirts, ties, belts, and military vests. The various computing systems or electric devices may be a part of the wearable textiles (e.g, temperature sensors, heaters, light emitting diode displays, heart rate monitors, fitness trackers) or a separate portable device (e.g., mobile devices, smart watches, smart glasses, fitness trackers).

[0055] As various changes can be made in the above-described subject matter without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, it is intended that all subject matter contained in the above description, or defined in the appended claims, be interpreted as descriptive and illustrative of the present disclosure. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. Accordingly, the presentCustomer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT description is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0056] All documents cited or referenced herein and all documents cited or referenced in the herein cited documents, together with any manufacturer's instructions, descriptions, product specifications, and product sheets for any products mentioned herein or in any document incorporated by reference herein, are hereby incorporated by reference, and may be employed in the practice of the disclosure.

Claims

Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCTCLAIMS1. A conductive cable comprising a first conductive region having a first major longitudinal axis and a second conductive region have a second major longitudinal axis, wherein the first conductive region and the second conductive region are electrically connected with a carbonaceous material comprising at least one graphene sheet in contact with the first conductive region and the second conductive region; wherein the plane of at least one graphene sheet in the carbonaceous material is substantially parallel (e.g., within 20°, within 30°) of the first and second longitudinal axes.

2. The conductive cable according to claim 1, wherein the carbonaceous material is surrounded by an encapsulator material.

3. The conductive cable according to claim 2, wherein the encapsulator material is an insulator.

4. The conductive cable according to 2 or 3, wherein a portion of the encapsulator material is lattice matched with a portion of the carbonaceous material.

5. The conductive cable according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the carbonaceous material is present in an encapsulator material (e.g.. dispersed throughout the encapsulator material, in a cavity formed by an encapsulator structure) and said cavity further optionally comprises a sealant.

6. The conductive cable according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the carbonaceous material is present in a viscoelastic thermoplastic polyurethane.

7. The conductive cable according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the carbonaceous material is present in a cavity formed in an encapsulator structure and said cavity is under vacuum (e.g., less than 760 Torr, less than 500 Torr, less than 250 Torr, less than 100 Torr).

8. The conductive cable according to claim 7. wherein the encapsulator structure is formed from a material comprising biodegradable polymers (e.g.. hemp plastic such as hemp bioplastic, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(ethylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate), polypropylene succinate), poly(ethylene adipate), poly(butylene adipate), polypropylene adipate), poly(butylene terephthalate), polypropylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene succinate-co-adipate). polypropylene succinate-co-adipate), polypulylene succinate-co-adipate), polypropylene succinate-co-adipate), polypthylene succinate-co- terephthalate), polypropylene succinate-co-terephthalate), polyputylene succinate-co-Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT terephthalate), polypropylene succinate-co-terephthalate), poly(caprolactone), poly(lactic acid), cellulose esters (such as cellulose acetate), nanocellulose, thermoplastic starch), and mixtures thereof.

9. The conductive cable according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the carbonaceous material comprises (or is) graphene, multilayer graphene, graphene oxide, multilayer graphene oxide, graphite, or combinations thereof.

10. The conductive cable according to claim 9, wherein the graphene, multilayer graphene, graphene oxide, multilayer graphene oxide, graphite, or combinations thereof is in the form of flakes and / or a colloidal solution within the encapsulator material.

11. The conductive cable according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the carbonaceous material is activated, curved, laser-scribed, ultrathin, or sponge-like.

12. The conductive cable according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the carbanceous material comprises carbon nanosheets (e.g., single or multilayer graphene or graphite having dimensions of less than 1 pm).

13. The conductive cable according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the carbonaceous material is formed of optionally processed bast or hurd material.

14. The conductive cable according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the carbonaceous material is electrically biased (e.g., biased separately from any current being applied through the cable such as with magnetic fields applied to the carbonaceous material in the presence of DC current, addition of a dopant such as by sonication in a solution comprising a dopant).

15. The conductive cable according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein the first conductive region and / or second conductive region are made with carbonaceous material.

16. A method of electrically connecting a first conductive material and a second conductive material comprising at least one of a) joining the first conductive material and the second conductive material with an encapsulator structure having a cavity joining the first conductive material and second conductive material; b) optionally removing air from the cavity;Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT c) exposing conductive material in the first conductive material and / or second conductive material (e.g., exfoliating a portion of the first conductive material and / or second conductive material within the cavity); d) injecting carbonaceous material into the cavity; e) biasing the carbonaceous material in the cavity; and f) injecting sealant into the cavity.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the carbonaceous material is injected into the cavity’ with an encapsulator material (e.g., as a mixture formed by fluid dynamic processing of the carbonaceous material with the encapsulator material).

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising injecting an encapsulator material into the cavity prior to the injecting the carbonaceous material.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising injecting an encapsulator material into the cavity after the injecting the carbonaceous material.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17-19, wherein the encapsulator material is a viscoelastic thermoplastic polyurethane.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16-20, wherein the encapsulator structure is formed from a material comprising biodegradable polymers (e.g., hemp plastic such as hemp bioplastic, polylactic acid, polyhydroxy alkanoates, poly(ethylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate), polypropylene succinate), poly(ethylene adipate), poly(butylene adipate), polypropylene adipate), polyputylene terephthalate), polypropylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene succinate-co-adipate), polypropylene succinate-co-adipate), polyputylene succinate-co-adipate), polypropylene succinate-co-adipate), poly(ethylene succinate-co- terephthalate), polypropylene succinate-co-terephthalate), polyputylene succinate-co- terephthalate), polypropylene succinate-co-terephthalate), poly(caprolactone), poly(lactic acid), cellulose esters (such as cellulose acetate), nanocellulose, thermoplastic starch), and mixtures thereof.

22. A carbonaceous material derived from processed ballast or hurd material, wherein the carbonaceous material is doped.

23. The carbonaceous material according to claim 22 wherein the carbonaceous material is doped with a physisorbed dopant.Customer Number: 32361 DocketNo.: 181444-012301 / PCT24. The carbonaceous material according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the carbonaceous material comprises (or is) graphene, multilayer graphene, graphene oxide, multilayer graphene oxide, graphite, or combinations thereof.

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