Process for making fullerene fibers

United States Patent m

Smalley

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US005591312A Patent Number: 5,591,312 Date of Patent: Jan. 7, 1997

[54] PROCESS FOR MAKING FULLERENE FIBERS

[75] Inventor: Richard E. Smalley, Houston, Tex. [73] Assignee: William Marsh Rice University, Tex.

[21] Appl. No.: 441,432

[22] Filed: May 15,1995

Related U.S. Application Data

[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 958,929, Oct. 9, 1992, abandoned.

[51] Int. CI.6 D01F 9/12

[52] U.S. CI 204/157.41; 423/447.3;

423/445 B; 204/157.47; 204/173

[58] Field of Search 423/445 B, 447.3,

423/DIG. 39, DIG. 40; 204/157.47, 173,

157.41

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,014,980 3/1977 Fujimaki et al 423/447.3

4,435,375 3/1984 Tamura et al 423/447.3

4,663,230 5/1987 Tennent 428/367

4,816,289 3/1989 Komatsu et al 423/447.3

5,227,038 7/1993 Smalley 204/173

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

60-199921 10/1985 Japan 423/447.3

3-019919 1/1991 Japan 423/447.3

1469930 4/1977 United Kingdom 423/447.3

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Primary Examiner—Wayne Langel

Assistant Examiner—Peter Di Mauro

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Baker & Botts, L.L.P.