Patent Abstract:
Apparatus to deliver predetermined forces, containers to hold particulate material and media, media, and the associated parameters for operating such equipment along with methods and compositions provided by the apparatus and methods.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application is a divisional application from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/931,236, filed Nov. 3, 2015, currently pending, which is a divisional application of Ser. No. 13/435,260, filed Mar. 30, 2012, currently pending, from which priority is claimed. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are several inventions and efforts to produce graphene chemically, thermally, and mechanically. Exfoliation involves the removal of the layers on the graphite&#39;s outermost surface. Ball milling is the most used of these methods, and this method involves milling the graphene in a closed container using various milling media. The ball mill moves in only one direction, that is, rotational on a horizontal axis. Prior art methods have described the results, however, they have failed to describe the specific mechanical forces in type and size, and the system of components required for success. 
         [0003]    The applicant is aware of WO2011006814 that deals with a wet process for providing particulate materials. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The instant invention, in one embodiment, deals with an apparatus that includes a system of components to mechanically exfoliate particulate materials using a multi-axis approach. In this embodiment, layers of particulate material or multilayer material are removed via a controlled shear by using a mechanical movement. 
         [0005]    The apparatus of this invention includes a machine to deliver forces, containers to hold particulate material and media, the media, and the associated parameters for operating such equipment along with, methods and compositions provided by the apparatus and methods. 
         [0006]    Thus, what is claimed in one embodiment, is an apparatus for mechanically exfoliating particulate material with a basil plane, said apparatus comprising in combination a support frame, a motor mount, a motor mounted on the motor mount, the motor having a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft has a driven flywheel mounted on it. 
         [0007]    The support frame has a non-stationary plate surmounted on it by mounted shock absorbers. The non-stationary plate has a front end and a back end, and it has a non-stationary plate rigidly surmounted on it. 
         [0008]    There is a processor assembly comprising a main drive shaft having two ends extending through drive shaft mounts, the main drive shaft comprising a flywheel between the ends of the main drive shaft. 
         [0009]    There is one or more cams on the main drive shaft, and a fastening means on each end of the main drive shaft to maintain the main drive shaft in the drive shaft mounts. 
         [0010]    There is a canister carrier mounted on each cam, the canister carrier comprising a hub, wherein the hub has an external surface mounted cradle and an internal flat surface supporting bearings. 
         [0011]    There is a stabilizer drive mechanism, the stabilizer drive mechanism comprising a ring gear driven by a pinion gear, a secondary drive shaft surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate. The secondary drive shaft is mounted in secondary drive shaft mounts and surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate. 
         [0012]    The secondary drive shaft has at least three first drive wheels. There is a drive link connecting each first drive wheel with an aligned second drive wheel. 
         [0013]    In addition, there is an embodiment which is an apparatus for mechanically exfoliating particulate material, the apparatus comprising in combination a support frame. The support frame is comprised, of an upper bar frame and a lower bar frame, wherein the upper bar frame and lower bar frame are supported by vertical legs. The upper bar frame and lower bar frame are parallel and spaced apart from each other. 
         [0014]    There is a motor mount mounted on and supported by the lower bar frame and there is a motor mounted on said motor mount, the motor having a drive shaft and the drive shaft having a driven flywheel mounted on it. 
         [0015]    The upper bar frame has a non-stationary plate surmounted thereon by at least four corner mounted shock absorbing mounts. The non-stationary plate has a front end and a back end. The non-stationary plate has rigidly surmounted on it, drive shaft mounts. The non-stationary plate has two large openings on either side of a smaller centered opening and the drive shaft mounts are located on the outside edges of the large openings. 
         [0016]    There is a processor assembly compiling: a main drive shaft having two ends extending through all drive shaft mounts. The main drive shaft comprises a flywheel centered between the ends of the main drive shaft. There are two cams, each centered between the flywheel and an end of the main drive shaft, and a fastening means on each end of the main drive shaft to maintain the main drive shaft in the drive shaft mounts. 
         [0017]    There is a canister carrier mounted on each cam, the canister carrier comprising: a hub, wherein the hub has an external surface mounted cradle and an internal flat surface supporting bearings, there being mounted on an outside hub, a drive component such as a stabilizer ring gear. There is rotatably mounted on the main drive shaft, adjacent to the stabilizer ring gear, a stabilizer housing, the stabilizer housing containing internal bearings adjacent to the main drive shaft, wherein there is a stabiliser pinion gear surrounding the stabiliser housing and meshing with the stabilizer ring gear. 
         [0018]    There is a stabilizer drive mechanism, the stabilizer drive mechanism comprising a secondary drive shaft surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate near the backend. The secondary drive shaft is mounted in secondary drive shaft mounts, surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate. The secondary drive shaft has at least three first drive wheels, one each near an end of the secondary drive shaft and one centered on the secondary drive shaft. 
         [0019]    The main drive shaft has at least three second drive wheels, each being aligned with second end first drive wheels on the secondary drive shaft, the centered first drive wheel being aligned with a third drive wheel mounted on a gear reducer. The gear reducer is surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate between the flywheel and the secondary shaft. The gear reducer has a fourth drive wheel mechanically connected to a third drive wheel by reducing gears, the fourth drive wheel and centered first drive wheel are connected by a drive link, the drive link connecting each of the first drive wheel with an aligned second drive wheel. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, there is an apparatus for mechanically exfoliating particulate material, the apparatus comprising in combination: a support frame. The support frame is comprised of an upper bar frame and a lower bar frame, wherein the upper bar frame and lower bar frame are supported by vertical legs. The upper bar frame and lower bar frame are parallel and spaced apart from each other. 
         [0021]    There is a motor mount mounted on and supported by the lower bar frame and there is a motor mounted on said motor mount, the motor having a drive shaft and the drive shaft having a driven flywheel mounted on it. 
         [0022]    The upper bar frame has a non-stationary plate surmounted thereon by at least four corner mounted shock absorbing mounts. The non-stationary plate has a front end and a back end. The non-stationary plate has rigidly surmounted on it, drive shaft mounts. The non-stationary plate has two large openings on either side of a smaller centered opening and the drive shaft mounts are located on outside edges of the large openings. 
         [0023]    There is a processor assembly comprising: a main drive shaft having two ends extending through all drive shaft mounts. The main drive shaft comprises a flywheel centered between the ends of the main drive shaft. There are two cams, each centered between the flywheel and an end of the main drive shaft, and a fastening means on each end of the main drive shaft to maintain the main drive shaft in the drive shaft mounts. 
         [0024]    There is a canister carrier mounted on each cam, the canister carrier comprising: a hub, wherein the hub has an external surface mounted cradle and an internal flat surface supporting bearings, there being mounted on an outside hub, a stabiliser ring gear. There is rotatably mounted on the main drive shaft, adjacent to the first stabilizer wheel, a stabilizer housing, the stabilizer housing containing internal bearings adjacent to the main drive shaft, wherein there is a second stabilizer wheel surrounding the stabilizer housing and meshing with the first stabiliser wheel. 
         [0025]    There is a stabilizer drive mechanism, the stabilizer drive mechanism comprising a secondary drive shaft surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate near the backend. The secondary drive shaft is mounted in secondary drive shaft mounts, surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate. The secondary drive shaft has at least three first drive wheels, one each near an end of the secondary drive shaft and one centered on the secondary drive shaft. 
         [0026]    The main drive shaft has at least three second drive wheels, each being aligned with second end first drive wheels on the secondary drive shaft, the centered first drive wheel being aligned with a third drive wheel mounted on a gear reducer. The gear reducer is surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate between the flywheel and the secondary shaft. The gear reducer has a fourth drive wheel mechanically connected to a third drive wheel by reducing gears, the fourth drive wheel and centered first drive wheel are connected by a drive link, the drive link connecting each of the first drive wheel with an aligned second drive wheel. 
         [0027]    In yet another embodiment, there is a drive shaft. The drive shaft is integral and comprises a linear shaft having two terminal ends and a center point. The linear shaft has fixedly mounted at the center point, a flywheel. There are two cams, each cam having a near end and a distal end. Each cam has an opening through it whereby the opening begins at the near end near a bottom edge of the cam, and terminates through the distal end near a top edge. The linear shaft extends through the opening in the cam and extends beyond the distal end of the cam. The drive shaft has mounted on it, a wheel drive adjacent to the flywheel. 
         [0028]    In still another embodiment of this invention there is a ring gear. The ring gear comprises: an inside surface and an outside surface, the inward surface is comprised of a plurality of gear teeth, the number and shape of gear teeth being matched to mesh with a corresponding gear on an adjacent pinion gear. 
         [0029]    A further embodiment is a cam assembly comprising a cylindrical housing. The cylindrical housing has a near end and a distal end and an opening extending from the near end through the distal end. The opening begins at the near end of the cam and near a bottom edge and terminates through the distal end near a top edge, the distal end having an off round, at least one said end cap having a valve inserted therein 
         [0030]    Yet another embodiment is a carrier assembly for canisters. The carrier assembly comprises a hubbed housing having an open center through it with an internal surface. The hub has at least two bearings mounted on the internal surface of the housing and internal to each hub. The hubs support an integral canister cradle attached to the hubs. One hub has a stabilizer ring gear fixedly attached thereto such that the gear face of the gear faces away from the hub. 
         [0031]    In yet another embodiment, there is in combination a carrier assembly and at least one canister. 
         [0032]    There is a canister embodiment, the canister comprising: a hollow cylinder having two terminal ends, each of the terminal ends having a scalable cap mounted thereon. There is at least one end cap having a valve inserted therein. 
       SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  is a top view in perspective of the apparatus of this invention. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a full top view of the apparatus of this invention. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a full front view of the apparatus of this invention. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a full end view of the apparatus of this invention from the end opposite the motor. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a full end view of the apparatus of this invention from the motor mount end. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a full side view of a main drive shaft of this invention with its component parts. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a view in perspective of the main drive shaft of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a full side view of a cam of this invention. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a full end view of a cam of this invention showing the rectangular inset and opening therethrough. 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is a view in perspective of the cam of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the cam of  FIG. 9 , through line A-A. 
         [0044]      FIG. 12  is a partial cross section of the canister carrier mounted on a cam. 
         [0045]      FIG. 13  is an end view of a canister carrier showing the canister cradle mounted with canisters and an end view of a ring gear. 
         [0046]      FIG. 14  is a full side view of the canister carrier of  FIG. 13 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 15  is a view in perspective of the canister carrier of  FIG. 13 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 16  is a another embodiment of the stabilizer assembly of this invention using rubber wheels. 
         [0049]      FIG. 17  is a full end view of a ring gear on this invention. 
         [0050]      FIG. 18  is a full edge view of the ring gear of  FIG. 17 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 19  is a view in perspective from the front, of the ring gear of  FIG. 17 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 20  is a full back view of a pinion gear on this invention. 
         [0053]      FIG. 21  is a full side view of the pinion gear of  FIG. 20 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 22  is a full view in perspective of the back of the pinion gear of  FIG. 20 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 23  is a top view of the secondary drive assembly mounted on the flat plate. 
         [0056]      FIG. 24  is an end view of the drive assemblies of  FIG. 23 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 25A  is an illustration of the axis  1  orbital rotation of the canisters when the apparatus is in motion. 
         [0058]      FIG. 25B  is an illustration of the axis  2  orbital rotation of the canisters when the apparatus is in notion. 
         [0059]      FIG. 25C  is an illustration of the planar axis  2  translation and the planar axis  1  translation of the canisters when the apparatus is in motion. 
         [0060]      FIG. 25D  is an illustration of the planar axis  3  translation of the canisters when the apparatus is in motion. 
         [0061]      FIG. 26  is a full side view of one canister design of this invention. 
         [0062]      FIG. 27  is partial enlarge view of the stabilizer assembly. 
         [0063]      FIG. 28  is a full side view of a synchronous drive of this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0064]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a full top view in perspective of the apparatus  1  of this invention.  FIG. 2  is a full top view of the apparatus,  FIG. 3  is a full front view of the apparatus, and  FIG. 4  is a full end view of the apparatus of this invention from the end opposite of the motor mounting. The Figures should be consulted for an understanding of the information that follows. 
         [0065]    In  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , there is shown a framework  2  for supporting the working components of this invention and thus there is shown the legs  3  of the framework  2 , the upper bar frame  4 , and a lower bar frame  5 . 
         [0066]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a motor mount  6 , mounted on the lower fear from  5 , on which there is mounted a motor  7 , also shown in  FIG. 3  more clearly. The motor  7  is the main drive mechanism for the apparatus  1 . The motor has a motor drive shaft  8 , shown in  FIG. 4 , and attached to this drive shaft  8  is a driven flywheel  9 . 
         [0067]    As shown clearly in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , the upper bar frame  4  has a non-stationary flat plate  10  surmounted on it which is supported at least at each of the four corners  11 , by shock absorbing mounts  12 . The non-stationary flat plate  10  has a front end  13  and a back end  14  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). Rigidly mounted on the flat plate  10  are drive shaft mounts  15 , which hold the main drive shaft  16  which will be discussed in detail infra. The drive shaft mounts  15  are located on either side of a small opening discussed infra and on either side of the two larger openings  18 , also discussed infra. 
         [0068]    The flat plate  10  has a centered small opening  17  and two larger openings  18  on either side of the centered small opening  17 . Located in the two large openings  18  are processor assemblies  19 , both processor assemblies being supported and driven by the main drive shaft  16 , which extends from the drive shaft mount  15  on one edge of the flat plate  10  to the drive shaft mount  15  on the opposite edge of the flat plate  10 . 
         [0069]    There is centered on the main drive shaft  16 , a main flywheel  20 , which main flywheel  20  is essentially suspended by the main drive shaft  16  in the small opening  17 . Thus, the processor assemblies  19  consist of the main drive shaft  16  and the main flywheel  20 . 
         [0070]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown the details of the main drive shaft  16 .  FIG. 6  is a full side view and  FIG. 7  is a full view in perspective. The main drive shaft consists of a straight shaft  21  on which are mounted the main flywheel  20 , centered between the ends  22  of the straight shaft  21 , two cams  23  each spaced essentially equidistant between the main flywheel  20  and the ends  22  of the straight shaft  21 . Also shown are the fasteners  23  for fastening the main drive shaft  16  in the drive shaft mounts  15  (not shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). One preferred drive mechanism for the main drive shaft is shown as a chain sprocket  24 . 
         [0071]    The cams  23  are shown in detail in  FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 . The cam comprises a solid cylinder  31 , that has one flat end  32  and the opposite end  33  configured at a slight angle Θ from the vertical, said angle Θ comprising less than about 15°. ( FIG. 8  is a full side view of the cam  23  of this invention). It should be noted that end  33  also has a slight hub associated with that end. In observing  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is shown an opening  34 , which is rectangular in configuration, through which the straight shaft  21  of the main drive shaft  16  extends. Note from  FIG. 11 , that the opening  34  has an inset  35 , and that the remainder of the opening  34  is angled through the cam  23 . By this means, the straight shaft  21 , when the main drive shaft  16  tarns, causes the canister carrier  26  attached to it to move in an irregular motion as will be described in detail infra. 
         [0072]    There is a canister carrier  26  mounted on each cam  23  (see  FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 . The canister carrier  26  can carry one or more canisters  27  as shown in  FIGS. 13, 14, 15 , and  16 . As the cams  23  move, the canister carriers  26  move. The canister carriers  26  have an outside hub  28  ( FIG. 12 ), wherein the outside hub  28  has an external surface mounted cradle  29 . The outside hub  28  has an internal flat surface  37  supporting bearings  30 . 
         [0073]    The canisters can be fabricated from any material that will sustain the forces and not contaminate the material in the canister. Such useable materials include, for example, stainless steel, plated steel, polycarbonate, aluminum and titanium, among others. 
         [0074]    There is a mounted on the outside hub  28 , a stabilizer assembly in one embodiment, consisting of a pinion gear  36   FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 , and a ring gear  38 ,  FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 , and in another embodiment, a stabiliser ring  39  and a stabiliser wheel  40  (See  FIG. 16 ). 
         [0075]    There is rotatably mounted on the main drive shaft  16 , adjacent to the stabilizer ring gear  38  (or stabilizer ring  39  in the event of another embodiment), a stabiliser housing  42 . The stabilizer housing  42  contains internal bearings  43  adjacent to the main drive shaft  16 . It should be noted that the pinion gear  36  surrounds the stabilizer housing  42  and from this position meshes with the ring gear  38 , (See  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0076]    The ring gear  38  comprises an inward surface  44  and an outside surface  45 . The inward surface  44  is comprised of a plurality of gear teeth  46 , the number and shape of gear teeth  46  being matched to mesh with corresponding teeth on the adjacent pinion gear  36 . It will be noted from  FIGS. 17 and 19  that the gear teeth  46  slant forward within the ring gear  28 . 
         [0077]    Turning now to  FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 , there is shown a pinion gear  36  which operates in conjunction with the ring gear  38 . Note that the teeth  47  on the pinion gear  36  are configured to mesh with the gear teeth  46  of the ring gear  38 . 
         [0078]    There is a stabilizer drive mechanism  48 , best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 23 and 24 , that is comprised of a secondary drive shaft  49  that is surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate  10 , near the backend of the plate  10 . The secondary drive shaft  49  is mounted in secondary drive shaft mounts  50 , three of which are shown in  FIG. 23 , said mounts  50  being mounted on the flat plate  10 . The secondary drive shaft  49  has at least three first drive wheels  51 , one near each near end of the secondary drive shaft  49  and one essentially centered on the secondary drive shaft  49 . 
         [0079]    The main drive shaft  16  has at least three second drive wheels  52  being aligned with the second end first drive wheels  51  on the secondary drive shaft  49 . The centered first drive wheel  52  is aligned with a third drive wheel  54  mounted on a gear reducer  53  shown in  FIG. 23 . The gear reducer  53  is surmounted on the non-stationary flat plate  10  between the driven flywheel  9  and the secondary shaft  39 . The gear reducer  53  has a fourth drive wheel  55  mechanically connected to a third drive wheel  54  by reducing gears (not shown). The fourth drive wheel  55  and centered first drive wheel  52  being connected by a drive link  56  shown in  FIG. 5 . There is a second drive link  57  connecting each first drive wheel  51  with an aligned second drive wheel  52 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 28  is a side view of the canister  58  mounted in the canister carrier  26 . This Figure shows an enlarged view of the mechanism for stabilization, namely, the cam  23 , the bearings  30  on the cam, the stabilizer ring  38 , the stabilizer hub  28 , a drive link  57  which is a belt drive, the stabilizer bearing  43 , and the main drive shaft  16 . Canister sizes can ranged from 12 to 15 inches in length and from 4 to 8 inches in diameter. 
         [0081]    In this manner of linking the drive wheels, in operation, the main drive shaft  16  moves in a counter clockwise rotation and the secondary drive shaft  49  for the stabilizer units moves in a clock wise rotation. Due to the gearing mechanism  53 , the secondary drive shaft  49  moves much slower than the main drive shaft  16 . 
         [0082]    It is contemplated within the scope of this invention to substitute a synchronous drive unit for the secondary drive mechanism that drives the secondary shaft. 
         [0083]      FIG. 26  shown a full side view of one canister  27  design of this invention wherein there is shown the canister  27 , the cap  60  and the atmosphere control valve  62 . 
         [0084]    Turning now to another embodiment of a stabilizer drive mechanism of this invention, there is shown in  FIG. 28  a full side view of a synchronous drive  63  mounted on the non-stationary plate  10 . The synchronous drive  63  is comprised of a belt system comprising a drive belt  64  that is attached to a drive wheel  65  and linked to a second wheel  66 , which is mounted on the secondary shaft  49  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). It should be noted from the arrows in  FIG. 28  that the main drive shaft  16  drives in a counter clockwise motion, and the secondary drive shaft  49  drives in a clockwise motion. 
         [0085]    The apparatus  1  is designed to impart forces in three planes and in orbital planes, one, two, or three, simultaneously (see  FIGS. 25A to 25D ).  FIG. 25A  shows the axis  1  orbital rotation.  FIGS. 25B  shows the axis  2  orbital rotation.  FIG. 25C  shows the planar axis  2  translation in the vertical direction and the planar axis  1  translation in the horizontal direction.  FIG. 25D  shows the planar axis  3  translation.   
         [0086]    The apparatus acts on the media to translate it in all planes simultaneously. By doing so, the energy of the apparatus is converted into the stress state required to cause the exfoliation of the particulate material. Other methods of milling, grinding, or size reduction of particulates do not impart forces or translate the media in these planes simultaneously. Most typically, these machines affect only 2 or 3 planes, or e places and I orbital t most. The theory of these methods or machines is to move the media so that the media can do the work. This causes pulverization to occur. The operation of conventional machines does not create the correct stress environment to allow exfoliation to occur. 
         [0087]    In addition to creating exfoliation via the shear forces, the present invention creates wear rate or deterioration on the media is minimized due to the machine doing the work and not the media. The apparatus of the instant invention moves the media so that the media and the apparatus act as one unit and are not disassociated. 
         [0088]    The milling media is chosen so that it provides optimum mass and provides correct shear forces. The mass is determined by the specific gravity of the media. If the specific gravity becomes too large, the forces that occur as the media comes into contact with the particulate material will exceed the shear thresholds and becomes tensile or compressive in nature. Should the forces become tensile or compressive, pulverization occurs. If the specific gravity of the media becomes too small, the forces that occur as the media comes into contact with the particulate material will offer limited effect. 
         [0089]    The shear forces are determined by the inter facial surface energy of the media. If the interracial surface energy with respect to the material being exfoliated becomes too large the forces that occur as the media comes into contact with the particulate material will exceed the shear thresholds and become tensile or compressive in nature. The performance of the apparatus is optimized as the interfacial surface energy and the surface area (achieved via diameter) is optimized. Media of mixed diameter may be used, if the surface energy between the media and material being exfoliated is too low, the media slips on the surface of the material and does not apply sufficient shear to cause exfoliation. 
         [0090]    In order for the machine and the media to act as one unit and create exfoliation, the cavity and the amount of fill of media in the cavity must be correct. The cavity must be filled in proportion to the length of movements created by the planar vectors. The performance of the apparatus is improved as the fill ratio, L overall  to L void  is optimised. 
         [0091]    In the method of this invention, wherein the apparatus  1  is used, it is necessary to cause the shear forces (or energy) created to be high enough in the basal plane that fracture (potential energy increase) will predominately occur in those planes prior to fracture through tensile forces. Based on test results, the following best describes the conditions under which the apparatus should be operated. 
         [0092]    The ratio of mass of media to mass of particulate should be in the range of 1:6 to 1:15; the height of media to height of canister should be 60 to 90%; the free space to canister displacement should be less than 40%; the specific gravity of the media should be from 1.05 to 1.38. Preferred for this apparatus and method is plastic media, although other known exfoliating media can be used as long as it fits the parameters of use in this invention, namely, the media is chosen to match the specific surface energy of the particulate. The actual operating time should be in the range of 45 minutes to about 1200 minutes. 
         [0093]    The composition of matter that is a produced by this apparatus and method can be any particulate material, or any combination of particulate material. The preferred particulate material is one that has basal planes and exfoliates to form platelets. Preferred particulate matter for this method is graphite exfoliated into graphene nanoplatelets. The particulate material is preferred to be high surface area graphene nanoplatelets comprising particles ranging in sire from 1 nanometer to 5 microns in lateral dimension and consisting of one to a few layers of graphene with a z-dimension ranging from 0.3 nanometers to 10 nanometers and exhibiting very high BET surface areas ranging from. 200 to 1200 m 2 /g. In some embodiments partially exfoliated particulate matter with a BET surface area from 30 to 200 m 2 /g may be produced. 
         [0094]    The apparatus may be capable of containing one or multiple containers. It may provide for more than one centroid of movement from one driver motor.

Technology Classification (CPC): 2