Abstract: A system that receives nanomaterials, forms nanofibrous materials therefrom, and collects these nanofibrous materials for subsequent applications. The system include a housing coupled to a synthesis chamber within which nanotubes are produced. A spindle may extend from within the housing, across the inlet, and into the chamber for collecting nanotubes and twisting them into a yarn. A body portion may be positioned at an intake end of the spindle. The body portion may include a pathway for imparting a twisting force onto the flow of nanotubes and guide them into the spindle for collection and twisting into the nanofibrous yarn. Methods and apparatuses for forming nanofibrous are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques and methods are disclosed for producing a plurality of nanoparticles that can be used as catalysts to grow carbon or boron nitride nanotubes. The method includes mixing an iron salt including a ferrous or ferric ion with a long chain amine, thiol or polyphenol in a solvent comprising alcohol to produce a solution. Ferric or ferrous ion is reduced to zero valence iron. Nucleation of iron nanoparticles is initialized. The iron nanoparticles are capped to retard nanoparticle growth. The nanoparticles include an elemental iron core coated with a polyphenol that isolates the core from oxygen. The nanoparticles include an average diameter of less than or equal to 15.8 nanometers. The iron core may further include a secondary metal to form an iron-alloy. The secondary metal, in some applications, can be a transition metal.

Abstract: A system that receives nanomaterials, forms nanofibrous materials therefrom, and collects these nanofibrous materials for subsequent applications. The system is coupled to a chamber that generates nanomaterials, typically carbon nanotubes produced from chemical vapor deposition, and includes a mechanism for spinning the nanotubes into yarns or tows. Alternatively, the system includes a mechanism for forming non-woven sheets from the nanotubes. The system also includes components for collecting the formed nanofibrous materials. Methods for forming and collecting the nanofibrous materials are also provided.

Abstract: A cable having a conducting member made from a nanostructure-based material, and a shielding layer made of nanostructure-based material. The shielding layer can be circumferentially situated about the conducting member so as to enhance conductivity along the conducting member. A coupling mechanism may be situated between the shielding layer and the conducting member so as to secure the shielding layer in its position on the conducting member. A method of making the cable is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nanotube-based insulator is provided having thermal insulating properties. The insulator can include a plurality of nanotube sheets stacked on top of one another. Each nanotube sheet can be defined by a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The plurality of carbon nanotubes can be configured so as to decrease normal-to-plane thermal conductivity while permitting in-plane thermal conductivity. A plurality of spacers can be situated between adjacent nanotube sheets so as to reduce interlayer contact between the nanotubes in each sheet. The plurality of spacers can be ceramic or alumina dots or provided by texturing the nanotube sheets.

Abstract: A conductive adapter for carrying relatively high current from a source to an external circuit without degradation is provided. The adapter includes a conducting member made from a conductive nanostructure-based material and having opposing ends. The adapter can also include a connector portion positioned on one end of the conducting member for maximizing a number of conductive nanostructures within the conducting member in contact with connector portion, so as to enable efficient conduction between a nanoscale environment and a traditional electrical and/or thermal circuit system. The adapter can further include a coupling mechanism situated between the conducting member and the connector portion, to provide a substantially uniform contact between the conductive nanostructure-based material in the conducting member and the connector portion. A method for making such a conductive adapter is also provided.

Abstract: A conductive adapter for carrying relatively high current from a source to an external circuit without degradation is provided. The adapter includes a conducting member made from a conductive nanostructure-based material and having opposing ends. The adapter can also include a connector portion positioned on one end of the conducting member for maximizing a number of conductive nanostructures within the conducting member in contact with connector portion, so as to enable efficient conduction between a nanoscale environment and a traditional electrical and/or thermal circuit system. The adapter can further include a coupling mechanism situated between the conducting member and the connector portion, to provide a substantially uniform contact between the conductive nanostructure-based material in the conducting member and the connector portion. A method for making such a conductive adapter is also provided.

Abstract: A heating device having a thermally conducting member made from a matrix of carbon nanotubes and having opposing ends. A connector portion can be positioned at each end of the conducting member, and can be capable of receiving a current from an external source to permit the conducting member to generate heat. A coupling mechanism can be included and associated with the connector portion so as to provide the connector portion with substantially uniform contact across a contact surface area with the conducting member. Methods of using the heating device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating nanoscopically aligned carbon nanotubes in yarns, tapes and sheets. Some embodiments relate to methods and systems to allow in situ alignment of the tubes within the growth chamber. In particular, processes for in situ alignment include: (1) gas flow alignment using gas lenses introduced within the reaction tube, (2) electrostatic alignment using electrostatic lenses surrounding the reaction tube, (3) gas flow alignment by convergent flow within the reaction tube, (4) placing catalysts on a fixed substrate and flowing reaction gas parallel to the substrate. Other embodiments involve post processing of the CNT material in order to align the materials once it has been produced.

Abstract: A system that receives nanomaterials, forms nanofibrous materials therefrom, and collects these nanofibrous materials for subsequent applications. The system include a housing coupled to a synthesis chamber within which nanotubes are produced. A spindle may extend from within the housing, across the inlet, and into the chamber for collecting nanotubes and twisting them into a yarn. A body portion may be positioned at an intake end of the spindle. The body portion may include a pathway for imparting a twisting force onto the flow of nanotubes and guide them into the spindle for collection and twisting into the nanofibrous yarn. Methods and apparatuses for forming nanofibrous are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a reactor for synthesis of nanostructures is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber having one end in fluid communication with the reactor and defining a pathway along which a fluid mixture for the synthesis of nanostructures can be injected into the reactor. The apparatus also has a tube in fluid communication with an opposite of the chamber to impart a venturi effect in order to generate from the fluid mixture small droplets prior to introducing the fluid mixture into the chamber. A heating zone is situated downstream from the tube to provide a temperature range sufficient to permit the formation, from components within the fluid mixture, of catalyst particles upon which nanostructures can be generated. A mechanism is further provided at a distal end of the chamber to minimize turbulent flow as the fluid mixture exits the chamber, and to impart a substantially laminar flow thereto. A method for synthesis of nanostructures is also provided.

Abstract: A cable having a conducting member made from a nanostructure-based material, and a shielding layer made of nanostructure-based material. The shielding layer can be circumferentially situated about the conducting member so as to enhance conductivity along the conducting member. A coupling mechanism may be situated between the shielding layer and the conducting member so as to secure the shielding layer in its position on the conducting member. A method of making the cable is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system that receives nanomaterials, forms nanofibrous materials therefrom, and collects these nanofibrous materials for subsequent applications. The system include a housing coupled to a synthesis chamber within which nanotubes are produced. A spindle may extend from within the housing, across the inlet, and into the chamber for collecting nanotubes and twisting them into a yarn. A body portion may be positioned at an intake end of the spindle. The body portion may include a pathway for imparting a twisting force onto the flow of nanotubes and guide them into the spindle for collection and twisting into the nanofibrous yarn. Methods and apparatuses for forming nanofibrous are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing boron nitride nanotubes and continuous boron nitride nanotube yarn or tapes is provided. The apparatus includes rotating reaction tubes that allow for continuous chemical vapor deposition of boron nitride nanotubes. The rotation of the reaction tubes allows the boron nitride nanotubes to be spun into yarns or made into tapes, without post process or external rotation or spinning of the gathered nanotubes. Boron nitride nanotube yarns or tapes of great length can be produced as a result, thereby providing industry with a readily useable format for this type of material. Dopants such as carbon can be added to engineer the band gap of the nanotubes. Catalysts may be formed outside or inside the reactor.

Abstract: A cable having a conducting member made from a nanostructure-based material, and a shielding layer made of nanostructure-based material. The shielding layer can be circumferentially situated about the conducting member so as to enhance conductivity along the conducting member. A coupling mechanism may be situated between the shielding layer and the conducting member so as to secure the shielding layer in its position on the conducting member. A method of making the cable is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nanotube-based insulator is provided having thermal insulating properties. The insulator can include a plurality of nanotube sheets stacked on top of one another. Each nanotube sheet can be defined by a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The plurality of carbon nanotubes can be configured so as to decrease normal-to-plane thermal conductivity while permitting in-plane thermal conductivity. A plurality of spacers can be situated between adjacent nanotube sheets so as to reduce interlayer contact between the nanotubes in each sheet. The plurality of spacers can be ceramic or alumina dots or provided by texturing the nanotube sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus having a conductive body defined by a plurality of nanotubes forming a planar structure. The apparatus further includes a plurality of junctions, formed by adjacent nanotubes, and a plurality of conductive deposits positioned at the junctions to electrically join the adjacent nanotubes at the junctions and reduce electrical resistance between the nanotubes, thereby increasing overall conductivity of the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for production of nanostructures using a plasma generator. In an embodiment, a system for use with a reactor for synthesis of nanostructures may include a chamber defining a pathway for directing a fluid mixture for the synthesis of nanostructures through the chamber. The system may further include one or more heating zones disposed along the chamber to provide a temperature gradient in the chamber to form catalyst particles upon which nanostructures can be generated from the components of the fluid mixture. The system may also include a plasma generator for generating a plasma flame in a conduit through which the fluid mixture may be passed to decompose a carbon source in the fluid mixture into its constituent atoms before proceeding into the reactor for formation of nanostructures.

Abstract: One method of fabricating hybrid conductors includes complexing conductive metal elements (e.g., silver, gold, copper), transition metal elements, alloys, wires, or combinations thereof, with carbon nanotube materials. In the alternative, the hybrid conductors may be formed by doping the carbon nanotube materials in salt solutions.

Abstract: Systems for producing electrical energy from heat are disclosed. The system may include a carbon-nanotube based pathway along which heat from a source can be directed. An array of thermoelectric elements for generating electrical energy may be situated about a surface of the pathway to enhance the generation of electrical energy. A carbon nanotube-based, heat-dissipating member may be in thermal communication with the array of thermoelectric elements and operative to create a heat differential between the thermoelectric elements and the pathway by dissipating heat from the thermoelectric elements. The heat differential may allow the thermoelectric elements to generate the electrical energy. Methods for producing electrical energy are also disclosed.