Abstract: There is provided an electromagnetic (EM) shielding composite and its method of manufacture having low observability and a low loading level, e.g., 1.5 weight percent, of nanotubes mixed in a base host polymer, wherein the EM shielding composite is an effective shield and absorber for broadband plane wave EM radiation. The loading levels of nanotubes are sufficiently low to leave the mechanical properties of the base polymers essentially unchanged, making this approach widely applicable to a broad range of applications.

Abstract: The invention is directed to conformal coatings that provide excellent shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI). A conformal coating comprises an insulating layer and a conducting layer containing electrically conductive material. The insulating layer comprises materials for protecting a coated object. The conducting layer comprises materials that provide EMI shielding such as carbon black, carbon buckeyballs, carbon nanotubes, chemically-modified carbon nanotubes and combinations thereof. The insulating layer and the conductive layer may be the same or different, and may be applied to an object simultaneously or sequentially. Accordingly, the invention is also directed to objects that are partially or completely coated with a conformal coating that provides EMI shielding.

Abstract: A conductive article includes a substrate and a conductive layer that is formed on the surface of the substrate and contains fine conductive fibers that are dispersed in the conductive layer. One end of the fibers is fixed to the substrate and other end of the fibers protrude from the top surface of the conductive layer. Alternatively, a middle portion of the fibers may protrude from the top surface or fixed to the substrate. Even though the fibers are dispersed well enough to avoid the aggregation of the fibers, portions of the fibers are located close to each other enough to provide electrical contact.

Abstract: A conductive article includes a substrate made of a thermoplastic resin, and a transparent and conductive layer comprising carbon nanotubes and formed on at least one face of the substrate. The carbon nanotubes are electrical in contact with each other and dispersed so that each of the carbon nanotubes is separated form other carbon nanotubes, or that each of bundles of the carbon nanotubes is separated from other bundles.

Abstract: This invention relates to flexible, transparent and conductive coatings and films formed using carbon nanotubes (CNT) and, in particular, single wall carbon nanotubes, with polymer binders. Preferably, coatings and films are formed from carbon nanotubes applied to transparent substrates forming one or multiple conductive layers at nanometer level of thickness. Polymer binders are applied to the CNT network coating having an open structure to provide protection through infiltration. This provides for enhancement of properties such as moisture resistance, thermal resistance, abrasion resistance and interfacial adhesion. Polymers may be thermoplastics or thermosets, or a combination thereof. Polymers may also be insulative or inherently electrical conductive, or any combination of both. Polymers may comprise single or multiple layers as a basecoat underneath a CNT coating, or a topcoat above a CNT coating, or combination of the basecoat and the topcoat forming a sandwich structure.

Abstract: A method for making a nanocomposite electrode or circuit pattern includes forming a continuous carbon nanotube layer impregnated with a binder and patterning the binder resin using various printing or photo imaging techniques. An alternative method includes patterning the carbon nanotube layer using various printing or imaging techniques and subsequently applying a continuous coating of binder resin to the patterned carbon nanotube layer. Articles made from these patterned nanocomposite coatings include transparent electrodes and circuits for flat panel displays, photovoltaics, touch screens, electroluminescent lamps, and EMI shielding.

Abstract: A method for repairing fiber-reinforced composite structures while maintaining original EM and lightning protection using carbon nanotubes, fibers, and thermoset resins is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises preparing a damaged area for repair; preparing a repair patch for the damaged area, the repair patch comprising nanotubes; applying the repair patch to the damaged area; and curing the repair patch. A repair patch for a composite structure having a conductive layer is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the repair patch includes a binder and nanotubes. A repair resin for repairing a composite structure having a conductive layer is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the repair layer includes a resin and nanotubes. A putty for repairing a composite structure having a conductive layer is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrically conductive film is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the film includes a plurality of single-walled nanotubes having a particular diameter. The disclosed film demonstrates excellent conductivity and transparency. Methods of preparing the film as well as methods of its use are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of patterning carbon nanotubes transparent electrically conductive coating/films, by modification of the applied carbon nanotube (CNT) network through use of sidewall group functionalization to disrupt electrical conductivity of the nanotubes. The resulting areas which undergo chemical modification are rendered more or less conductive than those areas which where not altered. This results in a patterned film, wherein said pattern is shaped to form electrodes, pixels, wires, antenna or other electrical component. In addition, the areas of chemically modified CNT can be returned to their original conductive state (i.e. reversible and repeatable), or fixed to yield a permanent pattern.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for forming conductive patterned coatings of carbon nanotubes. Patterns are electrically conductive coatings/films made by exploiting self patterning nanostructures composed of electrically conductive materials. The resulting layer is suitable for conducting electricity in applications where a transparent electrode is required. Typical applications include, but are not limited to; LC displays, touch screens, EMI shielding windows, and architectural windows. Films may be highly transparent. In one embodiment, carbon nanotubes are applied to an insulating substrate to form an electrically conductive network of nanotubes with controlled porosity in the network. The open area between the networks of nanotubes, increases the optical transparency in the visible spectrum while the continuous nanotube phase provides electrical conductivity across the entire surface or patterned area.

Abstract: Spacecraft with electrostatic dissipative surfaces are disclosed herein. The surface has layer which includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes to incorporate electrical conductivity into space durable polymeric layers without degrading optical transparency, solar absorptivity or mechanical properties.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of increasing the optical and electrical properties of carbon nanotube based transparent electrically conductive coating/films by modification of the applied single wall carbon nanotube (SWCnT) network through use of solvents and/or an expendable matrix structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to flexible, transparent and conductive coatings and films formed using single wall carbon nanotubes and polymer binders. Preferably, coatings and films are formed from carbon nanotubes (CNT) applied to transparent substrates forming one or multiple conductive layers at nanometer level of thickness. Polymer binders are applied to the CNT network coating having an open structure to provide protection through infiltration. This provides for the enhancement of properties such as moisture resistance, thermal resistance, abrasion resistance and interfacial adhesion. Polymers may be thermoplastics or thermosets, or any combination of both. Polymers may also be insulative or inherently electrical conductive, or any combination of both. Polymers may comprise single or multiple layers as a basecoat underneath a CNT coating, or a topcoat above a CNT coating, or combination of the basecoat and the topcoat forming a sandwich structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrically conductive coatings of carbon that have high thermal oxidative stability and low thermal conduction. Coatings of the invention provide a surface resistivity to the coated substrate of 102 ohms/square, and preferably 10?2 ohms/square. Coatings also provide the coated article increased thermal oxidative stability as compared to the uncoated article and articles coated with convention materials like carbon black and metals, as well as low thermal conduction. The invention is also directed to substrates possessing conductive coatings, methods of utilizing the coated substrates, and to methods of forming the coatings of the invention.

Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in a fluid is disclosed. The chemical sensors include chemically sensitive resistors that utilize carbon nanotubes as a chemically sensitive element. The disclosed sensors have excellent sensitivity to chemicals and can provide fast results. Methods of preparing the sensors as well as methods of their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a capacitor of a triphenyl phosphine oxide film as a base dielectric. More specifically, the base dielectric film is selected from the group consisting of Bisphenol-A (Bis-A PEPO). 4′,4′-biphenol (BP-PEPO), and Hydroquinone (HQ-PEPO). TPPO based polymers have a very high breakdown strength, dielectric constant, low dissipation factor and high energy density. An ultra-thin coating can leverage the capabilities of this new dielectric, and potentially other commercial polymer films, to make possible energy storage in excess of 1 J/cc. The triphenyl phosphine oxide film can be fabricated containing a conducting PolyANiline (PAN) polymer layer located between the electrode and core polymer, or by being dip coated with PAN.

Abstract: There is provided an electromagnetic (EM) shielding composite and its method of manufacture having low observability and a low loading level, e.g., 1.5 weight percent, of nanotubes mixed in a base host polymer, wherein the EM shielding composite is an effective shield and absorber for broadband plane wave EM radiation. The loading levels of nanotubes are sufficiently low to leave the mechanical properties of the base polymers essentially unchanged, making this approach widely applicable to a broad range of applications.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shielding composite having nanotubes and a method of making the same are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the composite for providing electromagnetic shielding includes a polymeric material and an effective amount of oriented nanotubes for EM shielding, the nanotubes being oriented when a shearing force is applied to the composite. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method for making an electromagnetic shielding includes the steps of (1) providing a polymer with an amount of nanotubes, and (2) imparting a shearing force to the polymer and nanotubes to orient the nanotubes.